JoshK -- brings up a point that I tend to agree with. I noticed no difference comparing one configuration with another, with my Tripath ZR amp. No detectable difference in timbre, anything, which we hypothesized must have at least something to do with output impedances. Beyond that, I prefer the Alpha Core cables, and this may be to do with inductance issues, etc., OR, even the fact that they are soldered to the input receptacles, doing away with the spring-things.
Divan-Dude -- I said the Kenwood sounded better than the Panny, at least outta the box. The 45 sucked large for quite a while, as I recall, plus, the analogue inputs work just fine; Panasonic figured that one out, which suggests that they have been paying attention. Dr. John Meyer of Newform up in Midland Ontario has suggested that Panasonic is paying a great deal of attention to the buzz.
I look at it this way: the TI sound appeals to the cognitive brain, with its transparency, clarity and tonal accuracy, therefore, I am keeping it for the 24/96 sample-based pro-audio sound engines I own, all of which have SPDIF. The JVC sound appeals to the emotional brain, with its lit-from-within, through-the-lens, burnished sound. Calling it "tube-like" is really a half-assed analogy, it just plain sounds fantastic! It is completely load-invariant and can power any speaker I have thrown down the hammer on, including the ultra-tough 83db @ 4Ohms Dynaudio contour 1.8...What it does for orchestral and electronic is spectacular.
Today I plan to jam along with some of my favorite difficult practice stuff, -remastered vintage Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, so it will be a Purepath-JVC hybrid-American-British type o' sound.
