First, this is a reminder that no PC / Media player can compete where dedicated stereo components are concerned. My uncompressed FLAC files played through JRiver Media Center though my PC connected to the Teac UD-503 DAC via USB, has a nice clean sound, but it can't compete with my Rotel RCD-1072 CD Player directly to the DAC via digital cable. No matter the quality of cable (well at least a decent cable). That... These
Blue Truth cables from Better Cables are the truth!!!
The first thing that stands out is how deep and clear the bass/drum notes are. The next thing is the
timbre - everything is just clear and precise, especially vocals. And the soundstage is just magical - While in a stereo system you want things centered, especially vocals, you don't want them so centered to be pinpoint, you kind of want a fading to the center as that tends to present an open soundstage - everything isn't so cramped.
Anyway, while cables
can make a difference, bear in mind it's the system that has to produce. Here, lucky for me both my DAC and CD player are no slouch with both producing a warm sound that's without any hint of digital harshness lessor components are known for.
And BTW, none of the components are new - the DAC and headphones are 2016 purchases, while the Rotel CD player is 2004
Yes, I need a new work desk, but I've had this since 1998 when I got my first PC
