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Apr 17, 2022 9:36:38 GMT
antonio likes this
Post by croftie on Apr 17, 2022 9:36:38 GMT
Hi
My name is Mike but I have used the marque Croftie because a great fan of this underrated because not widely know or heard marque. I am here because I was told about a Midlands event and I live in Worcester so not a million miles away . I was on the ASR site found it useful but some of the people who post on there slightly evangelical ( is that an oxymoron not sure) .
Anyway I initially want to do some blind listening tests of DACs initially it was a Beresford v Topping but now much more interested in a Denfrip Aries 2 v a Gustard X16/18 really . I have noticed a lot of people on ASR posted about transparency and measurements, I also suspect but don’t know many are not valve /analogue fans . I favour long term listenability ( 1 1/2 hours sometimes more every evening without fail , often more unless partner drags me through to watch Netflix so probably prefer a bit of colour in the sound I like ? Long term valve user and now bitten the bullet and gone hybrid . Would like a Decware SET to power my Beauhorns anybody on the site have one near Worcester or a pair of Decware 3 speakers ?
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optical
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Apr 17, 2022 9:51:41 GMT
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antonio likes this
Post by optical on Apr 17, 2022 9:51:41 GMT
Hi My name is Mike but I have used the marque Croftie because a great fan of this underrated because not widely know or heard marque. I am here because I was told about a Midlands event and I live in Worcester so not a million miles away . I was on the ASR site found it useful but some of the people who post on there slightly evangelical ( is that an oxymoron not sure) . Anyway I initially want to do some blind listening tests of DACs initially it was a Beresford v Topping but now much more interested in a Denfrip Aries 2 v a Gustard X16/18 really . I have noticed a lot of people on ASR posted about transparency and measurements, I also suspect but don’t know many are not valve /analogue fans . I favour long term listenability ( 1 1/2 hours sometimes more every evening without fail , often more unless partner drags me through to watch Netflix so probably prefer a bit of colour in the sound I like ? Long term valve user and now bitten the bullet and gone hybrid . Would like a Decware SET to power my Beauhorns anybody on the site have one near Worcester or a pair of Decware 3 speakers ? First off a big welcome Mike. Been through some Croft gear myself, does absolutely nothing wrong and reasonably priced too. I hear exactly what you're saying regarding recognising you prefer a slightly warmer 'coloured' sound as you say. Everyone here has their own preferences too and there's no right or wrongs, just enjoyment, that's the goal. Lots of guys here (including myself) experiencing the virtues of going up the DAC chain, case in point I have a Soekris which is incredibly transparent and faithful to reproduction but I also have a valve output TDA1541 chipped DAC which I like to plug in from time to time. Look forward to your findings and experience. Chris. |
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Apr 17, 2022 10:05:10 GMT
Post by antonio on Apr 17, 2022 10:05:10 GMT
Welcome Mike, nothing wrong with liking a warmer/coloured presentation, but don't go saying that on ASR they'd have you shot  I'll be attending the Dudley meet up and bringing a couple of dac's Calyx 192/24 and a XianSheng 05a mk2, so you would be able to compare if you decided to attend. |
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Apr 17, 2022 10:05:16 GMT
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Post by sq225917 on Apr 17, 2022 10:05:16 GMT
Just pick what you like Mike, no ideology allegience required. I use a modded Gustard A18 dac, it's probably not the sound you're after if you want a warm sound the x16 etc and similar models sound the same.
Topping d90 and variants, smsl400, you'll not tell any of them apart in an unsighted test.
The Soerkis, Aries and other r2r dacs might be more your flavour.
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Apr 17, 2022 10:07:32 GMT
Post by misterc on Apr 17, 2022 10:07:32 GMT
Here's a left field suggestion Gustrad X22 not made anymore buts it far more engaging than the X26pro If you can find one a Topping D90 (Non MQA & ESS)
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Apr 17, 2022 10:26:36 GMT
Post by macca on Apr 17, 2022 10:26:36 GMT
Hi Mike
It was me who mentioned the Midlands meet up to you on ASR
I can bring along a Topping DAC if you still want to do that comparison.
We all have to find our own audio nirvana and it won't necessarily be the same as someone else's. Although there is often a surprising (or maybe not so surprising) amount of overlap.
Most of the more experienced people on ASR understand that, what they object to is people making absurd technical claims to justify their preferences. Which I think is fair enough.
The way I see it no-one has to justify their preferences to anyone but at the same time there's no need for bullshitting about them either.
Anyways - Hope to see you there.
