Rogue Audio RP-1 DAC use

Just wondering if my speakers could be the limiting factor here?  They are not very efficient AV123 Strata Mini's.

No, jbuhl. Before the RP-1 the DAC from the Oppo 105 was an improvement from a Pioneer Elite rcvr on board DAC a Cambridge DAC magic then a Sherbourn PT-7030 preamp on board DAC and a Schiit Bifrost original DAC, in that order. After replacing the Sherbourn with the Emotiva XMC-1 I noticed I couldn’t really tell the difference between the XMC-1 and the Oppo. BUT they were BOTH better than the DAC in the Bluesound Vault. Since I was mostly just using the Oppo as a DAC, I sold it to help finance a new turntable. SINCE installing the RP-1, the DAC from the Vault sounds as good as the DAC from the XMC-1(actually I hear no difference between the XMC-1, Bifrost or the Vault DAC) I have a friend with the same speakers AV123 Strata Mini’s (i don’t wish for the pro’s or con’s of those speakers to be a part of this discussion) an XMC-1, an Oppo 205 and a Bluesound Vault. He just got a used RP-1 (by the way mine is used also, we both got them through Audiogon sellers) he also says at first listen he can’t tell the difference between the Oppo 205 DAC and the Vault DAC(he’s just complaining a cross country move will give a more critical listen later) he says BEFORE installing the RP-1 the Oppo DAC was better.

Did any of the previous configurations sound better without the RP-1?

     Thegreenline, as I own an RP-1, I feel compelled to speak. However I’m not clear as to what pre you replaced with the Rogue. Also is the Rogue new or used ?                               My midfi system is a Schiit Yiggy, Rogue RP-1, Had Inspire amp rotated with a 50 wpc SS kit amp to Zu Omens. I currently stream with a Project Ultra II. I was into home theater and switched to 2 ch, however I never tried to integrate the two. When I  first obtained the Rogue, I streamed with a laptop to a Schiit Bifrost. I have an Oppo 105 in the closet. With the Rogue I tried the Oppo, Cambridge DAC Magic, Schiit Bifrost and Yiggy. I’ve tried 4 different brands of interconnects, a couple power cables and 4 different USB cables. I was able to tell a difference every single time. So currently the Rogue has a Morrow level 3 power cable, Cardas Clear USB,  Morrow 4 IC’s, Tekefunken G73R tubes and isolation footers under the factory feet. The power comes through a Richard Gray filter. My take from what I’ve done is Absolutely change out the JJ’s in the Rogue. But play around with your system, as you should hear all of your changes. Unfortunately I can’t say what’s wrong from here. Apologies for my writing as I’m using my phone. Cheers, Mike B.  

@abnerjack look bud…read my first post where I shared my experience with different DACs running them with RP1 and shared the best method of comparing DACs from my experience. Calling my post useless…that’s rich.
It’s obvious you’re incapable of digesting the information in my post probably due to limited capacity, or it could be my jersey accent…who knows.

The only useless posts here are yours. You took things out of context and picked a fight while providing zero value for the OP. Is there anything you wanted to share from your experience? Got anything to recommend? Or are you here to just rate responses?

Not sure what your beef is with me. But I don’t intend to continue entertaining your nonsense. It’s counterproductive to this discussion and arguing with someone like you isn’t time well spent. Take care.

I am using BlueJean Cables throughout (speakers digital and RCA). I even switched from optical to coax out on the vault. Still can't really hear a difference.

Let me correct the part about can't hear a difference. I can hear a slight difference neither one sounds better just slightly different. When I have my daughter switch back and forth I can tell there is a difference, not better or worse just different, but I can't tell which is which. Not a true blind test but close enough. 

I am using BlueJean cables throughout (speaker, sub, coax/optical and RCA)

@audphile1 "That's bad form".  Good one!    Bad form is doubling down on a useless post.  I left out " (it’s not RP1 cause it’s pretty transparent) and or your room acoustics are bad or all of the above."

  Are you saying that the room acoustics came in to play only after he switched to the RP1?  He could distinguish between dacs before he switched.  Look at @thegreenline  post above as a logical explanation.  It appears that being called out is bad form to you. 

@abnerjack 

What I said was

If after getting acclimated to one DAC it all still sounds the same to you, you’re either not capable to hear the differences or your system is not revealing (it’s not RP1 cause it’s pretty transparent) and or your room acoustics are bad or all of the above. 

You chose to only use a part of my post. Taking into consideration what I said about associated equipment and room acoustics instead of leaving it out and labeling my statement a cliche isn’t going to help you or the OP. Stop taking things out of context. That’s bad form. 

also, why do most people recommend the "Less is More" version of the Yggy over the "More is Better" version?

I have a Vault II and am considering getting a Schitt Yggdrasil. Was also looking at the Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC - little more $$.

My question is if I will see improvement from just using the Bluesound Vault as my DAC.

Thoughts, Experience? I bought the Bluesound to get rid of my CD's when I first started building my system. I heard it was a good option, now I'm looking to improve while using it to still serve as my streamer.

@thegreenline   I have a question.  If you use the same DAC (best on you have), can you tell the difference between the two different pre-amps?  Which one do you prefer?   What is the history of the RP1 - new or used, how old is it? 

I would think and from my listening, the RP1 is a bit tubby and while that sound is great, it may be relaxed enough that you don't here the minor differences between the dacs you are comparing.   The DACS you name are similar and built into other devices.  I expect them to be similar and average.  There may be other stuff you are hearing or not hearing given the dacs appear to be integrated with other devices.  

  "If after getting acclimated to one DAC it all still sounds the same to you, you’re either not capable to hear the differences or your system is not revealing"

@audphile1 Surely you can do better than this tired old cliche'.  OP already demonstrated that he cold tell the difference between dacs before inserting the RP1, and you obviously believe the RP1 is capable, so it seems clear something else is going on.

I got confused.  RP-1 is a preamp no dac what were you comparing it to?

I have the same question, what digital cable are you using to connect to the DAC? These can make a big difference. 

What are you using for cables , also the quality can possible be close to the same level. Why don’t you upgrade to the New Denafrips Arias15 or Pontus 15

they have new engineering and the 15 series is a generation  better.

I bought the Iris reclocker which is a steal at $550 , my friend has the New Aries 15 it is very detailed and natural R2R dac.

The difference between the Emotiva XMC-1 in Reference mode and the RP-1 WAS IMMEDIATELY apparent. A friend of mine compared the Vault DAC output to Oppo 205, he also didn't notice much of a difference we have the same speakers and sub. Maybe I need to try a better DAC.

I tested the following DACs with RP1 when I had it and the difference was immediately apparent:

Chord Qutest, Mytek Brooklyn 2, Bryston BDA-3.14

I ended up with Chord Qutest. 

Amp was Rogue ST100 driving Martin Logan Montis. 
DACs should not be quickly A/B’d by switching inputs back and forth. You need to listen to at least the entire track and even better listen for few hours with one dac before switching to another. 

If after getting acclimated to one DAC it all still sounds the same to you, you’re either not capable to hear the differences or your system is not revealing (it’s not RP1 cause it’s pretty transparent) and or your room acoustics are bad or all of the above.