Fidelio
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« on: October 11, 2009, 02:19:56 pm » |
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So, I am getting a new DAC. I know this is a personal choice, but I would still be interested in hearing input from you guys.
I need a Toslink input, gonna be running it from my Onkyo sound card. NOS seems interesting, but I am open to oversampling DACs as well. Other than that, everything is game, but I need something that runs cold at idle since I keep my gear on 24/7, so no tubes.
Price isn't very important, but I will not get something frightfully expensive.
So, I have a few I've thought about.
- Moodlab Concept or Dice
- Beresford Caiman
- MHDT Labs Constantine+
- Audio Note DAC Zero (has a tube, but is designed to be left on 24/7)
- Naim DAC
I am not that preoccupied with detail and soundscape, I would like something that sounds natural and non-analytical. Good timing is essential above all.
Any thoughts?
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2009, 03:33:10 pm » |
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Phasure NOS1  http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=642.0Or ask GerardA, who has nice DAC for just about 100Euros, I believe |
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Fidelio
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« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2009, 03:37:06 pm » |
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Well, I can't buy the Phasure yet, or am I wrong? Moreover, what would the price be I wonder?
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- XXHE 0.9y-5 (Q 0/0/0/0/0)/Engine #4/Scheme 3/invert/Quad AP
- Cantatis Overture
- Naim amps
- Wilson Benesch speakers
- Chord Co. cables
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2009, 03:51:30 pm » |
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Hey Fidelio,
I can't wait untill I hear Phasure NOS1 DAC in combo with xx ofcourse.
It will be around 3k to 4k but it will be best price/quality out there.
For me thats a LOT of money, but I spend it wisely.
I'm looking for new DAC too, but I wait for NOS1 first.
I think its gonna be good, very good.
Peter is taking this to a whole new level, never seen someone working with this passion and dedication.(and so much "in house" knowledge)
He is doing this for himself, just himself, but willing to share this with all of us (audiofreaks)
This will set the standard.
No industry cutting costs somewhere, think about it.
IMO get a good "in between" DAC
Roy
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#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
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Fidelio
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« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2009, 04:10:05 pm » |
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IMO get a good "in between" DAC
I will, but I think the Phasure DAC will be more than I am willing to pay for a DAC, if 3-4k is in Euros. |
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- XXHE 0.9y-5 (Q 0/0/0/0/0)/Engine #4/Scheme 3/invert/Quad AP
- Cantatis Overture
- Naim amps
- Wilson Benesch speakers
- Chord Co. cables
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2009, 04:19:23 pm » |
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IMO get a good "in between" DAC
I will, but I think the Phasure DAC will be more than I am willing to pay for a DAC, if 3-4k is in Euros. Not implying that there is something wrong with the DAC you have, in the first place This is still in beta stage, peter is learning from everyones opinion, respect your honesty. Only then ''we" can learn. But yea, ist in euros but I believe Peter said something around 3300 euro's (VAT ??) Rediculusly much, I don't think so. But do you have an oppertunaty in listen to the ones you have mentioned, don't buy without listen to them !! |
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#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2009, 04:47:19 pm » |
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I think the ones you mentioned are also good price/quality. But the NOS1 has some benefits I like, as a maybe digital filtering for speaker XO, that way I save up 1000 euros on x-over parts, anyway (maybe some sofware costs, OK) No preamp hopefully, no modifying needed, update-able, REAL online service. Looking forward to A WHOLE NEW project of connecting amps and speakers, haha This is all because I still have a "card-blanche", have nothing special right now, but really enjoying how xx makes it better and better. Maybe I get one "in between" myself, because for me its a lot too, you know? |
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#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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SeVeReD
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« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2009, 05:57:58 pm » |
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http://www.pacificvalve.us/USBDACs.htmlPacific Valve Fathom DAC might be one to try and the MoodLab looks good... I haven't looked for anything for awhile and bought blindly with the Stello. I wouldn't recommend that at the moment. I'm wishing I could try a NOS dac of some sort... but make sure it really is with PeterSt I'd say, because I'm still not entirely sure what that is other than dac company claims. I'm hoping to be able to sell the FF800, Stello, and a couple other things hanging around so I can afford the NOS1 myself... and now I'm having to put braces on my kid ack $4500. US ... I don't even want to know what 4K in euros is in dollars :/, heh so I maybe joining you in an inbetween dac sometime That doesn't mean I want PeterSt to 'dumb' down the NOS1, (which I don't think he will), to make it fit a lower price. It just may take me a bit of time to get there.
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0.9z-8-3a WAV/CUE files on HDDs via MB FW400>; Win7 pro ttp://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=352.msg4021#msg4021); [XXHighEnd player Qs 7, 0, 0, 0, 0; eng 4; adaptive; scheme#3; player priority low; thread priority realtime; clock res 5ms: SFS 420 dac is 24/192 w/32bits; Play Unattended; Stop Services ticked; Wallpaper & Show Back ticked - Mirror Image unticked; Start Engine unticked;garbage collect ticked; copy files to XX-drive; *quad arc prediction upsampling*: straight contiguous:>PCI FW800 card>Fireface 800 DAC [latency 2048 samples for 176.4]; usb/ethernet/mb audio shut off @ MB |
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2009, 06:10:37 pm » |
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And in the mean time "learn" why a DAC is THAT important.
So don't be a BIG spender without understanding what it is you are looking for, I know what I want.
