Benchmark DAC1 VS Anti-Cables
Yesterday I upgraded from some generic speaker cable to a pair of 6' unterminated Anti-Cables ($60).... For the record this is the first time I'm truly convinced that I've heard a difference in cables, which is an impressive feat on it's own...
Anyway, the success of the Anti-Cables in my system left me wondering which change made the most impact on my system: Running my Squeezebox through my Benchmark DAC1 or upgrading speaker cables?
Disclaimer: This is not a properly conducted scientific test... No double blind testing... No extended listening sessions... No days of painstakingly swapping out the 2 components to hear the most minuscule variations in tone and definition... Just my quick impressions:
I felt both components improved my humble system in very different ways... I found the Cables made the best of what I had... Everything became clearer and more refined... The music just sounded good... The DAC on the other hand added layers of depth and detail...
Now if I had to pick just one upgrade of the 2:
It would be the $60 cables over the $1K DAC... Not based on which product adds more improvement overall or which one is better value for money, but because... OK this part is hard to explain so let me try and describe it - Using the old audiophile cliche of looking through a window; The cables seem to clean the window, making whats behind the window much clearer... The DAC (on it's own) seems to be improving the image behind the window... So you can see that there is more behind the window than before, but the window is still dirty...
Now as I said this is all just quick impressions, so take it all with a grain of salt, but it certainly is an interesting experience...
Anyone else done any crazy comparisons like this?