audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Synchro-Mesh and Of-Ramp have 30-day money back, less shipping. You just waited too long.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD I do not build onesey-twosey on products that cost $200. It would be a waste of my time.If you order an Overdrive, Off-Ramp or Synchro-Mesh, these orders go into the queue and get built in that order. I don't wait for more orders. Standard wait ti... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD If the DS transformer is an I/V converter, then the Final Drive may still be beneficial. Depends on the impedance of the transformer and whether it is galvanically isolated or not.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Matt - the FD really helps if you don't have transformer on the output. If you have it, you don't really need the FD. IF the transformers in the pre were same ones used in the FD, now this would make a BIG difference. It would also add at least $4... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD I just though of something that might make it a bit more unfocused. Because you already have transformers in the pre outputs, adding the second transformer in series floats the wiring between the transformers and the transformer cores on the FDs a... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Matt - the 18" cables were my own cable line, when I used to sell cables. They are bare-wire pure silver suspended in space. I don't have anyone to build them for me now, and besides the silver wire is getting very hard to source. Not to mention t... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Audiolabyrinth - Yes, I have a Plasmatron 3. Everyone that listens to this in their system has bought one. Chris loaned us one at RMAF and we had to use it for the entire show. It's really cool looking too. Some tubes for this have plasma fire in ... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD "Finally, I will try the ODSE to Criterion to Veritas as I have been, but add in the Short Block (which, from what I understand, basically divides the small dc USB power from the line which helps to improve sound."The SB should always be used with... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD It would be interesting to know the effect of the FD between DAC and preamp and preamp and amp. One of these might be a substantial improvement, particularly if your preamp has no transformer either on the input or output.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| New Lampizator Level 4/ Version 4 DAC in the house Passive preamps sound leaner because you are trying the wrong technology. Resistive attenuation is the WRONG solution. Transformer passive or TVC is the RIGHT solution. No leanness there. It only makes sense technically.BTW, driving DAC to amps di... | |
| Are music servers the future? Music servers are now, not in the future. Check out the Antipodes. Beats even a tweaked-out ac Mini, which I have had for years.DSD is another thing. I believe its a flash in the pan like SACD. Most high-end DAC designers don't like it but they ar... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Long break-ins are usually a result of a LOT of plastic dielectrics in the design; capacitors, cabling and circuit boards. IME, its better to use non-plastic dielectrics like ceramic, paper-in-oil and cotton. These require virtually no break-in an... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD "Everything was set properly (confirmed with Steve) but even with the volume control knob activated and on its most counter-clockwise position (supposed to be zero output) I was still getting a decent amount of volume through the speakers"The Over... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD "Steve, have you considered/tried adding a volume control to the Final Drive?"I have. I can get an autoformer for the steps in attenuation. The problem is that it does not solve the problem for ALL DACs. Many do not have low output impedance, so t... | |
| Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD Brightness is of course subjective, however there are some key things in a DAC design that can cause this perception:1) out of balance dynamic responseThis occurs when the power subsystem cannot respond exactly the same speed to a low-frequency tr... |