Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] power strips/conditioners
Any moment now someone will demand een ABX double blind whatever, don't comply and get buried in sarcasm. Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=103877 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Exciting new speaker technology goes mainstream
I've followed technology like 'this' (http://hexus.net/ce/items/audio-visual/59509-classic-looks-radical-innovation-stunning-audio-quality-flexible-new-cambridge-audio-aero-speaker-range/) for over 15 years, when Mission experimented with NXT-drivers, seeing a bright future. It haven't seen it yet but who knows..then Naim made these well-received Ovator speakers with BMR (balanced mode radiator) broadband speakers,working from 200 hz up to the highest treble. In theory superior to f.i. Tannoy dual concentrics (I heart and usually respect many incarnations of those), only extra woofers needed, no more crossovers where the ear is most sensitive, and other advantages, see link. And now it gets affordable thanks to Cambridge. Their Minx series, very small satellites with only BMR drivers and a sub also got apprecation for its moderate price. Me buying the NAD c390dd have convinced me revolutionary improvements thorugh technological advancements -do- happen in audio, and I'm looking forward to reviews and measurements of the Aero 6, and if the lights are still green I'll go listen en perhaps say goodby to my humble but loved dynaudio audience 122. Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=99634 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Digital amps like the C390Dd, the end of seperate amps and dacs?
That was fast, 'this' (http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-power-amplifiers/integrated-amplifiers/nuforce-dda-100-integrated-amplifier-review-2.html) might be one of those very affordable amps I thought in the first post are inevitable offering sq for a very decent price. It wouldn't surprise me if within a few years these 500 buck dac/aps would run circles around my big 4-5x more expensive c390dd. V Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=99491 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Digital amps like the C390Dd, the end of seperate amps and dacs?
I don't think I will ever buy a dac again.Or an amp. 2 months ago I replaced my Primare a30.1 integrated amp and Rega DAC (together with the van den Hul the first ultimate cables close to #8364;3500,- , the amp was 10 years old though) with the Dac/amp NAD C390DD (#8364;2500.- over here) and the favorable change really restored my faith that revolutionary price/quality improvements in audio are possible after all. The original set was a well-balanced carefully put together set at its price point to my ears (i tried a few amps and a handful of dacs) but the NAD seems to improve every aspect; treble is much more extended and purer, no more fine grain on the top and the slightly rolled off treble the Rega added, tight deep bass, my dynaudio audience 122 speakers seems to have grown, a wider and deeper soundstage with a very natural big big background and lots a detail, it sounds clearer, without sounding shrill or analytical or mechanical in the slightest. Some reviews describe it as warm and organical and I can hear what they mean, but neutral is seen most often. If I have to name a weak point I would say dynamics, seems slightly less then the Primare. But on the whole the improvement was deeply impressive (after 3 days of warming up, out of the box it sounded horribly spikey) and looking at pictures of its inside, I'm sure dac/amps like thise can and will become chesper, much cheaper in the feature (NAD already has cheaper products with this kind of amplication coming out, like something called 3020(!)). These digital amps, not to be confused with class D, will probably replace class AB amps I think, en passant killing the need for a seperate amps. I suppose a nieche markt for class A amps especially with tubes will survive, after all it did so the last 5 decennia. But I wouldn't be surprised if all mainstream amps 10 years from now will be digital. Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=99491 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] If external DAC used, does SB3 or Touch make much difference?
Before I had the Touch I had the SB3, I used both into different DACs, all connected with coax. Compared to the Touch in all cases the SB3 sounded duller, less clear, less detailed. The difference was clearly audible to my ears, I was amazed at the difference two related digital sources could make. This points to more jitter in the digital output of the SB3. Note; we are still talking about the difference between digital sources, a change of loudspeakers is usually far more radical. Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=96868 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Optical (toslink) connection
This thread had me experimenting again. It still baffles me that the audible differences between digital cables can be so large; between my Touch and Rega DAC I used to use an Oyaide 510. Beautiful well made cable, pure silver, multiple shields, and it sounded great with former dacs. However, with the Rega it sounded dull (something I associate with jitter) and was clearly beaten on all fronts by my current Canare Digiflex at 1/8 of the price. I used to think jitter and noise was all there was problemwise in digital cables, and could not understand why two well-made cables should sound so different, and why with one dac one cable sounded better, and with another dac another cable sounds better. Untill I read John Swensons post in this thread about impedance matching. Then I finally got an explanation of this synergy stuff. Thanks. Then I decided to buy a vdHul optocoupler. Differences between the toslink and the Canare coax were small, the coax sounding warmer and more euphonic with slightly more middbass weight and a cleaner treble. Interestingly, if I left the Canare in place while using the toslink, The toslink gained some of that coax midbass warmth, hinting that this was an artefact created by noise over the electrical connection between source and dac. I prefer the Canare, but have to admit perhaps the toslink connection is purer. Otoh, I also found this: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intro/SQ/Toslink_Coax.htm Hinting that coax has less jitter then toslink, which, if audible, could also explain the smoother treble of the coax. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90211 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Audio-gd experience?
