I cannot get any sound from my CYP AUD3 micro DAC, [was “digital is dead...” in fb2k: Support] Options

[cl1ent]

Noob here, so hello to all. I've been reading this forum for ages and now I need some help from you learned folk!
I have a Win 7 pc (Realtek HD onboard sound with optical out) and a bunch of 24/96 vinyl rips.
Playback via 3.5mm jack is just fine, but I have bought a CYP AUD3 micro dac (24/192) and I just can't get any sound out of it.
Connected like this - optical/dac/rca/amplifier. I have spent 2/3 of the day clicking on everything I can, but still no sound.
Would greatly appreciate any guidance from you guys.

Best regards

[DVDdoug]

The fault was with the el-cheapo Cambridge Audio Toslink cable. Under close inspection, while moderately bending it, I could see the optic fiber moving in and out from one end! ...

...with a QED Performance Graphite Toslink cable.

For future reference, if you live in the U.S. Monoprice.com sells high-quality cables (of all kinds) for very-low prices. And with the low prices, I usually order a couple extra...

I've been reading this forum for ages...

.. and I've got a real dac coming next week. Been eyeing the MF M1 for a while and I gave in.

I assume you don't expect any difference in sound, unless your current DAC is defective. But, if you've got the extra cash, and you like the features, appearance, and build quality, etc., more power to you!

[cl1ent]

The fault was with the el-cheapo Cambridge Audio Toslink cable. Under close inspection, while moderately bending it, I could see the optic fiber moving in and out from one end! ...

...with a QED Performance Graphite Toslink cable.

For future reference, if you live in the U.S. Monoprice.com sells high-quality cables (of all kinds) for very-low prices. And with the low prices, I usually order a couple extra...

I've been reading this forum for ages...

.. and I've got a real dac coming next week. Been eyeing the MF M1 for a while and I gave in.

I assume you don't expect any difference in sound, unless your current DAC is defective. But, if you've got the extra cash, and you like the features, appearance, and build quality, etc., more power to you!

Hi DVDdoug, I'm in the UK.
Regarding the MF M1 dac, I do expect an improvement in sound over my current CYP AUD3 dac. If I don't hear an improvement I'm sending it back and spending that money on music!
However, I think I will hear an improvement as I regard my current dac as the weak link in my system (Roksan Kandy K2 amplifier and B&W 685 speakers).
Also, I see the M1 as future-proofing my system. Again I stress that if I alone cannot hear an inprovement in sound once the M1 has been run in, I will be sending it back.
I don't spend money on things that don't add real value and I don't change gear very often, about every 5 years or so and have the current setup for 1 year now.
This whole cable experience had reminded me of a quote from my dad - "I'm too poor to buy cheap things."

Regards

[db1989]

Regarding the MF M1 dac, I do expect an improvement in sound over my current CYP AUD3 dac. If I don't hear an improvement I'm sending it back and spending that money on music!
However, I think I will hear an improvement as I regard my current dac as the weak link in my system

This almost certainly is not really the case. If you still feel the need to test it, do so by a valid method, otherwise the result will not be reliable, and you may just be throwing money away. We have numerous previous threads about both the audible performance of DACs and how to perform blind listening tests, so I recommend that you research those before ordering anything.

[cl1ent]

Regarding the MF M1 dac, I do expect an improvement in sound over my current CYP AUD3 dac. If I don't hear an improvement I'm sending it back and spending that money on music!
However, I think I will hear an improvement as I regard my current dac as the weak link in my system

This almost certainly is not really the case. If you still feel the need to test it, do so by a valid method, otherwise the result will not be reliable, and you may just be throwing money away. We have numerous previous threads about both the audible performance of DACs and how to perform blind listening tests, so I recommend that you research those before ordering anything.

What I meant by a sound improvement if simply if it sounds better to me, an individual. This is for my home/office where I spend a good 10 hrs a day, basically a workstation in my lounge.
I don't have the equipment or knowledge to lab test anything, but I can appreciate dynamics, soundstage depth, tonal balance and timing.
Leaving bias and purchase excitement aside, this is just a piece of electronic equipment at the end of the day. If it makes a enjoyable change in my personal listening experience, then I think it to be worth the investment. If not, back in the box and back to the shop with no hard feelings!
In the mean time I will be reading up on blind listening test here.

Regards

[greynol]

I can appreciate dynamics, soundstage depth, tonal balance and timing.

You are not going to hear any differences in these things in a properly controlled double blind test. That you chose these specific "audiophile" terms suggests to me that you will imagine that you hear differences in an uncontrolled sighted test, which would be quite unfortunate, since your money is absolutely better spent elsewhere.

While you might not feel that knowledgable in testing, you could empower yourself and read a few things about expectation bias.

[cl1ent]

I can appreciate dynamics, soundstage depth, tonal balance and timing.

You are not going to hear any differences in these things in a properly controlled double blind test. That you chose these specific "audiophile" terms suggests to me that you will imagine that you hear differences in an uncontrolled sighted test, which would be quite unfortunate, since your money is absolutely better spent elsewhere.

While you might not feel that knowledgable in testing, you could empower yourself and read a few things about expectation bias.

Seems everyone is here to prove me wrong on something that hasn't hapened yet...
Believe me, I'm of a very analytical and subjective nature, so I will not be imaginig hearing things. Well, maybe in my golden years!
Simple as - if I like the sound I get with the new dac (including the sound signature of the electronics) I will keep it. If not I will spend my money elsewhere.
What could you suggest I spend this money on, other than music, if the dac experience is bogus?
I'm not into headphones as I listen to music all day while I work, so cans would not work for me.

[Nessuno]

People here is only trying to tell you that as today designing, engineering and producing a DAC that surpass human hearing capabilities is a trivial industrial task. This means that there's no need to spend a lot of money to get the highest perceptible quality level because, in other words, all DACs (if not seriously flawed!) sound the same. This statement is backed up by both technical knowledge and properly conducted blind listening test.

A listening test (as every test aimed to verify the perceptibility of differences) must be conducted in a way that neither the subject nor the tester know or has otherwise hints to understand which is which during the execution of the trials, because simple psychology tells us that an individual who knows some things are different is leaded to find differences in their performances even where he is not actually able to perceive them. And this has nothing to do with being a "very analytical and subjective nature" because is mostly a subconscious process.
This is not a conjecture, but a fact largely demonstrated on specific scientific literature (and by induction on less scientific audiophile literature ) .