The State of DACSES

[RudeWolf]

I think that messing with vintage was worth it when DS dacs were still super nasty. Vintage multibit would get you much better timbre, but it's not the last word in a lot of technicalities. Not to mention that you'd need to dick around with USB->SPDIF converters.

[Aura]

5 minutes ago, RudeWolf said:

Not to mention that you'd need to dick around with USB->SPDIF converters.

that part is easy. Schiit Eitr. works like a charm and made a noticeable improvement in sound in both my rigs. 

[blessingx]

4 hours ago, Aura said:

Ric - what newer options are you comparing against? Also still using an unmodified 1100 in the speaker rig. i can’t say i have issues with imaging or instrument location (this is with Pioneer M22 + Lowther DX65). soundstage could be a bit wider. 

This is a only with a variety mid-level headphones and usually with the Peak-Volcano, so take everything with a grain of salt. Honestly this is comparing with not current DACs themselves and yes, Sigma-Deltas, such as the old Lavry DA10 and Parasound vDAC v2. Admittedly, the romantic jump back, was disappointing enough I may not have given enough time to readjust. I could give another try, but until I can get rid of some necessary video gear due to shelter in place, I don’t have the space to setup full rack sized gear. Thus it’s mostly iFi iDSD Black Label for headphones currently. And AirPod Pros. So just ignore me. 

[n_maher]

This whole discussion has made me realize that my slightly modified EAD DSP 1000 has been in storage for 5 years. Geez. I have a plan for it but at what point is a plan no longer valid?  I'll update that research in 5 years or so I guess.

[K3cT]

I still rock a Parasound 1100HD with the now probably unobtanium Cetoole's discrete output stage as my primary DAC. Recently had a Schiit Gungnir for comparison and I thought the Parasound didn't embarrass itself. Sure, the Schiit sounds more detailed and airier but it lacks the dynamics and lusher tone that the Parasound has. The Gungnir also had an extremely hot output so it was a lot of pain to work with my sensitive speakers and headphone, even through its single ended output. 

I'll probably stick with multibit for now. 

[RudeWolf]

Which Gungnir was it? The multibit one or DS?

Also keep in mind that you'd need to use BAL outs to really make it sing. SE uses a summation circuit which takes away some magic.

[lkong]

Got my Okto research DAC8 delivered this week.

I will setup my full range and two channel subs with it.

Bye bye analog crossover.

[Sherwood]

10 hours ago, lkong said:

Got my Okto research DAC8 delivered this week.

I’m interested in your opinions. It appears to tick a lot of boxes for audio geeks, but the long build time and relative obscurity put me off. 

[johnwmclean]

The Okto research DAC8 looks to a top notch performer.
I’ve caved and bought a RMR ADI-DAC 2 FS. 

[RudeWolf]

I wanted to get the DSP equipped OKTO DAC8. Sadly, miniDSP discontinued the input board, so I was SOL.

[morphsci]

So have any of my Mytek brethren experimented with external linear power supplies for their Brooklyn Bridges or DAC+s? I was thinking of trying out an Sbooster BOTW P&P ECO MKII power supply.

[Hopstretch]

Dew eet.

[swt61]

X2

[morphsci]

5 hours ago, Hopstretch said:

Dew eet.

 

5 hours ago, swt61 said:

X2

Sorry, cannot Dew eet ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I already did it.

Edited September 5, 2020 by morphsci
Fucking autocorrect

[Dusty Chalk]

You done dewed et?  Dude!

[Aura]

i ended up grabbing an Adcom GDA-700. the price was dirt cheap, it has the outputs i wanted, and it has all the old tech and sound i’m familiar with. no regrets.
 

[Sherwood]

I’m perpetually aboard the DAC train, looking for a way off. My current operating theory is that enlightenment lies in feeding high bit rate DSD from Roon via HQPlayer to the cheapest DAC that technically works. I will update the dacses faithful once I realize that theory is wrong.


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[lkong]

Well, the current state of Okto Research DAC8PRO:

Firmware is broken for linux. That's disappointing.

[Sherwood]

Disappointing and surprising. Doesn’t the built-in streamer run Linux?


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[Sherwood]

On 9/13/2020 at 11:12 PM, Sherwood said:

I will update the dacses faithful once I realize that theory is wrong.

That time is now.  The Soncoz LA-QXD1 I purchased is pure garbage, and I can't believe I ever thought it would be a good idea.  It gibbers and pops constantly, loses sync whenever my AC condenser cycles on, and defaults to minimum volume every time it does so.  The interface is inscrutable, and I had to find direct links to the driver downloads through the Wayback Machine (!!) because the manufacturer's site is currently down.  

I ended up just buying the thing I wanted in the first place, the RME dac.

[swt61]

Sorry to hear that Tyler. Nothing is more frustrating than a piece of gear that just doesn't function right, especially when customer service is non existent.

Hope the new DAC serves you well.

[shellylh]

On 9/5/2020 at 2:17 PM, morphsci said:

 

Sorry, cannot Dew eet ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I already did it.

 

Worth doing? 

[morphsci]

I am not sure it sounds any better, but it is a keeper for me because it runs cooler with the external PSU.

[morphsci]

So I shifted the Teac into the main headphone system in place of the NAD M51:

So now I can use my Two Little Bears (Passive XLR switchers) to shift between the Mytek or Teac as input and the GS-X, DHSA or BHse as output:

 

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by morphsci

[Sherwood]

Is that an alive snake?