Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
I had a pair of Eltax speakers 12 or 13 years ago, bought them from Richer Sounds they had good reviews in what hi fi. Got them home and they sounded crap, I was very disappointed, I sold them less than a week later to a non audiophile friend and got a pair of B&W 601 s2's, absolutely huge difference!! My setup back then was a Marantz cd6000 cd player, and an Arcam Alpha 7r amplifier. More recently though the V-dac was a very effective upgrade with my SB2 but I hear the touch already has a great dac. I live in the US now and have Audio Note P4's Monoblocs a Transporter and Dac with Quad Esl 63's. -- mashley mashley's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=36549 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
I had a pair of Eltax speakers 12 or 13 years ago, bought them from Richer Sounds they had good reviews in what hi fi. Got them home and they sounded crap, I was very disappointed, I sold them less than a week later to a non audiophile friend and got a pair of B&W 601 s2's, absolutely huge difference!! My setup back then was a Marantz cd6000 cd player, and an Arcam Alpha 7r amplifier. Now I have Audio Note P4's Monoblocs a Transporter and Dac with Quad Esl 63's. -- mashley mashley's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=36549 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
External DAC's bring changes that are both subtle, and take awhile to fully appreciate. As an example, when comparing my CEC CD-3300 CD player (via analog outputs) against how it sounds running digitally thru my Benchmark--there is nothing monumental to report. The changes are subtle, definitely positive in nature--but nothing earth shattering. Keep this in mind, as I think sometimes DAC's are a little over-hyped--don't get me wrong, I love my Benchmark. Having said all that, the cambridge is a hig-value piece, as are examples from Musical Fidelity (V-DAC), but as others have stated, you need highly resolving eqquipment downstream to really appreicate the benefits. -- steveinaz - transport: squeezebox touch - dac: benchmark dac/pre - linestage: placette passive - power amplifier: parasound hca-1500a - speakers: fritz speakers carbon 7 monitor - cables: kimber hero/8tc v.2, dh labs d-75 steveinaz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=34707 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
Looks like they are clearing them out. I believe they are going for $249. -- regalma1 regalma1's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6658 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
adamslim;663259 Wrote: > A DAC would not hurt, although I would probably look to upgrading the > speakers or amp before the source in your place - although it might > take more than £200 to make a real jump up in quality. > > If you do want to buy a DAC, the CA is a good choice. The Arcam rDAC > is also worth considering, you may get a used one for that kind of > amount; the MF V-DAC is also within budget. > > There was a big test of DACs on pink fish recently: > http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=93581&page=16 - > massive thread, results start from about where I linked. The guy > running the test found the MF V-DAC to be basically indistinguishable > from the SB3. As someone who participated in that test, and endured nine hours of listening to the same track (I shudder to recall it) with dozens of permutations of transport and DAC, I wasn't hugely impressed with the VDac, but it was the Mark I we were listening to. You're really spoilt for choice with DACs in the £150-300 range: a recent HiFi Choice review favoured the Emotiva XDA1 over the VDac and rDAC, which is generally reckoned to be quite a step above the DACMagic. The Cambridge is quite respectable, but dynamically flat and not enormously resolute. A number of dealers now offer free trials: there's a cacophony of conflicting opinion on this subject, but the only verdict that matters is yours, in your system. -- item_audio item_audio's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=51315 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
gruntwolla;664016 Wrote: > A friend of mine married a guy from a place called Enumclaw. Is that > near you? > > Thanks for the advice btw! Cheersand indeed it isabout 50 miles to the southeast. A small town very near that massive and beautiful ice-cream cone thing that we see once in a great while when the clouds part (Mt. Rainier). -- rgro Rg System information Main: PS Audio Quintet > Vortexbox > Touch (wired) via optical > Rega DAC > LFD LE IV amp > VA Mozart Grands > REL Acoustics R305. Home Theatre: SBR (Wired) > Pioneer VSX 919 > Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1. SBS 7.6.1 r33149 running on a Vortexbox Appliance, V 1.9. Touch w/Hardware V.5. Touch: FW 7.6.1 r9486. Duet: FW 77 r9486. rgro's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=34348 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
rgro;663661 Wrote: > I'm from county King (Washington State, US)--so, technically speaking, > do I exist? > > Aside from whether or not one is from Hertfordshire, Sussex, or...(I > find that conversation utterly delightful, btw), I think you ought to > try to get a unit from a local dealer on a loan/demo basis. They're > easy to hook up and while everybody here has their worthy opinions, no > one has your ears or your exact music setup. I found the DacMagic made > a noticeable postive effect on my system (now several generations ago, > hardware-wise), my Rega dac even more so. Give one or two of them a > listen and, if it makes no diffference, you have YOUR answer. A friend of mine married a guy from a place called Enumclaw. Is that near you? Thanks for the advice btw! -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
