Review Cambridge audio edge a With a new DAC

[Hondoe1950]

I’ve been really enjoying my system, which includes a WiiM Ultra streamer, Revel M126Be speakers, and the Cambridge Audio Edge A amplifier, but I could tell that something was not quite perfect.

I realized that the DAC in the Edge A wasn’t separating the instruments and voices enough and the sound stage was not deep enough.

After a lot of research, I decided to add an external DAC to the system. I chose the Chord Electronics Qutest, and installed it yesterday.

It made an incredibly profound difference. Now I’m getting the resolution, separation, and depth of sound stage that I was craving. Every voice and instrument sounds like it’s performing right in front of me!

I just wanted to share my experience in case others are in the same situation.

I cannot believe how perfect my system sounds now.

 

[Gray]

I cannot believe how perfect my system sounds now.

'Perfect' until the next upgrade makes it more perfect 😉

 

[Al ears]

'Perfect' until the next upgrade makes it more perfect 😉

Shush.....

 

[Gray]

Shush.....

Yeah, leave him while he's happy 👍

 

[Al ears]

Yeah, leave him while he's happy 👍

Indeed....
we don't get many happy customers....

 

[Hondoe1950]

Thank you both for speaking up for me. Very much.

 

[Jasonovich]

I’ve been really enjoying my system, which includes a WiiM Ultra streamer, Revel M126Be speakers, and the Cambridge Audio Edge A amplifier, but I could tell that something was not quite perfect.

I realized that the DAC in the Edge A wasn’t separating the instruments and voices enough and the sound stage was not deep enough.

After a lot of research, I decided to add an external DAC to the system. I chose the Chord Electronics Qutest, and installed it yesterday.

It made an incredibly profound difference. Now I’m getting the resolution, separation, and depth of sound stage that I was craving. Every voice and instrument sounds like it’s performing right in front of me!

I just wanted to share my experience in case others are in the same situation.

I cannot believe how perfect my system sounds now.

HiFi madness never settles for Perfect, if that was so I would have saved enough money to cruise around the world in 80 days.

 

[Al ears]

HiFi madness never settles for Perfect, if that was so I would have saved enough money to cruise around the world in 80 days.

True, and I would have retired years ago.....

 

[Hawkwind16]

I'm a great believer in the benefits of high end DACS.

I used to have the Qutest but have moved up the Denafrips ladder to the Venus 2, which is FAB. More soul body and detail over the Chord.

 

[Al ears]

I'm a great believer in the benefits of high end DACS.

I used to have the Qutest but have moved up the Denafrips ladder to the Venus 2, which is FAB. More soul body and detail over the Chord.

Excellent, although i feel sure that in a double blind test most would not hear any difference between them.

 

[Hawkwind16]

Excellent, although i feel sure that in a double blind test most would hear any difference between them.

Yes thats right - the improvement is clear

 

[Al ears]

Yes thats right - the improvement is clear

Original comment corrected

 

[Hawkwind16]

Excellent, although i feel sure that in a double blind test most would not hear any difference between them.

Well i have heard the difference, and it is clear.
I too was surprised at the difference a good DAC can make

 

[Jasonovich]

Well i have heard the difference, and it is clear.
I too was surprised at the difference a good DAC can make

I think the DAC is only part of the story, it's also about implementation of the circuit design, quality components used and power supply, all these contribute to the quality of the sound

 

[Al ears]

I think the DAC is only part of the story, it's also about implementation of the circuit design, quality components used and power supply, all these contribute to the quality of the sound

Agreed, the dac chip itself is not exactly what you listen to.
I am not denying there could be diffences heard within a complete system.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

Placebo is great.

 

[Al ears]

Placebo is great.

If it was a placebo you could never be sure.. .

 

[ToppingSMSL]

If it was a placebo you could never be sure.. .

And that's the point. You can never be sure without blind testing.