@lanx0003 What’s the "VG" ddc? Is that a certain brand or model?
edit: I think you mean very good?
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?
- ...
- 25 posts total
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? |
@lanx0003 |
@lanx0003 I misspoke or used my words wrong. I meant to say that I've tried a lot of the budget-ish streamers except for the Halo Red. I re-read what I wrote & it's not what I meant lol. I have never listened to or owned the Red. It is one that I have been interested in. The Red & the Rivo Plus. I did receive my uDac today. I hooked it up to the IFI Neo Stream (which I feel is an improvement over the Zen Stream) but only by USB. I do have a short I2s cable but I'm just trying to burn the uDac in right now. I have my TV running into it by optical at the moment. I didn't have my Pontus 15th in the living room where I put the uDac. I had the RME & when I switched to the uDac the height of the soundstage was very noticeable. The clarity was better..as was imaging focus. That was only with it playing a couple hours. I did notice how hot the uDac gets. I'm looking forward to its presentation after some hours on it. |
@tubeguy76 I don't want to take credit from the gentleman who first started promoting the SMSL PO100 Pro with the Ultra. I'm not sure if you've seen his video, but I took his advice and tried out this well-built, sub-$80 DDC. It really works well with the Ultra. The device measures well on ASR and, on my system, achieves 80-85% of the performance of a Gustard U18 when using an I2S connection. The performance will vary depending on your system, so I suggest trying other connections for yourself. It's so affordable that if you don't like it, you can return it to Amazon at no loss. |
- 25 posts total