Looking at what you wrote earlier and that you’re building a NUC rock I think what you are doing makes sense ROCK via ethernet to your RED and then i2s to your Wavelight is solid.
And yes, before I had the ultraRendu I was using a PC as an endpoint via USB into the Spring3 KTE. I left the Xspdif-2 out of the mix because I could not tell a difference with my ears between it even using i2s into the Spring vs USB only. I did detect a difference though not super dramatic, when switching from the PC as endpoint to the ultrRendu as endpoint - the background was more blacker - making everything more clear.
While I agree it’s very good, I wouldn’t go as far as not getting a streamer for it. I tried my streamer before and the improvement was much more noticeable than using a streamer into an amber 3. It kind of surprised me tbh
Interesting. Good to know. I only tried a pi2aes (5v) and USB (both over su2 kte and straight) and didn’t hear any differences myself tbh (as in no sonic changes at all between the 3), but that may well have been the pi
The Pi2AES excelled via it’s AES out, I’d also read that it was very good with i2s out but never tried that. I will also add that there seems to be a difference between the good streamer/bridges and the next step up $5K and onward sources. Ethernet implementation, power and the clocks all help take things that much further I guess.
The Red seems like a great product for the pricepoint, although the either or streamer/bridge or DDC is a weird thing to be honest. I’ve really scrutinized the board design and have seen no reference to the clocks used or their implementation which for a reclocker I’d expected a lot of horn tooting on.
I’m a bit jaded on any of these producs as the Pi2AES was clearly above its pricepoint performance wise, it wasn’t great but it was something that would take your system to the next level if you had just a PC out before. The $1K pricepoint that both the Holo and the Mercury are still going to be compromised products based on that pricepoint and I just don’t believe you can get a LOT more than the Pi2AES was offering back in the day for that $350 all in. They’re still going to be leagues better than anything PC out IMO though and unless you’re at the level where you can commit a significant amount of money to your streamer, it’s probably a great place to settle for a while.
The reason I’m a fan of high end source is that your DAC will or should scale quite a bit with a next level source.
I had moved past this DAC at one point but lately I’ve been circling back. When I consider my situation the May as an upgrade is appearing more logical.
With the headphones I have/use with it, Susvara, Utopia 22, Senns (HD650 & HD580) I feel it’s a good ss amp. Especially for the price.
Bass is strong. Hits hard and I don’t find it’s bloated. I think it’s done well.
No issues with the mids. It’s not shouty or anything. It has good clarity and detail. Stage is good as well. Timbre is ok too, though a tube amp is my preference. Probably hard to beat in its price range. Definitely is a good ss to have if you have a hard to drive headphone or a headphone that likes power. I’m sure there’s better but you’ll have to pay more, probably much more
When you think of it for a second, you understand there aren’t a lot of solid state options in the higher price ranges. Almost all the high end is tube based. That makes the Bliss even a better deal imo
I didn’t hear the May+bliss chain but I can see where it may have been a little bit wild in the bass. I find with the Wavelight is pretty legit. This will all be preference tho.
Yeah, I use it as a streamer. It’s an improvement. Not a huge improvement imo but seems to clean things up. I think better clarity. Maybe a quieter background and pulls out some mircro details a little better. Better separation imo. Improved impact. With red the speed seemed better too, idk why? lol
I guess you can say with the image it cleans it all up. Makes everything seem more in focus. Straight from the PC it’s a little fuzzy around the edges. And the impact from drums isn’t as crisp and fast.
I also added the ifi silencer device on the ethernet cable going into the red. Jury is still out in it. I’ll probably just leave it and whatever haha!
I definitely want to get a better streamer one day. This will do for the time being.
I’ve been really good at staying neutral and not getting on the train too early but,I should not have watched this… I was able to resist the head-fi talk because there have been several that have said they still prefer their Ferrum but, we all know its your ears alone that should be the judge - no matter who else is saying good or bad.
If one comes up on the pre-owned market I don’t think I’d be able to resist. I won’t buy one new until after I hear Golden’s take - but I imagine it will be synonymous with CMA.
Ill also take it for a month if you need some time first. Keep getting told I need to try it at home so i need one I wont loose money on so I can keep shitting on it and not have people dismiss my hot takes.
