drmatt wrote: > FWIW I don't doubt you can hear a difference between two DACs in a > scenario like this. You may also actually have a faulty transporter (or > power unit), which would colour the analogue output much more. A "DAC", > to the consumer, is the combination of its immeasurably perfect digital > components and its measurably imperfect analogue components, they cannot > be taken separately. > > You are also talking about two bits of kit designed with different aims, > fifteen or so years apart. The transporter punched extremely highly in > its pursuit of neutrality and accuracy. > > Two other points - Mytek state that their analogue pre-amp volume > control colours the sound that comes out of the device. I've noted this > on my 192DSD as well. Comparing this with the digital volume control on > the transporter (I don't have one so right now I'm assuming that's what > it is) isn't the same. > > And finally I've found that systems from the so-called "neutral" end of > the scale require you to listen in to find the details, they aren't > presented so obviously. This does not mean they are less detailed just > that the sound presents this differently. I have no logical explanation > as to why. I assume it comes down to very small frequency response > shifts, or small amounts of dynamic compression; after all "air and > space" is most likely high frequency background noise, but have no > experimental results to back these theories up. I don't have the time to > care too much so I buy kit I like at prices I like without trying to > think about it too much... > > And, as usual, it's worth saying all these systems are achieving way > more fidelity than the *still* inexplicably popular Vinyl sound. People > don't like accurate, they like a show to be put on. > > -Transcoded from Matt's brain by Tapatalk-
Hi Dr M! Thank you for your considered reply to my pain-fuelled irascible posting. I'm aware that you have your own detractors on this forum, so I appreciate your willingness to comment. I agree with much of what you say, but have a few observations, Firstly, since I currently have 3 Transporters (1 "Slim Devices" model which probably dates all the way back to 2005 & a couple of previously unused SE's I imported from the States this year - 2012 manufacture? ) & they *-all-* sound the same, I think I can rule out the possibility that an internal fault is responsible for my experience. Secondly, the effects of volume controls. As you surmise, the Transporter does indeed have a volume control which operates exclusively in the digital domain, with 0.5dB steps. The Mytek offers either digital or analogue volume control in 1dB steps. My understanding is that the disadvantage of digital volume control is that you lose 1 bit of resolution for each 6dB of volume attenuation (I read this somewhere & haven't reconfirmed it, so correct me if I've got the scale of the effect slightly out... ): this does not occur if the volume adjustment is made in the analogue domain. I usually simply set the volume control to "bypass" to reduce the unnecessary additional circuitry in the signal path. My Pathos amplifier has 2 "real" balanced XLR inputs with high headroom although the maximum output of the Mytek can be adjusted internally using "jumpers" - I believe that the same is true of the DSD192 model - so that you can ensure that the input stage of whichever amplifier you use will not be driven into overload by its maximum output. Without adjustment the Mytek's balanced output is significantly higher than that of the Transporter however, & this is why I re-engaged the analogue volume control of the former to make the comparison. Although I'm limited to 1dB steps, the results I report are categorically *-not-* a "level matching" issue: the Mytek sounds better than the Transporter whether played louder or quieter than the latter... Thirdly, as regards the intended sound of the Brooklyn, Michal Jurewicz has written a paper on his design approach: https://mytekdigital.com/download_library/Engineering_and_Design_Philosopy_of_Mytek_Brooklyn_DAC.pdf . You may find this of particular interest if you haven't seen it before, since it gives a lot of detail regarding the output levels of the balanced XLR's & unbalanced RCA phono's which are common to your DSD192 model. However, whilst he concedes that the use of the analogue volume control very slightly compromises the measured performance although less than the volume control of most preamps in terms of *-audible-* effect, he is adamant that the Brooklyn is a DAC for accurate reproduction rather than euphonic enhancement... whether this is so much the case with your DSD192 (which I think was Mytek's first consumer offering, again correct me if I'm wrong there) I do not know. I agree that ultimately the whole issue is how much your system suspends your disbelief: my preference is to be able to close my eyes & feel as though I am in Abbey Road Studio #3, or alternatively if the Allman Brothers are playing down the house live in the Fillmore East at its final concert in 1971 before it closed for ever... Whatever rings your bell is fine too, of course. Incidentally, my careful review of the (admittedly excellent, if somewhat technical... ) reference paper by Douglas Self http://douglas-self.com/ampins/dipa/dipa.htm#5 recommended to me by your nemesis Arnyk, reveals that *-contrary-* to Arnyk's summation Mr Self states in section 5.3 (ibid) that "Apart from its inherent inefficiency, Class-A is ideal, having no crossover or switchoff distortion." & moreover that the "gm doubling distortion" that Arnyk refers to is an artefact that surfaces when a Class A/B amplifier (such as my current Pathos Acoustics Logos Mk.1) is driven beyond the point at which it is capable of operating entirely in Class A mode (which for my amp is 30W/channel with a nominal 8ohm load, it then continues in Class B mode up to a quoted 110W/channel, although Arnyk says he's seen a review that stated it'll actually produce up to 150W/channel & that they give the lower figure to make the alternative quotation of 220W/channel into a nominal 4ohm load look more impressive - he's probably correct on this). This appears to give the lie to Arnyk's assertion that Class A/B is the best amplifier design... Accordingly, I resumed my search for a s/hand Pathos Acoustics INPOL-2 amplifier, a very interesting patented pure 45W/channel Class A design which manages to achieve low distortion despite using no feedback whatsoever. And I'm pleased to report that I've got first refusal on a 2 year old one that should be available in the next few weeks - this model, like my Logos design has been in continuous production for the last 12 years which is unusual these days. I'll hang on to my Logos for the time being just in case there's anything about the INPOL-2 that I don't take to - I could always sell it on, which is of course the great benefit of getting s/hand kit at the right price. Hope you're having a good weekend - as you've probably noticed I myself am less grumpy than I was when I made my previous post! Dave :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Golden Earring's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=66646 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=106519 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
