Steve, welcome. These reports of sound differences sometimes described in terms such as "huge", "night-and-day", etc., are common but lack factual support. Hopefully we learn that you(meaning everyone)simply can't "Just trust your ears" when other factors exist which can affect your judgment. A properly controlled blind listening test is the only way to control for these factors, and previous claims relating to wires, electronics, etc., collapse when put to the test.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.