TheLastMan;663957 Wrote: > First, my sister lives in Harpenden... > > However a good amp with average speakers will usually sound better than > an average amp with good speakers. This is because many cheap or > average speakers have odd impedence curves (measured in Ohms) that make > them a difficult load for a cheap amp. > > The ideal amp should deliver twice the current into an impedence of 4 > ohms as it does into an impedence of 8 ohms. With an amp that can cope > with low impedence it is amazing how good even cheap speakers can > sound. > > The amps most typically associated with this property are from Naim. > Even the basic "Nait" models can cope with impedences as low as 2 ohms. > This makes them sound way more powerful than their "wattage" rating. > There are others that can do this, of course, but Naim are well known > for getting the best out of almost any speaker system. > > By the way, Grahams were my dealer for most of my hi-fi buying years. > They are very good at letting you hear lots of kit without committing. > Try hearing a new amp with your existing speakers before committing any > of your precious budget to new speakers. I think you may be surprised! "Sound" advice. Thanks -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
gruntwolla;663599 Wrote: > I have actually decided ( with my wife's approval no less) to start a > new speakers/amp savings account. > Trev First, my sister lives in Harpenden... Second, I would suggest allocating more of your budget to amp than speakers. I concur with the poster here who said the differences between digital sources are minor compared with the differences apparent in the days when the main source was a turntable. However a good amp with average speakers will usually sound better than an average amp with good speakers. This is because many cheap or average speakers have odd impedence curves (measured in Ohms) that make them a difficult load for a cheap amp. Low impedence (<4 ohms) can occur when a speaker cone system becomes "stiff" (or resistant to movement) at a particular frequency. In order to overcome this the amp needs to output more power in the form of an increase in current. The ideal amp should deliver twice the power (current in amps) into an impedence of 4 ohms as it does into an impedence of 8 ohms. With an amp that can cope with low impedence it is amazing how good even cheap speakers can sound. The amps most typically associated with this property are from Naim. Even the basic "Nait" models can cope with impedences as low as 2 ohms. This makes them sound way more powerful than their "wattage" rating. There are others that can do this, of course, but Naim are well known for getting the best out of almost any speaker system. By the way, Grahams were my dealer for most of my hi-fi buying years. They are very good at letting you hear lots of kit without committing. Try hearing a new amp with your existing speakers before committing any of your precious budget to new speakers. I think you may be surprised! -- TheLastMan Matt http://www.last.fm/user/MJL-UK *SqueezeBoxes:* SB Duet (Controller + two receivers) *Server:* Synology DS107+ NAS (with firmware 2.3-1157) running Squeezebox Server 7.5.1 on Synology Package Manager *Network:* Netgear DG834GT ADSL modem/router, 2 x Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 as access points *Livingroom:* Receiver into Naim 42/110 amp, B&W CM2 speakers *Kitchen:* Receiver into Denon DM37 mini-system, B&W 686 speakers *Study:* Linn LP12, Naim 72/Hi-cap/Headline. TheLastMan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16021 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
gruntwolla;663599 Wrote: > Just as a matter of interest, in what circumstances would a £200 dac ( > using the CA dacmagic as an example) make a worthwile difference? > > Trev I'd say when the rest of your equipment is resolving enough to hear a difference between dacs. Then if you actually like the difference, everyone's ears and taste are different. -- Jeff Flowerday Jeff Flowerday's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15883 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
gruntwolla;663599 Wrote: > Just as a matter of interest, in what circumstances would a £200 dac ( > using the CA dacmagic as an example) make a worthwile difference? > > I have actually decided ( with my wife's approval no less) to start a > new speakers/amp savings account. I will hopefully be back on this > forum for more advice in the new year. > > At a push, I will acknowledge the existence of folk outside > Hertfordshire,but only if they share my dislike of dessicated > coconut,Morris dancing and blue pop. > > Trev I'm from county King (Washington State, US)--so, technically speaking, do I exist? Aside from whether or not one is from Hertfordshire, Sussex, or...(I find that conversation utterly delightful, btw), I think you ought to try to get a unit from a local dealer on a loan/demo basis. They're easy to hook up and while everybody here has their worthy opinions, no one has your ears or your exact music setup. I found the DacMagic made a noticeable postive effect on my system (now several generations ago, hardware-wise), my Rega dac even more so. Give one or two of them a listen and, if it makes no diffference, you have YOUR answer. -- rgro Rg System information Main: PS Audio Quintet > Vortexbox > Touch (wired) via optical > Rega DAC > LFD LE IV amp > VA Mozart Grands > REL Acoustics R305. Home Theatre: SBR (Wired) > Pioneer VSX 919 > Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1. SBS 7.6.1 r33149 running on a Vortexbox Appliance, V 1.9. Touch w/Hardware V.5. Touch: FW 7.6.1 r9486. Duet: FW 77 r9486. rgro's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=34348 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
