No one can do that.
We can keep trying though
Perhaps it is just relative to the higher output voltage versus the internal DAC of the Yam. Honestly, I do think that AGD could actually sound different than others, but they would just sound worse. Just usually identified as different, or "better", because of their higher output voltage.
Excuse my ignorance, but I'd have thought dropping the volume in windows would also reduce the voltage (car audio background, that's usually how it works in that world, source volume down = lower voltage over the RCA). That's currently the only volume control I have as I don't have a separate pre-amp. I've also played around a bit with HDMI and optical on the 3080, but they seem to run 2nd rate overall to playing a flac through DLNA on the 3080's internals. I, for lack of a better word right now, foolishly even tried the DAC into the 3080's analogue inputs - unsurprisingly it sounded much the same as the 3080 through HDMI/optical, as it processes everything.
These make absolutely no difference, especially the USB cable that just can't do any.
Yeah, that's generally my thoughts as well, but I also used to say similar things about speaker cables - bearing in mind i went from very basic to 'high end' in a 2nd hand experiment, much like this one. Outcome was unexpected.
I will speak honest : Because of this, there is a very high probability that you will switch DACs again, and again, finding a better sound every time... Because it is what you're seeking to achieve, so you always will (even if you happen to buy the exact same DAC than one you previously owned, branded differently, you may observe an "improvement").
If you want to save time and money: better upgrades are the speakers, their placement, room EQ, acoustic treatment. Then, amplifiers (mostly a matter of power), and only then, DACs.
Fair call, and I did go back and read a little history on this thread, so please don't throw me in the same basket
Funnily enough, I've basically followed those principles (often with some of the same skepticism, but trying to keep an open mind). Room treatment was one of the first 'serious' changes I made, and should have years before. Was also on a lesser v685 Yamaha and added a power amp, which I still use with the 3080. I've gone through 3 sets of Tannoy speaker upgrades, for now I'm pretty sold and love the Precisions and the Tannoy sound/2 channel image in general. Placement (within reason in my weirdly shaped small room) played a big part in that, including setting up the carpet spikes. Other tweaks, settings, adjustments etc over the time. I've played a little with room EQ, but always find the more I get response back to 'flat', generally makes the music sound exactly that - flat, thin, lifeless. It's definitely beneficial with bass though, much prefer the even tones to boomy, but I am yet to master 2 subs as good as just the one.
Real honesty back, I've been getting curious about my source (a3080 - still sad amir didn't still try test what he could on the pre-out .... and it's poor rating) mainly due to hearing some clipping at certain points in certain music and still unsure if it's something the 3080 is stumbling on, or genuinely the recording (absolutely confirmed with Chili Peppers Californication album, sad). One of the main reasons I've shied away from it, other than the 3080 supposedly having 'amazing' DACs, is the major inconvenience that such a separate system involves.
Most of all these things tend to show up and, for me, are way more noticeable when you have really good 2 channel imaging set up. There's no way I'd pick half of this stuff without that, and the music to go with it.
