Why do you think jitter reduction is the solution, lowrider? Those DACs you auditioned have much simpler reasons for their sonic differences than jitter. I owned the Hegel HD-12 and found it to have the sound character you describe, which coincidentally has the lowest jitter specification I have seen. Can be had used for much less than your budget. Now using Exogal Comet Plus which I bought used for exactly your target price and it is pretty amazing.
The Holo DAC shadorne recommends would be a top candidate in this price category also.
Have you tried different USB cables (if you use USB)? Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 is very fast sounding but can be mercilessly bright (not for you). Curious USB is very balanced sounding and could be what you are looking for in sound character. Purist Audio 30th Anniversary is better still but expensive.
Dave |
Thanks for the critical info, lowrider. If you wish to continue to use I2S from your transport your options for a different DAC are very limited (none?) in that price range AFAIK.
Dave |
Right re: the DAC’s clock quality, lowrider. Especially with asynchronous USB where the reconstruction of incoming data packets is completely reliant on the DAC’s "clock".
However, Jeff Haagenstad, the CEO of Exogal wrote me that the Comet’s unique use of their FPGA topology actually eliminates its sensitivity to incoming timing and other anomalies addressed by reclockers, galvanic isolation, jitter reducers, etc. when I requested his advice re: adding an ISO Regen. Being one who has to try for myself, I have a ISO Regen and Ultracap LPS-1 power supply somewhere between the local PO and my home right now at the mercy of the PO's decision regarding delivery due to nearby flooding from the recent hurricane.
I will tell you that the Comet Plus is the most sensitive component I have owned to cabling, power cords, and vibration/resonance control. It pays back big dividends for careful selection and investment in these areas.
Be patient and a used Comet Plus will show up at your budget. Lots of DAC-rollers out there. ;)
Dave
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Thanks lowrider, much appreciated. I just found this and thought it to accurately and truthfully reflect my ownership impressions, including that it could use a bit more heft on the bottom. Nothing is perfect, yet the Comet is excellent IMO. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133217.msg1412742#msg1412742 Read all the way through especially the bottom of the page. Like the author, I also cheat by turning up the crossover frequency of my RELs with the Comet. Seems to nullify the DAC’s need for a smidge more oomph. The Curious USB cable and especially the Purist took care of any unwanted excitement on top. Dave |
Thank you blindjim. Much appreciated.
I have the ISO Regen/UltraCap combo in house (finally). Initial impression is favorable. More heft in the bass and improved harmonic texture/richness on strings/piano/vocals. I will post more later after more time with it.
Dave |
Hi david_ten,
I violated the audiophile cardinal rule and changed speaker cables right after adding the ISO Regen. I figure late this week will be enough time for the new SCs to settle and for me to adjust, so I will do some with and without ISO Regen trials and report back.
Dave |
Hi lowrider,
I actually pick the other two if possible.
Dave |
Hi lowrider,
I would stay with DACs that you can audition before buying and/or those that are readily resalable and/or those that are highly recommended by persons whos ears you trust and that know your preferences and your system’s sound character. As they say, pick any two...
Dave
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Hi lowrider, That JPS Digital PC is said to be a good one. I have had great success with the Synergistic Research CTS Digital and also the Triode Wire Labs Digital American PCs. Review here briefly contrasts the author's opinion on the JPS vs the SR: http://www.audiostream.com/content/wyred-4-sound-dac-2-dsdse "I actually pick the other two." statement was around the 3 choices I proffered to you re: how to select components. I value hearing before buying and/or advice from those I trust ahead of resale value as the former two pre-empt the latter. Dave |
Hi gareneau,
Not sure what "Tommy’s DAC DAC" is. I currently have the Exogal Comet Plus. I will report on the ISO Regen/UltraCap LPS-1 combo this weekend.
Geoff, the DAC, ISO Regent and UltraCap LPS-1 power supply sit on a Symposium Svelte platform. Not planning to decouple the internals from the chassis but I get your point.
