Putting together a reference level system. My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's. For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.
I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.
Upsampling vs non-upsampling? USB input vs SPDIF?
All opinions welcome.
And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.
Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
Thanks so much for the post and the help. I sold my OSDE knowing the QX-5/Twenty is out as well as Steve's new DAC. I may be able to afford his new DAC if something comes through this next week or so, and that's now on the table. I'll be getting the Melco to use as a NAS for the Ayre or if I get the OSDX it will also become the server. If I don't do the Melco, I'll be getting the new QNAP 471 NAS as it's powerful enough to install an SSD in one slot and run Roon which I want. Either of these set ups allow me to run an all Ethernet connection, but I realized that my house was never wired for Ethernet.
Ketch, I guess I have two questions: 1. can I guy the Apple Time Machine as my router connected to the Comcast modem and then use the Apple Extreme I think they call it, to use Ethernet connections for all of this?
2. You mention the type of Ethernet connection. You said: The Ethernet has galvanic isolation. I will test to see if Giso (galvanic isolator) or Waversa Smarthub (LiPo Powered, ethernet re-clocker/filter audiophile switch) have any sonic improvement and report back.
Are these built into Steve's unit or are these something my Ethernet cords will be connected to and then that connects to the DAC?
Thanks. Learning so much about digital lately that it's scary, lol.
Still the best thread on the net for digital audio!!
It has been sometime since I posted on this thread but have been keeping up for the most part.
I received the ODSX Friday and per Steve Nugent will break in on my secondary system for another week 24/7. It has been since January of 2015 since I owned the ODSE. Since then, I have had the pleasure to audition and hear some new and some prototype dacs. That said, I am certainly glad I have this new unit. Unfortunately I will be unable to do direct a to b with the ODSE.
Although a more formal impression will be forthcoming, without question I would avoid the USB input and opt for the internal Ethernet direct to I2S converter, especially the M2Tech USB. Personally, I have never been a fan of the XMOS due to stability issues over many dac manufactures. M2Tech was more stable in this regard.
This Ethernet input is absolutely stable (unlike USB), produces a superior sound observed in dacs other than the ODSX, negates the need to use a server, negates the need of a driver, and I am able to stream direct Tidal, Linn, Qbuz up to 24/192 using Linn Kazoo and Bubble UPnP. This is very easy to set up and use. I will report back regarding ROON. This I am researching. From the ROON website, they are willing to take in sample units from manufacturers and task their RAAT proprietary software to specific hardware. Steve however is a one man show and if this cost anything to the cottage industry producer, ROON will not be an option. However, I will send my unit in to them if they are willing.
The Ethernet has galvanic isolation. I will test to see if Giso (galvanic isolator) or Waversa Smarthub (LiPo Powered, ethernet re-clocker/filter audiophile switch) have any sonic improvement and report back.
I know Matt and others have sent their units in for updates. Ditch USB and you will be glad.
Like the ODSE the ODSX runs hot. I sent my thermal measurements to Steve and he believes this is not an issue. The region over the Ethernet to I2S converter is the hottest but stable regardless of output gain setting. The rest of the unit will get proportionally hotter from low to high volume and low and high gain settings. If you have a high gain system like I do, then set it to low gain. Having it on high gain is not an issue per Steve, but it will run as hot or hotter than 300b tubes.
To everyone here, enjoy your holiday weekend and play safe.
Erik you read something into my comments that I never said. I was planning to get this Ayre with a Melco when I purchased thEmpirical as I've know. All about it for a bit. What Steve did to my mini server has it sounding outstanding. I'd have kept them both and been very happy. If sharing that I never said what you said I did is attitude so be it I guess. L was laughing the whole time typing Erik. Upgrading doesn't mean that you need better sound it can also mean you love what you have but can afford what you ultimately want. How many in this thread love to upgrade when they can afford it?
I just shared that you were totally incorrect trying to reason why I'm making moves. I know a few others reading this thread who are laughing too. Not taking it as seriously as you may believe.
Wow, for some one not here to fight you type with a lot of attitude.
