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I can get either of these DACs for around the same price.The system I'm working towards will be fully computer based so the Lavry would need a sound card with appropriate output whereas the Aqvox could be driven off the USB with an ASIO driver. Given that I'd probably go for a higher end soundcard I guess that puts the Lavry at being $400 or so more than the Aqvox with the latter still offering the possibility of putting in a soundcard at a later date if desired.
Aqvox also gives greater compatability with both XLR and RCA outputs.
On the reviews I've seen my impression is the Lavry seems to be more resolving of the two whereas the Aqvox is said to be more engaging.
Downstream I will put an integrated amp in the $2,000 range and most likely the Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers. I like vocalists and engaging music rather than dry, bright and analytic presentations.
Any comments from users of both of these on which unit they would opt for in my place? Apologies in advance but I will cross post this.
Dave M
Follow Ups:
Hi DaveI have a pc based system with the Lavry and I'm extremely pleased with the results. I use a DAL CardDeluxe with the AES-EBU option. The two components mate well together. The Lavry is fairly good right out of the box. I tweaked mine a little bit with a new power cord and a Quantum Small Disrupter and I thought it took the performance up several notches. I'm not saying it has to be done, but I like pushing the envelope with my set up. To give you an example how good the tweaked set up is....I have used Apogee Big Ben / Rosetta 200 combo, Benchmark Dac 1, and RME in the past plus others over the years and the Larvy / DAL / tweaked combo is the best of the bunch with a 24 bit input AES-EBU / XLR output.
You can e-mail me if you want more information.
Alan
Thanks Alan,I am on a couple of back to back trips now and will have limited access to emails. So it may be a while for me to come back to you but donīt be surprised if I do.
People seem to love the Lavry. How much did you pay for the DAL CardDeluxe?
Best,
Dave M
You do not need a super high end sound card with the Lavry. A good digital output will suffice and any money on higher quality analog outputs will not help you.I have neem using an M-audio DIO24/96 for many years and have recently started using an ESI Juli@. Both work just fine with the Lavry.
Even an Audiotrak Optoplay with ASIO4all or the digital output from a portable IRIVER H120 are pretty much identical to the sound cards with the Lavry.
Cheers
Thomas
You can but the DAL CardDeluxe for $399 and the AES-EBU bracket for another $92 direct from Digital Audio Labs. The DAL is also a Stereophile recommended product.
http://www.digitalaudio.com/digitalaudio/myarticles.asp?P=5215&S=75&PubID=4401&UT=admin&UID=520Alan
Thanks for this Thomas and Alan.Your comments have been some of the reason I have been leaning to the Lavry.
So I have to say that Thomas makes a more attractive suggestion Alan. An inexpensive sound card with an AES-EBU output. Is there really any gain in going with a more upscale card if I am just trying to get a good quality digital out before it hits the Lavry?
Thanks again,
Dave M
DaveI disagree, but each there own. I'm old schooled. Pro equipment need pro input (+4db) levels. If you try to use consumer levels (-10db) you'll be disappointed.
My system:
DAL CardDeluxe w/ AES-EBU option
Lavry DA10 (XLR out)
Crown Studio Reference II
Bohlender Graebender 520dxPay close attention to the power supply used in your pc. I have used many from cheap to overkill, and I will be the first to tell you overkill sounds fantastic. I currently use a PC Power & Cooling 1 Kilowatt PSU in combination with a ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe and AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+....this combo offers the best sound I have heard to date.
Alan
Sorry if I have to disagree but this is digital only and has nothing to do with old school analog levels...You want a card capable of bit transparent playback. I don't know whether the DAL CardDeluxe can do that but it probably can. Many $25 cards can do that and actually work bit perfect.
I would also not necessarily recommend an AES output in connection with a computer. Toslink will work the same way with the Lavry since it reclocks the incoming data anyhow and it ensures you won't transfer any electrical interference from the PC to the DAC. Optical will sound at least as good as AES/EBU but maybe better with a computer.
Any standard PC will do just fine, although from past experiences I would recommend a motherboard with an Intel chipset. I still have to find a machine where the quality of the power supply has any impact on the digital audio outputs.
Cheers
Thomas
Thomas I believe you are using the Juli@ card in your PC.If I may ask, which connection are you using from the Juli@ to run into the Lavry? And is there any value to be had in going with any kind of exotic interconnect at this stage of the chain?
From what I can read there would not be since the signal is reclocked by the DA10 and the only issue should be avoiding passage of electrical interference from the PC into the DAC.
Finally, I have looked at the Juli@ and it does look like a nice card and a good value, but if with the Lavry all one needs to do is get bit perfect data into the DA10 and even a $25 card can do that I am wondering if I even need to go with the Juli@. I plan on having this system only for audio playback off the server (don't need recording capability etc. etc) so if I can save some money on the soundcard without sacrificing audio quality I am all for it.
Thanks and best wishes,
Dave M
Not to get into a pissing war with you, but we come from different worlds. My suggestion is not to comment on a product you do not have first hand knowledge about. Second, you have probably never experienced the difference between selecting pro vs consumer digital output levels. Pro levels greatly reduce jitter, whereas, consumer levels add harmonics making the connection type (optical, rca, and AES-EBU) less transparent. Third, the DAL card isolates the ground from the pc making AES-EBU the preferred choice when used with pro dacs.I will agree the motherboard and the cpu make a profound difference, but I recommend that you explore other options as well. In my pc I have used the higher end psu, carbon fiber sheilding, and quartz to lower the ground noise in the motherboard. It has helped a great deal in my set up. If you are content with $25 sound cards, then more power to ya, but you are just letting the best pc audio has to offer pass you by.
Alan
Second, you have probably never experienced the difference between selecting pro vs consumer digital output levels. Pro levels greatly reduce jitter, whereas, consumer levels add harmonics making the connection type (optical, rca, and AES-EBU) less transparent.....
There is no difference in the actual samples being played back between an consumer S/PDIF and an AES/EBU signal. Jitter in the range we are looking at here does not matter with the DA10 since it reclocks all input data anyway, so you never get any better than the jitter of it's internal VCXO.
I'd suggest you put your theories to the test and propose them on the Lavry forum. If you have any real data other than your claim of less transparency I'd be happy to continue the discussion otherwise it is probably best to end the thread.Cheers
Thomas
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