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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
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. 
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
1,467 posts
 
I had been using EmmLab Dac2 from 2001 to 2009 then I need a fresh air.

I auditioned Dave with and without Hugo Mscaler.

Without Mscaler, Dave is about same level as EMMLab Dac2.

But with Mscaler, it gave wider and deeper soundstage with more details.

Thus I bought Dave and HMS about one year ago.


ricred1
1,990 posts
 
I have the Dave and I find recordings are the determining factor in how the soundstage is reproduced. On some recordings the soundstage extends beyond my left and right speakers and some don't. I tried the Hugo Mscaler in my system and I prefer the Dave without the Mscaler.
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