RCA outputs with the optional output module Voltage: 3.57 Vrms Maximum Impedance > 600 High Gain setting. Didn't like it at all. Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. This is disabled if you are outputting to a preamplifier. But digital, potentially, can change things. It's UPDATE VIDEO THREE for the Chord Electronics DAVE DAC REVIEW I have spent a lot more time with the DAVE Dac, still using. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! More to follow. Your web browser does not support iFrames. Our publication is supported by its audience. Nothing was amiss. The world's largest high-end audio community. I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. Thanks guys! MQA decoding Focal Utopia ~ LCD i4 ~ ETHER FLOW open/C ~ LCD-2.2/XC ~ Nighthawk ~ K10 custom ~ JH Angie, Chord mscaler // Chord TT2 // Oppo PM-1 (Artisan silver headphone cable) // Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm // WAVE Stream bnc cables // Kef LS50 Meta. Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new hometheyll continue to be enjoyed for years to come. I listen mostly to classical music, particularly with symphonic work, I prefer DAVE to MSB. Mola Mola dac and the Total dac. However, its also very nice to listen to in this system, though I would say it is more accurate/true to the original DAC than our LAB12 DAC or perhaps our Lampizator BIG 7. There is no dark magic involved. There hasn't been any direct comparison of them with Select II, Trinity DAC, CH D1/C1, Totaldac D12 etc in Hong Kong yet. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. Bespoke Audio Ultimate Silver TVC passive preamp, Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers x2, Eisteddfod 340 & 840 amps, Magico S5 speaker, MSB Select DAC, MSB Select Transport, Nakamichi 700 XLE cassette deck, Taiko Audio Extreme Server, Tripoint Troy Signature NG groundbox, PLiXiR Elite 1500 isolation transformers. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It is worth every penny. We are But MSB Select 2 is regarded by many as the best thats why for something 1/10 of the price to compete in anyones eyes is quite an accomplishment. have had the opportunity to A/B many more pieces of equipment than any consumer The Dave is VERY lovely on PCM, and pretty decent on DSD, but DSD is not its raison d'etre. digital front ends. It is an unassuming but very nicely put together component that has had a great deal of thought put into the architecture of the parts that make it up. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-dac-that-crushes-price-vs-performance-ratio. I dont know as that was years ago and I dont have one here to test against. But DAVE also seems to me to highlight the original recording so if the recording is flat, the playback sounds flat (still with great accurate timbre) but if the recording really showcase the soundstage and the 3-dimensionality of the instruments and vocals, DAVE really portrays that well. Still, it's the way I prefer at this stage. If you go reference you will never look back. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. Fixed. Right now my favorite music player is from the same manufacturer of the Phasure NOS1a DAC: Stealth LPS running XXHighEnd software; again with the same caveat that I haven't heard a lot of the other highly regarded music players in my system. Not sure why you would spend so much on a DAC when the Crane Song Solaris is available at $1,949. Each clock is made up of two independent clocks but only one is used at any given time so as not to add unwanted noise to the circuit. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. connection to the dac chip. But it need good system matching. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. So, essentially, around the back of this DAC we have XLR output modules, dual power inputs (more on this in a moment) the digital input module (XLR, RCA, and two optical), and the USB input. Toggle signature. It could sound analytical or hot coupled with bright combination of speaker and amplifier. I've yet to see a system with direct connections eliminating the preamp which wasn't improved by a adding a good preamp back into the mix! The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. The dCS Bartok was also interesting but, based on my research, I kept coming back to Bricasti. I don't think any of us have heard the Dave, and we don't have any interest. What else should one expect? Sound Media Group Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. DAC Comparison Reference DAC Modules 4x Hybrid DAC Clock The Femto 33 Digital Inputs 4x User Replaceable Input Slots Optical and Coaxial input module Included Analog Outputs Preamp XLR Output Module - 150 Impedance RCA output available with external adapter Analog Inputs XLR Analog Expansion Modules RCA or XLR Input RCA or XLR Output Up to 1km lossless transmission. You'd expect Audiosanctuary to understand what a gutless amp sounds like, and at least put a headphone amp in front of that DAVE, if they wanted to sell people either the DAVE or the headphones. Digital: Jay's Audio CDT2 MK2 CD transport, Modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda DAC. There