TSL answers!A question. A considered answer.

If your equipment supports balanced connections, use them. This is one of the biggest lessons I took from more than a hundred cables: the difference is not subtle — a blacker background, better noise rejection, more dynamic punch. It can matter more than the brand on the cable.

So, I bought both with my own money and lived with them side by side for three months. In a system at your level I would buy the WiiM Ultra without hesitation. Can I tell them apart on my reference system? Yes, ten out of ten times — the Eversolo images better and the background is darker. Would you, on a $4,000 system, after a pause? I'm not convinced. The $1,070 you save is money better spent on the room, or later on speakers. Above roughly $15,000 the answer starts to change.

• Owned · WiiM Ultra
• Owned · Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition Gen 2

For years I said it to anyone in the industry who would listen: I am cursed with the worst room possible.

Room first, then choose speakers to suit it. Watch the short version in TSL answers!

This example includes a short written response; the complete discussion is in the video.

The short answer: a new house and a new listening room. The whole story is at the start of this video.

This example includes a short written response; the complete discussion is in the video.

Not yet. Start with a good moving magnet in the $200–$300 range — the Audio-Technica VM95SH was the revelation for me at that price — and live with it. Build the collection, learn what you like. Moving coil makes sense once you are spending real money on pressings and your phono stage can support it. And one more thing, from someone who destroyed a $500 cartridge with a cleaning cloth: with a moving magnet, when you break the needle, you just buy a new needle.

• Owned · Audio-Technica VM95SH