Let me rephrase my meaning in a kinder, gentler Erik in the hopes that any attitude present on my own writing is taken away.
I only meant that if you need to upgrade a source component a lot to make it sound good it makes me question the value of the source to begin with. So, not being an expert or caring to spend a lot of money or time on Mac Mini's, your perspective made me even less willing to try a Mac Mini as a source.
That's all. Not worth fighting about. I think Mac Mini's are adorable, but between your comments and my previous two listening experience, I'm unlikely to rush out and get one for music listening.
What are you talking about Erik? What point? Proves nothing other than I am upgrading again as I have been planing for ages. The digital system I have/selling is awesome and worthy to be in the highest of systems. I already miss the darn thing. The DCS, Trinity and Berk Ref are the only other DAC's I've personally heard enough of to like better than the OSDE/SE. As for the Mac Mini, it sounds nothing like other servers I've heard. I do feel some of them are better, but they are also in another price range totally. I'm not sure the N10H sound better. Different, but not sure it's better. That's nearly 3k for the server. I do know the ones lower I don't like. I hope that servers that are new and much more costly sound better. If not, there's a problem. If you want to try and read into my mind and come up with something that isn't true to let you prove a point, go ahead. Very strange response, but I'm not here to fight. I'm sure that you are correct in all your assumptions Erik. Still don't understand the second part of your post and I had someone contact me off board to ask what you meant in your post. Congrats on waiting to get something for nothing. I'm glad you love your system. That's what audio is all about. :)
ctsooner kind of proves my point. :) That's a lot of upgrading to make a source sound good.
I'm sticking to my Logitech Squeezebox until the Zombie apocalypse happens, thank you very much. Then I plan to walk into an empty audio store and pick up something for free.
The Mini that I have was totally rebuilt by Steve himself as it was his old server he used at shows. I has it's limit, but with the Hynes regulated power supply and all the mods he did, it's not like any mini I've ever heard. I'm about to purchase the Melco to use only as a NAS eventually. As I think I've posted, this is the unit that the Ayre folks use with their QX-5/Twenty. Even if I don't get the new Ayre, the Melco will be a great NAS and can be used as the streamer/server also. With the new update to the Melco, you can easily rip to it also and I know they are even working on an optical drive of their own that will just rip quickly and easily with dbpoweramp.
So a couple of the worst sounding reproductions I’ve heard came from a Mac Mini. Not sure if it was really a Mac issue or coincidental. One was with the Oppo high end headphone DAC/Amp.
The other was the sound of an Ayre QB-9. I love Ayre and the Pono. They sound warm and rich but the one time I heard a QB-9 playing from a Mac it sounded really hard. Another listener who owns a QB-9 said the same thing.
I don’t think it’s worthwhile going crazy making the Mac Mini audiophile grade, but it may be something to watch out for. I don’t know if the issue was ground loops, or what.
In any event, I likd Shiidt, Audio Research and Parasound’s Z DAC a lot, as well as the Ayre DAC’s, of course! :) Actually I got to hear all of those (except the Z DAC) driven off a Mac Mini, and only the Ayre was a real disappointment, it just did not sound as good as I know it could have. The other three, the Shiidt and AR were my favorites. I forgot now what kind of hoops they ended up jumping through, USB Isolators, or cables, etc. but in that environment if I had to listen via a Mini, I'd choose the Shiidt or AR.
Money, time and effort no object I'd try to make the Ayre sound good. :)
Marc, I totally agree with you. So often people scoff at budget gear, but there's a market for them, because you can hear a nice difference. Honestly, I have an old Krell Stealth Dac that I'm putting into my system tomorrow. It doesn't have USB, but it had balanced, two coax and a couple or so optical. I've had it in the system before and it's really nice for an older piece. I'm about to place it up for sale as some folks just love Krell pieces, but I've heard a ton of DAC's from 1500 down that are really nice sounding. Incremental upgrades are what audio is all about. Then you have to figure out where you have to jump off the train.
