[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Benchmark DAC1, the next step ?
holmsn wrote: tomsi42 Wrote: 50GPB a day! Do you get a refund if you buy it ? Well actually I suggested a 3 day rent for 100GBP +VAT less 50 if I bought ( a separate brand-new item from them) Most good Hifi shops will let you return stuff if you're not happy, i.e. buy it and return it if you don't like it. R. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Benchmark DAC1, the next step ?
ModelCitizen Wrote: The difference between the Dac1 and the SB2 analogue outputs is easy to discern on my system, the Dac1 is crystal clear, needle sharp, punchy and the detail and precision is exceptional (I can see how people may think it is thin though). The SB2 DAC is slightly mushy and pedestrian (dull?) in comparison. However, I am not at all happy with the set up when I compare it to using my Naim CDX CD player. Although the difference in sound quality is not immediately identifiable with tests (although the Dac1 has a certain thinness), it becomes pretty obvious after a while that most music (and I have catholic tastes) played via the CDX is more involving than that played via the Dac1. The Dac1 seems cold and and clinical, whereas the CDX just sort of keeps your attention and draws you in and encourages me to listen longer (I am talking about intense, dark room, lie back listening). The sound it produces has an unquantifiable warmth and atractiveness (I hate the Pace, Rythym and Timing bit too but you find with Naim that the term is unavoidable). This may be something to do with the Dac1 being an oversampling dac... I don't know as, as you have found, it is difficult to try out dacs. MC When I first got my DAC1 I felt it might be losing some of the emotion also. Like you said straight out of the box it had wonderful level detail and sparkly cleanliness, but almost felt sterile. To be fair I also run digital amps and transformer volume control both of which have been accused of being almost sterile by themselves. However today I hardly even think about it. I don't know if I got used to it, it broke in, or it was one of the many changes I've made since then, but its pretty much all back now. There are many songs that make me want to dance and I still feel the extreme joy in Beethoven's 9th. Originally the room wasn't treated much and its heavily treated now. I've also moved all of my source gear to individual balanced transformers and built a linear supply for the SB (Sonicaps helped a lot). One of the things that helped most in the PRaT department was the addition of a Running Springs Audio power conditioner. It definately helped out with the toe tapping factor a lot. In other words it may not have been the DAC1 that was sterile, but rather my system and the better DAC was able to expose it so now that I've fixed the other parts of my system its not sterile anymore. In the end its like any other piece of gear and you have to try it yourself in your system to see how it meshes with everything else and your tastes. While I might like to hear the Lavry Black, the Benchmark would still be on my very short list if I were shopping today. -- samplesj Jeremy '2 Channel system' (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/member_systems.php?sysid=619) / 'HT system' (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/member_systems.php?sysid=620) / 'Den' (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/member_systems.php?sysid=636) samplesj's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3342 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23871 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: OK, I think I should ask my questions here
lovemov Wrote: Since I consider myself an audiophile, I will be use external D/A only, so bit perfcetion is the must for me. Thanks. http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23954 The SB is bit perfect, at least if you use up-to-date firmware and have the digital volume control off. -- opaqueice opaqueice's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4234 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23955 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: OK, I think I should ask my questions here
What exactly is meant by bit perfection? If you mean that all 0's are transmitted as 0's and 1's as 1's, then yes. Why wouldn't this be the case? I'm puzzled to what prompted this thread. -- ezkcdude SB3-Derek Shek TDA1543/CS8412 NOS DAC-MIT Terminator 2 interconnects-Endler Audio 24-step Attenuators (RCA-direct)-Parasound Halo A23 125W/ch amplifier-Speltz anti-cables-DIY 2-ways + Dayton Titanic 10 subwoofer He's not hi-fi, he's my stereo. ezkcdude's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2545 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23955 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Monarchy DIP
http://www.monarchyaudio.com/DIP.htm Curious more than anything. Anyone using the above in a sb3/dac system? If so did it make any difference? Almost tempted to try one out, however just had an m-audio dac heavily modded so really wanted to give that a fair go first before making any changes. -- davidcotton davidcotton's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4588 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23977 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: OK, I think I should ask my questions here
Sometimes bits change due to transcoding, resampling, or other DSP being run on the sound by software or hardware. For instance: roku devices resample everything to 48khz. While the resultant PCM audio would sonically make sense, A DTS signal (due to the way it's encoded) wouldn't survive this resampling. Some devices will adjust the volume level of the signal before sending it through the digital outs...this, too, changes the original pattern of the bits--the data is changed and results in something that makes sense sonically, but would break DTS. Still other devices might run some sort of sound-enhancing DSP, or even more egregiously, transcode to mp3 or another lossy format somehwere in the signal chain. Anyhow...the OP was just verifying that the original data would arrive 100% intact at the SB's digital outputs. In fact, the old SB1 can not accomplish this feat--it inverts the data. -- azinck3 azinck3's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3967 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23955 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Monarchy DIP
I used to use the Monarchy DIP between transport and DAC (a long time ago). It does something good... A more modern - and effective - equivalent is the altmann UPCI+JISCO gear (that I use today between TACT and DAC) -- Phil Leigh Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23977 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] pc server v sb3 ?
Hi Im thinking about buying an SB3 but wondered about the levels of jitter that may be introduced by the length of ethernet cable, 20 feet in my case. I intend to use my Belcanto dac2 into a Valve amp. Ive had fantastic results using my pc and foobar2000 with coaxial digital out from soundcard to dac. How far do you feel the sound will be compromised by using the lan? Thanks Jack. -- Lyonesse Lyonesse's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5496 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23982 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: pc server v sb3 ?