are separate optimal PCM and DSD modes for playbacks and bit perfect playback is how DAVE performs optimally as the FPGA up samples and noise shapes everything to 104MHz 5-bit. This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of CHORD DAVE combination DAC and headphone amplifier. This unit came with two power supplies and Ill be playing with the DAC with one and with two to compare and contrast. II cannot do anything but award this DAC our highest award, but that award goes with the caveats that it should be used directly into an amplifier and that Id like to have had the options for analogue inputs. Anyway, the MSB Discrete is a machine that I consider to be highly resolving and a true HiFi product with regard to the definition I quoted above. To build a simple and good system). Chord Dave DAC "Sealed Box Brand New" Never Opened !! Out of all of the DACs I've So yes it's a question of being polite, but it's also about acknowledging the limitations inherent in making absolute pronouncements about differences between high performing components. sounds just like the Dave. Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator, https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd. If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. Directstream, Bricasti M1, Jeff Rowland Aeris, Chord Dave, and today I And this is what separates the very good from the excellent piece of audio equipment. Up to 8X DSD Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. Stay updated on Bloom Audio at their. 2001-2023 Head-Fi.org. Now, this is an important and quite a cool lesson in what is going on with the two PSUs. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream IGNORED Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream . I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rothschild-70aab85/, Headphones and Personal Audio with Pitch Perfect Service. You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. Aurender W20-> Lampizator Pacific SE -> Ayon Crossfire III or Circle Labs A100 -> Avantgarde Acoustic Trio LE 26 with 4x REL Carbon Special ,SACD Player: Audio Aero La Fontaine. The headamp is powerful but not involving. Thank me laterLoL. That's just too money for the performance. I could not so, after 2 years of trying, I bought it. I've had many world class DACS in my studio over the years and the Crane Song is as good as any no matter the cost. The SQ is amazingly good. ), Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp), DAC Noise Modulation: Chord DAVE vs Topping DX7 Pro+, Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review. They are excellent pairing. CHORD Dave could be the most expensive deeply design DAC in the world and if you find it not your taste there is the best off the shelf DACs like akm4499 in Topping D90 for 699$ that could be even better than Dave. those surpass any other digital choice. As you mentioned imaging better, incredible PRaT with MSB. I can leave my hand on it as long as I want to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites. 2. There ain't no Coupe deVille hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box. It would have been a different outcome though with the Cyrus pre-amp I previously owned, which cast a veil over everything. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. Digital inputs : RCA coax, AES/EBU XLR, 2x Toslink optical, 2x module slots, word . It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. that it is difficult to say you have the best in regard to dacs but Rockna is And yes, you can improve it more by adding nice power source and cable. But dont take our word for it. As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate getting your impressions. in this forum and they are all very good dacs. Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. Like the rest of the DACs in the MSB range, the Select DAC is modular in its architecture with each of the modules being produced in house, as outlined above. While it's an easy setup to wrangle at a show, it does seem like it wasn't doing either component any favours! I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I actually like the simplicity of this and it is very intuitive to use when you get into setting up and menu diving, though diving is over-egging it a bit as the Discrete is a doddle to set upif you do it right, but more on that in a while. I understand that audio stores and distribution companies have the opportunity to A/B a significant amount of equipment. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. CH Precision mono dac with clock and 3 power supplies (7 boxes)----its more spendy---$150k, Merging Technologies NADAC w/power supply and clock---much better now with the clock and power supply upgrades than my previous experience.----around $60k. ISOAcoustics Oreas footers. