bigbird
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The Racing Snake
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Post by bigbird on Nov 17, 2020 6:42:36 GMT
Any news from Glenn yet about the 7R possibilities? Not heard anything from him yet. To be honest I may be slipping down the Neurochrome 686 route as I don't think even a 7R has enough muscle to drive my new speakers properly! I dont blame ya mate. They are absolutely stunning amps. I’m Gona get one built early in the new year now I’ve sold the spendors and then my days of spending are well and truly over. I will have a top valve and SS setup to play with and can concentrate on the record collection . I may even move on the Croft gear to fund a top class streaming dac , then it’s game over . |
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JimBlog
Nov 17, 2020 7:24:17 GMT
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Post by stevew on Nov 17, 2020 7:24:17 GMT
There's a complete Allo Usbridge setup for sale on AoS 😉  Thanks Mike but if I go down the Pi route it must include a Pecan! The only alternative I would consider now is looking at the Denafrips range of DACs. If I hadn’t been under effective house arrest since March I would have loved to have taken the Pecan Pi to Willow Tree audio and compared with the Aeries 2 or even the Terminator. Hey ho.. |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 7:28:32 GMT
Thanks Mike but if I go down the Pi route it must include a Pecan! The only alternative I would consider now is looking at the Denafrips range of DACs. If I hadn’t been under effective house arrest since March I would have loved to have taken the Pecan Pi to Willow Tree audio and compared with the Aeries 2 or even the Terminator. Hey ho.. Good shout Andy, in fact I have seriously been contemplating the Denafrips Ares 2. It would be great if I could get a DAC running off a battery like the mojo as I am sure one of the aspects of the very clean 3D quality sound I am getting is due to lack of noise from any mains power supply. I will have to look into this further. |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 7:33:17 GMT
So another night listening on the Hecos and I decided to give them some Kraftwerk live from their 3D album. Now I have this on vinyl and an MP£ download which to be honest you could tell. Red book 16 bit would really be a minium requirement for me usually.
But the overall quality of presentation was excellent and the bass was stunning. I really dont know what has happened to my vinyl rig but I get nowhwere near the bass I get from Digital. I used to think it was the other way round!
In fact everything I played sounded full fat and analogue and this is straight out the Macbook laptop for Audivana - no DAC apart from the laptops own!!!
So I feel there maybe way more to come.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 17, 2020 7:42:54 GMT
The only alternative I would consider now is looking at the Denafrips range of DACs. If I hadn’t been under effective house arrest since March I would have loved to have taken the Pecan Pi to Willow Tree audio and compared with the Aeries 2 or even the Terminator. Hey ho.. Good shout Andy, in fact I have seriously been contemplating the Denafrips Ares 2. It would be great if I could get a DAC running off a battery like the mojo as I am sure one of the aspects of the very clean 3D quality sound I am getting is due to lack of noise from any mains power supply. I will have to look into this further. Who?  |
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Post by stevew on Nov 17, 2020 7:47:08 GMT
Good shout Andy, in fact I have seriously been contemplating the Denafrips Ares 2. It would be great if I could get a DAC running off a battery like the mojo as I am sure one of the aspects of the very clean 3D quality sound I am getting is due to lack of noise from any mains power supply. I will have to look into this further. Who? My cross dressing alter ego 🤪😊 |
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Post by stevew on Nov 17, 2020 7:53:41 GMT
Who? My cross dressing alter ego 🤪😊 My prison nick name. Handy Andy. |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 8:53:17 GMT
Sorry Steve! I go by Mandy at the weekend myself!lol
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Post by macca on Nov 17, 2020 9:00:55 GMT
The only alternative I would consider now is looking at the Denafrips range of DACs. If I hadn’t been under effective house arrest since March I would have loved to have taken the Pecan Pi to Willow Tree audio and compared with the Aeries 2 or even the Terminator. Hey ho.. Good shout Andy, in fact I have seriously been contemplating the Denafrips Ares 2. It would be great if I could get a DAC running off a battery like the mojo as I am sure one of the aspects of the very clean 3D quality sound I am getting is due to lack of noise from any mains power supply. I will have to look into this further. Just out of interest have you tried the laptop running from mains supply as a comparison? Pretty easy to see if battery power is better. My guess is that it isn't but I am intrigued. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 17, 2020 9:03:21 GMT
