the Select II pushes the analog to be its best. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Like the Lab12. 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. The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/, Check the true bit-depth of your files and audio engine, Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences, Know your limits (Sound Exposure Safety Chart), Topping DX7 Pro+ vs Chord DAVE measurements (Cosmos ADC) - DAVE is better in some areas (surprise! I just heard DAVE directly connected to MacBook Pro via USB without any expensive cables, headphone amplifier, power conditioner. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). This unit came with two power supplies and Ill be playing with the DAC with one and with two to compare and contrast. I have a PS Audio DSD ATM and it is also on the warm side which is good, but I'm thinking I need something more neutral due to my speakers being fairly warm and full bodied in their own right to take my system to the next level. Its headphone amplifier is good but no match for higher powered units. I think my DAVE sounds great with everything. I wish you would have had the Totaldac D1 Seven to try. I haven't heard MSB or theDenafrips DAC. Set up is key, cables are super important, server is also I thought the DAVE was just as stunning with DSD as PCM. Going by the performance of the Mola Mola Makua (pre with dac module) it will be extremely good. Is it better than the Chord DAVE that I raved about a few years ago? As a contented Qutest user, I would have hoped for "improved", performance from the Dave. My friend who owns the Diamond DAC IV prefers the MSB. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content. Sonically, it is akin to the old straight wire with gain only in the digital realm. The Chord Qutest DAC has the same DAC architecture and filters as the Chord Hugo 2. With two prime DACs, we yield an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. But dont take our word for it. MQA decoding I have listened to MSB Analog DAC and Diamond DAC IV but not in the same setup as DAVE. However, there are also products that manage to straddle both sides of the electric fence (whilst being careful not to electrocute their nether regions) and give us a tremendously enjoyable reproduction of a recording whilst remaining true to the source material. Directstream, Bricasti M1, Jeff Rowland Aeris, Chord Dave, and today I comes down to knowing what you are actually trying to achieve in a high end The headamp is powerful but not involving. Digital Audio Forum: DAC, Transports, Digital Processing Forum, 4x20A circuits | Audioquest Niagara 3000 | Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. personal preference. You must log in or register to reply here. And this is where I had a problem with this DAC, though mostly the problem was of my own making. I did have the BADA Ref in my system for a short audition, and the Trinity And CH Precision C1 for a longer stay during a previous iteration of my system. Please specify coaxial S/PDiF or optical S/PDiF. I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. Were constantly improving digital input modules to stay at the forefront of the high-end audio industry, ensuring youre always equipped with the most current digital file formats and interfaces. lastly; what I compare my MSB Select II to every day is my top level vinyl and top level reel to reel tape. The PM2 is very special. I agree with what you are saying but "far too often" the The Dave is VERY lovely on PCM, and pretty decent on DSD, but DSD is not its raison d'etre. The modular nature of the Discrete and other MSB DACs is very clever and I assume this goes a good way towards giving it such a neutral and detailed sound, where no one part is interfering with what the other is doing. Im getting a bit away from the review proper, but Im sure you can see why I have added that little diversion. Im outputting directly to the LAB12 (and later a Krell KST100) power amp and so a digital volume algorithm is used where the digital volume control is left at a relatively high output so as not to encounter loss at lower volume levels. A modular I/O card keeps even the discrete DAC flexible, repairable, and upgradeable. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. it just complimented my system better than those other two. In my listening tests, I could detect no attribute that made it sound special. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). I hope to also have an opportunity to listen to a T+A DAC8 (for DSD512) and a Chord Dave (DSD256) in my system soon (with HQPlayer). Actually the ChordHugo M Scaler and the Blu Mk. They both use FPGA for their decoding. turns out that with the Extreme USB slightly pulls ahead of the Ethernet with the Renderer, then adding the Pro USB there is now a significant step up over the Renderer. Ill go through the modules included in the Discrete DAC and explain a little about each. If you send me a dave i will happily be your 4th friend who also owns a dave. For such a high entry price I wouldn't take the gamble to go on some recommendation by a stranger whose tastes I don't know. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. In that price range, you would be mad not to addthe MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. With the Bartok now quite a few $$$ more, the Tambaqui represents a fantastic price v performance ratio that would be at home in most highly resolving systems. Chord DAVE - DAC/Amp/Pre-Amp - Official Thread Roon Endpoint By Ok, I looked a prat but it proves that the separate PSUs are actually doing something rather than being there for show, though they do look rather cool in themselves. Dave gets a "thumbs up" overall from me though. Perhaps thats a bit of an odd example for me to use as its a bit World Music but you are also made aware of the rightness of timing on percussive techno tracks. I was upgrading it in this order and still could not believe every time it sounded better. The DAVE DAC does not perform anywhere near where it should. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? It seems to take in zeros and ones and then somehow make sense of these and just convert them into faithful reproductions of the recording though me not being at the recording of any of the records I listened to, thats my assumption coming into play. You might want to consider adding one of Chord's Upscalers, either Hugo M scaler , or the Blu Mk. Strangely, this new review is not displayed when you select the review folder on the homepage. Thanks. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! Only hifi shops and shows hear and there. Talking of cool lets talk about this remote. How does it compare? I have Chord Dave and Blu2 too. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. 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. It features the very best conversion technology available, using proprietary techniques never seen before, making DAVE the most advanced DAC/preamp amplifier in the world. I hope you understand. Dealer's should be required to state they're a dealer every time they post or have a disclaimer in their username. An FPGA does not have analog output, in the Chord DACs, VLC | M-Audio FastTrack Pro | Mac Opt | Panasonic SA-HE100 | Logitech Z623, : SET Tube Amp | Low-Noise Linear Regulated Power Supply | USB, Power, Speaker Cables | Speaker Stands | Acoustic Panels, http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671. This effect was evident on track after track but didnt feel like it was overly exaggerated. MSB Discrete DAC | Hifi Pig Sign up for a new account in our community. I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive, I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. And this is what separates the very good from the excellent piece of audio equipment. 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. I have personally not observed this - with either the DAVE or my Mojo. prefer to keep our test results among ourselves. The Chord DAVE was also on my list, but I decided to pass (my Chord retailer was very 'pushy' and not helpful). I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. Best DACs comparison test result [[My Subjective Opinion]] Msb discrete dac vs dcs bartok - wfi.pizzeria-kandel.de I have the Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC, waiting for an upgrade. The Dave as a DAC actually sounds decent. The MSB Discrete, as I mentioned, came with two power supplies but you can operate it with just one with the supplied doodad. We can operate our current DAC modules at up to 6 MHz for PCM and up to 50 MHz for DSD. But if you don't, what is your reference point? I can leave my hand on it as long as I want to. The Discrete DAC uses two of these modules per unit. Sit back and be immersed. That is not to say that a preamp doesn't produce value with respect to other sound quality characteristics that may affect the personal appeal of the musical reproduction (e.g., soundstage), or that the extra transparency won't reveal system issues, but there is no question that transparency is higher when going straight to the amps. It is a pretty DAC but usability is left behind. Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. How hot does the Chord DAC get? Can't beat the form factor of it though, great for off a desk top. Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator. I think is a good general rule of thumb, but there are some very transparent passive pre-amps out there. All rights reserved. So true jr, the discrete R2R Multibit dacs like the Terminator the Holo, MSB, Total ect ect have a life and a boogie factor to the music that DS dacs lack, and yes they do show up bad recordings. The Premier DAC Features - MSB Technology 2 are upscalers , not upsamplers. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. Gbel High End [Divin Noblesse], [Divin Marquis], ([Epoque Aeon Fine]). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We are I submit dealers use the statement "component X competes against much more expensive components" far too often. and our ears are completely different. the North American distributors for Rockna so I thought I would jump in on this Yes, definitely, as it is those extra tiny little bits of detail that adds the cherry on top of an already rather splendid slice of musical cake brought out on tracks like the audio show mainstay Keith Dont Go from Acoustic Live by Nils Lofgren. And I make Best DAC Quality Ranking list. Jon Hopkins Music For Psychedelic Therapy was a beautifully enveloping experience, made all the more so as sounds come and go in the soundstage in a somewhat more solid way than without the usual DAC.
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