And aint about the money, Its the knowledge of the subject that can provide you with a decent DAC.
Lots of people, can help here.
What is right and what is wrong, by just some specs, I mean just listening is tough enough, as you know, and also do.
Hope Peter will succeed
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(XXHighEnd 0.9z-2)
#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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PeterSt
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« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2009, 06:15:28 pm » |
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Guys, let me think of something. I already have something in my mind, but I'm currently trying to finish something else. Give me some time for later today to write it down.
Peter
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For the Stealth III LPS PC :
W10-14393.0 - July 17, 2021 (2.11)
XXHighEnd Mach III Stealth LPS PC -> Xeon Scalable 14/28 core with Hyperthreading On (set to 14/28 cores in BIOS and set to 10/20 cores via Boot Menu) @~660MHz, 48GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 14393.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/0/0/*1*/ Q1Factor = *4* / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = *10ms* / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = *10.13* (max 10.13) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / Stop Desktop, Remaining, WASAPI and W10 services / Use Remote Desktop / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD Off (!) / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *62* / Nervous Rate = *1* / Cool when Idle = n.a / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = Optimal / Time Stability = Stable / Custom Filtering *Low* (16x) / Always Clear Proxy before Playback = On -> USB3 from MoBo -> Lush^3
A: W-Y-R-G, B: *W-G* USB 1m00 -> Phisolator 24/768 Phasure NOS1a/G3 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (16ms) -> B'ASS Current Amplifier -> Blaxius*^2.5* A:B-G, B:B-G Interlink -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers. ET^2 Ethernet from Mach III to Music Server PC (RDC Control).
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere (also from the PC).
For a general PC :
W10-10586.0 - May 2016 (2.05+)
*XXHighEnd PC -> I7 3930k with Hyperthreading On (12 cores)* @~500MHz, 16GB, Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10586.0 from RAM, music on LAN / Engine#4 Adaptive Mode / Q1/-/3/4/5 = 14/-/1/1/1 / Q1Factor = 1 / Dev.Buffer = 4096 / ClockRes = 1ms / Memory = Straight Contiguous / Include Garbage Collect / SFS = 0.10 (max 60) / not Invert / Phase Alignment Off / Playerprio = Low / ThreadPrio = Realtime / Scheme = Core 3-5 / Not Switch Processors during Playback = Off/ Playback Drive none (see OS from RAM) / UnAttended (Just Start) / Always Copy to XX Drive (see OS from RAM) / All Services Off / Keep LAN - Not Persist / WallPaper On / OSD On / Running Time Off / Minimize OS / XTweaks : Balanced Load = *43* / Nervous Rate = 1 / Cool when Idle = 1 / Provide Stable Power = 1 / Utilize Cores always = 1 / Time Performance Index = *Optimal* / Time Stability = *Stable* / Custom Filter *Low* 705600 / -> USB3 *from MoBo* -> Clairixa USB 15cm -> Intona Isolator -> Clairixa USB 1m80 -> 24/768 Phasure NOS1a 75B (BNC Out) async USB DAC, Driver v1.0.4b (4ms) -> Blaxius BNC interlink *-> B'ASS Current Amplifier /w Level4 -> Blaxius Interlink* -> Orelo MKII Active Open Baffle Horn Speakers.
Removed Switching Supplies from everywhere.
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Fidelio
Audio Loudspeaker
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« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2009, 08:06:22 pm » |
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Thanks for all the feedback. Buying without an audition is not really a problem, because nearly all the DACs I have been contemplating have a return policy if one doesn't like it. Thanks for the link. Saw the Moodlab was quite expensive there, it is much cheaper from the manufacturer in Taiwan. I really don't need USB because I will be using Toslink to avoid ground loops in the system. Looking forward to hearing what you have to write Peter  Hmm, the Audio-GD DAC-19MK3 looks nice. Dual BB 1704UK DACs. |
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- Chord Co. cables
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Fidelio
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« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2009, 11:55:01 pm » |
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Altmann Attraction DAC?
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- Wilson Benesch speakers
- Chord Co. cables
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2009, 12:15:15 am » |
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Altmann Attraction DAC?
Hmm, you are being busy, looks interesting, how is that being powered. It could be that simple, yes. |
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Esi Juli@ soundcard (KS)(x2v-v0_978)(Tweaked Coaxial)/Nvidea Geforce 9800 GTX+/750 Watt Zalman ZM-750-HP/100 MB Fiber-Optical Internet/
(XXHighEnd 0.9z-2)
#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2009, 12:18:18 am » |
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The Attraction DAC is designed to be powered by a single 12V car- or motorcylce battery,
as battery power is pure, and a prerequisite for precision DA conversion. Power consumption is 200mA.
I see
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(Sept 30, 2010)
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(XXHighEnd 0.9z-2)
#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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AUDIODIDAKT
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« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2009, 12:25:00 am » |
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But it costs less then 100 euro in parts.
and you pay 1000 euros, don´t think so
IMO
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(Sept 30, 2010)
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#4Engine, Special Mode, 48 samples, SFS 12MB, DAP, Scheme=3, Q1=1, Q2/Q3/Q4/Q5=30,30,0,0, PlayerPrio=Low, ThreadPrio=Realtime
x-Allow Format Change, x-Stop Services, x-Copy to XX-drive by Standard, x-Start Engine3 During Conversion
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