Since I finished my listening room, I changed (or upgraded) all my equipments piece by piece. As i said in a previous post my last device to buy is a good DAC. So I started a long process to test different devices. In the same time, I still don't have DAC. So I can not listen my music and it's very frustating because all is ready to run. I talk about that with my friend Chris and he says to me : 'Just buy a small DAC'... after a several stupid arguments about the sound quality of budget's DAC and my audiophile ears, he said : 'Just buy the new Idac2 from Ifi. It's not expensive and it's realy good'. 350 $... why not.
So, I did it. I received the 'Gadget' one week ago and you know what? I'm blown away by the quality of this product. Really. It's so small, tiny, and inexpensive.... Wow. Of course it's not in the same range than a Pavane or an Overdrive, but honestly I can live with it without any problem. And because ifi products are really inexpensive, I will buy the iUSB 3 to test if the USB 3 is better for sound than the USB 2.... In fact, inexpensive products are sometime surprising.
Yes it's always is about system matching so I can understand part of your thoughts. I do find it strange as I have heard vinyl and digital on some incredible systems that were put together with system matching as the key ingredient and vinyl has always sounded a bit more relaxed and as detailed for lack of a better word. Digital certainly does some things much much better and vinyl does things much much better.
I honestly believe it's all about what you are used to and how you listen. Some folks have grown up on digital and only know that as a format, while many of us cut our teeth on vinyl. Listen, I LOVE master tape even better than both, but that's not a realistic format for me and my money, lol....
I think that digital is finally catching up to vinyl in it's overall presentation, but it's very expensive for digital to do it still. I can take a 1k TT rig and that includes a MM cartridge and is blows the doors off even the Codex, which IMHO is the best sounding (to my ears as well as many others I speak with) under 3k DAC (it's around 1500 I believe).
I see the merit in both and have a lot of money tied up in both, but will only buy some used records and won't spend anymore on my TT rig. I will however be selling off my OSDE/SE soon as well as my music server that Steven sold to me in order to do some major upgrades in digital. I'm still not 100% on selling the OSDE as it is still one of the best DACs I've heard under 13k which seems to be the new standard of entry into the top DAC's going. I"m waiting for the new Ayre QX-5 as I was told by a couple of folks who have extensive time with it that it's priced to be the killer DAC in the marketplace. The chips should be in house for real production by the beginning of August I believe. I also use headphones on weekend mornings and it has a nice amp as well as a streamer so all you need is a NAS or hard drive filled with songs to play. It also has a Roon endpoint so I guess you can use your iPad and Roon as your app. Learning a ton and this thread is amazing. Thanks again Matt. Greatly appreciated.
Interesting. On the paper Digital is far away better, but Vinyl still sound better. Why ?
Few years ago,I had a very interesting experience with a friend that I want share with you.
Chris (my friend) is a pure Vinyl guy. I am a pure Digital guy. And of course we had a lot of discussion about that (recurrent and long discussion).
One day I decided to go the Chris house with my Music server and my Dac. When I listened my music on Chris's System the sound was horrible. But on my system the sound was good (not fantastic but good). The same record from a Chris's Vinyl sounded incredible good. I was traumatise. So, I started to think, may be I should switch to Vinyl. In this perspective, I asked to Chris to come to my house to tested his turntable and phono-preamp on my system. He came few day after. Surprise, this time my sound was really better than his Vinyl. Why ?
Chris and I use dedicated systems for Vinyl and Digital. We don't mix Digital and Vinyl on the same system.
The conclusion was really interresting because at this momment I realized that I like Digital source and analog sound. So, now I choose my equipment based on that. For exemple : in my living room I use Verity Audio Speakers. When I move the Verity to my listening room the sound this bad (too ' digital'). So, I decided to use Audio Note AN-J speakers to have more musicality. Same with audio Cables. Chris uses Nordost Wallaha cables, but in my system they sound bad. Shunyata is far away better in my system. Etc...
I think it's difficult (may be impossible) to have the same equal good sound from Vinyls and Digitals source in the same system. Digital can be very very closed to Vinyl sound (sometines better) if the system is dedicated and design to have this sort of performance.
