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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2014 12:20:37 GMT
Don't forget to adjust the arm height.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 23, 2014 12:36:35 GMT
Thanks I know I have to do that - not bad eh ?
And the adjustment on the FR is a so easy to do
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2014 18:09:02 GMT
So much to do, what with still evaluating the SLIC single-ended and SLIC speaker cables.
Now for something different: I have just slotted in Stan Beresford's new creation, a Caiman Mk. II DAC. Good grief, first impressions are startling. I know John has heard it and Stan prepared me for a revelation, but this DAC is GOOD!
Compared with the BM2 (where I played a very familiar track just before taking it out of circuit), it is much more tightly focussed (making the BM2 sound a little ‘fat’) and the wealth of tiny detail is incredible. Listening to tracks 2 & 4 on Christina Pluhar’s All’Improvviso (a properly good CD for testing and enjoying), the soundstage depth and micro-detail are amazing. Dynamics are also improved, a slight weak point of the BM2 and BM1. This just from red-book CD played on a Blu-ray player as source!
I have a lot more to listen to, including hi-res material streamed via the Touch and some Sky HD viewing on Sky Arts. I will also follow up with a full review in due course.
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Post by John on Jun 23, 2014 18:24:36 GMT
Yes its a big step up in performance a lot more mature just beat the Bushmaster in every way. Totally agree about depth and so much detail. Its a mature sound I could not go back to the Bushmaster now. Went up against a Cunas via MQn latest software patch and matched it all the way using inferior cables. Fabulous DAC. USB is its only weakness and even that is not shabby Looking forward to the review
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2014 18:48:24 GMT
Funnily enough, I don't use USB at all! The two opticals and single co-ax are perfect for me.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 24, 2014 14:48:15 GMT
So the Caiman is better than the BM - wow.
What sort of value is that ?
What would you have to spend on a DAC to outperform it ?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2014 15:06:36 GMT
It's much better than a BM and better than a BM2. Full review coming soon!
EDIT: I'm talking about the Caiman Mk.II, which has no relationship with the Caiman (which I also have on my PC). Stan's naming is getting confusing, although I understand the general Caiman = USB interface thing.
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Post by The Brookmeister on Jun 24, 2014 15:29:44 GMT
I am highly amused now, what will all the 100's of Bushmaster DAC owners do now that Stan has launched something better supposedly?
Is it powered by a wall wart as standard?
No USB Martin, sacrilege! lol
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2014 16:12:13 GMT
I don't have a computer anywhere near my system, and the Touch to DAC link sounds excellent on Blue Jeans Belden 1694A. USB isn't much good for hi-res in my setup.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 24, 2014 17:14:50 GMT
Daft question maybe
My pc outputs into my amp at work. How would it output via a DAC ?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2014 17:55:27 GMT
Oh, you're taking the analogue outputs (green 3.5mm socket)?
If it outputs optical or co-ax S/PDIF, you can run it into a DAC instead. Or, with a Caiman II, use the USB. Then the DAC feeds the amp. An external DAC will give you much better SQ than the usually poor built-in DAC chips.
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Post by John on Jun 24, 2014 19:02:43 GMT
For me its a shame I think Stan missed a trick not using a better chip on the USB board. I would like to be able to use MQn with it as think it will over take my player very soon as a Transport with the amount of development going into it
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 24, 2014 20:28:12 GMT
Oh, you're taking the analogue outputs (green 3.5mm socket)? If it outputs optical or co-ax S/PDIF, you can run it into a DAC instead. Or, with a Caiman II, use the USB. Then the DAC feeds the amp. An external DAC will give you much better SQ than the usually poor built-in DAC chips. No idea. There are 3 jack sockets, I think I use the green one I have a 2 year old Lenovo desktop. Don't think there are any other sockets
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Post by MartinT on Jun 24, 2014 21:27:22 GMT
If that's the case, USB out to a Caiman II will give you a SIZEABLE lift in SQ. You're not yielding all that your work system can give by using the analogue (green) output.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2014 6:46:28 GMT
So, back to my system. Trying out RDC Cones under my Chord power amp made an improvement, but the clearance for the Integra feet is tiny and I want to improve where exactly I place the cones. So tonight, a little disassembly is called for.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 25, 2014 8:45:19 GMT
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 25, 2014 8:48:01 GMT
So, back to my system. Trying out RDC Cones under my Chord power amp made an improvement, but the clearance for the Integra feet is tiny and I want to improve where exactly I place the cones. So tonight, a little disassembly is called for. Before you start, if it wasn't obvious - the case is flush on the rack now so you must have some sort of lifting device for airflow
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2014 9:22:52 GMT
Do keep up - the BM has no USB, you need a Caiman II if you want to send digital to an external DAC! Unless your PC has optical or co-ax S/PDIF which you already confirmed it hasn't.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 25, 2014 9:23:47 GMT
So, back to my system. Trying out RDC Cones under my Chord power amp made an improvement, but the clearance for the Integra feet is tiny and I want to improve where exactly I place the cones. So tonight, a little disassembly is called for. Before you start, if it wasn't obvious - the case is flush on the rack now so you must have some sort of lifting device for airflow The cones will raise it to just over the height achieved by the Integra legs.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 29, 2014 20:01:18 GMT
Usher Be-20 DMD Review in Hi-Fi+ June 2014
Nice review of essentially the same speakers as mine save for the new diamond tweeter replacing the beryllium version in mine.
"This speaker gives away few concessions when put against far more expensive loudspeaker designs. If you give them a big room in which to breathe1, these big Ushers don't just offer a taste of the high-end, they give you the kind of high-end performance you'll struggle to better this side of £30,000, maybe even £40,000, and that's an exciting prospect2".
1 my room is not that big, but see my article on port stuffing that has worked wonders to integrate them rather well.
2 I have heard lots of high end speakers at multiples of the price I paid for the Ushers and I've never been disappointed when returning home. Possibly only the big TADs, and they are a LOT more expensive, have shown them a clean pair of heels and I have never compared them directly.
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