Yet another Gustard DAC-X12 DAC is up and running...
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| Posted on January 20, 2017 at 19:32:30 | ||
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Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002 |
   ...this time for my Xfinity X1 digital CATV box with digital optical Lifatec Silflex Glass Toslink output, through a Monarchy Audio DIP (Digital Interface Processor). Worth the extra-expense vs. taking a chance with a lower-cost option DAC. Not so much that digital CATV audio is so outstanding, it's partly because it's not so special. Pretty much enjoyable sounding Mid-Fi or a cut-above depending on source material sound quality. Maybe "CD Quality" consumer electronics criteria, at best. Just for the fact that it's the first time I've heard a discrete analog output signal for television audio playback is a great reward, among other things. Even though the new DAC has only been through an overnight AC plug-in session while idle before I placed it in the system, I did not have to wait for more than several hours before the weighty sonic signature of discrete components began to kick-in. Having a robust analog output is even more vital since a remote volume control passive preamplifier is placed between the Gustard DAC-X12 DAC and my Mondial Designs Aragon 18k Mark II preamplifier with Penny + Giles potentiometer. Two potentiometers in the signal path is a no-no without some sort of added benefit as a sonic trade-off. Due to the fact that my stereo preamplifier does not feature remote volume control, a passive preamplifier with remote volume control was the only viable option if I wished to make the best of an unfortunate audiophile situation. At this time, I've placed enough effort into the I/O cabling including power cords, that I'm glad to wait-out any other fine tuning until the new DAC settles into my system. Even TV commercial soundtracks sound better at this point, not that I enjoy listening to such a thing. The main objective in choosing a DAC that is better than the source is to respect the sound quality capacity of the rest of the audio system, rather than sell short the value of any aspect involved in audiophile-options. 
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| I have never done Anything I regretted,, posted on January 22, 2017 at 13:44:13 | |
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Posts: 10582
Joined: April 12, 2002 |
in the last 5 minutes...
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| RE: My apologies to Abe and the forum., posted on January 23, 2017 at 06:52:56 | |
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Posts: 46291
Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002 |
been there. No harm. ;-)
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| My thoughts also----NT, posted on January 23, 2017 at 12:49:54 | |
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Posts: 1722
Joined: March 23, 2001 |
NT
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| Cool.nt, posted on January 23, 2017 at 23:14:43 | |
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Posts: 2110
Location: Great Barrier Reef Joined: August 3, 2000 Contributor Since: August 2, 2000 |
Peace Des
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| Thank you, Abe (nt), posted on January 24, 2017 at 18:42:08 | |
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Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002 |
nt
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