I have a great digital set up at home, but my vinyl is better in many areas as I've posted. I know others in this thread who also love their vinyl still. When you clean your records with ultra sound and then vacuum, it usually takes out all the grunge in the grooves as well as the static. This really isn't a vinyl vs digital, it's about the top digital for redbook. With the new DAC's/Streamers coming out I think the landscape is changing for the better. It's a great time to be into audio
Fully aware of vinyl and it's limitations. some of the top phono amps take all the equalization curves into play and are adjustable. I have a top preamp as well as a top DAC or at least very good. I do love my digital, but Vinyl for some reason is more relaxed. I do wish I had an equalizer for RECORDINGS, especially 70 and 80's rock. Just a goose here or a goose there would really help greatly regardless of what the source is.
I think you made a great post and brought out vinyl problems that most don't usually discuss.
Sorry I really don't know who is the dealer for Metrum in US. I am canadian and my dealer is here... But I am pretty sure you can have information by contact directly Metrum (info@metrum-acoustics.nl).
About the Vinyl sound. I started my Audiophile life with vinyls records. When I discovered the RIAA curve (10 years after using vinyls), I realized that the vinyl sound is totally artificial because you need to apply an strong equilization to create a vinyl (to managed Bass impact) and apply a counter-equilization to listen correctly the record (it's the primary function for phono-preamp).
It's always funny to ask to an Audiophile who spend a lot of money on turntable and phono-preamp : Do you want use a equalizer to correct the sound of your system. Everybody, without any exception says : Of course not ! I am an audiophile !
IMHO (and it's just my opinion, please don't jump on me) a lot of people are confused about Vinyl and Sound. Vinyl don't sound better than digital. The both are limited in terms of dynamique, frequencies, etc... If you use a good phono-preamp or a good DAC your sound should be good in the both case. I know a lot of people who have bad sound with vinyl records because their equipments are not good enough.
I think people like analog sound not vinyl sound. For me the real challenge is here : how to have a real relax, detail and warm analog sound.
Not to get off track, but do you guys still play vinyl? I got my Rhea up and working with my Basis TT and Benz Glider cart yesterday. Cleaned the albums nicely and got the static off. Honestly, it's still been better than digital by a hair. I need to get a new server, but I am running Steve's totally rebuilt one with the Paul Hynes power supply and it sounds incredible through the OSDE/SE with the upgrades. The Vinyl just has a more relaxed presentation and a much larger and better placed sound stage. It's hard for me to describe. I love digital though in that I can stream Tidal (once I get a unit to set that up on as I've kept the mac mini off the grid) etc... On Sunday's I'll probably always listen to vinyl until the wife wakes up and I"ll put on digital to play all day long.
Nice review Marc. Your words pretty well mirror what I have been hearing for the past year of owning the Pavane. I don’t know whether it is an "absolute top tier dac" but it certainly makes listening fun. The combination of Pavane and Antipodes DX results in the best sounding source I have owned.
As promised here the feedback of my listening session with the Metrum Pavane.
Before starting, please note that i am not a professional reviewer, it's just my personal opinion and my personal taste, my personal experience.
The session was driving by Samuel Furon owner of L'Atelier Audio in Montreal. For some of you, this name is not unknow. Sam is also co-founder of Ocellia who produces high-end audio equipment (speacker, electronic and cables).
It's always pleasant to make a listening session with a very real sound engineer.
Time to talk about the Pavane. The device is solid, heavy, and well finish. Pavane is a real NOS Dac. No DSD here, No MQA. First surprise : the Pavane don't make any oversamplig. So if the source is 16/44 the Pavane reproduce the sound of the source without any modification. This is the sort of feature that is like in NOS Dac.
The Pavane sound is neutral, agile, hyper detail, never harsh, always highly musical. With a 16/44 source the sound is really surprising.
The first impression with the Pavane is very special. It's like if the sound literally jump outside of the speaker. You have the sound in the face but it's never agressive. it's wow !
