|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Dec 31, 2018 12:07:42 GMT
The TAD DAC is quite good  |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Dec 31, 2018 12:53:56 GMT
I'll be very interested to see what DAC you end up with Martin ...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 1, 2019 14:24:28 GMT
My thinking so far...
I'm listening exclusively to digital audio via streaming. It satisfies me more than I ever imagined it could, indeed it is the best sound quality and musicality I've ever achieved. This plus other discoveries (the delights of Black Cat cables, the wonders of grounding boxes) have helped focus me on what I want and what is unnecessary complexity that I no longer want or need.
My system is pretty well balanced in capability except that I suspect the modified SEG, good as it is, is now holding me back. Remember, ALL my music is now going through it. Therefore, a DAC is my target purchase after gaining some funds from the sale of the Ayre and other possible kit.
Furthermore, if I get a DAC with volume control, it's possible (but not certain) that I could remove my lovely Pass preamp from the system and connect the DAC direct to the power amp. That's potentially one lot of electronics and a cable taken out of circuit. Purer signal path. However, I'm not getting ahead of myself just yet.
I'm now reading and researching DACs and have my eye on a prize. I've absorbed 88 of 117 pages of a forum thread on this device and am still reading and learning. My first task is to sell the Ayre and then everything will cascade from that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 15:34:51 GMT
Hi Martin
Just make sure you have a long term home demo on what ever you are looking at regarding the pre amp section, the Tad is a very rare exception in the pre amp is a real gem not an after thought like the vast majority you require a top draw pre amplifier to really get close to its capability in that department imho
However it will be fun finding out I am sure
Enjoy the journey it will throw up a few surprises!
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 1, 2019 15:56:35 GMT
Thanks, Tony, I certainly will proceed with care and will compare DAC-as-preamp with the normal route through the Pass. That will all come later.
|
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Jan 1, 2019 19:03:12 GMT
Have a look at the PS Audio DACs Martin . Gary ( gazjam ) has one. I've heard it both in his system and in my own and it's a stunning bit of kit IMO .
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 1, 2019 21:52:25 GMT
I'm looking at that, Brian, and a couple of Chinese models that use virtually the same chipset and circuit but at less than half the price.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jan 2, 2019 7:29:52 GMT
Well, this is all very interesting and I will follow your DAC pursuit with considerable interest, Martin. How about being a bit more explicit?!  I spent a few years doing my usual box-swap thing with DACs up to £3k rrp. Probably 15 or 20 or so came and went. And I have ended up at an entirely unexpected end game! (Well, for now, anyway. I am settled on one that suits and ticks all my boxes). It is difficult - and I spent a lot of money before managing this myself - but listening with your ears is best, not with your wallet! Mine costs £90 rrp, as you know, and there is a considerable mental force telling me that paying a lot more must get me a better result. I have to be very stern and remind myself that I have been there and done that!  |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2019 7:47:30 GMT
It is a quandary, Jerry, but a pleasant one. I'm hardly suffering with the performance of my modified SEG, it sounds very good indeed and the Wolfson is a good sounding DAC chipset. However, if I'm to simplify my system then I want a DAC that's going to last me a good few years and stay at the top of its game as streaming services improve.
I'm still reading and researching, will be more explicit when I've rallied my thoughts. I'm also awaiting responses from a couple of vendors.
|
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Jan 2, 2019 9:33:37 GMT
I'm looking at that, Brian, and a couple of Chinese models that use virtually the same chipset and circuit but at less than half the price. Ah..I would certainly be interested in a cheaper version since the PS Audio is outwith my budget somewhat |
|
|
|
Post by speedysteve on Jan 2, 2019 10:27:06 GMT
I2S a must?
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2019 10:33:57 GMT
Actually, PS Audio appears to use the Wolfson 8742 DAC. I'm looking more towards a GOOD implementation of the ES9038Pro DAC, but without the frequently heard Sabre brightness in older DACs. There are good reasons for looking at a dual mono 9038 implementation, one of them being integrated volume control. PS Audio did invent the I2S over HDMI standard, which is what I want to use for maximum performance now and some degree of future-proofing.
My migration plan would therefore be in two phases:
1) Allo DigiOne streamer > S/PDIF > DAC
2) Allo Kali streamer > I2S > DAC
Ultimately, if it works as well as is reported by some users, I could eliminate the preamp...
