2. digital
  3. 1422309165

AMR DP-777, what am I missing ?

There are a lot of people here who love this DAC, I purchased one (used) based on the many glowing reviews, but feel like this DAC falls short.
To be sure it bested (by not a lot) my Wavelength Cosecant (better imaging and bass) but I still prefer my modest analog setup (Rega RP6, Shelter 500).

I am sure my digital front-end is not super tuned: IMac, audirvana, no-name USB cable to DAC. But before I spend more money I would love some advice from the good folks in this forum on how I can make this $5000 retail DAC at least come close to my modest analog setup that cost much less retail without spending too much coin.

Do I need to invest in a music server, or maybe a USB to SPDIF, or better USB cable or all of the above.

Rest of my system.
Coincident Line stage
Coincident Dragon mk2 monoblocks
Verity Parsifal Encore speakers.

Thanks.
essrand

Showing 2 responses by douglas_schroeder

douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I wouldn't dream of running any file-based playback with a trash USB. It would eviscerate the sound quality. I have demoed about ten models from six or seven brands of them in my room and the sound quality differential was large, every bit as effective as tube rolling and nearly as large as switching a component.

I only takes one garbage connection to take down a system. One.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Essrand, no, I do not mean USB to S/DIF converter; yikes, that would be horrid! Converters have a great capacity to suck life out of performance, and I try to avoid them whenever possible.

I did mean a quality USB cable to go from your Mac to the DAC. If you have no experience with aftermarket USB cables, you will be surprised at the difference they make. Simply because you don't think it will make that much difference is a poor reason not to pursue it. When I entered this hobby about30+ years ago I didn't think cables at all made that much difference, and I was way wrong about that! ALL wires, ALL connections are critical if one wants to pursue the best sound possible.

If you mean in your above post USB "filter", my opinion is to avoid filters like ferrite rings around cables, etc. My conclusion is that they do filter out noise, but also harm the micro dynamics. Opinions differ on this, as you can imagine. :)

I am currently running a $1K USB cable, the Clarity Audio Organic USB. Pricey, yup, but it bested about ten others including at least one more expensive. I wouldn't be without a premium USB cable, as it is the lifeline for the files to reach the DAC. Screw up that connection and you have fairly killed your chance at premium sound. :)
More to discover