OK, I have made some more tests. First, I am suing a HAGUSB from Haggerman for my USB to spdif coax conversion. There is another out there at $600 that says it reclocks too, but it is expensive with no returns allowed. Coming form the USB like this deffinately sounds more like the original then using either the spdif coax out of the motherboard, a current ASUS board, or from an M-Audio Audiophile sound card. Optical out, then converted to spdif coax (all the DAC (cd player) can use) still sounds off, balanced brightly. Not harsh or edgy, but balanced brightly.
I did load a FLAC file onto the hard drive. Uning JRMC12 it again, just like the AIFF file when read sing JRMC12 sounded correct. OK, so how much difference am I talking about. Digital is known for it's upper extension and many digital cables will tell you how great they are at that, but few mention the music still staying balanced or real or not becoming digital sounding. they may say the top is not harsh or edgy, but not if it becomes overstated, especially in relation to the bass. Well, that is kind of what I aam saying. It is very noticable and very real if llisten to the CD through a good CD player or hear the person live. Listen to it on it's own, and you might just think it sounds great, except for not having enough bass warmth. EXample: Ben Webster playing sax can sound beautiful, full, rich, etc. or it can sound bright, bright and overblown in the highs with none of his rich sound. With iTunes playing the AIFF song or JRMC12 playing a WAV file (when ripped using JRMC12), it is bright and missing bass.
I can improve it with a different Digital cable, but since it can also be corrected using JRMC12 to read FLAC or AIFF files, I probably have 2 problems with the digital cable being the easiest to correct, but the other needing to be addressed as well.
Thanks ?