By the way the OP ask for "comparisons and to elucidate the differences. This is what folkfreak did in fact do.
Charles |
Big difference between you and I George. I can easily accept the fact that people can and will choose either approach. If someone prefers DAC direct I don’t 2nd guess their decision (why should I?) . You on the other hand are dogmatic in your opinions and display a tendency to belittle those who do not share your viewpoint or attribute it to "pleasing" coloration. As pointed out previously DACs direct to amps presents their own inherent coloration and shortcomings, You aren’t experiencing straight wire with gain. Don’t fool yourself. These choices we discuss are "all" sonic tradeoffs.
Cheers,
Charles |
Regarding silver cable, they all certainly do not sound the same. I use Ocellia Silver Reference IC and SC. It’s the antithesis of, thin, cool, bright etc. In fact it has natural warmth, full bodied tone with terrific fleshed out harmonics. It has a very organic character.
Charles |
Johndoe,
It may be better to run the Vivaldi DAC straight to the power amplifier for you. Folkfreak clearly and thoroughly described his experience doing so and prefers the better sound quality with the ARC REF 40. These are his findings listening in his own system. Granted you may choose otherwise but he simply reported what he heard. Strange how this seems to be discounted because it doesn’t meet someone else’s expectations. Very strange behavior.
I get the impression that folkfreak is an experienced listener who knows what he likes and trusts his ears and judgement. We're all different in our hearing and perception, this is an obvious truth.
Charles |
"Warmth not added but realized"
Terrific cursory summation David, spot on. I heard 2 hours of live unamplified piano 1 Week ago at a Steinway piano gallery recital. Wow, full bodied, rich, dense tone and harmonics, just beautiful! Much warmth and emotion. If active preamplifiers get one "closer" to this realism they’re doing something right regardless of what the measurements say. Sometimes you just have to get out and hear the real thing. I experience the same when I visit local jazz clubs.Warmth, body, dynamics and rich tones dominate these live settings.
Charles |
Folkfreak.
Thanks for taking the time to post your well written listening impressions. Given the description of what you heard I can understand your preference. I would make the same choice. I'll always prefer the more involving and emotionally engaging component.
Charles |
Shadorne,
Yes, exactly ! I'd expect two different presentations with preference totally dependant on the particular listener. Which sonic flavour appeals more. Subjective by default, the gift of High End audio.
Charles |
Folkfreak, ,
This is really shaping up into a very interesting listening evaluation. It is essentially a comparison of the quality and implementation of the ARC REF and DCS Vivaldi signal pathways.This is fun and informative. Time to put the ears to work😊.
Charles |
The preamplifier may have a superior analog output stage than the Vivaldi, who knows? Folkfreak's listening impressions will be interesting.
Charles |
Driving the DAC direct to amp has coloration as well. Use a half dozen different DACs to drive an amplifier and you’ll have 6 different sonic characters, they are not straight wire with gain. Common sense approach is what folkfreak is going to do, listen to both in his system and make a choice. ARC REF 40 coloration/signature or Vivaldi coloration/signature . You have to hear something before you can choose a preference.
Charles |
The Vivaldi driving a 600 ohm load is commendable, no denying that fact. The VTL MB 450 has an input impedance of 42K. So the question is which option provides the best sound quality, DAC direct to the VTL or via the ARC REF 40? Well you have to listen to both and decide (As always subjective ). The VTL amplifier doesn’t present the unusually difficult 600 ohm load. Depending on the particular listener either approach could be preferred. Excellent specifications though admirable do not imply or dictact superior sound quality.
Charles |
Kalali,
I suspect that quite a few feel as you to no avail.
The continued beating of the proverbial dead horse.
Charles |
