@mattw73 Ultra + VG ddc is transformative. Ultra+ok ddc like smsl po100 pro is noticeable. Zen + ddc demo only marginal imp on my system. Ultra by itself does not outperform Zen but sounds more natural. Just share my experience.
How do you like Red? Hans rated mid 1b, on par with Rivo plus + good LPS. Hans also commands Red clean almost all sibilance. Can you confirm? Are you bothered by the need to control Red by PC? Thx.
Sound to match Zen iFi Stream
After 4 years or so, I finally hit a brick wall with iFi's amazing sounding machine, and equally awful interface & software. I use only Tidal Connect (I have a FLAC library but rarely if ever use it now), and I send digital out via coax to my Meridian speakers which contain all the DAC I need (besides, they will accept only digital signal).
But I am at a loss regarding what to replace it with. I would like to get equivalent sound (same sound... that's probably not going to happen, sound signatures will always vary), but that spaciousness, black background, and balance are what made me fall in love with the Zen. But it has been unfaithful... (sorry for the drama).
I'm considering the Cambridge Audio line, but from the AXN10/CXN10 and up, they bring a bunch of doodads that I don't need and don't particularly want to pay for. All I need is coax out! (And great sound)
Does such a unicorn exist? One that has reliable connectivity?
Alternatively, I read about the Zen handling Roon well. I don't have Roon and would need to be convinced to spend that much money. But if it's the only way to get that sound...
Those who have had a Zen Stream but then found happiness elsewhere, how did you do it?
- ...
- 21 posts total
@lanx0003 What’s the "VG" ddc? Is that a certain brand or model? edit: I think you mean very good? |
VG very good like U18 I used. Several Agers use it too. There is a YouTuber rated it highly. Harmony micro ddc has more nuances but cost more. I found its clock has extremely low jitter noise better than Rivo plus. Don’t forget cabling especially i2s ones hdmi cable is critical too like DH Labs 2.1. Did you get Zen problem solved? |
- 21 posts total