Just as a matter of interest, in what circumstances would a £200 dac ( using the CA dacmagic as an example) make a worthwile difference? I have actually decided ( with my wife's approval no less) to start a new speakers/amp savings account. I will hopefully be back on this forum for more advice in the new year. At a push, I will acknowledge the existence of folk outside Hertfordshire,but only if they share my dislike of dessicated coconut,Morris dancing and blue pop. Trev -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
cliveb;663292 Wrote: > My personal advice is that it is all too easy to think that a change of > DAC will make a difference and as a result you do hear a difference > where none actually exists. (Expectation tends to be self-fulfilling). > Pretty much all competent DACs sound very similar. > > My moment of enlightenment happened several years ago when I > bought/borrowed a Lucid DA9624 on sale-or-return. (Thanks to Digital > Village in Barnet - nice people to deal with). The Lucid was an > entry-level 24bit 96kHz professional DAC - about £800 at the time - and > I compared it to the 16bit 44.1kHz DAC in my CD player - radically > different DAC technology. I thought the Lucid sounded marginally > better, but was surprised the difference wasn't greater. When I did a > level-matched blind test, I scored precisely 50%, ie. there was *no* > audible difference between the two. > > DACs are probably the electronic component with the least influence on > the sound. Preamps are *way* more variable. IMHO a £200 DAC isn't going > to make much if any difference compared to the SB3's onboard DAC. I'd > spend the money on some more music instead, or start a "speaker > upgrade" fund. > > PS. seems we have a Hertfordshire thread going on. What's that chap > from Leeds doing butting in? :-) my partners brother lives in Hemel Hempstead, can I be let in? :-) -- socistep socistep's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18860 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
The problem is, you always get such a more significant improvement with changes to speakers. The old 'source first' mantra may have made sense in the 70s (maybe), but now any digital source is going to sound pretty good, whereas speakers of the same price usually have notable weaknesses. I have run my SB3 via the DIY charlize amp into my Lowthers, and it sounds really great - £300 of source and amp is all. Sure my proper DAC and amps are better, but if I desperately needed a grand or two I could sell those and not be that worried. If you asked me to downgrade the speakers much, you'd make me miserable! Put that in reverse, and you have my 'sort the speakers first' plan. Although I do appreciate that once you have the wife happy with speakers, getting her to accept change can be a challenge. You are welcome to bring her here to see mine, which are incredibly large and ugly; after she's seen them, you can introduce new speakers with impunity! -- adamslim MPD on Linux PC, Young DAC, DIY Kondo M7 pre, 6B4G SET, Lowther monsters SB3, Charlize 2, DIY open baffle speakers Boom x 2, Radio adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
cliveb;663292 Wrote: > My personal advice is that it is all too easy to think that a change of > DAC will make a difference and as a result you do hear a difference > where none actually exists. (Expectation tends to be self-fulfilling). > Pretty much all competent DACs sound very similar. > > My moment of enlightenment happened several years ago when I > bought/borrowed a Lucid DA9624 on sale-or-return. (Thanks to Digital > Village in Barnet - nice people to deal with). The Lucid was an > entry-level 24bit 96kHz professional DAC - about £800 at the time - and > I compared it to the 16bit 44.1kHz DAC in my CD player - radically > different DAC technology. I thought the Lucid sounded marginally > better, but was surprised the difference wasn't greater. When I did a > level-matched blind test, I scored precisely 50%, ie. there was *no* > audible difference between the two. > > DACs are probably the electronic component with the least influence on > the sound. Preamps are *way* more variable. IMHO a £200 DAC isn't going > to make much if any difference compared to the SB3's onboard DAC. I'd > spend the money on some more music instead, or start a "speaker > upgrade" fund. > > PS. seems we have a Hertfordshire thread going on. What's that chap > from Leeds doing butting in? :-) If the general consensus is that the CA dacmagic or similar wouldn't make much difference, then I guess I'd better start saving. Difficult to prioritise hifi over holidays/kids/wife etc etc though. Regards, Trev -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
ralphpnj;663301 Wrote: > I can understand a bit of swaying on your cycling journey home > especially after a stop at the local pub for a pint or two. But swaying > on the way to work? Then again you appear to work evenings so perhaps > you're getting a head start on those pints :) LOL. That was actually a typo, although I'm not averse to the occasional pint! -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