The Denafrips is on my radar too....has been for a very long time now. However it's very hard to accept that going backwards in terms of measurable performance will yield audible improvements? For instance, When Alan and i focused on removing as much noise from the BB3 as possible, it got better in a big way. When i improved SNR and removed tons of THD from my amplification with the Neurochrome 686, this improved massivly again. Again with the BT2 Preamp..THD+N performance better than .0001%THD+N across the audio band gave us huge improvemnts again, so why do i have this unrelenting urge to try a R2R DAC? For a long time, i was of the "vinyl is king" persuasion. But in recent times, the improvement of my equipment has pulled the digital along with it. Almost like the system wasn't capable of giving digital the tools it required to be at it's best. Now, i spend about a 50/50 split of my time listening to digital and vinyl. The Denafrips appeals because of it's almost universal fanfare from audiophiles, and i would love to try one but not at the expense of my PecanPi, which to this day is still my favourite DAC. In my recent experience, the PecanPi can deliver everything you could want from an audio standpoint and even though i failed to free my PecanPi from the tether holding it back (The RPI) i have been eyeing up the stand alone DAC. I think i am far more likley to make that move, than total departure at the minute. orchardaudio will do a blackfriday deal i am sure? jimbo, there is no better time than now  The denafrips can wait until the market is flooded with used units. |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 9:17:24 GMT
Good shout Andy, in fact I have seriously been contemplating the Denafrips Ares 2. It would be great if I could get a DAC running off a battery like the mojo as I am sure one of the aspects of the very clean 3D quality sound I am getting is due to lack of noise from any mains power supply. I will have to look into this further. Just out of interest have you tried the laptop running from mains supply as a comparison? Pretty easy to see if battery power is better. My guess is that it isn't but I am intrigued. I will let you know Martin. All I can say is that on battery the sound is very fluid and has no harsh edge to it at all. Almost analogue in its nature. I am just missing a bit of bite and resolution a good DAC will hopefully sort out....or maybe not! |
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Post by brian2957 on Nov 17, 2020 10:58:08 GMT
Sounds like you'd be wise leaving things as they are on the digital front James |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 11:39:12 GMT
There is a DAC on the way tomorrow.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 17, 2020 11:53:34 GMT
There is a DAC on the way tomorrow. DO tell? |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 12:28:39 GMT
Buzz buzz
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 17, 2020 12:35:02 GMT
do they buzz? usually cause for a return lol |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 12:48:32 GMT
do they buzz? usually cause for a return lol No its a Dragonfly - I mentioned it to you earlier. |
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Post by brian2957 on Nov 17, 2020 13:22:24 GMT
Which model James ?
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Post by jimbo on Nov 17, 2020 14:47:57 GMT
Its only a Black. Just to hear what one can do out of the laptop. |
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Post by stevew on Nov 17, 2020 15:07:47 GMT
Sorry Steve! I go by Mandy at the weekend myself!lol No worries Mavis |
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Post by antonio on Nov 18, 2020 0:52:00 GMT
Is this to use with headphones?
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Post by jimbo on Nov 18, 2020 9:31:02 GMT
Is this to use with headphones? No it is to try and improve digital internet radio coming out of my laptop into my system. Of course i can judge whether its better than the Laptop DAC very quickly. Will be interesting. If it is not better then either the Dragonfly is crap or I simply need a better DAC. This situation has been discussed a fair amount on other forums and from what I have read it is not always easy to improve on the DAC from a Macbook with a cheap and cheerful DAC even from the well known brands unless you aim high. |
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Post by antonio on Nov 19, 2020 2:19:16 GMT
The reason I asked, I thought you may have been better upping the budget a touch and trying a cheaper Topping or SMSL dac. I have a D30 and it's fab for £80. The newer replacement E30 for £100 has had great reviews as well.
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Post by jimbo on Nov 19, 2020 6:44:53 GMT
The reason I asked, I thought you may have been better upping the budget a touch and trying a cheaper Topping or SMSL dac. I have a D30 and it's fab for £80. The newer replacement E30 for £100 has had great reviews as well. Thanks Antonio, I read good reviews of both these DACs and they have a good following on Head Fi. Indeed there are many budget DACs out there that may better the Macbook own internal DAC but last night the Dragonfly Black lasted 5 minutes. A switch back to using the internal Macbook DAC revealed that the Dragonfly was a complete non starter, it completely killed the music in every way posibble.
