[bladesmith]

More power....!

[Norman Tracy]

Pansixt,

Let me add one more thing to consider. As one of my USB interfaces I use the EMU 0404 semi-pro audio ADC/DAC. In addition to its analog I/O the 0404 has S/PDIF I/O on both coax and Toslink. I was using it with AT&T's CATV set top box first as a Toslink input just to listen. Later it occurred to me I could record and archive the audio off some of the concert videos I enjoy. It was while doing the recording and editing the resulting files I discovered something very interesting. To be clear I was recording 48k digital audio from the set top box's digital output with it set to output S/PDIF not dolby digital. Recording was direct to WAV files, no analog conversions involved or digital level setting during recording. What I discovered is the output never went above -15 dB., this across many shows. This was consistent with all the channels I checked. This is in the digital domain so recall 0 dB is absolute maximum. It looked like all the audio signals had been gain processed and shifted down so the maximum peak was -15 dB. I do not know if this is an industry wide practice within the cable TV industry or specific to AT&T.

So I wonder in Pansixt's description of his cable TV audio sounding best among all his sources if a -15 dB shift places that source at the sweet spot of his electronics' gain range? Do you have to make a significant change in the volume control when switching to/from cable TV audio source?

[woodsyi]

James,

I am willing to come over to hear this phenomenon.  I can bring some things (tubes?) to see if any particular thing makes difference.   I can test your tubes on my Amplitrex -- I can bring the tester.  Or maybe I end up getting your cable system.  

[jarcher]

Hmm - I've heard you mention how great the cable box seems to sound as a source, but I suspect something's just not gelling with the squeezebox / Ava DAC / etc combo that's making the cable box sound great by comparison. Could be a cabling synergy issue, and when I get back we could try some options to see if we can't dial in the sound.

Ultimately though I do think you should look at something else as a digital music source vs the squeezebox, such as a PC, windows or Mac.  I've been very impressed with the sound of this Mac mini / pure music / audioquest dragonfly DAC combo I took on the road. Very musical with plenty of detail and no Low frequency issues. But Hal's server or something else could be just the ticket as well......

[pansixt]

James,

I am willing to come over to hear this phenomenon.  I can bring some things (tubes?) to see if any particular thing makes difference.   I can test your tubes on my Amplitrex -- I can bring the tester.  Or maybe I end up getting your cable system.

Rim,
That sounds great. I will PM you next week and we can discuss it. Thanks.

Jarcher,
Yes and bring that CJ and it will make a difference.

Norman,
That is certainly interesting. And there is a significant gain difference between some sources. I will look closer.

Bladesmith,
More power is in the not to distant future. Not sure if SS, Hybrid, or Tube. I'm leaning toward SS or Hybrid, but previewing will
be involved.

Thanks All