jond,
Thanks. This is a crazy "hobby"! As the saying goes, one man's medicine, is another man's poison. My friend tried the Dave and wasn't overwhelmed with it in his system. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I submit it's the most significant change that I've done to my system. |
Greetings limniscate,
I haven’t had the opportunity to hear the Blu MkII upscaling CD transport. I have a music server and can’t justify getting the Blu upscaler...at least not yet:)! My friend asked me to try one, but I refused. I'm going to play around with the Dave this weekend without my preamp. I said I wouldn't try direct, but I've changed my mind. Have you heard the Blu MkII? If so, what are your thoughts? |
It's my understanding that you can connect a media server to the Blu mkII and it will upsample to improve the sound. Can anyone comment on the sonic impact of combination of the Blu mkII with the Dave?
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It should read music server, not media server.
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Well I tried the Chord Dave direct tonight. I had my wife play her favorite songs. She immediately asked me what I did. She simply said, "something didn’t sound right." I started writing down my thoughts:
1. two dimensional-height, width, and depth collapsed
2. either too loud or not loud enough
3. vocals are recessed
4. reduced spacing between instruments
I still absolutely love the Chord Dave, but I have yet to hear a DAC that I prefer directly into the amplifier. The Corus may not be the best preamplifier, but for now I’m keeping it. Ladies and gentleman I think I’m done for a while!
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limniscate,
You say, "I was underwhelmed with the Dave in my system." That's why I always say, no absolutes in Audio, only preferences. I submit we put too much focus on individual components and forget it's a system. The Chord Dave is just outstanding in my "system ".
If the Dave sounded good direct, I would have sold my Corus to purchase the Blu mkII. Unfortunately funds prevent me from pursuing the Blu mkII at this moment. |
skanda,
I've tried the Dave direct and prefer the Dave with a preamp. In my system it's not close, but every system is different. |
I’m just trying to say what I always say, no absolutes in Audio, only preferences. Someone highly encouraged me to listen to the Rockna Wavedream Edition DAC. I had easy access to it, it was in my price range for DACs, so I had nothing to loose. My initial thoughts were it had more detail than the Dave, but after a few days my wife and I decided we preferred the Dave. Who’s right? The answer of course is no one...I have a different system and different preferences. You may hear the Dave and not like it or conclude it’s not worth the money.
I just listened to Audioquest FireBird Zero speaker cables for three days. They are a step-up from my current cables, but at $14K for an 8’ pair I can’t justify the cost. If money weren’t a concern I would immediately purchase them. I put components in specific price ranges of what I’m willing to spend. $14K far exceeds my budget for speaker cables.
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hgeifman,
I've talked to you several times about the Dave and with all due respect, you need to listen to the Dave in your own system and let your own ears decide. If you can't listen in your own system, take what ever DAC you own and compare it to the Dave and/ or other DACs at the dealers store. No matter what I think or anyone else, it's just our opinion. Only your opinion counts. |
I've compared the Hugo TT mk2 to the Dave in my system. To my ears there is a easily discernible difference between the two. I submit most people wouldn't be able to live with the TT mk2 after hearing them in the same system.
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timo62,
Someone told me a long time ago, companies have price points for a reason. Sure there are dimensining returns, but a company's top of the line component sounds better than everything below it. Is the difference between the two worth it is a question only you can answer.
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rossb , Our systems and what we hear are different. I have the Dave and went back and worth between the Dave and TT2/M-Scaler. I couldn't disagree with you more based of what I heard in my system. I don't want to exaggerate, but the TT2 with M-Scaler doesn't sound close to the Dave. Just my opinion based on what I hear in my system. |
user140,
I'm not sure if you're addressing your question to me, but I'll give my opinion?
What amp and pre would you recommend to play with Dave? The amp should be matched to the speakers they are driving. The preamp should be matched to the amplifier. Will you use a subwoofer, how many inputs and outputs, do you require HT bypass are other things to consider when choosing a preamp.
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I can't tell you what to purchase. I will provide some suggestions to listen to: Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amp, T+A PA 3100 HV integrated amp, Parasound JC5 amplifier(I don't like their preamps), Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp, Jeff Rowland 625 S2 and Corus preamp. I've heard all of the aforementioned components. |
