Voltron

Yeah, that $7500 one was the one I saw that didn't seem too crazy but then I saw a Model 1 for $13K or something nuts. Not at all sure I would want one but I like the A/D and D/A combo idea.

Sample Rate Conversion

That's cool Chris! You should go for it and inform us all what it's like. I know the feeling in terms of falling for something you don't want to buy just yet, but squash the little angel on your should and listen to the DEVIL! What's the scoop on tracking down a Pacific Microsonics Model 1 or Model 2?

Chris Potter Underground -- NPR: Live at the Village Vanguard

I read a couple of things from their website that all seemed to indicate that two-wire was the only way, like this on the product page: The DAC1-MK2 The DAC1-MK2 is similar to the DAC1 except for the sampling frequency range it can accept. The DAC1 works at 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 and 96kHz, while the DAC1-MK2 can handle 176.4 and 192kHz in addition. 176.4 or 192kHz signals must be connected to inputs 1 and 2 of the DAC1-MK2 in the two wire AES/EBU format. (The left channel goes to input 1, the right channel to input 2). If a valid two wire 176.4 or 192kHz signal is connected to the DAC1-MK2 and input number 1 is selected, then the unit will automatically detect such a signal and will light both input 1 and input 2 selection switches. DAC1 units can be upgraded to DAC1-MK2 by swapping two chips inside the unit. And then I saw this from the same manual you quoted (even though I missed the part in your post): For dual wire scheme signals (88.2 up to 192 kHz) the two channels are connected as follows: Left channel to input 1, Right channel to input 2. To activate, press the input 1 key. If such a signal is present at the input of the DAC1-MK2, the software automatically detects that and switches the D/A accordingly. Also both input 1 and input 2 keys are lit. If you press the input 2 key with such a two wire signal present at inputs 1 and 2, the DAC1-MK2 interprets the signal at input 2 as a normal two channel AES/EBU signal. I.e. do not select input 2 when feeding a two wire signal. That one portion of the manual would seem to contradict the product description, which seems odd but is preferable of course. How much is thie mk2?

On the Weiss Dac1 mk2, the high rez inputs have to be done is a 2-wire configuration so that L and R are on separate AES EBU cables. What source would you use for that in a home environment? Maybe some of the cards or external boxes with breakout cables have that arrangement but I am just not familiar with it.

Yeah, Chris, the fancy reference was to the aluminum case and face plate which pretties up the rack bling for the audiophile community. I will take a look at the DAC1 mk2.

Think twice before buying Weiss. Not really, I have been reading about the Minerva and less fancy more pro DAC2 or whatever it is called. So clever these dac namers. Not a lot of commentary on here or HF, tho. May have to look elsewhere to find user impressions other than mag or ezine reviews.

Ornette Coleman -- the Art of the Improvisers

Ornette Coleman -- This Is Our Music

But I am planning on creating content at 192 and even sharing it as appropriate. The M-Audio thing might allow for both goals to be met at once.

Lisp?

grawk's end transducer hangs low, buddy. Or so I've heard.

Who told you it tasted better? Certainly not your victims.

'Viper: did you listen to the hidden track at the end of Last Will & Testament? There is a very goofy intro about Lester Moon, aka Stinky Cheese, and then a very goofy song about Asteroth.

Believe me, I saw it. Pan himself is sporting wood, which is traditional for satyrs, but my favorite is the shirtless chaps-wearing Polk Street cowboy who is being restrained from the fun by a squaw wearing a papoose.

It looks like one of Pan's little satyr buddies is running over to play his flute. Not that there's anything wrong with that... I am playing this on Rhapsody right now and it isn't like my normal work tunes.

DOTU MOTU sounds like a cartoon character, but maybe just because it is close to one of my heroes (not really). I don't need the 16 channels at all, but the Berkeley Audio people apparently like it because it is 24/192 capable, does digital only so no analog business to muck it up, and because they think you should have a big-ass computer sitting in your rig. I don't really want an external firewire thing because the idea of taking this from place to place is appealing to me since I have rigs in two places.

Me no know. Are there limits on the bit rate of the output? Can it do 24/192 from the optical? I simply do not know, but I understand that the AE is limited to 16/44. Lynx Studio Technology AES16e PCI Express AES/EBU Interfaces The AES16e offers 16 channels of 192 kHz AES/EBU I/O. In addition to the base model, the AES16e-SRC includes sixteen channels of sample rate conversion and AES16e-50 will provide up to 32 additional digital inputs/outputs via AES50 technology. The AES16e builds on the capabilities of our industry-standard AES16 with an updated feature set and the benefits of the PCI Express interface. The architecture and higher bandwidth of PCI Express reduces bottlenecks and overhead, which provides higher performance for computer-based high end audio. The AES16e x1 PCI Express card provides 16 channels of 24-bit AES/EBU digital audio at a 192 kHz sample rate in both single-wire and dual-wire AES modes. Designed to integrate digital consoles, multi-channel A/D and D/A converters, hard disk recorders, digital audio workstations and other digital audio equipment, the AES16e is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The AES16e-SRC provides 16 channels of sample rate conversion, which may be switched on for any or all of the 8 digital inputs. The third model, the AES16e-50, will add up to 32 digital I/O channels using AES50 technology, carrying the digital signal on standard CAT5 or CAT6 cable. Features * x1 PCI Express interface works with Macintosh or Windows PCs with PCI Express slots (x1 - x16). * Eight stereo inputs and eight stereo outputs (16 mono I/O), AES/EBU format, 24-bit, single wire and dual wire, transformer coupled. * Extensive on-board digital mixer. * Optional sixteen channels of Sample Rate Conversion. Support for conversion ratios up to 16:1 with 144 dB dynamic range and -140dB THD+N. * Optional AES50 interface. * All relevant settings, such as sample rate selection, sync source selection, channel routing, and buffer size are enabled, controlled and monitored from the host computer. * Multi-channel support of 5.1 and 7.1 surround playback formats. * Includes Lynx-exclusive SynchroLock

Bastards. How about PC laptops? Or Mac Mini?

I just checked out the Alpha Dac at a shop yesterday, although I didn't get to hear it in action due to short time and their preamp not cooperating. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to use their preferred Lynx AES16e PCI-Express digital I/O card with any Mac laptop (current or recent past) or if the big box Macs are the only option for that beast.

Erik Friedlander -- Broken Arm Trio

I like that you can tell exactly what they were dealing by they way they look: Pot Speed Acid Shrooms Moonshine distilled by his sister/wife Glue Hairspray Kool-Aid Ecstasy Anger