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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 10:00:02 GMT
I'm looking to update/improve my Pioneer N30K and Musical Paradise MP-D1 DAC combination. I've tried a few times before and honestly nothing has bettered it. Might just be in my system but its been a revelation for the past few years. The Pioneer seems to deliver 1's and 0's without issue and the Musical Paradise DAC decodes them with very low jitter and puts them through Mundorf supreme caps and a couple of 396a/2c51/5690 tubes. Tried WE/RCA etc all very nice. I'm migrating towards SS DAC's as I don't really want to be rolling tubes all my life plus I think there's a current crop that should be well above the Musical Paradise in terms of specs and resolution. (Although it does have a real soul and textural appeal in its delivery which I may not be able to live without!). My list is as follows: (2nd hand where applicable) Topping D70s - although I tried the D50 and didn't find it particularly spectacular along side my MP. Marantz DAC1 - I know Jerry was swearing by this not so long ago so it can't be that bad! Benchmark DAC1 - an oldie but a goodie, although I'm wondering how far this has been superseded now . . . M2Tech Young - as above with the Benchmark. Tried Beresford/SMSL/REGA and a few others but felt they lacked a little something. I would also be upgrading my streamer to something like an SOtM sMS200 or similar. I also like the idea of the MP Berry V2 here: www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=83Yes I like Musical Paradise stuff . . . . The other option is to get an all in one like a Cambridge Audio CXN as they are superb performers with great DAC's. Just wondering if it would challenge the above sonic-wise?? Had a stream magic 6 a while ago and it punched so far above it's weight it was hard to let go of. Anything else I should be looking at? Advice and recommendations always welcome. Chris |
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 10:15:00 GMT
Chris,
Give a PecanPi a try.
SSD drive, Volumio, Rpi, LPSU all comes in for a very palatable sum and iMO is some of the best Digital I've personally heard.
I'm not saying it will usurp your current system but I'm happy to have a bake off with you to see what you think?
Secondly, I have been considering a D90 of late but due to only streaming from my SSD, dont want to have to by a bridge etc to make it work.
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optical
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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 10:24:51 GMT
Definitely a consideration. I've only been avoiding it purely for the reason that I used to go to a lot of trouble setting up foobar with a notebook computer running off a battery pack, galvanic-ally isolated controlled via an app etc. It took ages to tweak the buffer settings etc and messing around with USB cables (they sound different!!). As soon as I tried a plug and play system eg Pioneer/Cambridge Audio (+ external DAC) I was a lot happier logistically speaking if not sound-wise.
I know deep down it makes sense to bite the bullet and the ease of setting up etc will have come on leaps and bounds no doubt.
If you'll humour me I literally have no idea about Volumio etc, what exactly would I need to have a complete solution which you think would compete?
I have a nice 500GB SSD fresh and ready to go actually as well as a 250GB micro SD which I haven't used . . . .
As for the bake-off, 100% I would be interested in that. It's the only real opportunity to yardstick equipment you think is good but until you hear better/worse you don't really know for sure. Yes trust your ears of course but its always great to get more opinions.
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optical
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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 10:29:18 GMT
Just having a look at his website now. Awesome stuff.
Would the streamer with volumio just connect to network and SSD and away you go utilising the DAC on-board?
Seems a beautifully simple solution.
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 11:38:03 GMT
Just having a look at his website now. Awesome stuff. Would the streamer with volumio just connect to network and SSD and away you go utilising the DAC on-board? Seems a beautifully simple solution. That's 100% correct So so simple and the SQ is superb IMO |
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optical
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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 11:51:57 GMT
That's 100% correct So so simple and the SQ is superb IMO Thanks, looks like it could be just the ticket then . . . |
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Post by stevew on Mar 2, 2020 12:09:24 GMT
Just having a look at his website now. Awesome stuff. Would the streamer with volumio just connect to network and SSD and away you go utilising the DAC on-board? Seems a beautifully simple solution. That's 100% correct So so simple and the SQ is superb IMO Seconded |
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 12:13:18 GMT
That's 100% correct So so simple and the SQ is superb IMO Thanks, looks like it could be just the ticket then . . . I have a couple of Minor tweaks which help bring it on a step too. |
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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 12:16:20 GMT
Thanks, looks like it could be just the ticket then . . . I have a couple of Minor tweaks which help bring it on a step too. Goes without saying Oliver . . . lol. Seems like they are on back order at the moment. I'm just waiting to hear back from Leo but if he's got them soonish I see no reason not to try one. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2020 12:30:49 GMT
There are so many options available, it is pretty confusing.
