audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| noob DAC question The best way to interface a PC with a DAC is using USB converter. These are available from $150 to $4K depending on the sound quality you want. They have USB input and digital coax output, as well as AES/EBU and I2S output on some units. The best ... | |
| Ways to improve DAC performance??? If you are ripping CD's, then use XLD rather than iTunes.Players like Audirvana, Amarra and Pure Music will improve the playback quality over iTunes.The biggest improvement you can make is to use either a reclocker from your MacBook or even better... | |
| Digital Source Conditioning?? The only one that I have tried that really works great for digital electronics is the Plasmatron from VHaudio.comThis is an AC voltage regulator using special tubes. A totally unique product.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| choose a DAC to complete my system "The reason that I mentioned trying a different cable is that every time I put a silver cable between an amp and preamp, I don't like it."That is because you are buying the wrong cables. The silver metallurgy and care in assembly is critical. Most... | |
| choose a DAC to complete my system After you fix the jitter, the preamp and the DAC, then you should focus on the source.There are three paths, all driving USB out to the USB converter:1) PC using optimized hardware (SSD, memory, power supply). Playback using Jriver (and maybe Jpla... | |
| choose a DAC to complete my system Three things: 1) don't use the Oppo for a DAC, 2) eliminate, don't replace the active preamp. Active preamps like this are the bain of audio. If you are not willing to spend at least $10K on a really good tube pre, forget it. 3) make certain that ... | |
| Replacement for Squeezebox Touch? Any of these devices can be used with a reclocker, using toslink or coax input to the reclocker. They will all improve and sound identical. Might as well get the cheapest device and spend the money on the thing that makes the biggest difference, t... | |
| Use asynch. USB converter with inboard DAC? Vic - Originally I didn't use the OR5 with the Ovrdrive DAC, but that was before I started using Hynes supplies for the OR5. This made all the difference. Now I have my own Hynes-based supply, the Dynamo that I use with the OR5, it's the only way ... | |
| I-tunes download sample rate? This is referred to as a "rip", not a download. Do NOT use iTunes. Instead get a good ripper S/W like dbpoweramp. The quality will be much higher. Why go to the trouble of doing a job with a poor tool?If you have Mac, then use XLD.Steve N.Empirica... | |
| Is there anything like a WIFI USB cable? Only a few wireless hubs can support Async USB. These are from Icron:http://www.icron.com/products/icron-brand/usb-extenders/It may only do 44.1, not 96.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Use asynch. USB converter with inboard DAC? Tboooe - I have lots of anecdotal customer and personal experience with this. I have many customers driving their "high-end" USB DACs with the Off-Ramp 5 through S/PDIF coax, even though these DACs have built-in Async USB interfaces. There are sig... | |
| Use asynch. USB converter with inboard DAC? External USB converters will ALWAYS beat built-in USB interfaces in DACs. This is simply because the power supply for the master clock is independent and usually higher quality, achieving lower levels of jitter. Some converters have upgrade option... | |
| External HD Changing the quality of the sound? Adding an external HDD or RAID does one thing for sure: it adds yet another ground-loop to the system. This alone can cause SQ degradation if you are not careful. The power cords should be heavy and use the same outlet as the computer. Adding in p... | |
| Explain Digital Basics to an Analog person If you want world-class results, rivaling your vinyl, then jitter is the primary thing to tackle, both in ripping and playback.1) Record hi-resolution digital from LPs - you need a GOOD A/D converter - the Ayre QA9 is the only choice IMO2) Play CD... | |
| USB Cable with No Power "First you must understand that desire not to use PC power is the desire not to carry ground noise to your DAC"Not true. Even the USB cable with no power wire in it still needs a ground wire in it or it will not work.Revelation makes an unpowered ... |