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Apr 17, 2022 10:32:52 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 17, 2022 10:32:52 GMT
I've been up the DAC ladder, including a Halo Audio ladder DAC!
But I've come back down again, not for financial reasons but because I've found that I prefer the sound of older digital technology. The newer, technically near perfect DACs tend to leave me cold.
Just try a few things (I'm quite well known for doing that) and find out what you like. As has been said, there are no wrongs or rights, just preferences.
My first ever valve amp was a Croft 4SA, and then a Series 5, lovely things, so I can empathise with your choice of ID!
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 17, 2022 11:04:43 GMT
Hi croftie A Warm, valve bases welcome to you. There are a great many of us here who have crossed paths with a Croft or two. My own experience of Croft equipment is very positive. First transformative moment but n HiFi was with a friend's Croft system with Spendor speakers. Since then I've had a 4, 4s and a 5 through here. Selling the modified series 5 is still a sore point. Blind testing DACs ...... Sounds like fun. I should have another DAC here in a few weeks plus my Soekris, so I would be more than happy to participate. You are more than welcome to join us at the bakeoff too. It's shaping up to he an interesting day. Oliver. |
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Apr 17, 2022 14:43:34 GMT
Post by misterc on Apr 17, 2022 14:43:34 GMT
I have a great idea, if Oli feels iits appropraite. We could set up another system in the other corner fo the room and have a dac off, a certifed SP meter could keep the levels matched and we can finially see if all dac's do sound the same. Also a good time see if actually having a measurbator sinad of 129db+ actually really does equate to a better sound. Can bring the Audio analyser along and measure your dac AFTER you have listned to it, no expectation bias there. Happy to measure what ever piece of equipment you have NO chrage some of you just maybe curious
Oli's system would be good for this as it respectably transparent and open
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Apr 17, 2022 15:45:37 GMT
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Post by sq225917 on Apr 17, 2022 15:45:37 GMT
I'll bring a big black bag to hide everything so people can't say what they see.
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Apr 17, 2022 15:49:50 GMT
Bigman80 likes this
Post by misterc on Apr 17, 2022 15:49:50 GMT
I'll bring a big black bag to hide everything so people can't say what they see. The good lady's handbag would suffice as it doubles up as the black hole of Calcutta as nothing seems to come out of it, yet everything goes in! |
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,430
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Post by Bigman80 on Apr 17, 2022 16:03:21 GMT
I have a great idea, if Oli feels iits appropraite. We could set up another system in the other corner fo the room and have a dac off, a certifed SP meter could keep the levels matched and we can finially see if all dac's do sound the same. Also a good time see if actually having a measurbator sinad of 129db+ actually really does equate to a better sound. Can bring the Audio analyser along and measure your dac AFTER you have listned to it, no expectation bias there. Happy to measure what ever piece of equipment you have NO chrage some of you just maybe curious
Oli's system would be good for this as it respectably transparent and open
I'd be absolutely fine with that ...... Maybe measure the phonostages too? |
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Post by macca on Apr 17, 2022 16:11:03 GMT
. Also a good time see if actually having a measurbator sinad of 129db+ actually really does equate to a better sound. And we could place all the strawmen around the room for better acoustics.  |
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Apr 17, 2022 16:42:07 GMT
Post by misterc on Apr 17, 2022 16:42:07 GMT
I have a great idea, if Oli feels iits appropraite. We could set up another system in the other corner fo the room and have a dac off, a certifed SP meter could keep the levels matched and we can finially see if all dac's do sound the same. Also a good time see if actually having a measurbator sinad of 129db+ actually really does equate to a better sound. Can bring the Audio analyser along and measure your dac AFTER you have listned to it, no expectation bias there. Happy to measure what ever piece of equipment you have NO chrage some of you just maybe curious
Oli's system would be good for this as it respectably transparent and open
I'd be absolutely fine with that ...... Maybe measure the phonostages too? No problem with that Oli at all. |
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Post by misterc on Apr 17, 2022 16:44:08 GMT
And we could place all the strawmen around the room for better acoustics.  We certainly could Martin as long as you are prepared to keep standing them every time they are blown over |
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Apr 17, 2022 23:29:23 GMT
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Post by sq225917 on Apr 17, 2022 23:29:23 GMT
It doesn't take much to knock down a strawman after all
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Apr 18, 2022 4:27:44 GMT
Post by antonio on Apr 18, 2022 4:27:44 GMT
I'll bring a big black bag to hide everything so people can't say what they see. You don't have to do that Simon, we'll take you as we find you  |
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