wikeeboy

Hi Richard, Apologies for confusing you! My logic may be incorrect so happy for the more knowledgable to correct me I'll run you through my logic... In my situation with the Dac2 running direct into my amp, the volume at 45 is where the resolution definitely starts to snap into focus. I put this down to less truncation of the signal as the volume increases. The problem with this though is that with 92db speakers the volume level is very loud at 45. If I was to raise the volume to 55 so that I move closer to the DAc2's area of zero/minimal truncation the spl would be deafening! This is one of the main reasons I would look to using the STP as pre (along with it's ability to run my analogue gear through). Following this logic, if I was to add an STP to my setup, running the STP at 14 which is 'straight through' from the Dac with no attenuation I'm assuming this would be like running the dac2 at full volume straight through to my amp! My assumption would therefore be that in use I would never have the STP volume setting at 14 or over which is where the STP stage 1&2 start to hit it's 'sweet spot'. If I was to take advantage of the STP's active amplification at 14+, one way to do it would be to lower the volume on the Dac2 so that the STP could be turned up to 14+ whilst outputting more reasonable SPL. If the fixed output of the dAc2 was reduced to say 60 instead of 70, the truncation would be zero or minimal, yet I would be able to wind the STP up to 14+ whilst still having a listenable SPL level. If my logic so far holds, in your situation you would be able to make a relatively minor adjustment to your fixed dac2se max level (without losing resolution/truncation) so that for the same listening level your STP volume would be higher and therefore using more of the STP's active area. My understanding is that pre's have particular sweet spots and by playing with the max setting on the dac2se you can have the STP at different volume levels for the same in room SPL. You may find that the STP sounds better as you use more of it's active volume at 20 for example rather than 14. Just a thought! I look forward to the more knowledgable explaining whether I'm making sense or not

Hi Richard My understanding is that you have your DAC2SE 'wide open' with a max setting of 70. From what i have read, anything above 45 on the DAC2SE allows full resolution with no loss due to digital attenuation. As the upgraded STP seems to reap the benefits of the new upgrade when it is running in 'active' (over 14), have you tried setting the max on your dac2SE lower than 70 so you have to turn your stp up higher than normal and therefore possibly running it more in it's sweet spot? I'd be interested to hear from you if it makes any difference... What level does the pre go up to in volume setting?

Hi Randy Thanks for your update. Keen to hear your comments after you have spent some hours listening through the usb input and compared to the i2s input via OR5.

Hi Randy Really interested to read your comments after the DAC2SE has more hours on it and you have compared i2s/usb inputs. From all accounts the OR5 via i2s into the DAC2 is awesome. For the cost of the or5 though, the upgrade to dAC2SE can be had instead. I'm hoping your experience with the DAC2SE via usb will be just as good as the OR5 via i2s into the DAC2, that will make the upgrade an absolute no brainer!

Hi Richard I enquired (on your behalf!) about the RAL usb cable yesterday and received a response promptly. I enquired through Audiogon. Brad from RAL responded. His email is [email protected] and username on Audiogon is vtech2000. They are in Florida and provide a 30 day risk free purchase/return. I use mine with my DAC2. Hopefully soon my DAC2SE ;-) It has a separate cable for the 5v power and another for the audio signal. So you plug 2 usb ends into your computer, and one point into your dac. The cost is considerably cheaper (i think?) than the others you are trying. Definitely worth a listen. Interested to hear your thoughts if you can get your hands on one!

Hi Richard See if you can get your hands on a Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy cryo-silver dual conduit USB 2.0 cable. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it sizes up against the other cables you mention. I'm using it with my DAC2 with great results.

Can't wait to hear what you think cardiackid when you compare listening through the CIA USB converter via i2s into the w4s, compared to simply going through the new USB input on the dac2se. i'm tossing up whether to stick with my dac2 and add an off ramp 5 or CIA converter so I can run i2s, or upgrade and go straight into the USB input. So I'm very interested in your opinion! An advantage of the upgrade is integer support which the off ramp won't do. Does the CIA support integer mode through audirvana?

Hi there Al Do you use Audirvana? Wondering whether integer mode only works through the new USB port on the DAC2SE or whether it will also work through the i2s port? Thanks.

Hi guys, Would this Dac work with integer mode in audirvana? Thanks

Aaaaargh! Please give me a copy!!