Essentialaudio - definitely stop in. We are fortunate every year that our sound improves and this year is no exception. A "must-hear".
Steve N. |
Pubul57 - Ive invited Alex to bring his CD source to my room at THE Show in the past. He didn't show.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Walt - same here. I'm an old fart now, but I had inexpensive vinyl system when I was young. Sold all my records at garage sales. I've heard some really spectacular vinyl though I dont own one. I believe they have their own type of distortions, aside from the Wow and flutter. I much prefer 7.5 IPS reel-to-reel.
Steve N. |
Essentialaudio - If you will be at CES or THE Show next month, I'll challenge you to a shootout. Bring your best Transport and then we will see...
St. Tropez suite 1203
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
The simplest and least expensive way to get superb audio quality as well as great user interface - use your own computer, but add external boxes to get WiFi or networked interface and then reclock to get excellent sound quality.
First, decide on the interface you like. Most like iTunes best. Apple is the leader in this industry afterall. The problem is there is only S/PDIF wired or AirPort Express WiFi. Both have poor digital audio quality - lots of jitter. To solve this, add a Pace-Car reclocker.
Then you need a really good DAC. The lowest jitter solutions have I2S interface, such as the Northstar 192 DAC.
If you decide to go the USB route, then the bargain of the century is the DAC-1 USB. Sound quality is good, and can be improved with some mods. USB has the wire of course, but will allow you to use virtually any player software. I woudl avoid iTunes unless you use a MAC.
Forget about sound-cards and silent PC's. This is old technology. Now we have Sonos, Squeezebox, AirPort Express, Off-Ramp and DAC-1 USB.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Wshields - This is the type of solution that audiophiles should be looking for. Strategies like this (similar to my Pace-Car) are the best way to reduce jitter to inaudible levels.
Unfortunately, the Transporter is a bit expensive and overkill just to get a digital output from WiFi. The same can be done with the Squeezebox3 by adding a clock input to it. Unfortunately, the SB3 will not do 24/96. I'm hoping for a Squeezebox4 soon that has 24/96 capability. Hopefully Logitech didn't throw a monkey wrench in this.
Steve N. |
Walt - that sounds great. Digital is better than most people's experience, actually capable of surpassing the best in vinyl. Did you have vinyl before, or still? |
Askat1988 - If you slave the Transporter from the DAC word-clock, then it should be as good as the transport slaved from the DAC, although it's a lot of money just to get a digital output from WiFi. It does evidently do 24/96, which is a plus. If the result is not identical, then there is something wrong with DAC clocking/slaving.
Steve N. |
Askat1988 - a Digital source, whether it is a transport or WiFi source is the same exact data. The only thing left is the jitter. Both can be reduced to inaudible levels with reclocking. A shootout is unneccessary IMO.
The differences come with implementation and levels of jitter. If the same reclocker were used with both, they would be identical. The EMM labs evidently does a level of reclocking, so this should make it identical.
I cannot imagine that Alex would argue this.
Steve N. |
Pubul57 - depends on the reclocker. The Pace-Car or the Genesis Digital Lens for instance do not care how much jitter is present in the incoming data stream because the data is stored in a memory. The output clock is independent. Jitter on the input is not seen at the output.
Others that use ASRC (asynchronous sample-rate conversion) will be somewhat sensitive to the incoming data stream jitter since the output clock is dependent on the input clock. Some jitter on the input may be seen at the output.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Unclejeff - IME, its' the D/A chip used in the Transporter that gives you this analytical sound. Not my favorite.
Steve N. |
Dave - In the next 2 years, the typical WiFi servers and USB interfaces will support 24/96. There are only handful now. I listen to 24/96 every day. 24/192 will be the next big step.
I believe you are talking about 88.2, which is 5.6448MHz, or twice the native CD rate. This is an odd-ball standard. I expect 24/96 to be the next standard because this is what the recording studio masters are.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Der - It would not surprise me at all if it were a compatibility problem between the voltage levels, termination and/or coax impedance of the EMM labs versus the Transporter. There is really no standard for word-clocks in the consumer world. Mixing and matching is risky.
Steve N. |
Sydsrig - no formal shootouts scheduled that I'm aware of. Most manufacturers will not do this, although I'm game.
Empirical Audio gear can be heard at THE Show St. Tropez #1203. Our converter technology will also be exhibited in the DEQX room at Alexis Park #1512 and the Hovland room at Venetian 29-333.
Wavelength will be at Venetian 30-325.
Logitech (slim devices) has a booth in the convention center.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Dcstep - I have an Olive Opus 5 here. I've added a clock input so that it can be used with my reclocker and a good DAC. The build quality is good, mostly thick aluminum. The backpanel is actually more attractive than the front. There is a LOT of writing all over the top - a bit tacky. It works well, but they should have used a color LCD on the front. Difficult for me to read the B&W LCD from the listening position. If you want push-button ripping, this is the box. It takes about 1 minute to boot, and like a computer you dont want to just jerk the power to it. Seems to rip relatively fast, probably 5X. It must power down gracefully, which takes about 15 seconds. One thing that bugs me is that it powers off when the last track is played. "Green" I guess.
Steve N. |
Davemitchell - I agree about SACD. There is something "overblown" about the sound. Ultradynamic. Difficult to get a "live" synphony to sound live. I have heard CD tracks sound much better.
Steve N. |
Dcstep - dont forget THE Show at the Alexis Park and St. Tropez. Lots of good sounds from high-end exhibitors there, no elevators, free lunch, free entertainment, and most exhibits on the first floors. Shuttles from the Convention Center and next to the Venetian run 24 hours.
Steve N. |
Dcstep - no, like CES, THE Show is really for dealers and press. However, if you email me, I can still get you a badge for THE Show under my company name. No problem.
Steve N. |
