sns

Responses from sns

LAIV Harmony
@kereru Your welcome. I changed my order at last minute from the Concentus to Ximius, Ximius is their new reference I2S cable.   I expect you'll find optical conversion to be worthwhile, I started with the generic converters with the wall warts,... 
Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit
@jimbones I did really like the Pass XP-22, just couldn't justify having two preamps. My greatest issue was the more tightly drawn images, this means outer edges of images more defined, with my Coincident pre,  images more slightly blend  with oth... 
First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship
@melm  This will explain, https://www.denafrips.com/gaia Hans B. also has youtube video.   Custom termination I2S cables available at https://audiolund.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooxNn3WUk6YELU-7beiANY2By6w0AmymaEPdGRGGa84ZK9NN_Y2 These are I2S cables, o... 
First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship
@car123 Not really a complete review, rather more impressions, more thorough review earlier. Thread is under Laiv Harmony.   I agree an I2S directly out of streamer, avoiding usb altogether would be a simpler solution. Issue is the quality of th... 
Six DAC Comparison
I find it extremely curious Mojo doesn't provide I2S input. On one hand I understand optimizing usb inputs as seems to be de facto output on most streamers. On the other, why do the extra conversion vs. native I2S path in dacs?   Recently I purc... 
Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit
@jimbones  This not about you running tubes hard, some tube equipment runs plate voltages somewhat high, this shortens life of tube, someone mentioned CJ pre's as running tubes hard, this may be issue here. Someone else mentioned high home voltage... 
Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit
First off, no quality tubes, NOS or new should be getting noisy that often, either you're getting close to end of life tubes or pre running those tubes hard.   Last year I tried SS pre after decades with tubes, so purchased Pass XP-22 based on P... 
LAIV Harmony
@dandion Certainly having a streamer with I2S output negates the need for DDC. I could output I2S from my custom streamer via Pink Faun I2S board, this would be less costly solution but went with Denafrip's superior technology here. No doubt a hig... 
In the sand box
I've tried many isolation schemes over the decades, I prefer sand boxes to granite, concrete, various woods, soft and hard plastic products.  The platform which sits on top of the sand is critical, I have platforms made of various thickness alumin... 
The Great DAC Mystery
One response to this conjecture is there is no universal consensus on what is best dac topology, R2R, chip dacs and FPGA dacs all have their proponents and critics, much more than filters in question here.   I've also experimented a bit with HQP... 
First impressions of new MH-DA006, Musetec flagship
Just posted initial review of Laiv Harmony/Denafrips Gaia combo, 006 bested on virtually every parameter. I doubt 006 performance via usb likely to change much with burn in at a little over 300 hours. This means 006 would have to be advantaged by ... 
LAIV Harmony
Ongoing experiments with Laiv vs Musetec 006. I've been listening to Musetec in main system for several weeks, burn in now up to 300 hours, probably a good 30 hours of that serious, undivided listening sessions. In the meantime I had Harmony burni... 
The Great DAC Mystery
While I'm not an EE or fully immersed in technical aspects of this hobby, what @shadorne ponders is how innovation comes about in audio equipment. Digital innovations are coming relatively fast and furious, this sort of speculation is what drives ... 
Retirement System Finally Completed: Impression of the Mola Mola Tambaqui
I seem to be a very unique individual in that I hope I never retire. I'm retirement age and still work 25-30 hours per week. I'm a craftsman in a family business, the pride I have in my work never grows old.  Being able to have work that allows me... 
Streaming, Getting the Signal, Then What?
Good test for quality of streaming chain. Streaming sound quality should be at least equal to cd's played over quality transport.