I had a Ref5 DSP for 6 months, XLR connected to my also balanced amp, it sounded rather good, but I prefer my current, cheaper, Rega DAC, which sounds more lively and musical, in comparison the AG sounded slightly mechanical and did not have depth. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=92109 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Upgrade to Touch or DAC for Duet
I'm very happy with my Touch+Rega DAC. I've had the SB Classic before, and when I bought the touch I was suprised how much better it sounded, using its digital (coax)out into a DAC. I did not have the Rega then, and I did not have the duet, but still I suspect if you would get the Rega first, then get the Touch, you would still hear significat improvement. I'm not sure that is the right order though, because the dac of the Touch itself btw is not half bad; whereas the Classic sounded dull and undynamic, the touch gave a enthousiastic dynamic sound with a big soundstage, its greatest shortcoming being a lack of refinement; forgivable considering its price. So I would start with the Touch, get used to it, then, if you still want, buy a dac. And if you would buy a dac, the rega is great; I stronly prefer it over dacs I tried before in my system: the Meier Stagedac, the MHDT Havana, and the Sudio-GD ref5 DSP. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=91086 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] S-Booster
More noise can result in sharper treble, if it offsets feedback loops in amp stages. in that case a reduction of noise then can well be perceived as 'more analogue and natural'. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=81454 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Shielded Mains Cables
I'm not a believer in exotic powercords, but adding a shielded Belden Powercable (solidly assembled with good plugs, 2m for a reasonable 30,-) to my Rega DAC made a nice difference, especially purer treble and a cleaner background. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=87319 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Rega DAC - Has anyone auditioned one yet?
I've got the rega DAC for 6 weeks now. a few observations: - exchanging the stock powercord for a Belden powercord (30) with adapter was remarkably beneficial. usually i do not find big differences when changing the powercords, but the DAC and the Apollo I had before are exceptions. Perhaps the stockcord is unshielded? - in my system after a month it really seems to open up some more. Again remarkable, I usually find components reach their best within a week. - I used to prefer filter 5, then 2. But after changing the powercord and the opening up I find filter 1 the most expressive. I love this DAC; since I went squeezebox 2.5 years ago I sold my Apollo and have missed it ever since. Since then I had in my system the Meier Stagedac, the MHDT Havana, the Audio GD Ref 5 DSP and the Touch's analogue outs ; all had their strenghts and weaknesses, but the rega DAC beats them all with its seemingly effordless natural sounding musicality. Like a friend of mine who isn't into audio said: the others all sounded square and flat, this one sounds round and deep. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=84783 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Rega DAC - Has anyone auditioned one yet?
Ah, excuse me, I thought that last one about audiophile gear was a general remark, but you ment SBT+DAC~Apollo? This is interesting; I read a few remarks stating the sound of the DAC is superior to the Apollo, but you rate them about the same. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=84783 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Rega DAC - Has anyone auditioned one yet?
volpone;606852 Wrote: Hi, I just bought the Rega DAC. My goal was to improve my Touch and also to harmonize my system (i already own Rega Apollo CD gear). My very first raw impressions are positive (only a few listenings until now): * SBT + Rega DAC (link coax S/PDIF) VS SBT analog output: Significant improvement in bass, sound space and presence (FLAC 16/44.1)! * SBT + Rega DAC VS Rega Apollo + Rega DAC : Audio quality seems quite the same ! SBT as a transport associated with Rega DAC seems quite equivalent as a good audiophile CD player ! Regards Volpone Thanks. And how would you describe the difference between the SBT+Rega DAC vs Apollo? -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=84783 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Rega DAC - Has anyone auditioned one yet?
I'm going to buy the Rega DAC as soon as it gets out. I've been listening to digital media ever since CD-players became available in the 80s. Had 8 different players, and I only loved the last one, a Rega Apollo (much better then the Planet 2000 that I also owned). Then I decided to switch to streaming, so the player had to go; I tried a few DACs (Meier StageDAC,MHDT Havana, Audio-GD Reference 5 DSP) and though they all had their strenghts, none of them was so enjoyable that it could make me forget the Apollo. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=84783 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] S-Booster
When I changed my SB Classic for a Touch, I first kep my (far too expensive) Russ Andrews Sqeeuzepak PS. That thing made an audible difference for the better on the Classic, basically giving clearer sound. Recently I compared the Squeezepak to the standaard Touch PS and could not detect any audible difference! My conclusion matches what has been stated often here on the forum: the Touch output ( btw, I use the digital out into an Audio-GD Ref 5 DAC) is so clean, upgrading the PS will give no or at best very very small improvements. Therefore I'm not interested in the S-booster thing on the Touch, but it might very well be benificial with the Classic. -- Dura Dura's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=39937 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=81454 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
