Hey Matt I'm curious why no USB input on the Berkeley is a deal breaker for you? IIRC your stated goal was the best playback of redbook. If that's the case not having a USB input really doesn't matter since you could just use an SPDIF input..
I also think you should seriously consider using something other than a Mac Mini as a source. There are several units that will handily outperform the Mini.. and for not a lot of money..I'd recommend that you look into an Auralic Aries, or a Moon Mind, both out perform a Mini and both will output SPDIF (the Aries has USB and various SPDIF outs) and they're both very reasonably priced, and with either you could still use the Mini for storing your files ( although a Nas would be better)
Or if you wanted to keep things even simpler you might want to consider an Aurrender, if you wanted to go with a one box solution.
In any case I think the Mini may start to be a limiting factor in the performance of any Dac you end up with. |
Wired ethernet like Devialet uses for there AIR streaming. |
Matt the Aries has a firmware update due out in a day or so that will allow for Local USB use.. You'll now also be able to just hook up a USB drive directly to the Aries. As far as sound quality goes I'd certainly expect a unit with Femto Clocks and an external Linear power supply to out perform a computer. If nothing else it's got a way better from factor, and it's got lots of internal horsepower for upgrades in firmware. And Auralic is spending big money on programmers to make thing work as they should.. |
I have the Devialet 200.. And I'm very happy with it.. |
@Agear,
It's not the sound quality of the digital section that has folks (also me) trying different renderers and servers, it's Devialet's current built in streamer AIR. AIR sounds outstanding and works pretty good with the occasional hiccup, but it needs to have a computer running on the network.. no upnp built in..
But wait there's more :-) Devialet just announced their Dialog device and Spark control point, which looks as if it'll add upnp and streaming capabilities without the need for a computer running on the network..It's supposed to sell for $400.00 and if it does what it's supposed to do (I expect it will) Bam! Home Run Baby :-)
And DSD will most likely become available around the Munich show this year..
All in all it's an awesome turnkey product that punches way above it's weight and really helps one to get off the audio merry go round and just sit back and enjoy the music.. |
@agear.. I've been following that dev chat thread for a while now.. Seems that everyone that's heard the Totaldac server is in love with it and that the Moon a Mind is great too except the control point for it sucks. The Aries seems to not fair as well but I'm happy with mine.
What I'm looking forward to is the new Devialet Dialog.. $400.00 and supposedly their Spark control point is killer.. Like Sonos good. If the Dialog sounds killer then the combo could be a real game changer. |
The problem with making cable pronouncements is that cables are very much equipment dependent... To say xyz cable beats abc cable is pointless unless the equipment used is exactly the same as ones own.. |
My point exactly Matt! My example is I was using an Audioquest Diamond USB cable, highly reviewed and from what was written a great sounding cable.. but I wasn't sure after a few months of listening.. A friend suggested that I try a Wireworld Platinum Eclipse.. Based on the reviews I figured the Wireworld wouldn't be as good a match, boy was I wrong.. In My System. the Wireworld trounced the Audioquest.. and sounded nothing like what various reviewers said about it.
Matt what I would strongly recommend is that once you settle on equipment more or less, that you borrow some cables from The Cable Company.. I think you'll find it really enlightening and far less expensive than buying, trying and then selling.. |
Matt I'm wondering if you're still using the Mac Mini as your source? Because if so I'd really suggest that before you make a decision on speakers and do this home audition that you consider how much the Mini is effecting what you're hearing, because it is.. more than you realize.. FWIW I'd recommend looking into an Aurender..at least get demo of one.. it will change your thoughts on lots of stuff. |
Too warm as in sonically or physically? If it's sonically maybe you ought to consider all the room treatments first..Then you can back in what improves things.. |
Matt if the room is that hot why not just pipe some AC in there if your room is in the basement it should'nt be a big deal? |
I suggest that much dissatisfaction with digital ( and I'm not saying analog may not be better) is with the front ends folks use.. I'm convinced that a Mac Mini, or an old cd player as transport just doesn't get it. I recently switched to the relatively inexpensive Aurender N100H and the difference between that and an Auralic Aries is shocking. I think that anyone who's trying to do a state or edge of the art digital front end needs to at least consider where the digits are coming from. Comparing a really good TT setup with a really good cartridge to a OK digital setup isn't really fair. To Matt I'd say you really need to get an Aurender to listen to. Mac Mini is ok but nowhere near cutting edge, not close. The Audender W20 would be the one but theres the new N10 or even an N100H would work.. I think you'll be very surprised.. |
I'm not surprised that "Guys" have said their computer is as good or better.. What are they going to say :-)
Bob V. is now an Aurender dealer.. I'm sure he'll hook you up.. And I wouldn't be surprised if the new N10 sounds better.. The Aurender guys are pretty on the ball.. |
Matt .. You should listen to the JBL Everest DD67000.. I think it's exactly what you're looking for |
Hi Mattenshilp..interesting.. Here's my take. Stop worrying about the gear! First just wait for the PSA Directstream. I should have mine Tuesday ( I also have PWD MKII) I suspect it will be shockingly good from all accounts, and looking at more expensive Dac's it this point doesn't make sense.
From looking at the pics of your system you need to setup what you have correctly. The Vienna's are WAY to close to the back wall for starters, I can't tell but the spacing between them looks off.
You also need at the very least to get drapes or something over all the glass around and behind your speakers. Are there any carpets on the floor? Your room needs work much more than you need to buy more expensive gear. Just throwing money at better gear without addressing the room and setup makes little sense. I can 100% guarantee you that you haven't even heard just how good what you already own sounds!
You mentioned a Shunyata hydra av.. Good choice.. Have you done dedicated AC lines? Huge upgrade for small dollars, and the absolute foundation of a great system.
There are numerous tweaks you could do to get your system really dialed in.. Tweaks that would be fairly inexpensive..
Keep in mind it's Speakers/placement > Room> and then everything else!
I'm also in central-ish NJ glad to help if I can :-)
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Matt is using a WireWorld Platinum Eclipse USB cable.. It's a good one but not necessarily always the best choice.. there seems to be much variation in USB cables and USB implementations..
And some Dac's don't sound nearly as good through their USB inputs as SPDIF, or vice versa .. The ODSE comes to mind since its an optimized for USB Dac.. So in some ways some of his impressions may not be accurate where the other Dac's are concerned.. In other words the Roland may crush the ODSE on SPDIF were as the ODSE sounds better due to it's USB implementation..
I think a better methodology for his testing might have been to use both a USB "and" a SPDIF source.. |