Second things to note: On vocals, specially with Jazz, the voice is push in front of the stage. The direct impact is on the soundstage. It's deep. Incredibly deep.
All details in the music are reproduces with precision and subtlety. It's never analytic or harsh. it's always musical and elegant.
IMHO for people (like me) who want a immersive experience with the music, this DAC is really good. If you looking for a DAC for ambient music it's not the good choice.
I'm monitoring a couple of the newer DAC's that are about to come to market. I know some folks who have heard the two I'm looking into and feel there is enough there for me to listen to them. If I like them, I'll be selling my OSDE/SE, but it's going to really take a lot for that to happen as it's such a tremendous DAC still. Steve just understands how to filter and clock properly and he uses the best components you can use for audio. I've heard most of the DAC's in Matt's thread so far and only a few better Steve's and those all cost over 15k. That's for MY ears and in MY system in MY listening room. That takes nothing away from other DAC's as they may be more to someone else's liking in their room........you get the point. Thanks. :)
This is one of the most interresting thread that I read since a long time. It took me 3 days to read all posts since the beginning (lol). But I did it ! Long short story, I have the same need than Matt concerning my next DAC. My equipments are more modest than Matt's devices, but I work on it, and the sound begin to be good (for me). After 15 years as an Audiophie I can say the best investment that I did as an Audiophile is to build a dedicated listening room. Trust me when you have a dedicated room with a perfect acoustic design, it's a huge improvement in term of music.
My last weakness point is actually my DAC. The Overdrive DAC seems to be really good, but I didn't tested it for the momment (but it's in my plan). I found a dealer to test the Metrum Pavane. There are a lot of good review about it and the price is in the same range than the ODSE. I will listen it tomorrow and I will give you a feedback after that.
I also want test the E22 from Exasound, and the new Veritas from Resonessence Labs. Yggdrassil is also in my list but i not sure if the Dac is in the same category than the ODSE or the Pavane in terms of performance.
If you have a DAC that can do high speed DSD.......from what I have read....then you really want HQplayer on your Server/AudioPC. Seems everyone who has heard it is raving about DSD upsampling with HQplayer. The new $4000 T+A DAC can do DSD512 and has discrete DSD decoder. Check out What’s Best for info and also Computer Audiophiles description of the Berlin show and the comments that follow. The Gustard DAC that I am modding can supposedly do DSD512 and we are working on getting 512 going in the next couple of weeks.
Of course, the new Meitner is already upsampling everything to DSD1024.....however, it still might sound better using HQplayer to upsample to 512 first. Trouble is, the Meitner (at this time) is limited to taking DSD 128 into its usb port. This is weird since there are DSD256 files available to download.
You can make your own audio only PC that can run Roon and HQplayer at the same time.....Roon to select and HQplayer to play through its better sounding upsampling software. John Makela (Quadman) has made an audio PC for not much money that combined with some usb isolators interfaced into a level one modded Gustard playing 128 or 256DSD via HQplayer sounds better than his $20,000 turntable with a $5000 cartridge. And this is just playing 16/44!!!!! Information on how to make such a computer is on my website (tweakaudio.com) linked off the Gustard mod page. I will be making one soon. The modded Gustard sounds outrageous just playing 16/44 files......what is it going to sound like upsampling files to 512 via HQplayer?.....cannot wait! This should be fantastic!
That's what I've been thinking Matt I've heard all of them and am impressed. I will wait until fall though with so many new options coming our way in regards to products and user interfaces. I like the Aurender app enough where I don't see the need for Roon. I do wonder how good their A1 will be as they know how to make a good DAC I'm sure. Doubt it will be in the same league as the OSDE though
CT - agreed. I have heard the N10 extensively and it's insanely good! The N100H is a scaled down product. As we all know, the law of diminishing returns exists with all of these high end products. I would imagine for your needs either would be fine.
This thread can keep going for a LONG time and stay relevant with all the new digital coming out. I am vacillating on going with Aurender N100H or the N10. Big price difference, but need to hear them side by side and no dealers I know have both set up. Matt, can't wait for you to get the new OSDE back...
