Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Led Zeppelin Remasters
DCtoDaylight;413942 Wrote: > I've heard conflicting reports on Mothership, some that say it's great, > others that say it initially sounds great because it's more heavily > compressed... Compression is what I think I'm hearing with the Zep Remasters. As I think of it, it sounds like a low bitrate mp3. There's no soundstage. Zero. It's like an improved version of AM radio. And I s wanted it to sound good. But really I have to say it's just not good. I don't know which version of the Remasters I have. It's a 3 disk box with one disk dedicated to interviews. So is there no strong opinion out there to say, "Hey, there are great recordings and it's..." this or that vinyl, CD set, etc? -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> pair of Thiel CS2 -> my ears -> my brain GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62229 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Led Zeppelin Remasters
If you aren't a Zep fan, there's probably nothing of note for you here, but if you are: After many, many listens, I cannot take it anymore. I conclude that all of my Led Zeppelin "Remasters" tracks sound as though they weren't properly recorded in the first place. They have an AM radio quality to them, a kind of dimensionless, flat sound. By comparison, my Redbook Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon sounds exquisite. Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a better recording of the source material out there? -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> pair of Thiel CS2 -> my ears -> my brain GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62229 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What DAC to use?
Is there any diff between the DAC on the SB2 and the SB3? I've got an SB2. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> pair of Thiel CS2 -> my ears -> my brain GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49316 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
opaqueice Wrote: > Hugh (Inguz) had some nice step-by-step instructions posted somewhere to > get you started. Basically, you record the sweep played through a > speaker on one channel using the mic, and you record the analogue out > of your SB or DAC on the other channel. Then you do the same for the > other speaker. > > I think the key is to play long sweeps (I've been using 60 seconds, but > might try longer) as loud as possible, and to do it at a time when there > is as little background noise as possible (very early mornings here). > To determine the loudest volume your speakers can tolerate is a bit > tricky. You can use a voltmeter to measure the amount of power being > dissipated in them, or search the web and you'll find various methods. > > Also, make sure you place the mic at ear-level in your typical > listening position, and aim it towards the speaker you're recording. Why would you try to play as loud as possible? Wouldn't that artificially generate echo that wouldn't otherwise be there at ordinary listening volume? Wouldn't that skew the results for equalization at listening volume? (Alas, I'm no longer a teenager. Max volume is not ordinary listening anymore :-) ) -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> pair of Thiel CS2 -> my ears -> my brain GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Stereophile review
Thanks. I think I picked it up from Head-fi. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26306 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Stereophile review
(((bump))) -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26306 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
I haven't had a chance to try this out yet. Has anyone done anything with the Inguz tools? -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
bump*** -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
azinck3 Wrote: > Without venturing into a cable war, I can assure you that you don't need > to buy Monster brand XLR cables for this task. Any reasonably > well-built cable will be fine. > > But...with respect to my recommendations on that site: per Hugh's > comment a few posts back I looked to see if some of the cheaper units > support a 44.1khz sample rate and many of them DON'T (including the > Tascam us-122). > > However, it appears this unit does, so maybe this is the best bet > amongst the cheap units: > http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LinkUSB/ > > I've never used it so I don't want to highly recommend it, but it has > Mackie-designed preamps (Mackie's a decent name in mid-level pro-audio) > and supports the required sample rate. I haven't spent a ton of time > researching this so there could be other, even better choices out there > that I'm missing so I'd spend a little time looking before jumping in. I believe it does. I'm looking at the product manual and it says: "Setting the Sample Rate and Bit Depth The US-122 supports sample rates of 44.1kHz and 48kHz. In the Audio Control Panel, select the pull-down menu for Sample Rate and select either 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz." Link to manual is here: http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-122/US122_Eng.pdf Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
azinck3 Wrote: > You can pretty much take your pick from this list (any of them that are > stereo and have a mic preamp): > http://www.sweetwater.com/store/category.php?&c=695&sb=catalogprice&so=asc > > > I certainly haven't used all of them but to give you a starting point I > should say that I've been happy with the TASCAM us-122, and am generally > quite satisfied with M-Audio equipment. Here's something I never thought I'd ask, but given that many of us who go down this new road of unspent money are going to get an inexpensive TASCAM or similar, does it make much of a difference what quality microphone cable I use for my freakin' high fidelity digital room correction misadventure? ;-) I notice 2 on the website you supplied that cost about the same, and one that costs double. http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/cables/top15.php -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
