The AC modules are fully balanced at every stage, have no buffers, IV converters, or transistors in the signal path, and have no active devices used in the conversion process at all. Digital Audio Forum: DAC, Transports, Digital Processing Forum, 4x20A circuits | Audioquest Niagara 3000 | Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. It has the option for two PSUs and once you hear with both it becomes a necessity to have both. Our digital testing has been done over the last 20 + years There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. There hasn't been any direct comparison of them with Select II, Trinity DAC, CH D1/C1, Totaldac D12 etc in Hong Kong yet. JavaScript is disabled. auditioned the Rockna Wavedream Edition DAC. The video cannot be shown. Oppo Modwright BDP-205 full mod. Digital inputs : RCA coax, AES/EBU XLR, 2x Toslink optical, 2x module slots, word . The formats that is used in comparison test is all 16bit / 44.1KHz, not DSD The Result : 1st : Select DAC II Full Option - 100% 2nd : Trinity DAC - 90% those surpass any other digital choice. When I have done the comparison with other DACs I have had at the same time - Ayre QX5-Twenty, EAR Dac 4, exasound e32 - often the immediate impression is that DAVE/Blu 2 is not quite as good - a bit dryer sounding, not quite as smooth, not as airy or three dimensional And yet, over the longer term, it is deeply satisfying at a musical level in a way that the other DACs are not. I don't understand why Chord DACs have to be so damn ugly! Rori Impedance 100 Low Gain setting. Besides that the MSB looks so much better. You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. Gbel High End [Divin Noblesse], [Divin Marquis], ([Epoque Aeon Fine]). Analogue Volume Control 1dB from 0 to 106 Deactivable by menu, Dimensions ChassisWidth : 432 mmDepth: 305 mmHeight without feet: 51 mm. Hifi Pig is part of the Big Pig Media LLP group of companies. I would have loved if you heard them in the same system for a direct comparison. has 20 hours on it. I agree with your statement. I actually like the simplicity of this and it is very intuitive to use when you get into setting up and menu diving, though diving is over-egging it a bit as the Discrete is a doddle to set upif you do it right, but more on that in a while. After a year of listening to various components I'm content. Thanks guys! "OK, it would be. It is my name after all! 2 DAC | Audionet Pre G2 preamp | Audionet Max mono blocks | Vivid Audio Giya G2 Series 2 | 4 JL Audio Fathoms | Echole ICs /SCs / Siltech Classic 550L jumpers, Shunyata PCs / Eth. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. Dedicated Line DSD/DXD | Audirvana+ | iFi iDSD Nano | SET Tube Amp | Totem Mites, Surround: VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, DIY: SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. I could not so, after 2 years of trying, I bought it. The Discrete DAC Features - MSB Technology The Discrete DAC Refined sound. I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). You might want to consideradding oneof Chord's Upscalers, either HugoM scaler, or the Blu Mk. @ricred1, I would like to suggest you take a look at the Mola Mola Tambaqui when it arrives later this month I understand. Sonically it is very much as its name suggests and converts files faithfully and without loss or (importantly) embellishment. EAR FILLERS HiFi Pig Playlists on Qobuz, Transatlantic Dispatches: A New World Disorder, Astell&Kern Launch Three New Products At High End Munich 2022. Can I ask how you procured all those DACs? in this forum and they are all very good dacs. Euphony Summus, EtherRegen, MSB Discrete. Amplification: Cyrus Mono x300Signatures. To me, the instrumental timbre seems more accurate with DAVE than any other DACs I've heard. that it is difficult to say you have the best in regard to dacs but Rockna is Compared to some other similarly priced DACs ($10 - $15k MSRP) I prefer the Discrete with 2 Discrete PS. which make some people prefer this one to MSB Select II Point 85 Chord Dave and Mscaler (or Blue II transport) This one give transparent and 3D soundstage with excellent details. I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. I did try with just the one power supply and the Discrete remained a very strong performer with the differences being a very slight loss in the sense of separation and definition when listening intently. Always use!! Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (in part or in full) without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. At this kind of price, it puts Chord DAVE as being direct competition and I said that DAVE was the best DAC Id heard back in 2018. for instance, the Select II is modular (customers can easily change modules in seconds)so it has the ability to quickly modify its inputs to allow for optimization of various interfaces. That's just too money for the performance. The world's largest high-end audio community. Thank you all for your answers. Up to 1km lossless transmission. Get a Lampi Golden Gate Dac and match it with the RK5u4g rectifier and PX25 DHTs or the RK242 DHT. The Discrete is a genuine high fidelity DAC and a fabulously built one to boot, add in the modular input flexibility and you have a pretty stunning product with excellent future proofing. in this forum and they are all very good dacs. When you get the chance to hear Chord DAVE, try playing files bit perfect instead of upsampling them to DSD256 with HQPlayer. The SQ is amazingly good. Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). There ain't no Coupe deVille hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary tells me that the definition of high-fidelity (HiFi) is the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original and it would seem to be reasonable to assume that this is the goal of audiophiles around the world. Even at very low listening levels, it was clear that the MSB was delivering a clean analogue output to the ampand Im aware that sounds a bit vague. Funny how Rob Watts drones on and on about noise modulation, and then we see his product performing like this.. now one might not exactly call this noise modulation, but it definitely something to avoid, especially given the price tag. No matter what ice cream you prefer, I prefer something else. But in the specific case of the BADA and PM2, if you wish for me to be more precise, then taking into account that I only had the BADA ref for a very short time, the bottom line was that I didn't feel at the time that the difference between the PM2 in my system was significant enough to make it worth the energy to change components or the potential financial loss involved in a trade. I don't have that kind of money. Well this is going to set the cat amongst the pigeons for sure. I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? I hate to repeat myself, but there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences. Do diamonds shine on the dark side of the moon? It would be absolute suicide for an audio distributor to The demo model came in brushed aluminium but you can also get black. Thanks. What I do know is that the MSB brings an excellent level of performance by way of neutrality to a system that allows other parts of the system to do their thing its sort of the digital equivalent of a very (very) good cartridge. I have listened to MSB Analog DAC and Diamond DAC IV but not in the same setup as DAVE. Putting price aside, what are your thoughts about the Hugo TT as an integrated DAC+amp? I've tried it in my system and I don't like it. Thanks for the suggestion ecwl. We await Phase 2 where all DACs are assessed using upsampled data via your Lumin U1 to establish ranking and the preferred format through each. The Base module has two outputs (high and low) depending on whether you are outputting to a preamplifier or directly to a power amplifier. The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. You must log in or register to reply here. The Discrete DAC, The Premier DAC, The Reference DAC, The Select DAC II, Theater Master. You are using an out of date browser. I own the MSB Select II with the dual powerbases and 33 Femto Clock. Its not bombarding you with information, but it is a notably more defined sound with regards to the spatial information and the way that elements sit in the mix a tad more solidity and more of a sense of the stereo image being wider and deeper and with instruments and sounds occupying a definite space of their own. Tellurium Silver Diamond USB and Chord Blu. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/members/mikejazz/, funded this campain: http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671. Im sure it does have a flavour of its own, but from my standpoint, it sounds like a very neutral and transparent DAC. They are all excellent DACs and at that level of performance, it's ultimately about system synergy, personal preferences and the limitations of our hearing. Digital: Sonore opticalModule > Uptone EtherRegen > Shunyata Sigma Ethernet >Antipodes K30> Shunyata Omega USB> Gustard X26pro DAC < Mutec REF10 SE120, Amp& Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 >Aerial 10T, Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra,ShunyataDenali v1 andTyphon power conditioners,Shunyata Delta v2 and QSA Lanedri Gamma power cords, QSA Lanedri GammaRevelationinterconnect,Shunyata SigmaEthernet,MIT Matrix HD60speaker cables, ASC isothermal tube traps, Stillpoints Aperture panels. Personally, I think that both these standpoints have their merits and its going to be a case of you paying your money and you taking your choice. @astewart8944--two years ago in Feb of 17 i did audition the original Formula dac in my system directly compared to the Lampizator GG 1.5 and the Nagra HD and preferred the Formula for its greater space, lower noise, and more neutral and fast presentation. The other thing I've learned about the Chord Dave is it can sound very different depending on the interconnect and/or power cord used. I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. Cheers @Stereophilus The sonic signature is detailed and yet easy to listen to, with the Discrete bringing a sense of the recordings scale (big or small) to the listening experience. However, there is nothing wrong with "taking" recommendations, which help me build a list that I can use to research then find a way to audition my shortlist. Needless to say given everything talked about so far, the Prime DAC modules are made in-house and they have been making and designing discrete ladder DACs since 1999. Rori is definitely welcome. I could easily live with any of these. I called the distributor and we went through everything again. I have enjoyed my time with the MSB Discrete DAC a great deal. Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. Auction bid 7 150 25 . I can see the problem with this unit. So true jr, the discrete R2R Multibit dacs like the Terminator the Holo, MSB, Total ect ect have a life and a boogie factor to the music that DS dacs lack, and yes they do show up bad recordings. frequency response graphs, CSD waterfall plots, subjective gear reviews. The MSB simply sounded more real to my ears and offered a more convincing soundstage and tonality and all the tiny informations in the music where integrated in the musical flow whereas the DAVE simply sounded flat and not realistic to my ears and even lacked those tiny informations. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. At $20,000 I recommend the MSB Premier DAC with two power supplies (KeithRs system). The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system.. If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. I can see that in an A/B comparison, many other DACs sound more impressive than DAVE/Blu2. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can't beat the form factor of it though, great for off a desk top. Sources: Hiby R6, Fiio x3II, Fiio x5II DACs: Dave, Yggdrasil, Hugo, Hugo TT, U12. Of course your opinion on sound quality is your own, and valid, but to suggest that the reason for the difference is because the Chord is an "FPGA DAC" is technically incorrect. To each their own, but I think Chord sounds cold and artificial. In terms of sound quality, it's the best digital front end I . will every hear. Chord Dave DAC "Sealed Box Brand New" Never Opened !! The Discrete Power Supply feeds the DAC with dual low-noise power streams that are linear and independent. MSB are an American brand headed up by the brothers Jonathan and Daniel Gullman and located in Silicon Valley, California where they design and build a range of amplifiers, transports, and DACs. MSB Discrete Dac with one additional basic power supply. As a contented Qutest user, I would have hoped for "improved", performance from the Dave. But it need good system matching. Sign up for a new account in our community. November 11, 2020 in Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio. sounds like a more transparent Chord Dave to my ears. If you go reference you will never look back. The lo-res display also makes menu ]set-up fiddly because it doesn't have enough space to display words. The modular nature of the Discrete and other MSB DACs is very clever and I assume this goes a good way towards giving it such a neutral and detailed sound, where no one part is interfering with what the other is doing. Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to@Stereophilus. What effect does reconstruction filter have? Different songs will sound better with different sources - Different horses for different courses. The more observant of you will have read this and noticed that there is no mains inlet. You already have a very top tier DAC. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. You are using an out of date browser. Roon/Jriver 22 -> Ayre QX-5 Twenty -> Ayre AX-5 Twenty -> B&W N802D (Transparent Cables). Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile. It would have been a different outcome though with the Cyrus pre-amp I previously owned, which cast a veil over everything. Ill go through the modules included in the Discrete DAC and explain a little about each. This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. Any owners around here? What else should one expect? It's not just a matter of being polite, it's also about acknowledging that what we hear and what we prefer is uncertain and changes; that the comparisons were made at different points in time wherein my system had varying levels of resolution/ noise; the fact that making a change requires greater energy and usually more money than staying with what you have; and that sometimes the differences between components are not significant or actionable. @smodtactical I would not take price as any arbitrator of quality, especially nowadays. I've had many world class DACS in my studio over the years and the Crane Song is as good as any no matter the cost. You'll be shocked by how much you lose by going through a separate preamp. My wife said it Nice. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? When we set out to make the MSB remote, the design was built from the ground up. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. UPnP Protocol But MSB Select 2 is regarded by many as the best thats why for something 1/10 of the price to compete in anyones eyes is quite an accomplishment. personal preference. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. CH Precision C1 DAC. In that price range, you would be mad not to add the MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. Nothing was amiss. How r they comparing to the MSB Select 2 and Trinity? and the MSB Select II has a huge advantage over other dacs with its modularity and in-house development which promotes, in a very timely way, keeping the product at the very tip top cutting edge of digital interface developments. Right now my favorite music player is from the same manufacturer of the Phasure NOS1a DAC: Stealth LPS running XXHighEnd software; again with the same caveat that I haven't heard a lot of the other highly regarded music players in my system. This leaner and cleaner edge has the effect of adding a level of perceived detail to the listening experience. While it's an easy setup to wrangle at a show, it does seem like it wasn't doing either component any favours! https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rothschild-70aab85/, Headphones and Personal Audio with Pitch Perfect Service. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object. Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. Others might disagree but these are my findings. I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive.However, this was at a time when both units were a similar price. I believe it comes down to Many of these were already in a shootout on Audiogon with the same requirements - has to sound stellar on 16/44.1 tracks: I agree that the DAVE plus Blu 2 is spectacular, but not in a "hi fi" sense. This latter track is a good track for me to play when listening to new kit as it is basically a drum machine and an acid box and this latter did sound just like a 303 there in the room. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. This one has similar sound signature to MSB Premier But it is half notch below MSB Premier on dynamics, details, soundstage. Have you thought about hooking up a Blu2 to Dave? The reasoning behind the two clocks dealing with different frequency families is that music is mostly recorded within multiples of the 44.1kHz family or the 48kHz family and having a clock dealing with each family minimises loss. It is bested easily by DACs at $150. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. Fixed. I'm also a very patient person and can wait for the right bit of kit at the right price to come up secondhand. MSB Technology Discrete Modular DAC Page 2. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). Height with feet: 68 mm Weight: 8.2 kg, Accessories included: Manual Remote control Aluminum MSB USB charging cable 4 X Spikes and Cups 4 X plastic inserts Power connector splitter, MERASON FRROT DAC REVIEW The Merason Frrot DAC costing 995 isn't the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Switzerland. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. The best upgrade for Dave easy. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. I mean is it audibly noticeable? So thats it and I think the only thing I think Ive left out of the build part of this DAC is the 3 buttons and the knob on the front panel which are used for manually changing the volume and menu diving, though all this can be done from the remote. It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. Almost all gear I hear is pretty good and some are great but the most expensive ones are not universally the best to my ears. It could sound analytical or hot coupled with bright combination of speaker and amplifier. The end result is a digital experience defying expectations. Chord states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. MSB thrives off the innovation required to meet consumer demands. But the differences between great DACs is small. The headamp is powerful but not involving. Daedalus Audio Apollo 11's. REL S3/SHO. Stay updated on Bloom Audio at their. It is a pretty DAC but usability is left behind. Your web browser does not support iFrames. Is it too hot to touch? I thought the DAVE was just as stunning with DSD as PCM. Along with an integrated clock, changing this card allows switching between single-ended and balanced outputs. ISOAcoustics Oreas footers. Once you start playing a tune the DAC works out the sample rate and chooses the correct playback clock. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. You already have a very top tier DAC. I know it is a standard talking point by some to suggest that Chord DACs aren't as good with DSD as PCM. A Chord DAC converts to analog via Chord's "Pulse Array DAC" which is a discrete circuit, similar to the discrete circuit used in the MSB DACs (but not the same). I did have the BADA Ref in my system for a short audition, and the Trinity And CH Precision C1 for a longer stay during a previous iteration of my system. "To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? This all-American theme is continued in the companys PCB Shop where they use circuit boards produced for them in Silicon Valley, which are then made ready for the automated adding of the smaller components and hand-fitting bulkier components before washing and inspection.
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