Do I not like the ‘house sound’?

[Barbour81]

I am currently preferring the sound from my TT and Spotify through my system compared to my CD player. The odd thing is, my TT is an entry level Rega P1+, Spotify is obviously compressed and running via optical out from my computer into my Bel Canto DAC. My CD source is a Cyrus CD XT se with PSX-R so it’s by far the most expensive source component but it just feels so thin and at times, overly bright and harsh. Easily my least preferable source

I’m connecting via a cheap coaxial cable into the DAC, but surely that’s not causing issues? Im ruling out the DAC as Spotify sounds great. Do I just not like the Cyrus house sound?

Rest of the system is a Bryston BP 26 pre amp and PMC active speakers.

 

[Iceman 16]

I am currently preferring the sound from my TT and Spotify through my system compared to my CD player. The odd thing is, my TT is an entry level Rega P1+, Spotify is obviously compressed and running via optical out from my computer into my Bel Canto DAC. My CD source is a Cyrus CD XT se with PSX-R so it’s by far the most expensive source component but it just feels so thin and at times, overly bright and harsh. Easily my least preferable source

I’m connecting via a cheap coaxial cable into the DAC, but surely that’s not causing issues? Im ruling out the DAC as Spotify sounds great. Do I just not like the Cyrus house sound?

Rest of the system is a Bryston BP 26 pre amp and PMC active speakers.

Cyrus + Bryston + PMC is not a combination I would put together or recommend.

 

[hearhere]

I am currently preferring the sound from my TT and Spotify through my system compared to my CD player. The odd thing is, my TT is an entry level Rega P1+, Spotify is obviously compressed and running via optical out from my computer into my Bel Canto DAC. My CD source is a Cyrus CD XT se with PSX-R so it’s by far the most expensive source component but it just feels so thin and at times, overly bright and harsh. Easily my least preferable source

I’m connecting via a cheap coaxial cable into the DAC, but surely that’s not causing issues? Im ruling out the DAC as Spotify sounds great. Do I just not like the Cyrus house sound?

Rest of the system is a Bryston BP 26 pre amp and PMC active speakers.

Are you using the CDP's own DAC? If so, you're not comparing apples with apples! Try using the CDP's digital out (I presume it offers both coax and optical) into your Bel Canto DAC. Try both coax annd optical - the former should be better.

Maybe the experience will prompt you to subscribe to a CD-quality streaming service (Qobuz or Tidal) and your CDP can be used only if your internet is down or if friends bring their CDs round! Peter

 

[Jazid]

My prejudice says its the Cyrus house sound, I can't get on with their older source components, but can't speak for newer ones.
It could be that the digital cable isn't helping, in my opinion it wouldn't make much difference with a digital source but it's cheap to try another. Just make sure it's as short as possible and the correct characteristic impedance, no need for foo.
I would suggest trying a computer source using the same input as the Cyrus to see if it sounds better. If so the answer is there.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

Just make sure it's as short as possible and the correct characteristic impedance, no need for foo.

I remember reading (but not where, sadly) that the ideal length is 1.5m. Hopefully someone will explain it (or debunk it) for me.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

I am currently preferring the sound from my TT and Spotify through my system compared to my CD player. The odd thing is, my TT is an entry level Rega P1+, Spotify is obviously compressed and running via optical out from my computer into my Bel Canto DAC. My CD source is a Cyrus CD XT se with PSX-R so it’s by far the most expensive source component but it just feels so thin and at times, overly bright and harsh. Easily my least preferable source

I’m connecting via a cheap coaxial cable into the DAC, but surely that’s not causing issues? Im ruling out the DAC as Spotify sounds great. Do I just not like the Cyrus house sound?

Rest of the system is a Bryston BP 26 pre amp and PMC active speakers.

I've always found the Cyrus house sound to be a bit lean / bright for my tastes, if that helps at all.

