Chord Dave and lInear power supply

@carlsbad 

Congratulation for your positive result.

I am happy with Dave +.

This kind of details, separation and dynamics was not possible with unmodified Dave.

Thomas

@rshad0000

If you add tube pre after Dave, it will sound more balanced and organic.

I am happy with Margules Audio SF220.15 20th Anniversary Stereo Tube Preamplifier which I had bought after being impressed with it at Pacific Audiofest 2022.

Thomas

I re cently added the Sean Jacobs DC4 ARC6 to my DAVE (M Scaler has Teddy Pardo LPS).  Extraordinary impact on my system.  Very costly, to be sure.  But far and away the greatest impact of any change I’ve made to my system.  
 

@cantorgale

Congratulation on good results with SJ power supply.

It is debated which is better between SJ and Farad at Headphone community.

But without regard to cost of 3K$, I am happy with result out of Farad

Thomas

OK friends, did the FARAD silver level 2 upgrade today to my DAVE today. Funnest HiFi project of my life. FARAD technicians talked with me through the whole build of the 3 power supplies, and shipping process, highly recommended for their customer service at FARAD.

The sound is immediately more detailed and transparent. I won't embellish or exaggerate that it was a revelation, but initially I'd say a 15% improvement. After several hours it has become increasingly transformational in my system, actually stunning. We'll let it burn in a few weeks and really see what it can do.

Hooked the 3 power supplies to 3 Audiowise A/C RF-STOPS that connect to my Shunyata Everest 8000. All 3 FARADs have the furutech and SR purple fuse upgrades. I chose the FARAD silver level 2 upgrade over the Sean Jacobs DC4 Arc 6 because it's 6k cheaper and 2 months quicker in shipping to you. Very very happy with it so far, and it can only get better with burn in.

I believe my Audiowise OPTO-DX from Mscaler to DAVE that runs on LIFEPO4 batteries is the reason why the FARAD power supply wasn't as dramatic a transformation as others, because the OPTO-DX is so incredible in optical galvanic isolation making the power difference more subtle. Nevertheless it is a huge upgrade likened only to the OPTO-DX which I believe is an even better upgrade for the DAVE, but put them together and add the Mscaler on LIFEPO4 batteries and it's about as good as DAVE can get.

Running from Jay's Audio MK3-CDT3 and Aurender W20SE sources.

Happy HiFi Holidays to you all!

@brandonhifi 

Congratulation!

Please keep us updated.

Thomas

Update 2:  If you're using the M-scaler get one for it too.  I didn't do that the first time.  Not sure why I ovelooked it.  Maybe it wasn't in my system at the time but made a big differene there.  I now have a stack of 4 Farad super 3s.  System has never sounded so good.

Jerry

@carlsbad 

I happened to install linear power supply(not Farad) to Mscaler  about two months ago.

It improved the sound.

Thus I had decided to install Farad kits on Dave.

You went the other way around.😀

Thomas

Mattijs is great.  He will ship your DAVE supply in multiple boxes because mine got tied up in customs because of the listed value.  The single power supply for the M-scaler flew through customs. 

Jerry

@carlsbad 

Mine also got tied up at US custom for a week.

But it was worth the wait.

Thomas

For those of you who have the new Farad upgraded DAVE, what power cords are you using with it?

Thanks

The only issue I have and other I have spoken with is the few failures with a horrible 1 year warranty most others 3-5 year , 

Teddy pardo may not be quite as refined but close and has a Very solid 3 year warranty , that gives one much more confidence.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832580085862.html?ug_edm_item_id=2251832580085862&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24100.00%21US%20%2460.00%21%21%21%21%21%40212b90ca16765464364812610d07ec%2112000030208856684%21edm&edm_log_data=edm-item-list-three-columns.store-product-log-link&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=post_arrive_20221027_1_en_US_2023-02-18&rowan_msg_id=5761816092504025%2471e29d13cd1e493d9a7bab208fb7641a&ck=in_edm_other&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US

Farad LPs is still sensitive to EMI noise.

When I have above 60 $ unit in front of Farad, Dave’s sound got much fuller and cleaner.

It also works well with my Margules tube pre to similar effect.

Thomas

After having above unit just in front of Farad LPS, violin sounds sweeter with natural tone.

Late to the discussion, however I have also taken an upgrade path with the Dave - first with the M Scaler which added greatly to the depth, soundstage and detail (in a good way). Then last year, based on reviews and the fact that Sean Jacobs’ US tech rep lives nearby, I took the plunge and added Sean Jacobs DC4/ARC6 LSU to the DAVE. The change was utterly transformative- as one would hope from such an expensive piece of kit. One cld argue that it would have been better to simply purchase a top end $30K DAC rather than “upgrade” the DAVE piece by piece. However, a one time $30k spend was not in the cards for me. (I suppose one could make the same argument with the Innuos Zenith MK3+PhoenixUSB+PhoenixNET as I did for the same reason as opposed to going directly to the Statement.

Nonetheless, I couldn’t be happier with my system now with the DAVE/M Scaler/SJ LPSU. There may be future upgrades to my system, but I think my “Rube Goldberg” approach to the DAC will satisfy me for a good long time.  
 

Other major components:

Zenith MK3/PhUSB/PhNET

Pathos Heritage MKii integrated 

Tannoy Kensingtons

REL S/812

Transparent PowerIsolator 

The Sean Jacobs was the most recent add.