Dave |
Hi lowrider,
You have it right, the UltraCap LPS-1’s claim to fame is lower (none?) noise passthrough than the competition. I am disappointed to report that it uses a switching power supply as its "energizer". Alex at Uptone claims that the LPS-1 eliminates any noise from the latter, preventing it from entering the devices upstream/downstream via the digital signal. Even if true, what about the crap that the switching p/s passes back to the AC line and via the air to other components...
Seems to work as advertised to my ears with the ISO Regen. I have not tried it with other devices, although I plan to investigate using it with my router modem.
Dave
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Read a report from a JS-2 owner on another thread that the UltraCap LPS-1 beat out his JS-2 in sound quality. Could just buy 2,3 etc of LPS-1 and get a much better switching p/s to feed them all. FWIW. BTW - I plug the two switching power supplies I have into a completely isolated AC Line (only "components" not plugged into my PowerCell UEF) and cover the bodies and the DC cords with RF/EMI cloth. Planning to order some of this and try in place of the cloth: http://kgs-ind.com/wp-content/uploads/products/pdf/Absorber_Flyer-IM-02.pdf Dave |
Hi lowrider,
I just wrote about my impressions in my system and to my ears. That was how it fell.
As you say, I suspect that a big part of my results were due to the excellent noise/isolation/jitter characteristics of thr Aurender/Exogal combo and the cables I use and intended to convey that in latter part of the writing.
Sorry if it did not read that way. There are many positive impressions of the Uptone products held by others in their systems and to their ears and I hope to hear from them as rebuttal posts to that thread.
I expect that the Uptone gear is as good as any out there for applications that benefit from their effect.
Dave
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That was the posit from Jeff Haagenstad of Exogal when I solicited his opinion before trying the ISO Regen and I expect you are both right, lowrider.
I gave it an honest shot which is, it seems, more than many often do before judging here in writing.
The Purist 30th USB cable has ferrite filters around the 5v power lead (but not the signal conductors) and that, along with the Comet's prowess in that area, may have contributed to the lack of improvement from the ISO Regen’s galvanic isolation.
The takeaway for me was that I never expected that the sound quality would lessen, only perhaps that it would not change audibly. But it did in my system to my ears and I felt that to be noteworthy.
Dave |
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Offer $1200 and see...remember, no gadgets required for the Comet. Excellent power supply included too with that Plus model for sale.
I have spoken with Ric in the past and I am not worried about his end, but very much so the firmware issues from the Gustard factory in China. You may not yet realize how maddening this type of thing can be.
Ric was also modding the LKS DAC the last time we spoke. Another risky purchase IMO but may sound glorious.
Alas, The LPS-1 would not work with my modem/router (the only place in my current system where it could improve on the existing external power supply). I am listening to the decent switching P/S, included with the LPS-1 as an "energizer", powering my router modem. Haven’t yet tried a sound quality comparison between it and the wall wart that came with the modem/router.
Dave
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Good feedback lowrider. I believe your results. Much better reason IMO than the advice of someone else.
Can't say whether it was due to being a "digital" PC or not as I have had similar findings with some PCs that were not.
I really hope that you are able to get the DAC of your choice eventually. Until then, I recommend you try the free samples of the Mad Scientist's Black Discus at various locations in your system to see if they help with the harshness.
Dave |
Hi lowrider,
Very sorry to read of your medical situation and I understand that completely.
I cannot speak to the JPS power cord from personal experience, but I do not see anything about it or any other quality power cord that could increase jitter.
A cleaner AC feed can do nothing but good for a digital front end and should keep digital hash from returning to the AC source for the analog playback chain. Let your ears be your guide.
Dave |
Looking forward to reading your results from this advice lowrider. I have all of.these tweaks (Jena labs CD polish, AVM, Acoustic Revive CD degausser) from years of trying nonsense and would be glad to loan them to you as I found them to be a complete waste of time and money.
You already have a great transport that buffers and reclocks so none of this makes any sense excepting a better DAC which I suspect to be Steve's endgame anyway. He does make a good one.
Best of luck to you lowrider.
Dave |
