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Chord Dave - Missing soundstage width

Hi I am in the process of evaluating the Chord Dave.I have a Orchid dac and to my ears it has a wider soundstage than the Dave, but in every other aspect the Dave is the clear winner.
The Dave has height, depth and a way to make you feel that you are there. but not much sound outside the speaker boundaries.
Is my observation correct or does my system suck (;
Equipment: Primaluna HP integrated EL34 tubes. Tekton Design DI, A well treated room.Streaming with Tidal HIFI/Master
martin-andersen
adg101
1,059 posts
 
Is the stage actually wider on the Orchid or does the stage just sounds like a wall of music, and not saying it doesn’t have a pleasing sound. Is the Dave maybe quieter, more space between the instruments and maybe at a quick observation comes across as a narrower stage? No doubt tubes can throw a wide stage, but at what expense? Is there space between the musicians, can you close your eyes and point to each musician? I think on some tube components that have that tube bloom, things can get lost a little but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound pleasing or wonderful.

I have not heard either DAC but I suspect the Dave is more refined and there’s more space and openness with depth.  Also is the Orchid a little louder than the Dave or do you have the output levels matched? Maybe the Orchid is a little more forward sounding? Could be the Orchid is just a better match in your system.

My RME ADI 2 fs throws a huge stage but it’s not always on, it has great stage and space and here and there you get that, “Where the heck did that come from”... feet beyond the sidewalls. Not to side rail things but using my RME as an example it’s more complex than just wide wall of sound always there, it’s extremely quiet, and maybe a little eerie with micro detail. Maybe the Dave is much more like this than just a wide wall of sound.
martin-andersen OP
139 posts
 
Thanks nice thought process (:
The Dave is so MUCH better in every aspect then the Orchid, but tonal color are pretty equal and I am very happy about that.
I know the RME ADI2 had it for a week it was a little to bright sounding for my taste. But a VERY good dac for the money.
Again thanks for giving me food for tought
martin-andersen OP
139 posts
 
adg101 do you have an example off a piece of music that have a very wide soundstage and that can be found on Tidal.
martin-andersen OP
139 posts
 
I don't normally listen to Yello, but right know I am playing Touch by Yello and it's like sitting in a good surround system (I have a 7.4.1 system)
Simply just crazy, there are sound everywhere, but also controlled and focused.
Would just like a little more flesh on the voices. 
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