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. @astewart8944--two years ago in Feb of 17 i did audition the original Formula dac in my system directly compared to the Lampizator GG 1.5 and the Nagra HD and preferred the Formula for its greater space, lower noise, and more neutral and fast presentation. This is because one PSU is supplying juice to modules including the screen and USB input etc but not to the output module. "Im not sure if there are algorithms that can add high-frequency information that wasnt captured in the original sampled result". and as I said earlier there is no "best" when it comes to dacs or personal preference. You absolutely can say that you prefer other DAC's to the Berkeley Alpha Reference. Gbel High End [Divin Noblesse], [Divin Marquis], ([Epoque Aeon Fine]). It will kick your ass. Please specify coaxial S/PDiF or optical S/PDiF. Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. We have what I consider to be a pretty resolving system, but we also listen to music a fair old bit for pure pleasure and so theres a valve amp currently feeding our chosen reference loudspeakers though thats not to say this system isnt highly resolving in its own right. I wired it all up and the unit lit up but I could get no sound out of it whatsoever. Too objective for subjectivists; too subjective for objectivsts. What I do know is that the MSB brings an excellent level of performance by way of neutrality to a system that allows other parts of the system to do their thing its sort of the digital equivalent of a very (very) good cartridge. Whatever, the Discrete is a superb bit of kit that Id really love to take up residence in the system on a permanent basis, but thats not going to happen. For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. Thats not allthe CNC unibody aluminum chassis provides the discrete power supply with optimal thermal performance and an elegant design aesthetic. MSB DACs also use a processing chip to handle oversampling and digital filtering (not sure if this chip is an FPGA or other type processing chip, but it is a high speed digital processing chip). This hobby is "highly subjective", influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions; therefore you can A/B a million different components and come to a completely different conclusion on how it sounds compared to another listener. The next module is the display which is a cool and easy-to-read LED that is slaved to the audio clock. A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. Along with an integrated clock, changing this card allows switching between single-ended and balanced outputs. Sonically it is very much as its name suggests and converts files faithfully and without loss or (importantly) embellishment. Also; recently MSB introduced a new interface that optimizes USB and adds fibre to reduce noise, the MSB Pro USB. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. One of the things I jotted down in my notes during this time was the sense of scale the Discrete brought to the music I was listening to big music sounded BIG and more intimate recordings had their own scale too. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. For the most part, I used this input and for a quick comparison one of the optical inputs. The good DS (delta sigma) dacs that aren't hard or harsh, are a bit of a yawn, and lack bringing out the life (boogie factor) of the music, but in a . Since this forum is mainly USA based and we are in the UK, I have very little to gain business wise here. Did I mention the remote is perfect? @ricred1, I would like to suggest you take a look at the Mola Mola Tambaqui when it arrives later this month I understand. But the differences between great DACs is small. The Discrete DAC we have here is the baby of the four DACs MSB produces, with the top-of-the-range Select DAC boldly proclaiming to be the worlds finest DAC. However, there are two inputs for external PSUs and a little doodad/adapter that allows the use of one external PSU. Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers, A healthy approach to understanding measurements, After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones, $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+, http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/chord-dave-29757/#post579518, (You must log in or sign up to reply here.). for instance, the Select II is modular (customers can easily change modules in seconds)so it has the ability to quickly modify its inputs to allow for optimization of various interfaces. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? There are so. Did you audition all of them in the same place with the same system? It doesnt get too hot to touch. The video cannot be shown. I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six. will every hear. The remainder I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to@Stereophilus. in this forum and they are all very good dacs. The Pro USB was developed to offer a multi part USB solution that features complete electrical isolation and all the performance of MSBs proprietary Pro ISL input. Sent from my SM-G928V using Computer Audiophile mobile app. "To be 100% honest we have A/B tested most of the dacs mentioned You could spend less and get close to the sound of this DAC, for sure. As I listen to this tune a few times it strikes me that the Discrete is just that (discrete), it doesnt seem to add a great deal of itself to the file it is playing.
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