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That info is from the Innuos site and is their reason for not supporting USB drives with pulse, they recommend the Zen series if you want USB drive capability
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Best Dongle DAC for Pixel 8 (USB-C)
davide256 replied to johnsmith1's topic in DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion
Since you have IEM’s you don't need a battery powered dongle as IEM’s are pretty efficient. IME a dongle like the Dragonfly is cumbersome, a lightweight dongle like the iBasso DC05 is easier to live with or the DC06 if you need balanced. The DDHifi products are also quite nice. -
Maybe some Loctite on the screws to keep them from loosening again ?
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The realization that perhaps I don’t need tubes in the chain!!!
davide256 replied to dericchan1's topic in Analog Components
I keep switching back and forth between MZ2(tube) and Topping Pre90 (SS). The MZ2 has a much better feel for imaging and lack of harmonic irritants but the Pre90 is far better for resolution of individual instruments and linear response at frequency extremes. I think a lot depends on the clarity of your speaker drivers, if you have cabinet and driver resonances they would mask what tubes can provide. Not a fan of traditional tube pre designs, IME most are euphonic from interaction of the tubes and PS transformer. -
The network module in the R26 is very basic, about on par for SQ with using an Oppo 103 as streamer endpoint. For a basic streaming server it should do fine. But it wont match the resolution quality of a better streamer direct to USB/ AES. External clock is used for pro setups where you want multiple clocked devices in signal path slaved to same clock. Did not try other fuses. I do have an Etherregen so the Ethernet connection to R26 is a clean one.
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The R26 is nice if your budget is under $2k. I suspect I'll sell mine in about a year to go to Holo Spring III KTE version which is ~ $3k, to get better tone color saturation/ USB section. And no, the Ethernet option IME is just a convenience, the AES or USB input with Intona isolator sounds better connected to an Innuos Pulse. USB input sections do affect SQ, I didn't like the USB input vs SPDIF/AES without the Intona isolator. If what you want is a good streamer endpoint for the Melco to feed your DAC, Holo Red gets a lot of praise
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Which Hypex NCx500 amplifier should I buy?
davide256 replied to davide256's topic in Analog Components
Ordered a pair of Burson Vivid OP amps, have always been impressed with their sound in prior projects -
Which Hypex NCx500 amplifier should I buy?
davide256 replied to davide256's topic in Analog Components
Had to put the Pre90 back into service, the Sparkos OP amps have a softer sound, didn’t combine well with the rolled off transients of a MZ2 at frequency extremes -
Deciding between Purifi, Nilai, NC502MP or NC500x?
davide256 replied to alanbd's topic in Analog Components
Will do. Another nice feature of MZ2/3/Velo is that you can use 12SN7s so good NOS options available vs scarce 6SN7s -
Deciding between Purifi, Nilai, NC502MP or NC500x?
davide256 replied to alanbd's topic in Analog Components
The OA GaN monos are incredibly detailed but have some grunge in the mid range. Listening to the Apollon NCx500 dual mono that just arrived I no longer hear that so hopeful that Ive made the right choice. The MZ2 has a pre output, sounds better than pre sections I’ve compared to such as a Prima Luna integrated and CJ PV10A. Like the LTA line as pre because the patent design minimizes euphonics, has fast transients and no transformer to muck with low bass frequency response -
Which Hypex NCx500 amplifier should I buy?
davide256 replied to davide256's topic in Analog Components
Amp arrived, heard things rattling around inside the case when unpacked. Opened the chassis and found the Sparkos OP amps had popped loose from socket, big discrete OP amps. Straightened pins and reseated, working fine now. Much more open than OA GaN monos, had to use on lowest gain setting else full volume reached at 9 vs 11 on pre knob -
Deciding between Purifi, Nilai, NC502MP or NC500x?
davide256 replied to alanbd's topic in Analog Components
I’m waiting on an LTA Velo pre, should show up this month. And hopefully get closer to the Pre90 at frequency extremes. Nice thing about the Apollon amps is they also have RCA input -
Deciding between Purifi, Nilai, NC502MP or NC500x?
davide256 replied to alanbd's topic in Analog Components
I have an Apollon arriving today, thankfully I’ve already been thru the class D “teething” process with OA GaN monoblocks. Even though I lose transient response at frequency extremes, a MZ2 used as tube pre doesn’t bite/ grunge the way a SS Topping Pre90 did in mid range. -
Deciding between Purifi, Nilai, NC502MP or NC500x?
davide256 replied to alanbd's topic in Analog Components
Yea... no. Get something good. The Saga wont be a quality match for the class D resolution. Audio Research has always had good transient response for tube gear but they are not cheap. A Decware pre might also be a good choice