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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2021 20:57:31 GMT
Good - that tallies with my thoughts, John. The Aucharm is good and has an effect but it's not a big one.
When I receive the SilentPoint from AliExpress (is this the same as your most expensive box?) I shall try that in the same position. The Aucharm is then likely to go to the mains earth by my system.
I will also receive two Quartz Acoustics boxes which I also believe are better than the Aucharm and I can experiment with them, too.
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 1, 2021 9:42:09 GMT
Sounds like magic to me !
How are you connecting John, via a 3 pin mains plug ?
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2021 11:01:21 GMT
Yes but just on the earth terminal
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 1, 2021 11:12:08 GMT
Assumed that.
Best to clarify of course
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 8, 2021 12:57:34 GMT
John, you've had more time to assess the Gustard now - just wondering if you have any further thoughts on it?
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Post by John on Aug 8, 2021 13:49:11 GMT
It's a very clean DAC with lots of detail in the top end having the extra slam in the DAC preamp section allows for better low level detail It has been a good step up and simplified my system which paid for the DAC
I really enjoy the built in Bluetooth which allows me to switch between Spotify YouTube and files with ease
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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2021 7:20:36 GMT
John - can you remind me of which cable you use for each of the Silent Point and Aucharms?
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Post by John on Aug 10, 2021 8:43:23 GMT
I am running directly off the mains from a mains socket so using OFC copper I had as spare
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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2021 8:52:22 GMT
Oh, right. I thought you were running SGS cable to one of them?
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Post by John on Aug 10, 2021 15:24:35 GMT
Nope to RTZ
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Post by John on Aug 11, 2021 18:45:47 GMT
I think I have a better take on the DAC now.
I guess the first thing I notice is the top end it has a lot more air. But what do I mean by that. I guess for me it's about hearing clearly into the treble everything seems to have more space notes are so clean and due to this I am able to sink deeper into the music
With the extra voltage and perhaps other improvements I can hear more clearly how a note is created is it plucked picked or bowed is more definable
I am at that stage where I am discovering new information I did not know was there However the best way to describe the system is when listening I don't want to leave
This is the best I heard my system it still has it key signature but everything is just more musical
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Post by John on Aug 12, 2021 20:16:45 GMT
A quick recap on the last few months and where I am at
I was getting to the point where I was just focusing on the faults in my system and not really enjoying I guess this experience gave me the desire to simplify if I could but I could not see a way around this
Steps
1 Identify what was causing the noise issues. This took several weeks to work out for me
2 Remove everything with a SMPS on my circuit
3 Get grounding to my mains as a way of dealing with the noise. The biggest lesson was that I had to treat both mains circuits. I had never even thought of it before and just did this as was waiting for the next grounding box I had no idea my Temples would benefit so much from this. To be honest no way I thought I had to readjust the bass crossover
4 My visit to Vic and hearing the SMSL M400 DAC I just loved what it did to his system and made a big decision to simplify my system. Initially I was going to get the same DAC but saw the Gustard A22 with 2 AK4999 chips and a decent preamp stage, it made sense to go for that instead.
So sold the Mutec. Yes it would be even better with the Mutec but I was tired of wires going everywhere I also sold the psu to it A big thank you has to go to Tony for helping me with this.
Now it just my Tablet sending a Bluetooth signal to the DAC and I could not be happier
Its hard to describe the sound It has a lightness of touch in the treble where everything just has space to flow and shimmer where it is needed. Stopping listening is hard everything is so effortless. Another word is Musical. All those years ago I never of thought I be hear with a digital system, let alone one that I am sure people think I have gone nuts or something.
I know myself well if I hear something I like and know I can achieve it I keep chasing it till I get there.
About a year ago I described my system as being cold, it moved onto warm but that extra detail eventually led me to hearing distortion in my system. Cleaning that up has been no easy task and meant I had to take a lot of chances but they paid eventually paid off.
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Post by John on Aug 13, 2021 5:13:23 GMT
One of the biggest lessons I learned as you upgrade your system it can start to show up issues that can take time to find solutions. All I wanted is effortless listening to whatever takes my fancy.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 13, 2021 9:43:21 GMT
This is definitely the most positive you have been with your system John.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 13, 2021 9:55:57 GMT
About a year ago I described my system as being cold, it moved onto warm but that extra detail eventually led me to hearing distortion in my system. Cleaning that up has been no easy task and meant I had to take a lot of chances but they paid eventually paid off. Exactly my experience, and there were a few wrong turns before I got it right. This is since going all-streaming. |
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Post by Clive on Aug 13, 2021 10:36:39 GMT
I have the same Gustard DAC which I chose due to the AKM chips and preamp section. I use it in my A/V system which is also my 2nd hifi system...it's still a darned good system. After about a year of ownership, I've still not tried the DAC in my main system - I don't want it to sound better than my Lindemann Source with the AKM 4493 chipset! However, the balance of these two systems is achieved in different ways.
Main system - OB speakers which work well with valves - a trace of warmth comes from my valve amps so a cooler sounding DAC in the Lindemann works.
A/V (2nd) system - I use class D into MarkaudioSota floorstander - the warmth comes from the Gustard.
It's all about synergy between DAC, power amp and speakers - I need to check out the Gustard in the main system.
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Post by John on Aug 13, 2021 10:59:52 GMT
The Gustard is a fantastic DAC for me it was a lot about simplifying the system The beautiful top end was a bonus Just remember to volume match afterwards with the bass drivers
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Post by John on Aug 13, 2021 11:08:47 GMT
This is definitely the most positive you have been with your system John. Yes been a slog getting here. Not hearing any distortion is a big plus. But really it's about just enjoying every moment of my listening experience |
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Post by Clive on Aug 13, 2021 11:09:46 GMT
I empathise with you over system simplification. This is why I went with the Lindemann Source straight into the power amp. Removing extra boxes and cables takes away the temptation to tweak things and I just settle down to enjoying the music.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 13, 2021 17:35:13 GMT
My box count is down recently too which I am very happy about but in terms of DACs, not all have serious thought put into the preamp side of things like the Gustard - the volume control on my Topping D70 for example is just pants compared to an external pre.
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