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Post by jason05216 on Oct 2, 2020 9:22:49 GMT -5
I added the Cambridge CXN v.2 streamer to my system early last month. I was impressed with how easily I was able to get it going. Mostly I've been using it with Roon and Spotify.
One thing I have noticed is that it sounds overly bright and sometimes is a bit harsh when listening to Qobuz thru Roon. If I switch to Spotify and play the same music it I don't notice it sounding harsh or too bright. So far I've only noticed it on some music on Qobuz. I've got the CXN connected to my Emotiva PT-100 via Toslink.
Do I need to do something different with my setup or is it maybe just the recordings on Qobuz?
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Post by creimes on Oct 2, 2020 9:33:02 GMT -5
Have you tried Tidal yet, maybe take the free trial if you haven't already and see what you think, also maybe try going analog from the CXN to the PT-100 and use the CXN DAC and see if you notice anything different or better/worse.
Chad
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Post by brubacca on Oct 2, 2020 10:59:00 GMT -5
Try a pair od Analog Interconnects and see what you think.
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Oct 2, 2020 11:26:32 GMT -5
I have version 1 of the CXN, but I have never used Qobuz. I use Tidal and play from my digital library with no perceived brightness. I've also used Spotify in the past with no issues. Might be a Qobuz issue or maybe there is a setting that can be adjusted?
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Post by jason05216 on Oct 5, 2020 9:29:51 GMT -5
I'll try different interconnects and check out Tidal also. Thanks
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Oct 5, 2020 12:08:28 GMT -5
The CXN streamer uses a Wolfson DAC... They are generally considered to be quite neutral... but do offer the designer a choice between several different filters. (So the designer has some ability to customize how they sound.)
In general.... - Qubuz delivers good quality bit-perfect uncompressed music (CD and better quality) - Tidal also offers the same good quality (including CD and better quality) but a lot of their music is MQA processed (MQA is a form of remastering - so MQA albums do often sound somewhat different than the originals). (MQA albums will also sound different depending on exactly how and to what level you decode - "unfold" - them).
- Spotify DOES use a type of lossy compression (Spotify Premium uses a better grade of lossy compression - and sounds pretty good - but it is still lossy.) I added the Cambridge CXN v.2 streamer to my system early last month. I was impressed with how easily I was able to get it going. Mostly I've been using it with Roon and Spotify. One thing I have noticed is that it sounds overly bright and sometimes is a bit harsh when listening to Qobuz thru Roon. If I switch to Spotify and play the same music it I don't notice it sounding harsh or too bright. So far I've only noticed it on some music on Qobuz. I've got the CXN connected to my Emotiva PT-100 via Toslink. Do I need to do something different with my setup or is it maybe just the recordings on Qobuz?
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Post by LuisV on Oct 5, 2020 14:05:18 GMT -5
Have you tried to connect the streamer to your integrated amp via RCAs instead? Simply curious if you still hear the same issue?
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Post by jason05216 on Oct 6, 2020 9:13:57 GMT -5
Have you tried to connect the streamer to your integrated amp via RCAs instead? Simply curious if you still hear the same issue? I haven't yet. I'll do it tonight and post back about my impressions. I'm using Spotify Premium and Qobuz. I'll sign up for the Tidal trial and see if there is any difference.
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Post by brutiarti on Oct 6, 2020 10:02:09 GMT -5
I would use the coaxial input instead of the optical on the PT-100
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Post by sgracing on Oct 6, 2020 12:44:24 GMT -5
In my opinion the XLR Balanced connections are the cleanest ! With my XMC-1 set on Direct you get the true affects of the wolfstine DAC.. Qobuz through the system is incredibly clean and neutral .... I could listen to it for hours on end and experience no fatigue...
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Post by jason05216 on Oct 24, 2020 8:17:51 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay in getting back on this. I connected the Cambridge to the PT-100 via RCA and compared it to the optical connection. The RCA connection to my ear sounds a bit less bright which to me sounds better. I've got a Schiit Loki in my system as well and using it I was able to reduce the upper end while using the optical connection to a level that sounded good to me. My PT-100 doesn't have balanced connections so for now I'm just going to go with the RCA connections. I don't know anything about the different DACs in play here just going with what sound better to me.
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Post by creimes on Oct 24, 2020 11:01:53 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay in getting back on this. I connected the Cambridge to the PT-100 via RCA and compared it to the optical connection. The RCA connection to my ear sounds a bit less bright which to me sounds better. I've got a Schiit Loki in my system as well and using it I was able to reduce the upper end while using the optical connection to a level that sounded good to me. My PT-100 doesn't have balanced connections so for now I'm just going to go with the RCA connections. I don't know anything about the different DACs in play here just going with what sound better to me. Whatever sound best to you is the way to go, some speakers may sound better to ones ears with whats in front of them like DAC's and amps and such so it is a synergy thing as well, exploring the different connections and such is what can make this fun and interesting, glad to hear it is working out better for you know. Chad
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