3) Allo Kali streamer > I2S > DAC > Preamp > Power amp
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 4, 2019 8:12:43 GMT
You wanted specifics, so this is where my thinking is headed. Nothing is confirmed as yet. For the I 2S streamer, I'm looking at the Audiophonics RaspDIGI LTE LVDS V2 Streamer, which is a Pi 3, Allo Kali reclocker and I 2S to HDMI board all in a nice case, in keeping with my other kit. It can run Volumio or any other build I care to try. This will perform internet streaming (currently Spotify and Qobuz for me) and file-based playing. Don't worry Mike, I've asked if it's available in silver.  For the DAC, I'm thinking of the LKS MH-DA004. This small Chinese company are virtually unknown in the west but appear to have the best yet implementation of the ES9038Pro chipset in a dual mono configuration, as well as I 2S, S/PDIF and every other popular input, remote control, balanced XLR outputs and, importantly, 32-bit digital volume control. They have a virtually cult following at Head-Fi and have already responded to me directly, always a good sign.  Alternatives are Matrix Audio and Gustard, but I'm favouring the LKS right now. For the HDMI cable running I 2S, a Pangea Audio HD-24PC HDMI cable with silver coating over audiophile-grade PCOCC cores.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 8:46:40 GMT
Serious scope for making this good as well
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jan 4, 2019 9:01:24 GMT
LKS MH-DA004 DAC - Wow, interesting. Remarkably "low priced" as well - not much over £1300  My own experience of "high digital spec" wonder-gizmos does make me wary, though. Previous attempts have not sounded like music to me. Sterile, boring. Perhaps just showing limitations in my own systems of the time? For example, the NAD M51 DAC which (a few years back) had superb digital specification (and top Stereophile (amongst others) recommendations) but it just didn't play music for me. Also the Auralic Vega - it would have trouble punching its way out of a wet paper bag. Maybe some tricksy mods from Tony would have been the answer. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 9:13:46 GMT
LKS MH-DA004 DAC - Wow, interesting. Remarkably "low priced" as well - not much over £1300 My own experience of "high digital spec" wonder-gizmos does make me wary, though. Previous attempts have not sounded like music to me. Sterile, boring. Perhaps just showing limitations in my own systems of the time? For example, the NAD M51 DAC which (a few years back) had superb digital specification (and top Stereophile (amongst others) recommendations) but it just didn't play music for me. Also the Auralic Vega - it would have trouble punching its way out of a wet paper bag. Maybe some tricksy mods from Tony would have been the answer. Gerry The Vega is a bit on the thin and whispy side to say the least, have seen a few of these pass through here, personally I would look at something slightly more up the ladder and have a better base to start with imho. It is not a warmish sound though Jerry the Sabre's, the trick with those chip-sets in a quality i/v stage and absolute '0' volt rail on both the digital and analogue grounds. Most implementations fail to execute this satisfactorily. Personally I like the AKM dac's far more musicality and depth in the sound to start with and real texture, but it purely depends on what you are used to, they (Sabre) are very quiet and clean sounding, respectable bass and decent enough sound. Just see how it fits in your system |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 4, 2019 9:26:11 GMT
the trick with those chip-sets in a quality i/v stage and absolute '0' volt rail on both the digital and analogue grounds That, Tony, appears to be the nail on the head with the Sabre DACs. LKS have given this area a lot of attention, especially the I/V stage. Also the use of a femto-clock and discrete analogue output stage. |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jan 4, 2019 9:55:39 GMT
Fluxed in Time : The Vega is a bit on the thin and whispy side to say the leastIndeed. But there is ne'er a mention of this in the several totally ecstatic reviews I saw of the DAC.  Ah well, live and learn
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 9:58:31 GMT
Hi Martin Interesting that a few of the headphone guys here in the UK that had them have progressed onto the Chord Dave?  mind boggles one extreme to the other. The Dave is seriously up front and ballsy wonder why they went down that route??? Must be those 1 million taps I been missing all my life  Managed to find a proper inside image of the unit, plenty of potential in there though. Currently in the process of negotiating for a used example, let you know how I get on later. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 9:59:46 GMT
Fluxed in Time : The Vega is a bit on the thin and whispy side to say the leastIndeed. But there is ne'er a mention of this in the several totally ecstatic reviews I saw of the DAC. Ah well, live and learn Jerry, for the outlay is it fine, like a £600 cdp in the day, there are far worse out there genuinely |
|
mind boggles one extreme to the other. The Dave is seriously up front and ballsy wonder why they went down that route???