How
can I hear jitter?
May
20, 2019
Marc,
I
read the April 2018 article on the Genesis Digital Lens and jitter.
I currently use my Cambridge Audio 840C as a transport connected to my PS Audio outboard
DAC. I’m using a Black Cat Venice digital cable. None of this is super-high-end
stuff, but it does sound pretty good, I think.
This
may come across as a silly question, but how do I tell if I’m experiencing jitter?
The playback does sound very good. What can I do to compare my current setup to a
different setup, if you know what I mean? Would the best way be to eliminate the outboard
DAC and connect the CD and its internal DAC straight to my integrated amp?
I
guess what I'm asking is, am I degrading the digital signal somehow with my current setup?
As I said, although it seems to sound good, maybe I’m missing something,
Sheldon
Simon
The
only way to hear jitter, so to speak, is to note its absence when you use a product like
the Genesis Digital Lens between your DAC and transport. I'm a big fan of the Digital Lens
(though only for CD playback, as that's all it can accommodate), and with it in use,
digital sounds smoother and less forced -- more like very good analog. You can A/B the
effect very easily: either by connecting your transport directly to your DAC (provided the
transport has a second digital output) and switching inputs, or by doing a quick switch of
digital cables to bypass the Digital Lens.
The
going price for a used Digital Lens is about $600 now. It used to be lower, but I suspect
that, with file replay and streaming becoming even more prevalent, some audiophiles are
rediscovering CD playback, given the glut of used discs available for little cost, and
buying Digital Lenses. CDs are sort of like LPs a decade ago -- easy to find on the cheap.
Right now, LPs are hot and CDs are not, which is good for people like me who still play
them with my vintage transport, vintage DACs and a Digital Lens. -Marc Mickelson
"Absurb
prices"
May
5, 2019
Marc,
About
your
visit to LMC, more like "stunned" about the absurd prices! Are you friggin'
kidding? What planet do you audio geeks live on? Not in this solar system. Jeez. I need to
quit looking at this baloney.
All
due respect to Mr. Wilson, of course.
Tim
Emons
"Add
me"
May
1, 2019
Marc,
Could
you please add me to the reader list? Thanks.
Andrew
Lindholm
I've
added you to the list. To join TAB's reader e-mail list and find out about new
articles first, send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com.
-Marc Mickelson