gruntwolla;663262 Wrote: > I cycle past Graham's hifi in North London every evening on my sway to > work, and I feel like that guy in Greek mythology trying to avoid the > rocks!( Ulysses I think ) Trev I can understand a bit of swaying on your cycling journey home especially after a stop at the local pub for a pint or two. But swaying on the way to work? Then again you appear to work evenings so perhaps you're getting a head start on those pints :) -- ralphpnj Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels -> Snatch -> The Transporter -> Transporter 2 (oops) -> Touch 'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/) ralphpnj's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10827 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
My personal advice is that it is all too easy to think that a change of DAC will make a difference and as a result you actually do hear a difference where none actually exists. (Expectation tends to be self-fulfilling). Pretty much all competent DACs sound very similar. My moment of enlightenment happened several years ago when I bought/borrowed a Lucid DA9624 on sale-or-return. (Thanks to Digital Village in Barnet - nice people to deal with). The Lucid was an entry-level 24bit 96kHz professional DAC - about £800 at the time - and I compared it to the 16bit 44.1kHz DAC in my CD player - radically different DAC technology. I thought the Lucid sounded marginally better, but was surprised the difference wasn't greater. When I did a level-matched blind test, I scored precisely 50%, ie. there was *no* audible difference between the two. DACs are probably the electronic component with the least influence on the sound. Preamps are *way* more variable. IMHO a £200 DAC isn't going to make much if any difference compared to the SB3's onboard DC. I'd spend the money on some more music instead, or start a "speaker upgrade" fund. -- cliveb Transporter -> ATC SCM100A cliveb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=348 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
However seem to notice mixed reviews on DACS, I was thinking of the cambridge and also the Beresford Caiman DAC, some people say they add a lot and others say there is no real benefit. Would be interested to hear users on here's experience ian -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
I too am considering a DAC for my headphone amp setup, its currently SB Touch -> Little Dot mkv amp -> Senn HD650s or Beyer 770s - its my only real 'HiFi' kit as other speakers are audioengine A2s (which I really like). However seem to notice mixed reviews on DACS, I was thinking of the cambridge and also the Beresford Caiman DAC, some people say they add a lot and others say there is no real benefit. Would be interested to hear users on here's experience ian -- socistep socistep's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18860 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
adamslim;663259 Wrote: > A DAC would not hurt, although I would probably look to upgrading the > speakers or amp before the source in your place - although it might > take more than £200 to make a real jump up in quality. > > If you do want to buy a DAC, the CA is a good choice. The Arcam rDAC > is also worth considering, you may get a used one for that kind of > amount; the MF V-DAC is also within budget. > > There was a big test of DACs on pink fish recently: > http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=93581&page=16 - > massive thread, results start from about where I linked. The guy > running the test found the MF V-DAC to be basically indistinguishable > from the SB3. Hello fellow Hertfordshire resident! An upgrade to my amp and speakers has to stay on the distant horizon for now unfortunately. I cycle past Graham's hifi in North London every evening on my sway to work, and I feel like that guy in Greek mythology trying to avoid the rocks!( Ulysses I think ) I just thought that if a reasonable dac would make a noticeable difference,then I could ( possibly) justify the cost to my wife. Oh well... Trev -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
A DAC would not hurt, although I would probably look to upgrading the speakers or amp before the source in your place - although it might take more than £200 to make a real jump up in quality. If you do want to buy a DAC, the CA is a good choice. The Arcam rDAC is also worth considering, you may get a used one for that kind of amount; the MF V-DAC is also within budget. There was a big test of DACs on pink fish recently: http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=93581&page=16 - massive thread, results start from about where I linked. The guy running the test found the MF V-DAC to be basically indistinguishable from the SB3. -- adamslim MPD on Linux PC, Young DAC, DIY Kondo M7 pre, 6B4G SET, Lowther monsters SB3, Charlize 2, DIY open baffle speakers Boom x 2, Radio adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Considering a dac
Hi folks, My current set up is -amp- Sherwood AX-405OR,speakers- Eltax Symphony 4.2. My music is 95% flac, the rest mp3, and I sometimes stream from Napster and a couple of internet radio stations. I primarily use SB3 with this setup. I just want to know would a Cambridge Audio dacmagic be a good investment? For the price ( approx £200 UK ) I haven't seen too many bad things written about it, but am open to alternative suggestions. I realise my system isn't exactly high end,so please direct me elsewhere if I'm not worthy!! Trev -- gruntwolla Debian sheeva plug running sbs 7.5.4 SB3 + my hifi Duet + AE5's 2 Booms 1 Radio Squeezecommander on htc desire ipeng on wifes iphone gruntwolla's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35645 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90939 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
