I forgot my totaldac also has the locking connector, albeit a bit more of smaller nodule yet it is metal as seen below:
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What does “bass right” and “bass left” do?
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I don’t know, I don’t have the bass boost option on my unit which may be related to it. Or perhaps it is functional on the mono-bloc DACs.
Vincent uses the same chassis across his product line, punches out the holes needed for the product.
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How much better is the dCS streamer than the built in streaming on your Totaldac? I don’t remember if you commented on it along the way.
There are a lot of variations on locking military/aviation connectors.
Sone screw on, the really desirable ones the pins don’t have sockets, but rather contact a dimple and are spring loaded, the contact is made when you rotate the outside of the connector which has a cam mechanism that both locks the connector in place and pushes on the spring loaded pins.
The EC Studio T used them, they are difficult to get. They are commonly used for HV supplies, but most people who use them buy them used, because they aren’t easy to get new. It looks like what’s in use on the sonic frontiers DAC you pictured.
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I haven’t commented on the dCS other than my initial share when I got it. I am satisfied with my choice and have zero itch to look further. There was firmware update recently, so that reassures me about dCS supporting it this many years out.
I haven’t gone back to the internal streamer since my first week with the dCS, so that says a lot. I have never been a fan of the internal streamer since the Totaldac landed in my system, even with its fancy USB filter cable. The dCS sounds richer and more natural, those would be the most obvious areas it separates from the built-in streamer which is essential an SBC with USB only output. The d1-streamer box would be a more appropriate comparison given its expanded parts build and engineering.
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I have listened to the various streamers @Camus has used the past year++ in his space, due to the fact that his neighbors are connected via floor and walls, we listen at low to moderate levels only. At these sound pressure levels high dynamics w/ lower volume (my own usual conditions) are where my own hearing has turned keen and experienced. I’m also a creature of habit and will at every opportunity play songs whose sound qualities, spatial queue’s in particular, I’m intimately familiar w/ along w/ playing music genres that fit the equipment being used to maximize reproduction qualities.
His current DCS streamer in conjunction w/ the rest of his equipment and working within the confines of his ability to place his speakers in the room is doing an admirable job of imaging, and giving him quality depth. He has excellent background blackness allowing for good space. The separation is well focused and defined presenting a very nice space for the music which gives a proper presentation allowing the speakers to disappear nicely w/ well mastered songs. Yes of course this is in conjunction w/ the abilities of his various DAC’s.
As far as streamers go though, the DCS he is using has helped the rest of his gear shine through in my opinion in his 2 channel space. I can’t speak for HP use, i almost always listen to his 2 channel exclusively but currently his choice of equipment components are really working well in his space. Iv’e told him before and i’ll repeat it again, he has really nice synergy across the board w/ the various pieces of equipment putting forth 2 channel music, especially for his listening environment. Any changes would require severe reconstruction to the room itself and in my opinion they would be massive expenditures in money for limited effects in some more depth and width to a soundstage that has great mastery of all the major qualities desired by most already.
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These just arrived. Only two songs in but I’m impressed.
CMA800i is at 75 %. Overall tonal balanced largely meets my preference for neutrality. I’m not missing any bass yet but I may EQ a shelf in at some point. So far they sound quite natural. Good sized stage. Great imaging. Quite holographic.
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Fta Elara. Now I only have to find their Ganymede interconnects for a full Fta loom for my headphones.
Got the Niagara 1200 conditioner that is really nice too as there is noticeable less glare and got more room reverbs etc, first time i try a conditioner that is positive. With this, i feel my headphone system is covered. Only thing left is start with streamers later.
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What’s your HP cable?
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Nirvana with adapters for all headphones.
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Is that your pic or the seller’s? If it’s you, I want to know all about the avant guard speakers in the back!
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Congrats, is that a mk1 or mk2?
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no it’s the seller’s haha
ty and yes it’s a DAC1 mk2 
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I’ve wanted to hear one of these for years …could only tolerate it for 20 minutes 
Too bright!
Though, that was only on my Mojo 2. I’ll try again with a few different amps/DAPs over the next week. I’m thinking my WA6 may be exactly what it needs.
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Same impression when I got mine, LOL. I had two Clears. The first one sounded bad on my chain, I wanted to sell it the first week. I used it for a couple more weeks until I finally started to enjoy it. I went to the Utopia, then back to the Clear again.
The Focal Clear is a bit picky and sensitive to the chain. It’s hard to dial in the right synergy. Cables make a difference and affect it too. I have a go-to cable that tames the mids as a backup. For me, the trick was finding a warm-ish chain that adds some thump without messing up the tonality too much like the BF2 + RNHP or DAC205 + V222.
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Thanks, dude. I’ve got a few new bits arriving this week. Primarily a CMA Twelve Master, though, I doubt that’ll be warm enough. I’ll have to rely on my WA6.
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I loved the CMA800i so much I couldn’t resist picking up this Twelve Master when I spotted it on HF.
I’ll get a chance to listen to it a little while I work tomorrow, but it’s real test will be in a week when I’m back off holiday.
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