I might as well have put some earmuffs on! Yes it was that bad. Going forward I am now going to be very cautious as there is obviously something special going on between Audirvana and its manipulation of the Macbook Pro especially with its own onternal DAC. Most folk would probably think it was game over if they could hear what I am getting out of this combination.
I have always been very suspicious about DACs and have indeed owned quite a few and heard many and 95% of them have left me unimpressed, or in other words I would simply not be able to listen to my system with them for very long. The problem with DACs is they all have their own sonic signature or "take" on the musical proceedings and most often dont live up to analogues ability to convey a relaxing but engaging sound. Most of them just concentrate on detail. My experience is that most DACs are simply begging LOOK AT ME! and you soon tire of them. This happened recently with a Chord Qutest and A RPi / ALLO Boss. They did not last long.
I have heard in my system a number of chingfi chinese DACs on loan and they have at best been just either a tone control or cleaned the definition up slightly. There is a vast pile of sabre or burr brown chipped DACs out there that all compete in a very crowded market and picking a good one I feel is going to be difficult however I have heard the Pecan pi and have been very impressed but I am itching to hear a R2R DAC as many of the reviews I have read suggest they sound more to my liking.
My digital journey from the sidelines continues but from what I have heard simply coming straight out of my Macbook laptop has been worryingly good and very acceptable.
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Post by antonio on Nov 19, 2020 6:55:02 GMT
There are quite a few comparison on You Tube using the Denafrips dacs. Yes I know it is not the same as hearing them live, but you can certainly hear some of the differences between them using headphones. I've been thinking of some speakers to replace my JBL Control 1's, and have used YT as a guide. As it turns out I've just purchased a pair of Mark Audio Cesti MB's from a member of pfm and he has been kind enough to arrange delivery to Cambodia for me. The trouble some of the You Tuber's go to to get good comparisons is quite something, which I've appreciated. Good luck in your search for that elusive dac.  |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 19, 2020 7:11:34 GMT
There are quite a few comparison on You Tube using the Denafrips dacs. Yes I know it is not the same as hearing them live, but you can certainly hear some of the differences between them using headphones. I've been thinking of some speakers to replace my JBL Control 1's, and have used YT as a guide. As it turns out I've just purchased a pair of Mark Audio Cesti MB's from a member of pfm and he has been kind enough to arrange delivery to Cambodia for me. The trouble some of the You Tuber's go to to get good comparisons is quite something, which I've appreciated. Good luck in your search for that elusive dac. Thanks Antonio, the Denafrips is on my radar. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 19, 2020 7:19:16 GMT
There are quite a few comparison on You Tube using the Denafrips dacs. Yes I know it is not the same as hearing them live, but you can certainly hear some of the differences between them using headphones. I've been thinking of some speakers to replace my JBL Control 1's, and have used YT as a guide. As it turns out I've just purchased a pair of Mark Audio Cesti MB's from a member of pfm and he has been kind enough to arrange delivery to Cambodia for me. The trouble some of the You Tuber's go to to get good comparisons is quite something, which I've appreciated. Good luck in your search for that elusive dac. I have lost your PM, no idea how either. Those speakers look very interesting. I'd like to know how you get on with them. |
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JimBlog
Nov 19, 2020 7:48:02 GMT
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Post by stevew on Nov 19, 2020 7:48:02 GMT
The reason I asked, I thought you may have been better upping the budget a touch and trying a cheaper Topping or SMSL dac. I have a D30 and it's fab for £80. The newer replacement E30 for £100 has had great reviews as well. Thanks Antonio, I read good reviews of both these DACs and they have a good following on Head Fi. Indeed there are many budget DACs out there that may better the Macbook own internal DAC but last night the Dragonfly Black lasted 5 minutes. A switch back to using the internal Macbook DAC revealed that the Dragonfly was a complete non starter, it completely killed the music in every way posibble.
I might as well have put some earmuffs on! Yes it was that bad. Going forward I am now going to be very cautious as there is obviously something special going on between Audirvana and its manipulation of the Macbook Pro especially with its own onternal DAC. Most folk would probably think it was game over if they could hear what I am getting out of this combination.