Hi Matt, I applaud giving the EMM DA-2 a thorough break-in before posting your impressions. How many hours in total are you planning to put on it before posting?
Hi. Sorry for the slow posting. My ODSE is still with Steve and my new Emm labs DA-2 is burning in. Will be done June 9th. I'll post impressions when burn in it done. 👍🏻
I think that with all the new digital being brought out in the past six months going into this summer, it will be changing the landscape. I've yet to hear the Aethetix Romulus Eclipse but was told that it's a KILLER. Was told by a major manufacturer of speakers that the new Brinkmann Nyqvist is also a killer DAC. Can't wait to hear first reviews of Steve's new unit.
Ok, I can now share info on the Ayre QX-5 Twenty. It's nearly an all in one machine that will cost around 9k in the US. I"m excited to hear it as it streams Deezer and Tidal, can hook up to your hard drive or NAS and has a totally new DAC they are using. Lot's of inputs and if you want Roon, you can just get a small Intel box that I just found out about to run Roon. I will share that I spoke with Alex last week about the unit and they are holding off on MQA, but only for now. They want to see if the record companies pick up on it. IF that happens, they will then all have MQA and I'm not sure, but that may just be a firmware update to include it. I know these first units aren't shipping with it (kind of like them adding DSD on the old DAC a year or two into it's life cycle). MQA sounds better than Hi Res to me, but as you all know by now, it's not a high res format .....yet. This DAC will debut at the next show (Bristol) so you will have the major mags reporting on it. I was told that this is a game changer and with everything it gives you, I think it could end up being a great digital value. I need a streamer, NAS and server but LOVE my Empirical Audio DAC. I will audition this DAC in a few weeks vs my DAC and Melco and Aurender and see which one I like best. I'll just download my high res music that I"m familiar with and bring it into the store to get started. Then I may take the DAC/Streamer home to see how easy it is and how it sounds in my system. I"m sure Matt will do the same thing. I really want to know how it sounds vs my DAC as I can't afford Steven's new one, but Matt will have the new one and can let you all know how it sounds vs that (I'm assuming). I know how great the Codex sounds in it's price point and I have a lot of Head-fi.org friends I've turned onto it vs the Chord DAC and some others from 3k down (they love the balanced headphone outs) and I'm sure this DAC will be right up there near Steve's and some others in this range. I was told by someone very familiar with the Berkley Ref DAC as well as most the others on this board (other than Steve's) and was told that this DAC is incredible and betters them all. I'll believe it when I hear it as so many have new and or upgraded DAC's. I'm just glad that this is the dawn of some great digital sounds.
Great to hear Matt. BTW guys, the Ayre DAC will be unveiled in Germany next week. 9k is the point of entry. I am not sure, but it may have a streamer built in also. Not totally sure on that. Lot's of options
My amp is fixed and I should have it back next week.
Many ODSE is in Steve's gentle hands and is waiting patiently (ok, not so patiently) for its IQ upgrade to ODSX status. I'm thinking 6-8 weeks.
Once my amp is back I will start setting up and fine tuning my Terres turntable and new phono stage since that will be my source until either my ODSX comes in or the Emm arrives.
Sorry Matt. Have you tried the new AQ Niagara Power station? I've only talked to one person who has used it and he was blown away at how low the noise floor became and how strong the dynamics are now. He claimed he had all the top conditioners in and this was the first one that he could plug his mono blocks in without losing some steam. I think they are all upgrading the grounding and it's a huge difference as it keeps everything so clean. I am not an engineer, but that's a common thread.
Glad you enjoying your DirectStream. It's about what makes you happy. Not anyone else....
I have heard most versions and none do it for me like the ODSE. But that's irrelevant if you love it in your system!!
Speaking of my ODSE. It is on its way back to Steve to be magically transformed into an ODSX. Since it needed to go back for a tune up anyway I figured why not go for broke and go SX baby!!! I decided on his new xmos USB OffRamp tech even though it won't do 176/192. I could do the Ethernet input but I don't understand how I would connect it to my Mac mini or to an Aurender or Lumen..... If someon can explain how to accomplish that and make it work and sound better then I will consider it. Steve, feel free to chime in as well.
