Benjamin notes that Apple products are plug & play via USB, as are Lenovo devices.
Linux devices. Lenovo is just a hardware brand.
Six DAC Comparison
I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.
Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.
Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.
My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.
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Thanks @bluethinker; I'll do so, for sure. And my workaround for the Rose is simply to use the RCA coax output (Rose) to it's mate on the Mojo, and run my transport through AES to the corresponding Mojo port. And yes @devinplombier, I meant to say devices running Linux in general. Benjamin also mentioned Lenovo, and as I have one of their tablets, that's what stuck. All the while, the Mojo Mystique X '24 continues to burn in -- 10 to 12 hours a day -- and is sounding better and better. My understanding is that at around 240 hours, the lotus blossom unfolds, and Kate Bush appears with her Fairlight in my livingroom. Yet another in a series of aspirational states! |
@zmann007 - Let us know when the lotus flower unfolds! |
I have a comment about and experience with a couple of DACs. I have been listening to a NAD 3050 integrated amp that is only a few months old. The amplifier itself is fabulous. The unit contains an internal DAC and it has been enjoyable to listen to the system. However, I decided to hook up a BluMe DAC to see if I could hear a difference with some songs of which I am very familiar. When I played the BluMe DAC, I was amazed at the difference! The instruments sounded much deeper and wider for the soundstage and you could focus on individual instruments with the BluMe DAC. Depth of the soundstage is something that I am striving for as it gives me the best listening experience. Further, some songs have two different base notes playing that are quite close in frequency. The deck supplied with the unit sounded garbled and the BluMe unit allowed me to hear the two separate notes with great distinction. I would have to say that the DAC inside the NAD unit is inferior to the BluMe unit. Due to the three dimensional holographic affect that I get with The BluMe unit, I no longer use the internal DAC inside the NAD 3050. I will be experimenting with other outboard DAC units To experience the differences. |
@bluethinker , while we haven't received the Mearason in the shop yet (we're still recovering from having five ( ! ) rooms at Capital Audio Fest), the Mojo X '24 is up at around 150 hours now, and is definitely a keeper. While I don't have anywhere near the "I've tried multiple DACs in my current system" experience as @mitch2 or many of the others posting to this thread, I'd like to think I have a pretty keen ear. I've also heard multiple MSBs and Mearasons at the shop -- often through much finer and far more expensive gear than my own. That said, I believe I'm very much in (or rapidly approaching) the sonic realm I've long dreamt of. Granted, the YG Carmel 3s I picked up earlier this year are facilitating a fair bit of the overall SQ, but still. There's just so much freakin' air & space around the individual instruments and the notes they produce, yet the whole is as cohesive and engaging as can be. Now all I have to do is win the lottery, pick up a 2nd gen Vinnie Rossi Brahma II integrated, and call it a day. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get the door -- I think that's Kate and her Fairlight coming up the walk. |
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