I have a question about the Cascade Analogue input. In the Cascade website picture, I see RCA inputs along with XLR inputs but I only see reference to XLR input on the product specs description. Is the RCA analogue input a different module and upgrade?
I currently use my Reference DAC as my Pre Amp and when I upgrade to the Cascade, I intend to use as my Pre as well. I have a phono stage that offers both RCA and XLR input and output. The turntable only offers RCA connections. With the current configuration, I am using my phono stage to convert input from single ended TT to phono stage and out via balanced connection to the Reference (no DD) and it works fine.
I don’t know the RCA spec’s but have a situation similar to your’s.
My Clearaudio turnable with a moving coil cartridge only has RCA connectors, which I feed to the RCA inputs on my phono preamp. I use the XLR output of the phono preamp to connect to the XLR input on the Cascade. I do have a ground wire going from my phono preamp to the turntable… without it I do get some hum.
I have a long run, about 14 feet ( a little over 4 meters), from the phono preamp to the Cascade so XLR was really the best choice.
In any case, as far as I can tell this setup is dead quiet and distortion free.
Thanks for pointing that out! There are indeed two sets of fully capable RCA Analog inputs on the Cascade. You will be able to take your pick on the phono stage output. We will get that updated right away
EEEEEE!!! and we are excited for you to get BDT, because IT. IS. SO. GOOD! If you can’t tell, I’m pretty stoked on the SQ improvements. It’s stunning. Looking forward to hearing your feedback.
I just have to work out the logistics and depending on Vince’s reply on how we do the shipping (which will tell me if I am without a system for a week or a month), I need to figure out the timing.
That being said any SQ improvement that has you excited has to be fairly significant!
I’ve been listening to the BDT upgrade on my Cascade. It is like I have a completely different model DAC that has upscaled my whole system.
Last weekend I had fiends over to listen. Some of them have been listening to my system since before I got the Cascade. When the first heard the Cascade they said was like I got brand new, major system upgrade. Now, with the Cascade2, as I call it, they feel like my system has been upgraded again, as much as it was when I got the Cascade.
We all had similar views of what improved.
The first thing we noticed was imaging. In the first 20 seconds or so of the first track, everyone thought the imaging improved, even though we could not put a finger why.
The instruments are in clearly defined places, and some of those places are outside of where the speakers are placed.
Vocals are improved. It’s the clarity and naturalness of the vocals that is improved. Cascade is excellent on vocals but Cascade2 is at another level.
One of the tracks we listened was Jarre’s Animal Genesis from Oxymore. Jarre composed this for Atmos surround. Cascade2 teases all the info out of that that stereo signal and you hear sound from all around your, including full left and right.
Of course, these are just my own observations, but to me Cascade2 is a game changer.
@Dan Thank you for sharing, I am really excited to see the outcome of my upgrades. The electrician is scheduled to perform the electrical upgrades recommended by @Vince_Galbo. My already good subs are being upgraded to REL No. 31’s later this year (they are being shipped to the paint shop next week). The Niagra 7000 is in the basement waiting to be connected, each sub is getting it’s own Niagra 3000. The AQ Angels made the sub tighter and the AQ dragon speaker cable made the speakers more precise and clearer, the AQ niagra power cables seemed to reduce the noise floor and make the attacks faster the silence blacker.
