My gut feeling is that any differences in sound between coaxial and optical inputs (assuming you can really hear them) would be somewhat less than the difference between the two Dacs and the S1/S2 chips. Also the ability to switch between the two Dacs at the touch of a switch makes comparing them much easier than if you have to spend a couple of minutes switching cables and then trying to remember accurately what the previous Dac really sounded like.
I have also read that the CDA94 sounds better with an optical input versus the coaxial.
My point was that he has some experience in this field and obviously had a view as to how to improve the sound of the machine. Rather annoyingly, he removed the variable sound output and disconnected the headphone socket as he felt both of those features had a negative impact on the sound of the unit.So he was very focused on what he felt would provide the best end result.
Maybe, you are right but it certainly sounds great to me and a worthwhile improvement on what I had before. I find it fairly comparable to my vinyl set up which makes me very happy given how you have access to so much more music (streaming) for free (if you forget your monthly subscritpion) versus having to buy a LP - which I do regularly in any case.
I have also a sense of satisfaction having found a legitimate S2 - the holy grail - which after all is what this thread is all about.
... oh, you can hear them... if the coax is done properly.
... well, yeah... look at what Marantz did with those coax inputs:
Quick question : would putting an external DDC in the chain that improves the "quality" of the digital input (eg by reducing jitter) make any kind of difference to the sound of my CDA94