Here's a question: I only have one SB to be concerned with, but for those who have multiple SBs around the house, isn't getting the mic to the audio interface near a computer something of a problem? Many (including myself) don't own a laptop, so that won't help. I wonder, are there any inexpensive audio interfaces that can use the SB's ethernet bridge? That would solve the problem of finding lng mic cords to get the mic talking to the interface. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
azinck3 Wrote: > Yeah, I hear what you're saying. There are plenty of perfectly fine > interfaces for <$200, but even so, I know what you mean. For me, I > have an interface already and can probably find a place to borrow the > mic. The advantage is that you only need the equipment for a one-time > setup. So even if you can't borrow it and are forced to buy you could > ebay the stuff immediately and take a nominal loss. Would you kindly name a few of those interfaces here? I also failed to include the cost of 30ft of mic cable that I need to get my mic to reach my computer in the next room, which adds about another $30 onto the price tag -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
azinck3 Wrote: > Ah, well, our responses about bit-rate apply to any format, really. > > If you're up for it, you may want to consider trying FLAC. It's better > supported by the SB3 (natively decoded in hardware) and is a more open > format which may make it easier to do bulk re-encoding in the future > with different media software. > > But Apple Lossless should work just fine, too. Best of luck! Yes, thanks very much! I appreciate all the feedback. I recall trying to work with flac about a year ago but was finding it difficult to figure out what tool to encode music with using a flac codec. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
azinck3 Wrote: > I know this was for Hugh, but I couldn't help piping up ;). The idea is > the same as the Room EQ wizard. But once you get the FIR filter using > the Room EQ wizard you have to do something with it to actually get the > correction. This must be done via specialized hardware (like a TacT or > the Behringer unit or a more generic parametric eq) or (in the case of > systems that source their audio from a computer) software. Hardware > has the advantage of being able to affect any audio source. But > software has the advantage of being cheap. > > In software you have two options: you could run the processing on all > of your audio files so that the actual data is changed to reflect the > correct correction for your room. But that's lousy if you want to do > anything with those files except play them on that exact system, in > that exact room. The other option is to use a convolver to process the > room correction in real-time based on the FIR filter. This is great as > it allows you to set up different filters for different rooms and use > the same files. Not to mention it doesn't "ruin" your perfect, > lossless files. Inguz's plugin sets up a convolver for windows which > works with Slimserver--something that was missing to this point. There > are existing solutions for Linux. What's not clear to me is if a filter > that's generated with the Room EQ wizard could be plugged into InguzDSP > or if you have to use the tools Hugh provides... I wonder though. Starting from scratch, I'll need an audio interface, which look like they run about $250 on the low side. An adequate Berhinger mic looks to be about another $60 - $80. We've passed the $300 threshold for this free solution already. Granted, the Behringer deq2496 doesn't include a mic, but throw one on and you've got the same expense threshold, roughly speaking. I'm not knocking this software solution. Quite the contrary, I think I'll try it. But there is some comparable associated expense that places it in the same expense domain as buying a seperate piece of hardware with embedded (and optionally, outboard) equalization software. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
...what lossless format I was using. I actually haven't done any in awhile, but I'm pretty certain it was the Apple lossless codec embedded in iTunes I was using to rip with. I don't know that that makes any difference to what others had to say, but again, several people had asked and I was a bit late to reply. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
GreenMan Wrote: > Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've been using Apple lossless. -Bump- -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
... from, say, using a powered mic and Room Eq Wizard? (http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/) I know you seem to have developed a SB-specific solution. What are the advantages over other methods at this point, in your view? -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: digital room correction
inguz Wrote: > Multiple squeezeoxes each get their own settings (because presumably > they're in different rooms or driving different systems). > > Tonite I'm setting this up on a friend's reference system, and ... > hmmm, something's very wrong (muddy, no top end at all, everything is > off). So there's something amiss, and I'm not sure with what until I > get a chance to diagnose some more. Oh well, such is life. [LATER: > it's not the software, it's the measurements. Oooo-kay. There's still > a bit too much "black art" in measuring properly.] Inguz, a quick question: for your method to work, does the audio interface have to sample at the uppermost capability of the dac you are using? I think the Benchmark DAC1 has a playback capability of 52kHz. Or do you not pipe through the outboard DAC (if existing) for the sweep? I'm looking at the USB Audio Interfaces you mention in your setup documentation, but most of those only record at 48kHz on the high side. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24519 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Is jitter an issue with the SB? Would a Benchmark DAC1 fix it?