 

[Rockchild]

The Cyrus kit is ok, it just needs to be partnered well. Op, as an experiment, take the PSX-R off the CDP. I find that it can make them clinical. Great on amps but the older Cyrus system I have here works better without the PSX-R on the CDP. Just my pennies worth but give it a go

 

[uzzy]

Are you comparing like with like? A lot of the CDs up to the mid 80s and beyond were AAD or ADD and invariably sound worse than the vinyl.

I am a vinyl and cd user and predominantly CDs now .. other than badly produced/recorded CDs I have had no problems. I have not had a chance to compare a Cyrus CD player in my system I am still using an ancient Pioneer PDS505 precision which suits me.

 

[Strider]

I don't completely subscribe to 'house sound' but more of a case of 'what doesn't work for me'.
I think there's more than a modicum of expectation bias due to another's biased opinion based on here-say and limited experience - "I've not heard it but "X" said it sounds like this so my opinion aligns with them."

Synergy and actually trying it out and not following dogmatic pre-expectation should never overrule listening to the kit with your own lugs in your own environment.

 

[tuga]

Spotify is obviously compressed

What do you mean by obviously compressed? Spotify doesn't compress the dynamics, only the file size.

 

[Nopiano]

I remember reading (but not where, sadly) that the ideal length is 1.5m. Hopefully someone will explain it (or debunk it) for me.

I’ve read it too, and this little chart appears on one eBay seller’s page…

 

[hearhere]

What do you mean by obviously compressed? Spotify doesn't compress the dynamics, only the file size.

I think he meant to say that Spotify was not Lossless - which it isn't.

 

[A.S.]

I don’t think it’s any of these things.
You simple don’t like music with the wide dynamic range and higher signal to noise ratio and prefer the lower versions that come from vinyl and lossy Spotify. You like what you like. Stick with it and enjoy it. Uncompressed lossless audio from digital mediums at CD quality and above is not to everyone’s taste with its linear frequency response. Many prefer the midrange is vinyl and lossy audio. Each to their own. What you like the sound of is what brings you happiness. Enjoy.

 

[Minicoupeman]

I have posted before that the biggest increase I found in sound quality was 1) Room treatment 2) Origin Live Arm and 3) A £300 TELLERIUM CABLE - CD to DAC. Borrow a good cable and try it.

 

[tuga]

I don’t think it’s any of these things.
You simple don’t like music with the wide dynamic range and higher signal to noise ratio and prefer the lower versions that come from vinyl and lossy Spotify. You like what you like. Stick with it and enjoy it. Uncompressed lossless audio from digital mediums at CD quality and above is not to everyone’s taste with its linear frequency response. Many prefer the midrange is vinyl and lossy audio. Each to their own. What you like the sound of is what brings you happiness. Enjoy.

Spotify's lossy compression doesn't affect the dynamic range though, only the resolution.
With good recordings the difference in quality to CD is very small (e.g. BIS recordings).

But if you're into rock/pop there's a chance that they won't have the best mastered version of a lot of music (in my experience it doesn't), only the latest compressed remaster (here I am referring to dynamic compression).

 

[hiesteem]

Rest of the system is a Bryston BP 26 pre amp and PMC active speakers.

I am not convinced about these two with your Cyrus as they could be contributing to what you are hearing. With respect, I don't think you are hearing The Cyrus house sound completely, as you have other brands in the equipment chain, including active amps in the PMC and The Bel Canto DAC.
I would experiment with the simplest solutions, for now, ie cables, Rockchilds suggestion of taking something out of the chain.
I do empathise with your situation and have had similar mismatched components a long time ago.
My solution was to find a brand that I liked and use its components throughout the chain. For instance, their Cd, DAC, amplifier and a well-matched pair of speakers, from another brand, as this is less important if you get the preceding equipment right.
Not saying you should do this, but it has worked for me and I have not changed this philosophy for the last 25 years.

 

[John (big)]

I remember reading (but not where, sadly) that the ideal length is 1.5m. Hopefully someone will explain it (or debunk it) for me.

