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Wadia 171i Digital Transport Sound Issues

I enjoyed my 170i so much I decided to upgrade to the 171i, in retrospect I think I should have saved my money to spend on music. The 171i has proven itself to be a "tweak" and I'm having a tough time getting what I believe could be a more musical experience closer to the sound of CD. At the moment the unit is powered by the CIAUDIO VDC9 power supply using a run of Nordost/Magus power cord, on the digital side I tried both Toslink and 75ohm cable and settled on Kimber's D60 75ohm cable. All of this is feeding my Cambridge AZUR 840C CDP which I am using as a DAC. The problems I'm having with the sound of the 171i is the introduction of too much base and lack of top end detail (I'm using WAV files) Any suggestions that might help? Thanks!
rpg
ton1313
272 posts
 
Have you tried AppleLossless instead of WAV?

I have done the exact upgrade you have, into my 840C. I am however using the stock PC, and a ZU ASH digital cable.

I found that the upgrade to the 171 did improve the top end detail in my system.
rpg OP
126 posts
 
Yes, I've tried lossless to and found it to be very good, in fact most of my files are applelossless. I reintroduced my old Canare cable and there was a marked improvement, gone was the booming base and back was a smoother, more relaxed top end with improved detail. The Kimber $360 cable was bested by my old $40 Canare, so I think I'm on to something here. CG was on spot when he said the Canare was the best cable at any price but does that still hold true today? Does anybody know of a Digital IC that can toast the Canare and/or Kimber D60 with experience using either these for $400 0r less? I've learned here you can't drink by the label. I'm also confused as to how digital IC's can be so different if there true 75ohm termination and wire, I was thinking they should all sound the same as they are just supposed to pass on the "bits" accurately, but that does not seem to be the case here. Thanks!
Rpg
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
"I'm also confused as to how digital IC's can be so different if there true 75ohm termination and wire..."

They're not all true 75 ohms. I think the termination is the biggest culprit in that, but don't hold me to that.

Even if they were, different cables (ICs, speaker, power)sound a bit different to my ears, even if they scientifically shouldn't. I used to get caught up in the why, now I just trust my ears as it proved to be a futile exercise to me.

Also, as you've found out, price has very little to do with sound quality in cables IMO. The more expensive ones are made better (for the most part), but that doesn't always equal sounding better.
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