GreenMan Wrote: > I'm contemplating picking up a Benchmark DAC1 for use in my system, with > one input coming from my SB2, and another coming from my low-end CD > player. That my CD playing experience will benefit from the anti-jitter > capability of the Benchmark DAC1 I have no doubt. > > HOWEVER, I just read in an archived discussion in this forum where is > was stated that there was NO jitter associated with playing music > straight from the SB because "the computer takes care of it". Is this > accurate? It may make the Benchmark overkill for what I need, at least > on the SB side of the house. Lot's of views on this topic, but no comments! Anyone know about the SB and jitter? -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26030 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
jbm0 Wrote: > > Of course, we're still in the dark about GreenMan's actual environment > and software-setup comfort zone, so I'm doing a lot of theorizing. Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've been using Apple lossless. -- GreenMan My computer -> SB2-> Krell KAV-300i -> Thiel CS2 GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
Jeff Moore Wrote: > 2006-08-01-13:57:35 GreenMan: > > So, my question is: What bitrate do I need to rip at to get the full > > benefit of lossless ripping of a standard 44.1Hz redbook cd? > > Really, you shouldn't have to specify a bitrate -- one usually > specifies > a bitrate when lossy encoding is being done, to give the encoding > software a target data rate to aim for when squeezing and partially > throwing away musical information. If something in the ripping > software > you're using is requiring that you specify a bitrate, something may be > set up incorrectly such that the software isn't operating with the > assumptions you desire. > > Having said that, uncompressed CD data's bitrate can be referred to > (and > is, by SlimServer) as "1411kbps CBR". Ok, this makes sense. However, I've noticed that nothing I've ripped to lossless actually ever says 1411kbps CBR. It's usually 600 to 800 or so. -- GreenMan GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What bitrate satisfies the 44.1Hz sample rate?
My understanding of this part of digital music is very shallow, so bear with me if I'm off base with the question in part or completely. I know that redbook CDs are sampled at 44.1Hz. When I rip these to a lossless format, I presume I'm getting the full information from the original sampling. But I assume that an inadequate bitrate will degrade the listening experience. So, my question is: What bitrate do I need to rip at to get the full benefit of lossless ripping of a standard 44.1Hz redbook cd? Thanks in advance. -- GreenMan GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26031 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Is jitter an issue with the SB? Would a Benchmark DAC1 fix it?
I'm contemplating picking up a Benchmark DAC1 for use in my system, with one input coming from my SB2, and another coming from my low-end CD player. That my CD playing experience will benefit from the anti-jitter capability of the Benchmark DAC1 I have no doubt, but I just read in an archived discussion in this forum where is was stated that there was NO jitter consideration for playing music archived from on my computer distrubuted to my SB. Is this accurate? It may make the Benchmark overkill for what I need, at least on the SB side of the house. -- GreenMan GreenMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1173 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26030 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: External DAC?
Mike Hanson Wrote: > I actually like Blue Circle quite a bit, and I would strongly consider > it, if I was in the market again. I've not heard the Bel Canto, so > I'll keep an eye out for it. > > -=> Mike Hanson <=- I took home a Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 MKII over the weekend and I swear I couldn't hear any difference between it and the SB2's native dac. This disappoints me. Either my ears aren't golden enough, there's a severe weakness in my system, or a 1997 $2500 tube dac sounds the same as a 2005 solid state one. Aaaargh! I'm leaning toward the Scott Nixon. My room is fairly 'live' already with wood floors, glass and wood coffee tables, leather furniture, and some large ceiling-to-floor windows. So I think a tube dac makes sense IF it can be counted on to warm up the sound a little. Again, I'm the Krell guy and the Krell and Thiels don't bother me in this environment, but a Benchmark Dac1 may be overdoing it a bit. -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: External DAC?
Mike Hanson Wrote: > > Ultimately, you'll never know for sure until you try it in your own > system. Everyone has different expectations, and system + stand + room > variations will cause everyone's setup to sound different. For example, > the coldness of your Krell may make the Benchmark unlistenable (to you). > Do your best to try each of the options, or you'll be second-guessing > yourself forever. > > -=> Mike Hanson <=- Well, Scott Nixon apparently doesn't demo his models. He told me so in a reply email. I understand his situation. He's a small shop, and borrowed models tend to just go missing. It's an unfortunate reality for a small business owner I suppose. I ran into the same issue with the local Benchmark vendor, though I've heard that Benchmark might allow a demo on a company-direct purchase. That may be my only hope. The Dac-ah intruiges me. I've shelled out for audio this year and I'd like to economize on the next purchase. There's a big diff between $170 and $970. Eight-hundred dollars worth, to be precise ;-) -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: External DAC?
GreenMan Wrote: > I'm considering the Benchmark DAC-1. Why do you prefer the Audio Mirror > D1? As an owner of the D1, have you ever heard about the DAC-Ah > available from Poth Audio? It's supposedly essentially the same dac, > but at a much smaller price. I'd like to know if anyone has done an A/B > on the Audio Mirror and the DAC-Ah. I've narrowed my selection to the following in no particular order: 1. Dac-ah from Poth Audio. 2. Scott Nixon TubeDAC+ (I like the look of the mod w/blue backlighting on the tube. 3. Benchmark DAC1. These are different technologies in different price groups, though all are under $1000. I like the reviews of the Benchmark, but I also wonder if that's the right choice for my system which is already pretty revealing. My system is: Krell KAV-300i Thiel CS2.0 Apherion 8" sub Squeezebox2 (of course) The dac-ah looks attractive in price, but I don't know how well the stock capacitors hold up in the system. The Benchmark may be too glaring in my system, but then again, with the Krell and the Thiels and the SB2 feeding the Benchmark, that would be real transparency all the way back to the music source. Any thoughts/opinions? -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: External DAC?
