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Hi Everyone, Any thoughts on using a transport vs long balanced cables? To make things more complicated, any thoughts on using an ethernet cable's twisted pairs to carry analogue balanced signals in place of dedicated XLR/TRS cables? The three setups in mind are: (A) PC - router via CAT8 - transport via CAT8 - DAC - short balanced cables - preamp (B) PC - USB cleanser - DAC - 100ft balanced XLR/TRS cables - preamp (C) PC - USB cleanser - DAC - 100ft CAT8 cable carrying two balanced analogue channels - preamp I currently have setup (C) in my house. I use an LHY UIP as USB cleanser, LyxPro box to carry analogue balanced signals over CAT8 (https://a.co/d/81QHTcs), and occasionally switch the output to other rooms with a manual RJ45 switch box (https://a.co/d/5q2RTEE). Setup (C) sounds good to me, with relatively low noise only detectable close to the speakers. However, I wonder if SQ can be boosted further by using dedicated balanced cables in setup (B), or a transport in setup (A). Your feedback would be most welcome.

I found an interesting review published on 23rd of September 2017. You may need to use google translator. Link: http://www.salonav.com/arch/2017/09/audioserver-aurender-n10.htm

I've been happily living with Modwright Oppo players for about 6 years now, and I've recently decided to go in a completely different direction, wanting more resolution and honesty than the Modwright units supply. Although I do listen to SACDs occasionally, 98% of my listening from my digital front end is from either an external HDD plugged in to the Oppo's USB port. Soon I will have the ability to connect my router directly to my new digital source (whatever that may be), however. I'm leaning toward an Auralic Vega at ~$1200 on the used market. Whatever DAC I go with, though, how will my front end selection impact the sound that ultimately comes out of the speakers? Will an Auralic Aries sound much better than an Aries Mini? Will it really sound significantly different than, say, a Bluesound Note 2, or a stock Oppo 105? Many thanks in advance for your insights! Best, HC