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Accustic Arts Drive 1 Mk1 vs Mk2 driving DAC 1 Mk4

I just replaced my Accustic Arts DAC 1 Mk3 with the Mk4 Friday. I really like it! It's not a "Knock your socks off!" upgrade like when I switched from my Herron preamp and monoblocks to the Karan integrated amp last month. It's more of an "This just seems 'right'!" upgrade like when I inserted the Stealth Indra's in my system.

I'm now assuming that upgrading from the Drive 1 Mk1 to the Mk2 would be the next logical move for me. Is this upgrade really the right one to do next? I'm not expecting to have a "Jump up and say WOW!" experience, something as simple as "Yes, this sounds more real!" is good enough.

For those who've made this move, what are your thoughts? Should this be my next move, or is it just something I should eventually get around to after upgrading other areas first?

Thanks,
Chuck
krell_man

Showing 1 response by hamburg

hamburg
69 posts
 
Pubul57 I use a computer transport via USB to Toslink (Roland U25) into Apogee BigBen Reclocker and then to Accustic Arts tube DAC. The software running the program makes a big difference. Foobar2000 on Vista is the best. Having said all that, pc transports sill do not sound quite as good as a good separate transport. Infact, I just purchased a very good transport to use in my system. Many on Audiogon seam to feel that the computer transport equals or exceeds and independent transport. I believe that it is possible that the system their using is not adequate to reveal the differences. Clocking is done by the primary transport. Therefore, if using the pc, then a cheap clock is being used. I reclock my pc digital connection but not my transport. When I tried re clocking a Levinson transport (old clock Ver. than BigBen), I did not prefer the sound. It maybe that Re clocking is not as good as good primary clocking. It is better for bad clocking i.e computer clocking. Richard
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