It was first propounded in the late 1980's in several magazines after work done by then eminent designers of digital circuits my recollection is that it had something to do with internal reflections in coaxial cable with a digital signal canceling themselves to some extent. I obviously the same somewhere because I ensure my digital cable is 1.5m long. Some insist the shorter the cable the better as with analogue signals must extrapolate to digital signals an assertion that may not be true

The article I found below is one of several on the internet. agreeing with awkwardbydesign & by extension by myself.

In relation to the article below light travels 11.72 inches in a nanosecond a strange fact I picked up in my teen's.

https://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm

 

[tuga]

It was first propounded in the late 1980's in several magazines after work done by then eminent designers of digital circuits my recollection is that it had something to do with internal reflections in coaxial cable with a digital signal canceling themselves to some extent. I obviously the same somewhere because I ensure my digital cable is 1.5m long. Some insist the shorter the cable the better as with analogue signals must extrapolate to digital signals an assertion that may not be true

The article I found below is one of several on the internet. agreeing with awkwardbydesign & by extension by myself.

In relation to the article below light travels 11.72 inches in a nanosecond a strange fact I picked up in my teen's.

https://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm

There's a technical piece about ideal S/PDIF length worth reading at ASR, which includes comments from Benchmark's John Siau.

 

[hearhere]

I remember reading (but not where, sadly) that the ideal length is 1.5m. Hopefully someone will explain it (or debunk it) for me.

How does this 1.5 m cable compare with no cable at all - ie when the streamer is built into the DAC? Or for that matter how does the DAC to preamp cable connection compare with no cable ie in an amp with built-in DAC? Let's finish the chain by again comparing the link between preamp and power amp - cables vs integrated?

For my money (saved money), I avoid as many cables as possible. The cable that improves sound hasn't been invented - and never will be, however much it costs.

Peter

 

[John (big)]

How does this 1.5 m cable compare with no cable at all - ie when the streamer is built into the DAC? Or for that matter how does the DAC to preamp cable connection compare with no cable ie in an amp with built-in DAC? Let's finish the chain by again comparing the link between preamp and power amp - cables vs integrated?

For my money (saved money), I avoid as many cables as possible. The cable that improves sound hasn't been invented - and never will be, however much it costs.

Peter

I wholeheartedly agree "The cable that improves sound hasn't been invented" however I have heard several that have spoilt it. including digital,optical & analogue. a good cable does nothing more than transmit an unadulterated signal, some don't, sometimes they act as a filter improving the sound in a very limited application usually the converse is true.

Is Bluetooth as good as WiFi both require conversion from and to, then to and from, are the converters of a consistent standard as far as I can see it never stops whether cable or through the ether. The SPDIF article I posted probably explains the pros & cons of built in DAC's I believe careful attention to detail is the answer.

I use 75 Ohm F type fittings for coax connections in my system the CD4se player I use for a transport is BNC crimped then soldered, where RCA/phono type sockets are fitted F type fittings have screw in RCA/phono barrel's like the aerial fitting but with a longer center pin. I also use an F type switch box between CD & DVD player to DAC. all with WF100 75 Ohm coax full copper foil/mesh shield. Pus a load of clip on ferrites.

All to make the best of what I have with no additions like jitter/internal reflections or losses due to any cause ie impedance mismatch. On another forum I was described as having dealt with the minutia in my system.

I also made my fine silver phono leads & cross-connected coaxial speaker cables, I use the TNT UBYTE 2 Cable. the effect that occurs is an inductance reduction to almost nothing. perfect for my OTA Quad 57's that require very low inductance ref. Sanders white paper & a plethora of others.

My working life taught me the devil is often in the detail. Now I have the time to attend to the minutia, research on forums talking to friends who design professionally/build not only HiFi, off the internet, I have not thrown much money just attended to all the details I could conceive, the result is I am pleased with what I have.

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/crossed-coax-speaker-cables.58659/
https://audiomav.com/cross-connected-coaxial-speaker-cables/