Short High End DAC Comparison PT.1 & PT.2, Source Gear Progression, and General Thoughts

Sovrce Gear
584

I’m actually getting quite used to the world of mobile device app or web interface. Then again, I’m the perfect demographic. A PC in front of me 90% of my waking hours and umpteen mobile devices.

  • a mobile device is going to feel mo’ better in your hand than a cheap remote
  • repurposing older mobile devices using wifi only as audio device interface is eco friendly
  • never have to run around looking for AAA batteries
  • a much deeper interface with more information and features that could be put on any remote
  • simpler to use than those remotes with 54 buttons on them but that you only ever press 4 out of those 54 buttons.
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585

Because id rather have thescreen relistate and layout of a PC app than needing to pull out a brand new device since im aittinf in front of the PC anyways

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586

that’s one of the reasons I keep Roon, best control from any device I have.

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587

Tablet? One that can be paired with a keyboard and mouse?

588

Still another device though. Like you could do a kvm so you dont need a seperate keyboard and monitor but thats kinda rediculous imo

589

Interesting to see the conversation. I tried Roon, Audirvana and now Euphony.

Conclusion: it all keeps me distracted and if you add several sources, no single app (nor desktop) was always 100% reliable.

So adding CD, play all tracks, or full album streaming with pure straming (Lumin) App, without any fancyness. Keep listening :wink:

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590

Random post, but I was thinking about bookshelf speakers, and since they won’t end up on the list, I’ll just list the ones I think I might have bought for myself at their respective price, so I guess my favorite bookshelfs I’ve tried. Not ordered or ranked

Bookshelfs:
Pretty expensive:
Vimberg Amea
Borenson 01 or Raidho D1.1
Marten Parker Duo
Joseph Pulsar2 Graphene
TAD ME-1

Not as expensive:
Harbeth P3ESR or Falcon LS3/5A
Dynaudio Special 40
ATC SCM19v2
Gershman Studio II
Voxativ Hagen
Fritz Carrera BE
Scansonic MB1 B

Not as expensive as the last:
BMR Philharmonitor
Goldenear BRX
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Klipsch RP600M
Omega Compact Alnico
Focal Chora 806
Emotiva Airmotiv B1
Polk L200

Still think bookshelfs are better value and more flexible than floorstanders in most cases, but there are good floorstanders out there lol

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591

I’m learning that bookshelves are probably easier to “make them disappear” in smaller rooms compared to floorstanders.

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592

@bmn1251 may be able to help people source a pair if they are interested.

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593

Have you tried the SB acoustics ARA?

594

I have not no

595

It is also much easier to deal with tweaking the bass too. You can tune and move your sub, but can’t separate things from your floorstander.

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596

Checking out T+A 200 dac??? About 7k new. Has anyone heard this dac? Good reviews but not much customer reviews out there. Can anyone comment on T+A dacs?

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597

I’d like to hear impressions as well. My understanding is that they use a custom implementation of upscaling with Burr Brown chips. If I remember correctly, DSD is the focus of their DACs.

Let us know if you get ears on one.

598

@M0N would you be willing to do a similar post for power amps, pre’s, and integrated?

599

Honestly, I don’t know if I could lol. Preamps would be off the table since I really don’t know a ton about those, integrated perhaps, power amps also no due to lack of confidence about preamps

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600

We’ll take whatever you feel good about writing up. I know I’ve benefited tremendously from your insight and experience.

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601

Timely given my experience with the Credo, and they don’t even make your list have you ever heard them? I kind of left the show stammering as to how much money one could sink into a system. You kind of leave a room and say yeah, it sounded great, but it SHOULD given that there’s $125,000 worth of chain in what I just heard… and that’s a mid level system. Just insane.

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602

Been doing a lot of digging into higher end reclockers/DDCs and thought i would post a list of some interesting ones I havent seen talked about much.

  • SIRIUS G2.1 - This is a strict DDC (the ethernet port is only for firmware updates)
  • Ideon Absalute Time - Ideons highest tier USB relocked. Apparently suppose to be used alongside their streamer, it will reclock SPDIF or USB but wont convert format
  • Wiess DSP501 - reclocker + dsp suite
  • Weiss MAN301 - server + reclocker (with basicaly every digital input imaginable)
  • DCS Upsampler - Mainly to be used as an upsampler and now discontinues but obviously a DDC of its own as well.
  • Audiobyte Hub - Meant to be used with the hydra stack but also a potent DDC and streamer. Doubt it would be worth while for me, but it is interesting
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603

I’ll have to give them a listen, never heard anything from that brand. Also, you like the gobels in the thrax room? That’s one of the speakers I almost got instead of the verity

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