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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 12:52:06 GMT
I need to decide on a dac to go with Audiolab transport or just buy a Yamaha cds1000 for £400. Looking at SEG plus Dorado, Topping 30/50 etc, Roksan Kandy dac or Marantz dac? Too many choices and difficult to hear before buying although I know Stan offers 30 day return option but I'd rather not muck him about. Any thoughts? Playing through an 845 valve amp and new style Tannoy Ardens. Mainly rock, pop, country and folk. :-)
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Post by Slinger on May 7, 2019 13:07:48 GMT
I can't advise you on the product(s) (although Stan's DAC has had its excellence trumpeted here many times) having never heard any of them myself, but what I will say is that I like the option of an external DAC for the flexibility it lends a setup apart from any other reason. I know that there's an upgrade route for the SEG, so you can buy the basic model and upgrade at a later date if and when the cash becomes available. If you're happy with the Audiolab as a transport it's the way I'd suggest you do things.
Stan is a member here, so it might be worthwhile dropping him a direct message if you've got any queries about the SEG. Better to get the info from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
I've no doubt members who know a lot more than me will chime in soon.
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Post by MartinT on May 7, 2019 13:21:51 GMT
I can only speak to the SEG plus Dorado, which is a great and inexpensive combination. I mirror Paul's preference for a separate DAC as it gives you much more flexibility, for instance if/when you want to try streaming as well as use the CD transport.
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 14:18:43 GMT
I have spoken to Stan and was close to pressing the buy button but I wonder if there is something else worth considering. No dsd with the SEG and Yamaha plays sacd. Kandy dac seems to be a bargain and I've read one review that states it's a step up from the SEG - dsd capable as well.
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Post by MartinT on May 7, 2019 14:52:06 GMT
Are you sure? I played DSD files when I was using a SEG. It may possibly have transcoded to DOP but I had the idea it was accepting DSD directly. Whatever it was doing, it sure sounded good in that mode.
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 16:11:52 GMT
Have to double check!
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 16:16:55 GMT
Double checked my conversations with Stan and dsd is work in progress as of May 1st.
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Post by julesd68 on May 7, 2019 16:39:29 GMT
Here's another idea if you fancy having a go at streaming.
For your 400 quid you can have the best of both worlds. I would buy an external DAC for around 200, plenty of capable units at that price. And I would spend the other 200 on a streamer like the DigiOne. CD and streaming sorted in one hit.
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Post by MartinT on May 7, 2019 17:14:38 GMT
Double checked my conversations with Stan and dsd is work in progress as of May 1st. Must have been using DOP (DSD Over PCM), then.
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 17:38:54 GMT
Here's another idea if you fancy having a go at streaming. I have a Simple Audio Roomplayer Plus for streaming and I still think it is pretty good.
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 17:43:14 GMT
Double checked my conversations with Stan and dsd is work in progress as of May 1st. Must have been using DOP (DSD Over PCM), then. Is dop therefore as good as dsd?
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2019 17:47:53 GMT
Is DSD any good fullstop lol
DOP (DSD over PCM) is a protocol that enables DSD to be encoded as PCM anything that requires a USB port to transmit audio data is suspect in my book lol!
Seriously do get worried about DSD, I would pit a correctly master PCM against pretty much any DSD file, if you have the resolution in the system and you can compare equipment back to back then you may find that the result could be surprisin.
Usually DOP file sizes are around 384Khz up to 768Khz, the SEG may not be the best method of decoding those, however it can be turned into a respectable listening tool that you can enjoy for long periods fatigue feel.
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 17:53:58 GMT
Is DSD any good fullstop lol DOP (DSD over PCM) is a protocol that enables DSD to be encoded as PCM anything that requires a USB port to transmit audio data is suspect in my book lol! Seriously do get worried about DSD, I would pit a correctly master PCM against pretty much any DSD file, if you have the resolution in the system and you can compare equipment back to back then you may find that the result could be surprisin. Usually DOP file sizes are around 384Khz up to 768Khz, the SEG may not be the best method of decoding those, however it can be turned into a respectable listening tool that you can enjoy for long periods fatigue feel. All too confusing =-O thanks for the info.
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Post by John on May 7, 2019 18:37:31 GMT
I think it depends how much of your listening is via DSP if only a few is it worth worrying about But if you have a reasonable selection then it will be worth it. I would think having a independent DAC will serve you well I am out of touch with new DACs but plenty to choose from. Gustard have a good name and seem well made. Some of the Teac DACs look interesting I would ensure that you purchase on sale and return If buying mail order this is a legal requirement
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Post by daytona600 on May 7, 2019 18:54:31 GMT
Use a project S2 pre on my desktop - DSD / MQA kitchen sink Class A component usually start @ $5,000 not 300quid
Pro-Ject’s Pre Box S2 Digital ticks off so many boxes of user friendliness that it’s a steal. The Pre Box S2’s PCM and MQA options sound fantastic. I can think of no other mini-machine that does so much so well, with so wide an array of musical sounds and styles.” Stereophile, Class A Recommended Component
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Post by scotty67 on May 7, 2019 19:02:08 GMT
Quite intrigued by the Project - Westlake design?
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Post by stanleyb on May 7, 2019 20:19:56 GMT
Usually DOP file sizes are around 384Khz up to 768Khz, the SEG may not be the best method of decoding those, however it can be turned into a respectable listening tool that you can enjoy for long periods fatigue feel. The SEG can sample up to 768kHz, which is in itself rare in PCM DAC chips. It's that ability that makes the Dorado transform the sound to what I consider even better that DSD. The low frequency depth, soundstage and signal separation is what interests me most in a musical track. So that's what I chase up on. But others do have a different listening requirement. Many of my mainland European customers are not so keen on the depth of the lows.
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Post by MartinT on May 7, 2019 20:30:00 GMT
Many of my mainland European customers are not so keen on the depth of the lows. Interesting, Stan. I consider the bass end of the SEG to be very good indeed, but even more than that is the overall musicality of the DAC, giving a great presentation on all kinds of music.
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Post by scotty67 on May 11, 2019 14:12:20 GMT
Many of my mainland European customers are not so keen on the depth of the lows. Interesting, Stan. I consider the bass end of the SEG to be very good indeed, but even more than that is the overall musicality of the DAC, giving a great presentation on all kinds of music. Okay folks, I've ordered SEG plus Dorado. I'll report back once I've had a good listen.
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Post by MartinT on May 11, 2019 16:25:02 GMT
Good move, Scotty. Let us know how you get on.
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