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I did not mention it in my review, but I use the following to stack the Blu2 on top of my DAVE:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019O5A2EA

I needed a very low profile option because of the physical restrictions of my media cabinet. They are quite sticky/mushy, so very easy to stack and position.

In this text: "For this experiment I kept the ferrited-Monoprice BNC cables connecting the Blu2 to the DAVE, and compared the 2m Monoprice USB cable + ferrites with the 2m Pangea USB cable", I think you mean 2m Tripp Lite USB instead of 2m Monoprice USB.

Very good job but maybe You will go further if you try to optimize the power cable of the Dave.
When done maybe you will thinking to complete your revue.
I promise in this case the difference between the hugo2 and the Dave is more big what you heard.

Thank you @PANURUS I've been trying to avoid opening that can of worms but I'm willing to dip a toe into the power cable pond. Do you have a pragmatic recommendation for someone that is power cable curious?

Great write-up @ray-dude. If you’re looking for a pragmatic recommendation on a power cable, I’d say the Wireworld Electra 7 and the DanaCable Source Clarifier are going to be good grabs in the $400-$500 range. All the DanaCable stuff comes with a 30-day 100% satisfaction guarantee - I have 6 cables from him and I’ve never been disappointed. I also own 2 of the aforementioned Wireworld cables and they make a very noticeable difference.

I love wireworld cable. But for power, I have try Nordorst cable on Dave. 1500 euro/ meter. The improvement is important.
But ferrite goes in the same directions.

The next improvement could come with mecanical vibrations isolators. Have you tested your setup?
Your 802D3 are very good vibrators.

You might try a USB cable with better shielding. I like the Supra USB cable (made in Sweden) as I understand it has double shielding. I understand this is what Uptone Audio uses and recommends as well. It may eliminate your need to use 20 ferrites, which IMO seems a bit much.

@Mediahound all the ferrites are a bit too much! That's why I have the neoprene wrapper to keep the shame hidden away

Appreciate the suggestions on power cables and USB cables. I've added them to the list for when I recover from this round

This review is amazing because it attacks the writer's own resistance to "paradigm shift," where failing to understand the point IS the point. So this review has me thinking forbidden thoughts like: would this really beat the crap out of my favorite digital experience, NOS multi-bit? Be worth an insane $$ investment, not to mention learning how to use ferrites? Rewire my whole system & learn to hear it anew? (all thoughts I usually avoid like the plague). Terrific review!

Thank you @Pharmaboy (and you're spot on, that is the point). Rather than adding and tweaking and building and iterating toward an elusive ideal, when you find an ideal, it becomes about stripping away all the other things that take away from the ideal. This is the stuff of mid life crises, and I'm loving it! My caution: there is no such thing as sampling the red pill. Once you start down this path, you are on it

http://www.superplastic.be/catalogue/tuyau-flexible/tuyau-technique/silicone/A0U70LLGC6

If you add 2 x 10 cm of siliflex 10 x 23 under the Dave or the foots of your streamer without improvement then you are free of vibrations.
If you do not try, your are like me when I was thinking that the Dave never needs ferrite.
The Aurender A10 (7000 euro ) like my Bryston BDP3 needs to be isolate too.
And the blu2, Who knows because who had spoken about this test?

..

I did not mention it in my review, but I use the following to stack my Blu2 on top of my DAVE:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B019O5A2EA

It may have an isolating effect. I have not done any tests on the impact of vibration isolation on the DAVE