audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Streamers used with USB or S/PDIF outs should be Linux-based, not Windows IME. The difference in SQ between FLAC and wav goes away with Linux and a good CODEC.The big advantage of USB out is that you don't rely on the clock in the server.Steve N.E... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD AL - It is certainly possible to build such a server/DAC, but good SQ is expensive. Lots of isolation and separate power supplies required.I'm not in the computer assembly business. I think my new Ethernet interface goes a long way to make the ser... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Audiolab - No plans to build a streamer. I have other projects on my plate right now.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| USB SQ, what can one expect USB interface quality varies a lot. Most of them are poorly designed IME. Using power in the cable for the critical clocked part of the interface is a no-no.However you can improve things a LOT by using a separate high-quality power supply for the... | |
| Sonos or Mac as Source? JKS - The Mini with Audirvana will be better than most reclockers added to the Sonos, provided you play .wav files and not FLAC, AIFF or ALAC on the Mini and have an external linear DC power supply for the Mini, however, the Synchro-Mesh reclocker... | |
| Is revealing always good? I recommend NOS Siemens or Telefunken tubes. At a minimum, military tubes. Nothing in current production is very good. Same with most tubes.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Is revealing always good? There are many dimensions so digital sound. Revealing or "focus" is only one of them. Jitter is the biggest issue with most digital. Jitter can make things harsh, even though the mid-frequencies are in sharp focus. Other frequency ranges can be bl... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD The problem with USB is two-fold:1) common-mode noise on the cable that is not completely rejected by the USB receiver2) poor software on the server device#1 can be mitigated with filters or galvanic isolation. I have done both.#2 can be mitigated... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD My Interchange renderer will do the same thing and be priced in the $1500 range. It will have I2S, AES and S/PDIF coax outputs just like the Off-Ramp. It can be upgraded with my Dynamo power supply for $699. Available this summer.Steve N.Empirical... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Dagogo review of the ODSE just out:http://dagogo.com/empirical-audio-overdrive-se-usb-dacpredac-reviewSteve N.Empirical Audio | |
| If you started from scratch - what would you do? Consider the Sony HAP-1 for $2K. Better than CD player. | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD The Ethernet interface plugs to any router or switch on the LAN, just like the computer connects wired.The XMOS interface is still under debug. Latest version being tested tomorrow.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD "Steve, can you state more information regarding this unit that will be able to be used with any of your products?"Yes, it can be put inside the Off-Ramp or the Overdrive."Would a user need to send the unit to you to replace the USB card for an Et... | |
| The end of pono? The only way to compare hi-res and standard res is to have the exact same recording captured in both formats, no resampling. I have such a recording of Lush Life. The 192 version definitely is better.The difference however is not huge. The vocals ... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD CT - check Audiogon for Overdrive SX. A customer is selling his to upgrade to SX, even though its not available yet.Steve N.Empirical Audio |