|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
76.28.209.43
In Reply to: RE: Do you have any DAC suggestion that sounds like vinyl? :) posted by KOCA on February 13, 2017 at 23:16:48
I fully enjoyed a Museatex Melior Bitstream DAC for a whopping 20 years before I decided to choose a more assertive and dynamic DAC for a computer audio application. Museatex DACs seem to have a cult following, since the vintage DAC presentation tends to sound more like an analog turntable than a cold sounding digital device. Investing in the popular John Wright mods is a very worthwhile thing to do, as well as including an aftermarket audiophile power cord and high-performance I/O audio cables.
See link:
Follow Ups:
I've heard most (maybe all?) of the Museatex DACs (and certainly the Bitstream) ... they're gorgeous. And, I can vouch for their "analog-like" qualities. I could live happily with any of them -- especially with the Wright mods. And if I could find an IDAT-44m -- the one made for car audio that runs (well!) on a car battery -- I'd commit to that without a second's thought.
In addition to the various Museatex models, the OP might search out the DACs mentioned in the following thread -- most of which I've heard and can vouch for as being "analog-like" as well. Personally, I still have and use the Timbre TT-1, which is rightfully in this mix.
Two things, however:
One, if the OP intends to do computer audio right (he mentions a laptop and DSD) with one of these ancient DACs, he is going to be immediately frustrated. These are for folks trying to max out the 16/44.1 experience.
Two, none of these DACs is as satisfying as vinyl -- assuming that one finds vinyl satisfying. Even great digital is a completely different experience no matter how close to vinyl I believe my DAC is.
That said, analog and digital coexist very nicely in a single system for me, and I don't feel any pressure to devote myself wholly, or even significantly, to one or the other. The OP might consider mixing it up?
For my own computer audio application, I have a different take on the matter, since I use the mini-Toslink digital output jack of my iMac computer with a 24/48 output setting via a state of the art Lifatec Silflex Glass Toslink cable, so any conventional DAC can be used. Furthermore, the S/PDIF digital optical output from the iMac is connected to a Monarchy Audio DIP (Digital Interface Processor), which reclocks the digital optical signal, reduces jitter, and converts the signal to either the S/PDIF 75 ohm digital coaxial or AES/EBU balanced digital inputs of a DAC. I'd rather use this more traditional home audio type digital front end configuration than use a multi-function USB computer port with questionable noise issues to feed a USB DAC. I've never been interested in the notion of high-resolution digital audio, so I don't miss using a USB port for audiophile purposes.
UPDATE:
Recently, I have purchased a used (of course) Museatex Bitstream! No mods. However, I will not be able to use it until mid April. Cannot wait to hear it! Thanks to all of you for all your suggestions. I will write my thoughts on the Bitstream after I put it in my system. If I can get close to vinyl sound, I will be happy. I am not so sure if I will get the VINYL VINYL sound from my setup. We'll see.
I cannot believe how good Bitstream is. Frankly, I did not think I would have this much of an improvement in my system. The instruments sound like how they are supposed to. So real. The vocals are smooth, romantic. Everything is more detailed yet not bright. You can listen to music for hours with this DAC. Very organic, very analog like. Sounding almost like LP.
The good news is my wife who has better ears than me thinks the same. So, this is not only my ears :)
I do not think I want another DAC. This is it for me.
If you decide not to upgrade the I/O jacks, install a chassis-mount IEC inlet to enable the use of an aftermarket power cord, or do any other mods for your Museatex DAC, I recommend that you at least snip-off the molded AC plug of the stock hardwired power cord, and replace it with an audiophile-quality AC plug, which tends to be a very easy DIY project for end users to do by themselves. Also, the Museatex DAC is very sensitive to audio cables including most importantly the choice of S/PDIF digital cable.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: