My apologies.  Thanks for the response.

Peter, to use an iPad based remote for the NOS1 requires the PC server to have a hard wired network connection correct?  If so, are using one now as you evaluate the sonic performance?  If not, could such a connection degrade e performance substantively? 

I ask as my set-up really requires a remote control of the server.  Wireless from iPad to the router and then wired to the server from the router. 

Thanks.

Peter, is that a stripper pole next to the PC?  Hmmmm....is this part of getting the most out of the next version of XXHE....?

Praphan, thanks also for taking the time to share your experience with the NOS1 and BADA.  I owned the BADA for about 18 months and did extensive experimentations with the AES interface. 

I ran an AES16 Lynx card from a fanless PC.  Bottom line, I was able to notably improve the BADA's performance by using either a Grimm or Antelope reclocker and a Legato USB/SPIF interface.  I think I was experiencing two different improvements.  First, a better clock and second, galvanic isolation. 

The AES/SPDIF interfaces are fundamentally flawed IMHO, but the Berkeley brain trust continue to espouse the position that USB/Firewire hardware do not belong inside the DAC and prefer instead to optimize the AES/SPDIF interface.  Despite the improvements I was able to achieve I still felt the BADA was adding a HF "zing" on all low rez material I fed it no matter what filter setting I used.  Nonetheless, we are talking fine strokes here....it is certainly a high performance DAC/Pre.

So I have little doubt their new USB/AES-SPDIF box would yield improvements over your current set-up.  BTW, they have also come out with a BADA2 which uses the same improved clocks they use in their new USB/AES-SPDIF box. 

Personally, I look forward to hearing just how much this new technology improves the BADA.  I have much respect for the Berkeley guys. 

Thanks again.

Ditto what Juan said.  I'd love to see a concise summary of how to build Gerard's DIY cables and the gain clone amps.  I'm running an active two way set up and need to run about 8' per side of two pair wires (1 pair for the woofers and 1 pair for the compression driver).  Right now I'm using Home Depot zip cord 12 and 16 gauge!  And you know it doesn't sound too bad, but I know from my past experimentation of using solid core wire in teflon insulators that there is a better configuration than my zip cord.

Thanks for sharing.

Mani, regarding the silver interconnect question you raised, I have also done a lot of experimentation over the years with silver cables.  Initially they have typically wowed me with their sense of speed, greater detail, etc.  But then after listening for a few days I end up concluding they are too thin and lacking in tonal balance.  And I go back to a copper based cable (or at least a hybrid).

I remember George Cardas telling me that his conclusion after much experimentation with silver was that they were like a beautiful woman with no soul.  YMMV.

adyc, excellent questions!  I was just going to ping Peter about this as well.  I am A/B'ing Fidelia and Audirvana right now with my LIO-8 DAC.  Audirvana supports integer mode with the LIO-8 while Pure Music and Fidelia do not at this point.  AKAIK, with the advanced license copy of Fidelia you can adjust the filtering/upsampling while with Audirvana you cannot.  I don't believe integer mode works yet with Lion (10.7).  I am running 10.6 on my MM music server for that reason.

Really glad to see Peter's progress with OSX as I really believe it deserves to be compatible with the NOS1.

Peter, I tried the real-time upsampling capability of Fidelia and can report it works perfectly.  You can adjust on the fly - it mutes and resumes without nasties - making comparisons easier. 

Peter, it's great to reconnect!  Thanks for your post.  I was away from audio for quite a bit as I had my speakers rebuilt and my system was down, but have periodically checked on your progress with the NOS1.

First, let me say congratulations on bringing the NOS1 to market.  This was a HUGE undertaking.  I don't think most people appreciate the complexity of designing a DAC from the ground up.  I honestly wondered (only sometimes  ) if you would make it, but my sense was that you had the passion, determination, smarts and understanding spouse! to make it happen.  I can't wait to try one.  I guess I need to read up on the process for ordering one.  What's your ship time like these days?

Yes, after comparing Pure Music, Audirvana and Fidelia I would rate Fidelia as a clear step ahead of the others in terms of PRaT - it just sounds more like live music.  I'm not that surprised as the designers are music guys first and software people second.  I'm not sure how good their real-time upsampling capability is as I don't use it.  I'm pleased that there will be a native Mac player that will work with the NOS1 and that should increase your available market as well.

Regarding the gainclone, I read the thread you posted.  Interesting.  Below is a link to a review from a guy named "posideonsvoice" who is an accomplished DIY'er who built the Class D Audio SDS amp I referred to and who had previously used a gainclone as his main amp.

http://classdaudio.com/review/product/list/id/186/

Yes, those 4 pole caps are expensive!  But, unlike many so called high end parts, they deliver the goods big time. 

Mani, thanks for the welcome back and willingness to share your experiences with the new NOS1 USB upgrade.  I am very much looking forward to it.   

Peter, my apologies if the word "sterile" offended. It was not my intent!  It was not a word I had seen posted in NOS1 reviews, but one I used based on the comments I had read.  I was looking for a single word that kind of summed up what I had read.  I agree this word is generally considered a negative.  I mean who says, "yes, I'm looking for the most sterile sounding DAC I can"!   Going back and reading the reviews more carefully I can see this is not the essence of what was written.  Clean, clear, resolute....yes, but not lacking musicality.

In any case I am anxiously waiting for the NOS1 USB reviews.  I'm still running a Mac Mini (oh blasphemy you say - but I can run Fusion on it of course) as music server with Fidelia (the best Mac-based player I've heard) and running async Firewire to my Metric Halo LIO-8.  The best digital I've heard in my system to date.  I also am set up to run active or passive crossovers. 

BTW, someone mentioned about trying a gainclone amp.  Let me say that I am running a Class D Audio SDS-224 amp with a discrete linear PSU with a 12ns ultra fast rectifier and Jensen 4 pole caps and this thing is simply amazing.  It punches way, way above it's modest price tag and is very easy to build.  I know some DIY'ers here in the USA that put it's performance about the gainclones they owned. 

Anybody heard the latest and greatest all that NOS1 USB version in their own system who can comment on its performance versus the previous version which appeared to be a bit sterile sounding for many?  Thanks.

Gonzalito,

Unfortunately I am unable to post any pictures as I have since sold my Zalman TNN-300 silent PC music server with the AES16 PCI card in which I had encased the AES16 with ERS cloth.  What I can tell you is that I felt I heard some improvement, although I did not conduct a double blind test.  The only thing I would caution is that the ERS cloth is conductive and you do not want to let it make direct contact with the PCI for risk of shorting out the board.  That is why I used a plastic bag to encase the ERS cloth.  The AES16 board does not run hot so there is little, if any, risk of melting the bag.  Bottom line, all I can say is give it a try and let your ears be the judge.

Best

I owned the darTZeel amp and pre-amp for awhile.  Great products and fantastic customer support. 

I've also heard the best Boulder, Spectral, Halcro and Pass Labs SS amps in my system and a very special custom made hybrid (tube gain / SS output) amp.  IMVHO, the Atma-Sphere OTL (output transformerless) amps are a very audible cut above all of these amplifiers.  However, to use the lower powered S30 and M60 Atma-Sphere's you really need a high efficiency, 8 ohm nominal speaker with flattish impedance curve.  Personally, after having owned and auditioned many speakers, I  think high efficiency is the way to go anyway if your goal is to as closely reproduce the sound of live music as possible. 

So, if you have speakers which fit the profile I summarized above I would strongly recommend you audition the Atma-Sphere S30 (single chassis stereo amp with 30 watts Class A power) or the M60's (monoblocks with 60 watts Class A power).  They are reasonably priced used (at least here in the USA) and make every other amp I've listened to sound colored.  They do run hot, however.

No answer the first time....so may I ask again when will the 2 channel version of the NOS1 start shipping and what will the cost be?  Thanks.

So when will the 2 channel version of the NOS1 start shipping and what will the cost be?  Thanks.