I think it will be several months before my ODSX returns. I'm praying my Emm will be here in the interim.
Many Burmy amp is getting picked up Friday and we have confirmed it needs service. Once it's at the shop and evaluated I'll report on its issues and let everyone know how long I'll be down for.
I have a fully supper up Audio Magic power conditioner to try out once my system is up and running. If the Shunyata beats it then I'm going for the top tier Shunyata conditioners. Also still need to upgrade those power cables on the amps to Sigma HC's. Too much to do, too little money right now.....
stay tuned. Sorry for the slow and infrequent posts. With the system off line I'm sad and music less.
I have had a PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for about 18 months and am still discovering new sounds in my 44.1/16 files. I had to send my media server back to the factory for a repair, and since my streaming services don't have all the albums I enjoy listening to, I started investigating and snagged a PS Audio PerfectWave Transport, with an I2S (HDMI) cable. This combination from PS Audio is absolutely fantastic. Immediately upon playing the first CD I noticed much better impact and control in the bass, significantly improved dynamics in sounds like cymbals, better soundstage and just better overall fidelity.
I was so impressed I moved my CD library down to the "man cave" (a major effort!)
Playback Designs has a great reputation. I don’t ever make a comment about a DAC without hearing it. The ODSE has outclassed several very high level dacs before though....
So I finally tried the ODSE with a few different USB cables and 2 different sources. The issue is infrequent but does continue to happen. I’m sending my ODSE back to Steve for a looksi. If doable, he will gut my unit and upgrade to an ODSX with a small wad’o’dough. How cool would that be!!!
Still waiting for my Emm.....
Amp is on its way for repairs. I'm down and without my wonderful system. Sigh.
Darn I'm sorry Matt. Hope it gets resolved quickly. getting my Rhea phono back Saturday. Bought it from a guy who does a lot of stuff on this board and I got it dead out of the box. Said it was new tubes direct from Aesthetix. Turned out to be older model and wasn't opened since Dec 14, 2014. He got it from a dealer in Cali and never opened it (he sells most of this guys used/trade in gear a few of us think). If he doesn't pay the 312 for labor (the company gave me the parts as they felt badly for me. Jim White and Glenn over there are AWESOME. Just like Steve.) I will share all names of the parties involved and post on nearly every board I can think of. One of the posters in this thread nearly purchased a used Ayre amp, but noticed it was hammered and backed away. Same dealer and seller ;).
Matt, get well quickly. I hope to get the Melco N1ZH as soon as it gets it's US release.
Sorry guys, had a few issues that have held me from posting anything for a bit. Just got over a nasty 4 day flu. That was fun!
My left amp has had an overheating issue and I will need to send it out for repair. It works for several hours but runs warmer then the other amp. Eventually its internal safety system shuts it down.
Also, my ODSE has lost link with the source. I haven’t had time to figure out if it’s the USB cable, the short block or the ODSE. I’m speaking with Steve about it (he’s been incredibly helpful!) and will get to the bottom of it.
But with the amp and DAC not 100% my system is essentially down for now.....
I'll report as discoveries are made and repairs are implemented.
I"ve heard the Codex on a full size high end system and it was on the polite side, but the extremes were there. The room filled up with pressure when it was supposed to and the dynamics were there. I have found the Nighthawks to also be a bit polite for my can's/IEM tastes. I like more dynamics, but again I was in 3.5mm non balanced mode. The Codex isn't 5k and above DAC, but it can play in that range. That's why I can't wait to see what they release later this year.
I agree...funny, I have Codex with Nighthawks and also simple computer system. You have to hear it in balanced, way better...I don't have top shelf system like I used to have but i can tell Codex for the money is a killer, with great midrange and voice reproduction, depth often found lacking with solid state and musicality in spades. However, I get a feeling that its frequency extremes leave a bit to be desired.
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