I have always been very suspicious about DACs and have indeed owned quite a few and heard many and 95% of them have left me unimpressed, or in other words I would simply not be able to listen to my system with them for very long. The problem with DACs is they all have their own sonic signature or "take" on the musical proceedings and most often dont live up to analogues ability to convey a relaxing but engaging sound. Most of them just concentrate on detail. My experience is that most DACs are simply begging LOOK AT ME! and you soon tire of them. This happened recently with a Chord Qutest and A RPi / ALLO Boss. They did not last long.
I have heard in my system a number of chingfi chinese DACs on loan and they have at best been just either a tone control or cleaned the definition up slightly. There is a vast pile of sabre or burr brown chipped DACs out there that all compete in a very crowded market and picking a good one I feel is going to be difficult however I have heard the Pecan pi and have been very impressed but I am itching to hear a R2R DAC as many of the reviews I have read suggest they sound more to my liking.
My digital journey from the sidelines continues but from what I have heard simply coming straight out of my Macbook laptop has been worryingly good and very acceptable.
That’s an interesting reflection on DAC performance. The biggest compliment I can give the Pecan Pi / Allo USbridge combination is that I’ve stopped listening to how it sounds. Just plays music and I enjoy the music that’s played because it’s detailed and natural. Every other dac I’ve tried has left me with the feeling that they can be improved upon. I’m sure there are better dacs than the Pecanpi (at a price), but for me now it’s not really about performance it’s a matter of my bank balance. I’d like to hear a Denafrips in my system... but it’s now a mattter of curiosity rather than being dissatisfied with what I have today. By the way... as Audirvana doesn’t do internet radio, are you finding the quality of the Macs playing of radio just as good? Or is it hard to judge? I’m curious as I might have to relocate my Mac mini which makes me ponder siting it with the rest of my kit rather than in a remote room connected by Ethernet. There is a kit you can buy to replace the Mac mini power supply which I’m thinking about. Mind you.. then it would have to be headless... first world problems or what! |
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Post by jimbo on Nov 19, 2020 9:17:59 GMT
Great thing about the Macbook is that I run it only on battery when I am using it for music playback so no issues with power supply especially as Audirvana shuts down everything possible which i can believe because I can use it all night and the laptop barely gets warm!
The Pecan Pi is extremely good but I will be interested to know how good when I manage to prise one of Oli to try in my system lol.
Internet radio cannot be played via Audirvana but the are working on it. As it stands through the Macbook it is very thin and poor quality sound.
I really would like to try and avoid any Ethernet connections going forward and just run a USB DAC if possible straight out the Macbook. Audirvana controls everything including remote acceess by phone or tablet. The less power supplies involved the better I feel. So I would be interested in a battery run DAC too if possible
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 19, 2020 10:28:04 GMT
Great thing about the Macbook is that I run it only on battery when I am using it for music playback so no issues with power supply especially as Audirvana shuts down everything possible which i can believe because I can use it all night and the laptop barely gets warm! The Pecan Pi is extremely good but I will be interested to know how good when I manage to prise one of Oli to try in my system lol. Internet radio cannot be played via Audirvana but the are working on it. As it stands through the Macbook it is very thin and poor quality sound. I really would like to try and avoid any Ethernet connections going forward and just run a USB DAC if possible straight out the Macbook. Audirvana controls everything including remote acceess by phone or tablet. The less power supplies involved the better I feel. So I would be interested in a battery run DAC too if possible When the Soekris arrives Jim, you can have a loan for week. Thats no problem. As you know, i am very pleased with it and have been since it arrived. I think you are concerning yourself too much with the Ethernet thing. The best results i got from Digital, and streaming, were from by using wired ethernet connections. The ethernet isnt the issue....but power is. Battery aupplies have their own issues but i see the appeal of their use, but using a decent LPSU over a SMPS will get you as good if not better results IME. You situation there jim is crying out for a streamer rather than just a USB DAC, as believe it or not USBcan be one of the pworst sounding devices around. There are not rigid rules in digital IMO and everything is a suck it an see sitiuation, but i would almost bet that using the PecanPi (in the way i have it set up here) would pretty much obliterate the Mac DAC and start showing why High Quality digital doesnt have to cost a fortune. If the Soekris shows promise, I may go for a Denafrips...the Pontus being most likely. Although i'd love to hear an OctoDAC8 too |
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Thanks Mike but if I go down the Pi route it must include a Pecan!