A digital bake off with a few of the contenders would be a good way to go. That way you can get to hear what each one does. I would be interested and have a couple of solutions, but distance is against me.
I also don't see a sensible way of getting my all in one streaming solution "Silent PC" across on an aircraft.
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 12:55:59 GMT
I have a couple of Minor tweaks which help bring it on a step too. Goes without saying Oliver . . . lol. Seems like they are on back order at the moment. I'm just waiting to hear back from Leo but if he's got them soonish I see no reason not to try one. Hahaha, I know....I'm a shocker |
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 12:57:23 GMT
There are so many options available, it is pretty confusing. A digital bake off with a few of the contenders would be a good way to go. That way you can get to hear what each one does. I would be interested and have a couple of solutions, but distance is against me. I also don't see a sensible way of getting my all in one streaming solution "Silent PC" across on an aircraft. It's also almost impossible to find a null point where you can base an opinion. The options are almost endless. Then there is all the connectivity, storage, power and streaming options. It's a nightmare. |
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Post by firebottle on Mar 2, 2020 16:51:00 GMT
Does the PecanPi come complete with the Raspberry Pi board as I have one here that's spare.
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 18:32:01 GMT
Does the PecanPi come complete with the Raspberry Pi board as I have one here that's spare. You can buy the Pecan PCB on it's own, like it did. I totally recommend doing this and forgoing the tidy case build, as my tweak involves mounting the PecanPi and RPI on a heavy base. |
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Post by sq225917 on Mar 2, 2020 18:36:28 GMT
Listened the the Allo Shanti and UsbBridge plugged into in ian canada dac stack last night. I think it's a little bit of a step up from using a pi. The usbbridge is dirt cheap and the case is great.
Certainly up there with thousand quid plus streamers.
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Post by firebottle on Mar 2, 2020 18:38:08 GMT
I use the Allo USBridge and find it superb.
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optical
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Post by optical on Mar 2, 2020 21:17:38 GMT
Hmmmm more to think about....
I like the idea of a heavy base build. I have no experience of the former or current pcb's/bridge's so further research is required.
Having said that I've just stuck my faithful WE396a tubes in my DAC. I'd been experimenting with ecc88's and was rewarded with clarity and accuracy. However coming back to these is like a favourite tipple or a weekend car.
Sometimes you have to have a break in order to truly appreciate their virtues.
Accurate? Not 100%. Neutral? Not exactly.... But my god they can immerse you in their lush tubeyness....
Air and space like no other tube.
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Post by stevew on Mar 2, 2020 21:31:32 GMT
Just having a look at his website now. Awesome stuff. Would the streamer with volumio just connect to network and SSD and away you go utilising the DAC on-board? Seems a beautifully simple solution. That's 100% correct So so simple and the SQ is superb IMO More than happy with my bare back pecan pi/ raspberry pi3 combo. However.. a while back Leo from Orchard put an email up from one of his customers who had swapped out the pi for the Allo USBridge signature. Am tempted by the thought of a cleaner signal feeding the pecan pi, and apparently the pecan will connect just the same via the 40 pin connect. However not so tempted by a 270 euro gamble Any thoughts? |
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Post by sq225917 on Mar 2, 2020 21:44:02 GMT
Yup, heard the signature last night. I thought it was very slightly more crystalline in the uppers but maybe a bit less dynamic, which makes no electrical sense as the dac and data was the same. Certainly worth the money though.
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Post by sq225917 on Mar 2, 2020 21:44:39 GMT
I'm still tempted by the 2 channel Oktodac though.
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 2, 2020 23:17:19 GMT
I'm still tempted by the 2 channel Oktodac though. It looks to be a beast... Serious chops on it |
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Post by optical on Mar 3, 2020 7:34:48 GMT
I'm still tempted by the 2 channel Oktodac though. Not enough XLR out's for me . . . . lol Looks a proper nice bit of kit. 'Stereo' version would fit the bill nicely. |
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Post by Bigman80 on Mar 3, 2020 7:35:55 GMT
I'm still tempted by the 2 channel Oktodac though. Not enough XLR out's for me . . . . lol Looks a proper nice bit of kit. 'Stereo' version would fit the bill nicely. 🤣 |
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