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In Reply to: RE: add-on overkill? posted by mitch2 on November 07, 2015 at 12:52:04
At this point in history, it seems to me.
I'm just trying to learn about this stuff while enjoying my Cary 303/300 CDP. Reading about servers and DACs gives me a headache :(
Follow Ups:
I've known too many people who have gone the server route, and then returned to dedicated CD playback. In most cases, the disappointment was simply the degradation in the sonic presentation. (One even stated the wife started complaining, and she didn't realize a change took place.) But in other cases, reality hit when some major change to the server took place, such as an OS upgrade or a disk defragmentation. The common response was akin to, "it's more convenient, but I no longer have control over how it sounds".
Conversely, whenever someone is listening to top-quality CD playback, I'll often remark, "You can't get sound like that from a computer."..... Without one rebuttal.
I read some of your helpful intelligent posts, and then I am baffled by the ones like this where you spout opinionated garbage. "I've known too may people who..."; "the common repsonse was akin to..." Stop undermining yourself. Can't you resist?
While it MAY be possible to find a Disk Spinner that sounds better than the AVERAGE PC/DAC combo, but if that were generally the case, why would SO many high-end amp and speaker manufacturers be showing off their MEGA-BUCK systems using a computer/DAC combo?
OK, we know they SHOULD be using a turntable, but still. ;-)
Real life Mate
Makers are Entirely concerned with Profits and Continued profits.. Adapt
The best speakers that I have seen/heard being shown off were playing vinyl. The second best were spinning discs. I thought some just used a server as a trendy thing to sell (not for superior sound). That's my proposed explanation.
But if they are selling megabuck amps and speakers, not so much.
I do think there may be a better explanation as to why someone showing off Megabuck Amps and Speakers at a trade show might want to show their gear using a computer and a DAC, even it the DAC is not theirs...
ROOM CORRECTION?
Easier to hide in a computer than in a turntable/phono pre.
But, absent industry standards for interfaces, getting there is a headache.
For instance, I'd like to buy the Wyred 4 Sound MS-2 server. But it's best output (I2S) is hardly usable because very few DACs have compatible I2S inputs :(
Just think... had God or Nature designed the sexes in such fashion, it would be impossible to go forth and multiply without mass inbreeding -- worse than some of our southern states. One would need a spreadsheet to find a marriage partner :)
What is the I2S output jack?HDMI?
Can't tell by the picture.
If so, buy a PS Audio DirectStream DAC and you're golden.
Or an Audio-GD Master 7 and order it with either RJ45 or HDMI.
Edits: 11/10/15
King Wa of Audio-GD says the HDMI I2S signal is not compatible with the RJ45 input on the Master 7. Different signal levels. I would have to convert my RJ45 input to a HDMI input on the Master 7. Not going to do that
Alan
How does it compare to other DACs you've owned?
Thanks in advance,
Jay
is a pretty unimpressive list.But I have the Master 11 which is a DAC/Headphone amp with only four PCM1704UK Chips, not the eight in the Master 7 DAC.
The Master 11 is more clean and natural than either of the DACs in the Marantz NA-7004 or my favorite silver disk spinner, the DV-9600. In fairness I do not find the Marantz house sound offensive.
It is HEADS above the OPPO HA-1, considered a decent representation of the ESS SABER type Delta Sigma DAC. It's a DAC/Headphone amp that only sells for $1195 so keep that in mind. Also keep in mind I find Delta Sigma DACs to be WAY too 'in your face' and what others call 'detail' I would call 'etched'.
If I just needed a DAC and not a DAC/Headphone amp as I do, I would seriously consider the Master 7. For just north of $2K I suspect it sounds better as a DAC that the Master 11 and if so it's a real bargain.
The guy to ask is inmate 'ahendler' as according to his 'Inmate Systems' he's got just about every DAC I'd consider trying.
Edits: 11/10/15 11/10/15
Thanks
I have had the following
Sony 777ES SACD player
Sony %400 SACD player
Mytek stereo 192 dac
Audio Note IIb Dac
Teredak Chamelion
Mytek Hex dac
Audio-GD Master 7 dac
The master 7 is much better than the other players and dacs
If I would have to name one characteristic that the Master 7 killws the other dacs it is in the emotional connection you make with music. Believe it or not the Teredac Chamelion would be second in this characteristic but has a lot less detail and dynamics of the Master 7. I am currently using the Master 7 with the Gustard U12 using the SPDIF output of the U12 and the sound is even more real sounding. I also have an XLR dig cable coming which I will try.
Alan
Have you solved the I2S/RJ45/HDMI issue as yet?
Re: XLR digital cable? What format is that? I2R? SPDIF?
The digital format for the XLR connection is SPDIF. Audio-GD has already told me that a HDMI to RJ45 cable cannot work so I am not going to worry about it. The U12 converting USB to Spdif sounds really good. Sounds very much like live music.
Alan
Strange, I get that sound from mine
Alan
"Server to DAC interface is a total CLUSTER-F**K" Doesn't have to be. The easiest way is simply a usb cable from server to dac. All the other stuff are just tweaks to improve the sound but you don't have to do that. Running a program like Tidal from computer to dac gives you huge amounts of music in really excellent sound.
Alan
Simply running a USB cable from the Antipodes to my DAC provides very good sound. I am just trying stuff and was curious what others have experienced with these relatively inexpensive tweeks. Ok, the Totaldac USB cable cost a few bucks but the REGEN at $175 and two Jitterbugs at $100 for the pair is not too much. I had the ifi filter from when I was using a full ifi power + filter + cable set-up.
My experience is that the REGEN is the star here. The Totaldac USB cable is nice too. The jitterbugs may be doing something but nowhere near the improvement of the REGEN. I added the ifi filter for kicks. Throwing it all together and getting the best sound I have heard from computer audio was a very pleasant surprise. All in all, I am quite pleased with the computer source set-up. Sonically, it has come a long way from my first Mac mini to a DAC.
Regenerating an inconsistent and noisey signal from varying quality USB buses is a good idea IMO. I think that it wouldn't be unfair to say that there could be a big difference between the USB audio signal/CODEC and it's practical implementation of the computer/source's USB bus.
To me, it also makes sense that the specially built USB audio PCI card from SoTM that's available, and OEM in the Auriliti PK70, - would perhaps reduce the need for the Jitterbug or the Regen.
There are a lot of great ideas going around right now. IMO, - the Regen has been so great for high end audio playback, - to me, - it's blatant proof that one way or another, a more specialized and single purpose network enabled player is the best way to go.
Cheers,
"Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'"
I also use 2 Jitterbugs , a Regen and a Lightspeed 10g USB cable. The biggest improvement in sound was going from my Metrum Hex to The Audio-GD Master 7 Dac
Alan
I went from the Hex to the Pavane and found that to be an improvement. What do you hear with the Audio-GD that you like more than the Hex?
The Hex was great but the Audio-GD presents music in a way that it is easy to forget you are listening to a recording. It has more resolution then the Hex and greater dynamics both micro and macro. I could have easily made the Hex my last dac but the Master 7 is at another level
Alan
You just described what I heard going from the Hex to the Pavane.
I would like to hear the Audio-GD sometime.
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