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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 11:16:09 GMT
I am with Martin on this one USB (I have always advocated this) is not the best method of audio digital signal transmission.
Going to get some stick for this, but not a fan of Sabre dac's either, no doubting the numbers, but for me they lack real musical soul, personal favorite is the AKM 4497EQ, however they have just released the new 4499EQ, I shall be implementing this is a new dac design.
mean while I am playing with the dual 4497Eq dac currently just sounds so musical and engaging reminds me of the older Wadia's in the way it handles real musical flow
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Post by MartinT on Mar 8, 2019 11:34:18 GMT
I would slightly differentiate the older Sabre generations (9018, 9028) from the 9038 which I think has more body and a less teeth rattling nature. There is no doubt, though, that the wide-open nature combined with astonishing detail and edge attack could be too relentless for some people.
For me the baseline is the SEG which is not the last word in resolution but does have a lot of musical flow and is a very nice sounding DAC, especially in modified form. I reckon I've achieved that level of musicality with the LKS after some fettling. However, you would not want this DAC in an already bright system.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 12:21:10 GMT
Having obtained all of the Sabre models I would agree the later versions are far more palatable, multi dac architecture on the top of the heap 9038 does sport very impressive figures and yields a respectable amount of data available. It still requires careful handling with the I/V stage and main dac supply rails.
Forwardness has often been cited with the Sabre chips, some brands it is far more evident than others, for example the Moon equipment is the polar opposite to that say of the Oppo.
This is purely down to understanding the specific chip-set, it quirks and abilities, as we have said before audio is more than the sum of the figures, it is the whole package that delivers your sound.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 9, 2019 15:03:03 GMT
Now here's a DAC I'm definitely interested in. The newly released Holo Audio - Spring 2 R2R. kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-spring2-dac-kitsune-tuned-edition/The build quality, both in and out looks rather sumptuous to me. It's so new there aren't really any decent pics around.  This is an internal of the previous model - looks so neat.  An exterior of the old model - yummy.  |
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Post by Slinger on Mar 9, 2019 16:23:44 GMT
That really is rather lovely, Jules, although I might end up finding a tasteful way to cover that bunch of logos up.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 9, 2019 16:59:41 GMT
A lot of the cost would be in the R2R ladder piggyback board front-right of the main PCB. They rely on accurate resistor values to do their job.
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New DACs
Mar 11, 2019 23:53:00 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 23:53:00 GMT
Just heard from Topping that the D70 is going to hit the streets in April ...
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 12, 2019 19:45:27 GMT
I’m going to also use this thread to link to some ‘boutique’ producers of DACs that you may not have come across. Denafrips do a range of interesting R-2R DACs ranging from very cheap to very expensive. You can only buy them from distributors in Singapore or the USA. Good to see a 36 month warranty included. Here are some shots of the £1200 Pontus which looks very nicely constructed indeed. www.denafrips.com/   |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 12, 2019 19:57:01 GMT
Denafrips have a good rep. Very nice construction.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 18, 2019 20:17:24 GMT
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New DACs
Mar 18, 2019 20:38:13 GMT
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Post by Clive on Mar 18, 2019 20:38:13 GMT
I've splashed on a Chord Qutest. I'm floored by its sound. Given the price it should be good and it is. Even so the standard smps vs Sbooster give very different sounds. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
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New DACs
Mar 18, 2019 22:05:48 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 18, 2019 22:05:48 GMT
Nice one Clive, glad you are pleased with it!
Size isn't everything they say - just as well since it's tiny. Difficult to imagine how they get results in such a compact size ... Did you try anything else before buying?
Have you tried it with battery power yet?
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New DACs
Mar 18, 2019 22:15:09 GMT
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Post by Clive on Mar 18, 2019 22:15:09 GMT
I've not tried battery yet as I'm away with work having "de-retired" myself. I do plan trying a supercap 5V supply and a couple of my batteries.
It's an interesting DAC. Some hate Chords as they find them clinical and unmusical. I can't see (or hear) this DAC that way. I think what happens is that Chords expose systems which possess some harshness. This DAC has amazing resolution, extension, dynamics, soundstage, that "you are there" sound.
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New DACs
Mar 18, 2019 22:23:03 GMT
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Post by Clive on Mar 18, 2019 22:23:03 GMT
Oh sorry...before buying...well I have a few DACs, Ciunas iso-dac, Metrum Musette with DAC2 modules and then a few lesser DACs.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2019 22:41:11 GMT
This DAC has amazing resolution, extension, dynamics, soundstage, that "you are there" sound. This would be my description of the LKS. |
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New DACs
Mar 18, 2019 23:03:40 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 18, 2019 23:03:40 GMT
It's an interesting DAC. Some hate Chords as they find them clinical and unmusical. I can't see (or hear) this DAC that way. I think what happens is that Chords expose systems which possess some harshness. This DAC has amazing resolution, extension, dynamics, soundstage, that "you are there" sound. I was just doing a bit of reading about it - "It uses the same DAC architecture, software coding and frequency-shaping filters as the Hugo 2" That's interesting as I've read some comments on the Hugo 2 as being too clinical etc - you're just finding it very 'neutral' and revealing it seems Clive. I note there's a choice of four filters where you can add or take away warmth etc Are these just subtly different? |
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Post by Slinger on Mar 18, 2019 23:30:03 GMT
Have you considered the Graham Slee Majestic DAC, Jules? He makes good stuff, and I believe he still does "loaners" via his forum, with a discount for forum members too. It's a long while since I posted there. |
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New DACs
Mar 19, 2019 0:24:27 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 0:24:27 GMT
Not seen that one Paul. I'm not saying I would never do it but at the moment I'm a long way off spending 1600 quid on a DAC right now. I've not heard this DAC of course but my gut tells me that there is better value to be had elsewhere. It's such a competitive market now ...
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 1:39:29 GMT
Just love this comment I found on YouTube .. "If you don't listen to classical, then you don't need to spend more than $500 on a DAC ..."   |
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New DACs
Mar 19, 2019 6:35:07 GMT
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Post by Clive on Mar 19, 2019 6:35:07 GMT
It's an interesting DAC. Some hate Chords as they find them clinical and unmusical. I can't see (or hear) this DAC that way. I think what happens is that Chords expose systems which possess some harshness. This DAC has amazing resolution, extension, dynamics, soundstage, that "you are there" sound. I was just doing a bit of reading about it - "It uses the same DAC architecture, software coding and frequency-shaping filters as the Hugo 2" That's interesting as I've read some comments on the Hugo 2 as being too clinical etc - you're just finding it very 'neutral' and revealing it seems Clive. I note there's a choice of four filters where you can add or take away warmth etc Are these just subtly different? The filters are quite subtle and I don't find I need the warm ones. Changing the PS to linear has far more impact on the sound than the filters. I think Chord DACs are so "marmite" because they won't suit some systems, ie bright ones or perhaps ones with a nasty tweeter. |
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