WK446 Wrote: > GreenMan: > > I am guessing that you are known as "Im_all_ears" on Audiogon. > > Yes I have heard of the DAC-Ah. It is sold by a company in Hong Kong > called DIYclub. It is the same version as that being sold by Poth > Audio. The Audio Mirror DAC has a few internal and cosmetic changes. > There is an entire thread on this mystery on Audiogon - the thread was > removed from Audiogon after complaints by the creator of the Audio > Mirror DAC. > > Audio is entirely based on subjective and internal preferences. I > suppose once you get a chance to listen to a number of DACs, you start > to identify pleasing sonic characteristics. It's like the tubes vs. > solid-state debate. > > Cheers, > Dennis Yeah, I could understand the Audio Mirror guys being unhappy if what I've read elsewhere is true, namely that the technology was copied after a DAC was shipped to China. Since you've heard both, how do they compare sonically? Do they sound comparable, or even the same, to one another? I've heard neither. -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: External DAC?
WK446 Wrote: > I run the SB2 to a Monarchy Audio DIP Classic to an Audio Mirror D1 NOS > DAC, all via digital coax. I also own a Benchmark DAC-1, but I prefer > the sound of the non-oversampling DAC. > > I have also used (and owned) the following DACs with my setup as well: > - Museatex Melior Bitstream > - Channel Islands VDA-1 combo I'm considering the Benchmark DAC-1. Why do you prefer the Audio Mirror D1? As an owner of the D1, have you ever heard about the DAC-Ah available from Poth Audio? It's supposedly essentially the same dac, but at a much smaller price. I'd like to know if anyone has done an A/B on the Audio Mirror and the DAC-Ah. -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What kind of Burr-Brown does SB2 have?
is that it was built with audiophiles in mind. The Burr-Brown is 'good enough' to get by on. The folks at SlimD gave us something workable with the ability to port output to whatever DAC we want if the internal DAC falls short in our system. I suppose that is an argument against doing much more with the DAC if it keeps the price of the mechanism's function to give an intuitive and sturdy presentation of internet radio and hard drive music. I strongly sense that this device and ones like it are the future of hi fidelity stereo. The SB is on a compatible track for the MP3 masses who don't do hi fi. It is nice that it works as well for them as it does for audiophiles. -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What kind of Burr-Brown does SB2 have?
seanadams Wrote: > There isn't a simple answer to this. SB2 uses the PCM1748, but the DAC > chip alone does not dictate the performance of the whole system - it > can be somewhat better or much worse than the data-sheet specs > depending on the design. Since the DAC chip is only one component of > the whole clocking + power + DAC + amplification process, the only way > to really do a head-to-head is to listen blind, or measure the complete > systems under identical test environments. However, even then, there is > no such thing as an exhaustive test. > > As a rule of thumb though, I would estimate that most standalone DACs > more than 5 yrs old, regardless of price, will have lower performance > than SB2. The price/performance of these chips, like CPUs, memory etc, > improves with each iteration: performance levels that are relatively > inexpensive to reach today were completely unavailable a few years ago. The SB2 is a worthy technology to be sure. I really enjoy the sound of a Toshiba SD-9200 in my system, but I find that the Toshiba sounds only marginally better than the SB2 when I use superior interconnects with the SB2. The Toshiba uses a Advanced Multi-Bit Delta Sigma DAC (from Analog Devices). I don't know anything about this DAC, nor much else about the internals of the Toshiba, but I love the way it sounds in my system. However, it's a CD player with more than a few undesirable quirks, and it hasn't the cool factor the SB2 brings to my system. I've been auditioning the Toshiba and have decided to not get it and continue to use the SB2 with my own hard drives instead. Nonetheless, I find myself in audiophile hell. Now I want a superior external DAC for my sb2. You know how it goes. (sigh). -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What kind of Burr-Brown does SB2 have?
I know the SB2 has a Burr-Brown in it, but I don't know what calliber. I'm interested in maybe putting a Channel Islands VDA-1 external DAC on my SB2, but the Channel Islands unit itself has a Burr-Brown in it. Some in this forum claim an improvement in sound. Is that because of a 'better' Burr-Brown? -- GreenMan ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
