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Post by macca on Jul 27, 2022 17:50:15 GMT
from back when DACs looked like proper bits of kit.
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optical
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Post by optical on Jul 27, 2022 19:09:59 GMT
And another new arrival today, sitting under my old Wyred 4 Sound DAC 1.  Hee Hee, my DACs get more and more ancient. Theta DSPro Prime from the early 1990s. Doing the level matched (to within 0.5db) switch back and forth thing, comparing the two... No difference at all. None. To start with. After a while subtle nuanced differences started to appear. Now it's bleeding obvious. The Theta is clearly more vibrant and focused. It's not at all obvious, until it is. A rather exuberant review in a 1991 Stereophile. www.stereophile.com/content/theta-ds-pro-prime-da-processor3 decades on, does it need some TLC? It doesn't sound like it. Maybe it's received some already? I might pop the lid and take some pics, see what the knowledgeable folks here think. I nearly bought this Jerry, well done on the single bid haha! Spoke to the guy selling it a bit, nice chap. If I wasn't trying to sort other areas of the system I'd have bidded too. These are quality bits of kit as you know |
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 27, 2022 19:13:35 GMT
Hah, amazing. opticalIt wouldn't have taken much to beat my bid. I didn't bother asking him, did he say to you whether he knew of the service history, if any? Very pleased with it so far. |
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Post by optical on Jul 27, 2022 19:26:12 GMT
Hah, amazing. opticalIt wouldn't have taken much to beat my bid. I didn't bother asking him, did he say to you whether he knew of the service history, if any? Very pleased with it so far. Not that i know of, we were just chatting DACs in general and these along with the parasounds/EAD are generally regarded as still up there on musicality. Obviously limited features by today's standards but not much around to beat them for the all important SQ. Absolute bargain mate, I'd be surprised if it doesn't stay for at least a couple of months! Haha. I would expect it to go on for years to come as they're properly built but maybe a recap and service would give it that extra something? Happy listening anyway. I love how simple it is and how it just plays 16/44.1 and has one switch on it. Job done. |
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 27, 2022 19:30:36 GMT
Yup, 16/44 is just fine for me. I tried hi rez and it didn't do anything that I found useful.
As you say, 1 switch - Coax or optical input.
Just plays the music and does that very well.
Sorted.
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 27, 2022 20:36:05 GMT
Either I'm increasingly tuning into the Theta DAC's sound, or there's a reason why they didn't include an off switch and the beastie is continuing to warm up.
It's generating impressive amounts of scale and sheer clout now. It's more than a bit awesome.
Subtlety, vibrancy and power.
Maybe this is the DAC I've been searching for?
It matches well with the Ayre integrated amp, which could be criticised for being just a bit laidback. Not a criticism I'd lay at the Theta's door.
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 27, 2022 20:59:01 GMT
Either I'm increasingly tuning into the Theta DAC's sound, or there's a reason why they didn't include an off switch and the beastie is continuing to warm up. It's generating impressive amounts of scale and sheer clout now. It's more than a bit awesome. Subtlety, vibrancy and power. Maybe this is the DAC I've been searching for? It matches well with the Ayre integrated amp, which could be criticised for being just a bit laidback. Not a criticism I'd lay at the Theta's door. My older DAC seemed to benefit from being left to warm up for a few days. Don't know why, but it starts of a bit sharp, but then smooths out over a few hours. LF becomes more buoyant too. Glad it's hitting the mark, Jerry. |
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 3, 2022 7:27:07 GMT
I'm not sure why I've just clicked on the Buy It Now button. Maybe because it's fun.  Maybe I just need a reality check now and then. I've just bought a recent TechnoPerfect DAC to have a play with. According to Amir on ASR, and who would doubt him?.... "We have another great "instrument grade" DAC on our hands providing absolute transparency to the source beyond any threshold of human hearing. If you are hearing issues I suggest you either have your hearing examined, or learn to do a proper controlled test. Either way, what you hear is what is on your recording. Guaranteed! It is my pleasure to highly recommend the SMSL SU-9. Great job." More things to tweak via the remote controlled menu system than you can shake a stick at in a month of Sundays.  RMSD is promised, so hopefully I'll get it tomorrow. Quite excited tbh!  |
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Post by optical on Aug 3, 2022 7:34:07 GMT
One word Jerry,
surprised, given it's super-clean 'nature' and emphasis on transparency, not that I profess to know exactly what you're looking for but it seems a departure from the current trend of DAC old tech being good tech . . . .
How is the Theta treatin ya'??
