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jss49, yes, there are those who would recoil from such a setup, presuming that because theoretically the sound would be worse, it wouldn’t be worth attempting.
They would be wrong.
Typically, as in the system I did set up this evening, going DAC direct to amp, and even using a less than perfect software attenuation is FAR superior to many (I’ll not be dogmatic about it, though I think I have a pretty good reason to be) systems set up alternatively. I obtained the best results to date this evening with the DAC direct to amp, much better than all the previous iterations of systems made with it, despite using the software attenuation.
Let’s learn from this; sometimes the theoretical bad idea is actually a far superior actual result. That is why I actually build systems to test, rather than presume. The results can be - well, often are - surprising, and thrilling. :)
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For reviews of products I always start sans subs, then after adequate experience with the product, I roll in the subs. |
Do you want the $5K Synergy System, the $20K Synergy System, or the $75K Synergy System? :)
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You’re shopping, and it seems you are shooting in the dark. (Which is fine, if that is what you really want to do.)
The general question of what constitutes synergy in an audio system is unproductive. You will get a set of answers that is completely unusable, given the variance in products and listeners.
You need to be specific in using a search for synergy, or "perfect" sound. Focus on one item, the speakers, I suggest, and work from there. Genres of speakers include Panel, Open Baffle, Dynamic, Horn, Omnidirectional, etc. and hybrids of these.
Finally, be aware that unless a person has the capacity to hear hundreds of systems and dozens with a particular product, then the acclamation of synergy or perfect sound is to be weighted as such. Simply because someone thinks a match is good, in no way means it is ideal, or cannot be vastly improved. The systems I built years ago with speakers I would not listen to today. The common factor in the advancement of synergy is one thing, better components and cables, which are often much higher priced. Hence, the question, only partially facetious, $5K, $20K, or $75K synergy?
So, I recommend you hone your search to start with a speaker. If you make the "wrong" decision of the speaker that moves you, then you can have a system with excellent synergy and it still won’t wow you. Give some consideration to this. :)
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Currently in the rig I have three consistent elements:
1. SOURCE: WireWorld Silver Starlight Ethernet Cable
Small Green Computer sonicTransporter with SONORE systemOptiqueand associated optical cable
SONORE Signature Rendu SE
Clarity Cable Supernatural USB cable
2. AMP: Pass Labs XA200.8 Monos
3. Speakers: Kingsound King III electrostatic speakers
The DAC and cables are under review and change as required.
I will build approximately 10-12 discrete systems for assessment, demanding improving synergy with each iteration.
The system listed is representative of my work in regard to escalating synergy over 8 years. There have been many systems with the King III speakers that had "synergy", but the perfection has never been better than with the systems built for this review. That should stand to reason, as the source, DAC, cables and amps are all higher end compared to what I was working with years ago. |
What is amazing to me is how elevated the speaker's performance is compared to years ago. I continue to be impressed by how "flexible" a speaker's sound can be based on the ancillary components and cables. The truth is that is takes dozens of rigs to gain a holistic sense of what a speaker can actually do. When a hobbyist has the occasion to take a speaker that is well-loved and elevate its performance several times, that is imo High End enjoyment, as of course, the experience of hearing music through it is so gratifying, so enriching.
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simao, have you heard of the "Pathi"; two units in Mono mode? If you love one, you will adore two. I reviewed a few iterations of the Classic One for Dagogo.com, and always had two units to run them Mono integrated, as splendid setup.
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FYI, there is another method to use a DAC direct to amp which involves software attenuation. If you have a music service such as ROON, you can use the software volume control in the media controller to raise or lower the volume, allowing a similar setup, but with a dedicated DAC.
I have done this several times, and while one must exercise caution to always know precisely where the software volume control is (to not accidentally turn on/off the amp with it at a high level, etc.), it works very well. It was difficult to trust it initially, but now I am not worried to use it. In fact, I have a dedicated DAC on review that I plan on doing that very thing today.
Is that a superior method to build a system? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends upon the preferences of the listener and the actual combination of gear. With the Pathi I had a slightly different setup in that I could run a CDP's analogue output directly into the integrated amps in mono. I advise that all possible permutations of systems be tried, as there is no telling, especially since cable differences have a strong influence, which will be superior. It is a mistake to presume the performance pecking order.
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yoby, hi; that wouldn't be a bad guess, but in this instance it is a different setup. (BTW, on a speaker review underway the Exogal Comet/Ion combo was superb!)
In this particular case the new Cipher Tube DAC from Wells Audio was under review. I just submitted the article for editing and technical check a couple days ago, so the review should appear soon. It's a gorgeous sounding unit, and it plays very well into an amp. My unit did not have the volume control built in, but Wells is working on that. Of course, one has to use software attenuation when using dedicated DAC direct to amp.
I actually discuss the question of Pre/no Pre in the article, because I had varying results with the same DAC and two different preamps. :)
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