DSpeaker Anti Mode Dual Core 2.0 Room Correction

I just took delivery of one this week. The 2013 version, which has a higher output voltage, asynchronous usb input. I plan on using it with a simple system: Mac laptop -> DSP -> VTL Tiny Triode amps -> Quad electrostats (57). I will likely use the DSPeaker as a preamp, with either a USB or an optical input to the DSPeaker. I'll let you know how it sounds, though it may take a week or more for me to get to it. Some people have reported losses in transparency. I assume with the Quads, I would notice something like that!

PS - after 55 years of audio buying his hearing may be questionable!!!!

BTW - has anyone found any good information about using a better 12v power supply with this unit? I'd like to find a reasonably priced source... Thanks.

Spent some time playing around with the unit today, and here were my observations:

- Definite benefit from switching to a battery power supply, when using the unit as a DAC/preamp. I haven't tested the affect of the power supply when using the unit in the purely digital domain.

- As a DAC/preamp, I like the clarity of my Wyred4Sound DAC2 better. But I want the room correction.

- The best sound I got was by placing the DSpeaker in front of my Wyred4Sound DAC and using it entirely in the digital domain. So far I've only tried optical cabling from my Macbook Pro to the DSpeaker and further to the W4S DAC. I will try the USB connection to the DSpeaker at some point soon.

I've only played it for a couple hours, not broken in or anything (does it need break in???). It is playing in analog mode b/t my preamp and amps. What I notice so far is that it really cleans up the bass - not as muddy or resonant. That is nice. It may be removing a bit of transparency though. Listening to Greg Brown - I seem to lose a bit of the granularity and resonance of his voice. I'm not entirely sure yet. I also want to try it out entirely in the digital domain, so its analog output stage is not included in the picture, nor is another round of A=>D and D=>A. Overall, so far, I find myself happy listening with it in the chain, but see that there may be some tradeoff. I need to try it out in a different position in the chain.

No, you're not bypassing the volume control. And the bypass function is so easy to control from the remote (rather than getting up to change the tape loop setting) that it seems to be the way to go (b/t preamp and amp).

I wrote to the manufacturer and they indicated that the cleanest way to use the unit was to keep it in the digital domain (i.e. put it between the digital signal and the DAC) or to use it as a DAC/preamp itself with no other equipment before the amps.

FYI - the USB input jack is a mini - so it's not like many USB DACs we are used to. This would entail either an adaptor or a USBA to mini cable.

You can't use it as a DAC between the pre and the amp. If you want to use it as a DAC, you either do so upstream of the pre (as an input into the pre) or you hook it up directly to the amps, and then you are using it as a DAC+PRE.

Are you talking about a digital out from the pre? If so, you are correct. Like for home theater???

Correct about the bypass (second statement)

I see what you are saying. Yes, if you want to use the volume control of the preamp and its output stage into the amp, insert the unit in the tape loop.

I have a 12v car starter, which is essentially a rechargeable battery with both battery leads and a cigarette lighter output. It can be used for an audio power supply - and recharged between uses. I will try that out. I've been in touch with Toni at DSpeaker, and he told me that users have reported that the Musical Fidelity vPSU mkii ($129) has led to improved sonics. I ordered one from Audio Advisor to try on their 30 day trial. Parts Express sells a 13.8v regulated power supply for something like $40. Toni told me that 13.8 is OK, but not to go any higher.

Rodge. Why do you need a USB power conditioner when the device is using an external power supply and not USB bus powered?

Thanks Rodge. I may try that out. My conversations with Toni (engineer at DSpeaker) tell me that the USB cable should make absolutely no difference. Toni was emphatic about that as part of the asynchronous design. But of course, there are plenty of claims to the opposite in the world of asynchronous USB DACs.