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 3, 2022 7:43:13 GMT
One word Jerry, surprised, given it's super-clean 'nature' and emphasis on transparency, not that I profess to know exactly what you're looking for but it seems a departure from the current trend of DAC old tech being good tech . . . . How is the Theta treatin ya'?? Exactly, it's a reality check. The Theta is great, loving it! I'm not sure I'm "looking for" anything in particular, I just like to try different things. |
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Post by optical on Aug 3, 2022 8:10:48 GMT
One word Jerry, surprised, given it's super-clean 'nature' and emphasis on transparency, not that I profess to know exactly what you're looking for but it seems a departure from the current trend of DAC old tech being good tech . . . . How is the Theta treatin ya'?? Exactly, it's a reality check. The Theta is great, loving it! I'm not sure I'm "looking for" anything in particular, I just like to try different things. Cool, I like that attitude. Good to have a different reference sometimes and who knows it could have excellent synergy etc etc. Gotta try it to know for sure. |
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Post by antonio on Aug 3, 2022 17:03:21 GMT
If you can't wait until tomorrow, see and hear how it compares to the Topping D90
Good luck with it Jerry
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 3, 2022 17:47:07 GMT
I'll take a look at that, but I'm more interested in how it compares with a Theta DSPro Prime. I don't seem able to find a YouTube vid about that.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 4, 2022 3:20:57 GMT
That YT review ties in with user comments on Amazon and elsewhere.
The one I'm getting is said to have had minimal use, and an Amazon review says it needs a fair bit of running in. So likely a few days to settle. I'll be running it in parallel with the Theta, so it can have ample time to cook without screwing up the music or me getting impatient with it.
Looks like it gets posted today so should arrive tomorrow (Friday).
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 4, 2022 12:01:16 GMT
 The PP on the Ayre integrated amp's display indicating that it's in HT bypass mode and is acting as a power amp. Hidiamond balanced connections between the SMSL SU-9 DAC / pre and the Ayre. |
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 18, 2022 7:32:02 GMT
New bedtime headphone setup  AudioEngine B1 Bluetooth receiver, sitting on and powered by a Baseus power bank. TOSLINK connection to Chord Mojo, which is driving Focal Elegia headphones. Music Bluetooth signal from my phone. (The powerbank can also be used to recharge the battery powered Mojo). It does sound very good with the newly delivered Mojo, it's the best I've heard from the Focals. Clarity, definition, focus, noise floor - all a significant improvement giving a more rewarding and enjoyable music experience. |
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Post by stevew on Aug 18, 2022 9:00:53 GMT
New bedtime headphone setup AudioEngine B1 Bluetooth receiver, sitting on and powered by a Baseus power bank. TOSLINK connection to Chord Mojo, which is driving Focal Elegia headphones. Music Bluetooth signal from my phone. (The powerbank can also be used to recharge the battery powered Mojo). It does sound very good with the newly delivered Mojo, it's the best I've heard from the Focals. Clarity, definition, focus, noise floor - all a significant improvement giving a more rewarding and enjoyable music experience. I love my mojo. With a number of people ‘upgrading’ to the mk2, they original can be picked up for half the original rrp. I did splurge far too much money on a Poly to make it a streamer/mini sd card player. However it sounds awesome with my oppo headphones. Good call Jerry |
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Post by antonio on Aug 18, 2022 9:14:28 GMT
jandl100 There has been no update on your dac bake-off, unless I've missed it on another forum, what yer playing at.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 18, 2022 13:44:23 GMT
jandl100 There has been no update on your dac bake-off, unless I've missed it on another forum, what yer playing at. Ah, right, yes, you are quite correct. Err, the SMSL SU-9 is an amazingly good sounding bit of kit. It's a bit embarrassing, really, after all of my "old DACs are best" heckling. Old digital IS good. I can't deny my experiences. But the SU-9 has rather jaw dropped me. Even the preamp output stage (volume control) is excellent, and to my surprise easily bettered the pre stage on my Ayre AX-7e amp, which I had previously had a very high opinion of. I've fussed around with quite a few DACs over the last little while. Wyred4Sound DAC 1, Holo Spring Level 2, Theta DSPro Prime, XiangSheng DAC05Aii, SMSL M200, Audiobyte Black Dragon, Chord Hugo, Hugo 2, 2Qute, Mojo, Topping D70, Micromega, Rega, RME ADI 2, Benchmark DAC1, TEAC UD 501, Beresford SEG, Arcam irDAC, MF V90, Audiolab MDAC plus.... .... err, ye gods, that's a ridiculous number of DACs. I had no idea. Perhaps I need therapy. I know there are more that I haven't included. Anyway. The SMSL SU-9 is the best, and not by a small margin either. A bit of a shock that. It doesn't have any of the stark sterility I was half expecting from a modern technoperfect DAC. It just has a clarity and definition that popped my eyes open, and an ability to separate out the musical lines which some folks might find a bit too surgical, but there's no doubting I can hear what's going on in even very complex scores. Balanced outputs straight into my power amp is the currently favoured configuration. |
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Post by antonio on Aug 18, 2022 14:37:30 GMT
jandl100 Thanks for that Jerry, you've surprised me a little, my feeling was the SMSL to be little warmer sounding than the Topping in the video I posted. The surprise comes in the form of the pre amp, I know my brother's dCS has a good pre, but that is in a completely different price range. I still enjoy the XiangSheng DAC5Aii, especially after buying your WE396A valve
