Stereophile May 2017 - Chord Electronics DAVE D/A processor - Hi-Res reproduction now an afterthought for a Hi-Rez DAC?
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| Posted on May 24, 2017 at 10:32:53 | ||
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Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario Joined: November 22, 2003 |
I would have though that the focus in the subjective evaluation of a high-end Hi-Res 2-Channel Audio DAC would be said DAC's performance reproducing Hi-Res Audio data (PCM and DSD) ... this particular player capable of (per manufacturer) PCM 44.1 to 768kHz - DSD64 to 512 Native. But in subjective evaluation (Sound and Comparison sections) Atkinson talks of using DAVE while optimizing the dithering algorithms for a 32 bit master to Red Book transfer, and listening to 24/192 AIFF files ripped from 12" 45rpm singles. That seem to be just about it for Hi-Res PCM. DSD is mentioned almost passingly as sort of toss in for "fairer comparison" (poor DAVE having apparently lost the MQA battle). In any case the coverage seems sparse in comparison the weight DSD routinely enjoys in modern hi-end DAC review these days - diplomatic enough? Beyond that, unless I missed a phrase here or there, most everything else is 44.1/16 and MQA sourced material, the latter of which I'm unclear if even generally considered a bonafide Hi-Rez source. Bit of a comedy in IMO.
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