Lyonesse Wrote: Hi Im thinking about buying an SB3 but wondered about the levels of jitter that may be introduced by the length of ethernet cable, 20 feet in my case. I intend to use my Belcanto dac2 into a Valve amp. Ive had fantastic results using my pc and foobar2000 with coaxial digital out from soundcard to dac. How far do you feel the sound will be compromised by using the lan? Thanks Jack. The ethernet run has absolutely no potential of inducing jitter into the SPDIF signal. The data is sent via TCP/IP to the squeezebox. TCP/IP data is conveyed perfectly due to the fact that corrupt data is detected and resent (and the buffer in the Squeezebox allows for plenty of time for any minor hiccups to be worked out). It's only the lack of error-correction and the time-dependent nature of SPDIF that makes it susceptible to jitter issues. -- azinck3 azinck3's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3967 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23982 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Benchmark DAC1, the next step ?
I'm taking the optical out of an SB2, into a DAC1, then balanced cables in a Pathos Logos (all balanced tube preamp, SS power section) into Magnepan 1.6QRs. It sounds excellent to me. I've never tried blind A/Bing it with the SB2 analog outs, but I bet I could tell the difference. I also like being able to put a 24/96 signal into the DAC1 (e.g. from a DVD player, not the SB2). That's a real treat. -- Mike Anderson 'FREE RADICAL RADIO!' (http://nvo.com/cd) Hours of free radical MP3s. Mike Anderson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1705 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23871 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Pathos Systems
I have the Pathos Logos. I take the optical out of the SB2, into a Benchmark DAC1, and balanced cables into the Logos. Speakers are Magnepan 1.6QR. It's a fine amp. BUT, unless you have the need for the power -- e.g. you're using inefficient speakers like my Magnepans -- my advice is to go with the Classic One (second version). I tried the Classic One, and I would have kept it except it just didn't deliver enough power for my speakers - hence my moving up to the Logos. Apart from the power, and a little less low end, the sound quality of the Classic One was about as good as the Logos. Very sweet, musical, smooth delicious sound. I like it. I got my Logos used, as well as the Classic One. I did have one issue with the Logos: The remote control sensor went out soon after I got it. The amp still worked fine, you just couldn't use the remote. The company was nice enough to send me a brand new one though (even though I'd bought the amp used), and it was easy to install myself, so no biggie. There's still a strange thing it does though: every once in a while I'll turn it on, and the volume reads 88 -- but I just turn it back off and on again, and it's fine. Overall I'm very pleased with the amp. Don't know that I would have paid full price for a new one, but if you can one used for $2900 or so, it's a good deal. -- Mike Anderson 'FREE RADICAL RADIO!' (http://nvo.com/cd) Hours of free radical MP3s. Mike Anderson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1705 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23962 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Pathos Systems
rocky2889 Wrote: Or should I get the their ClassicOne Amp and InControl Preamp. You don't need the InControl Preamp with the Classic One; it's an integrated amp -- preamp and power amp in the same unit. -- Mike Anderson 'FREE RADICAL RADIO!' (http://nvo.com/cd) Hours of free radical MP3s. Mike Anderson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1705 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23962 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SqueezePower final design Power supply
Thanks for the replies... I was really hoping jabberwockie would tell us what he is using as I like that one the best... but I guess he is scared people will make their own and not buy his... Oh well... -- Mikem53 Mikem53's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4904 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23227 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SqueezePower final design Power supply
Hello, sorry if I have not replied..I have not been maiking any replies to this thread as I was told to refrain by the CEO. The item you ask about is called a strain relief. Thank you, Jabberwockie Mikem53 Wrote: Thanks for the replies... I was really hoping jabberwockie would tell us what he is using as I like that one the best... but I guess he is scared people will make their own and not buy his... Oh well... -- jabberwockie jabberwockie's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4742 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23227 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SqueezePower final design Power supply
Thanks, Jabberwockie. Mikem, Jabberwockie and I traded PMs a while back and he is using a box from Fry's Electronics. I think you can find one just like it on lmbheeger.com (links on posts above). I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this. -- mark-e-mark mark-e-mark's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4726 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23227 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SqueezePower final design Power supply
jabberwockie Wrote: The item you ask about is called a strain relief. I think Mikem53 was asking about the box. Is it a Context Engineering enclosure from Fry's? I'm curious about which model # as well :-) -- Skunk Skunk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2685 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23227 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SqueezePower final design Power supply
That's the only info Jabberwockie gave me. -- mark-e-mark mark-e-mark's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4726 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23227 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SB mod on not mod, what to expect vs CD player?
Phil Leigh Wrote: On the contrary, I feel that the SB can exceed the capabilities of many exalted CDP's - or at least their transports. There are numerous good engineering reasons why this might theoretically be the case, but at the end of the day your ears (brain) have to decide. I know many will scoff at the SB beats Naim/dCS/Esoteric/(insert your fave transport here) hypothesis, but I've owned and been lucky enough to borrow many of the top drawer transports and I'm personally never going back... Well when I'm talking about comparing the SB to CDP it's not as a transport only. I mean more like a stock of fully analog modified SB versus a CDP (transport/DAC). Like you I'm quite convinced that the SB as a transport with or without mods is probably a great tool that can match a lot of CDP as transport only if you have an external DAC. It's when you use the SB as a whole that I'm not sure it can compete with good CDP. -- Loftprojection Loftprojection's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5525 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23948 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SB mod on not mod, what to expect vs CD player?
As a full solution I would rate the Squeezebox as a good quality mid priced player such as the Cambridge Audio Azur 640. It wins for me in it's flexibility and user friendly features. -- dlite dlite's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4885 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23948 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