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Post by firebottle on Aug 18, 2022 14:45:08 GMT
I thought that might turn out well Jerry. You can get the non MQA version for £400 on Amazon, bit of a Billy bargain considering the sound I guess.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 18, 2022 15:12:05 GMT
I thought that might turn out well Jerry. You can get the non MQA version for £400 on Amazon, bit of a Billy bargain considering the sound I guess. Really? Dang, I didn't even check for Amazon bargains! I paid £310 for a minty used MQA example. Not that I'll ever use MQA. So this result has prompted me to have a DAC clear out. The W4S has sold, and the XiangSheng looks like it won't be gracing my shelves for much longer. I think I'll hang on to the Theta for a bit. And I've an EAD digital preamp that needs a bit of TLC before I decide its future - I've been thinking about sending it your way, Alan, to give it a checkover. You up for that? |
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Post by antonio on Aug 18, 2022 16:20:28 GMT
Alan's retired Jerry |
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Post by Pigmy Pony on Aug 18, 2022 18:54:10 GMT
Alan's retired Jerry To quote the great philosopher Michael Corleone: Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in! |
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Post by stevew on Aug 18, 2022 21:23:41 GMT
jandl100 There has been no update on your dac bake-off, unless I've missed it on another forum, what yer playing at. Ah, right, yes, you are quite correct. Err, the SMSL SU-9 is an amazingly good sounding bit of kit. It's a bit embarrassing, really, after all of my "old DACs are best" heckling. Old digital IS good. I can't deny my experiences. But the SU-9 has rather jaw dropped me. Even the preamp output stage (volume control) is excellent, and to my surprise easily bettered the pre stage on my Ayre AX-7e amp, which I had previously had a very high opinion of. I've fussed around with quite a few DACs over the last little while. Wyred4Sound DAC 1, Holo Spring Level 2, Theta DSPro Prime, XiangSheng DAC05Aii, SMSL M200, Audiobyte Black Dragon, Chord Hugo, Hugo 2, 2Qute, Mojo, Topping D70, Micromega, Rega, RME ADI 2, Benchmark DAC1, TEAC UD 501, Beresford SEG, Arcam irDAC, MF V90, Audiolab MDAC plus.... .... err, ye gods, that's a ridiculous number of DACs. I had no idea. Perhaps I need therapy. I know there are more that I haven't included. Anyway. The SMSL SU-9 is the best, and not by a small margin either. A bit of a shock that. It doesn't have any of the stark sterility I was half expecting from a modern technoperfect DAC. It just has a clarity and definition that popped my eyes open, and an ability to separate out the musical lines which some folks might find a bit too surgical, but there's no doubting I can hear what's going on in even very complex scores. Balanced outputs straight into my power amp is the currently favoured configuration. The inquisitive part of me would love to hear what the SU-9 would sound like fed by a Mutec I need therapy |
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Post by nonuffin on Aug 24, 2022 10:25:04 GMT
Jerry, you are an absolute menace posting on hi-fi forums!
Having read your views on the SMSL SU9 DAC, I sploshed out on the SU8 version as I am not as blessed with a bottomless bank account at the moment.
I put it up against my BMC UltraDAC and it betters it by no small margin either. The sheer amount of inner detail is just amazing and it just flows out without upsetting anything else in the audible spectrum. What did bother me was the loss of remote volume control that I had with the BMC. but that is also included which really has pleased me. Given that I only received the SMSL yesterday I am going to do some more listening to get a true handle on it's capabilities.
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 24, 2022 12:29:57 GMT
Oops. Sorry about that. If it's anything like the SU-9 - it's good, innit! |
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Post by antonio on Aug 24, 2022 13:54:10 GMT
"Jerry, you are an absolute menace posting on hi-fi forums!" I agree 100% with this statement I've changed all my system, purchased extra speakers and am now considering something else to try and this all stems from Jerry's 'try it and sell it on' philosophy. |
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Post by nonuffin on Aug 25, 2022 20:52:53 GMT
Oops. Sorry about that. If it's anything like the SU-9 - it's good, innit! I was only yankin' yer chain Jerry
I cannot say how it ranks against the SU-9 version, but I can certainly say it is ticking a lot of boxes right now. The sheer amount of detail it pulls out of the music is simply incredible. It is the best £118.00 I have ever spent on any hi-fi purchase.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 19, 2022 12:20:41 GMT
Current electronics stack.  From the bottom of the pile..... Ayre AX-7e in power amp mode. BRZHifi Chifi clone of the classic 1969 John Linsley Hood class A amp design. (Excellent, but not currently hooked up. An interesting and viable alternative to the Ayre. It packs a massive 10wpc, which is all I actually need.) Theta DSPro Prime DAC. Yes, after my yesterday's enthusiastic endorsement of my SMSL SU-9 DAC, I could not resist the urge to try the Theta again. It's a marvellous thing. I still love it. A tad less transparent than the SU-9, but a tad more gutsy/organic. Feliks Audio Echo OTL valve headphone amp and preamp. I've only had this a couple of days, intended only as a headphone amp. But I couldn't resist trying it as a preamp. It's magic. It's got stock Russky (boo, hiss) valves in. I've some Brimar and JJ driver and power respectively tubes on order. I expect it to get even better with these. |
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