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tsaett

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  1. My 2 cents: The road analogy actually works pretty well. While the individual domestic conditions do not change drastically (apart from e.g. daily power fluctuations), globally the circumstances vary greatly. Power grid in rural areas vs inner city grid, PowerLan in the house or not, number of shared networks / access points, all variables that affect the final outcome. There is no one size fits all solution (=ideal tires) which will be best everywhere, Ray has found his optimal settings (so far) through an incredible systematic approach, however that does not necessarily mean his current solution will be the best in everyone's system. Cheers! Christoph
  2. Alan, imho that reasoning is a fallacy, in my experience the reverse is actually true: The better the components get (meaning lower noisefloor, higher dynamic range,...), the more all other shortcomings (or improvements) in the system will shine through. I wouldn't expect a $1m formula1 race car to be immune to choice of tires 🙂 I don't argue with it being nuts though :) Greetings Christoph
  3. If you have a standard CAPS-like computer with linear power and audio grade USB card, Intona is the way to go, imho. I compared the usual AQJB/Regen combo against Intona and in my system the Intona was the winner. The T+A is less affected by poor sources, but not immune. Only if you bring on the big boys like an SGM, no additional devices are needed. As a side note, Intona, AQJB and Regen together was not better than Intona alone, in my system at least.
  4. To be fair, the US price is before taxes, the euro price is after taxes so wisnon's number is indeed more accurate. I agree however that SGM + T+A is pretty close to audio nirvana and still very good value overall, considering what's all included in the SGM package.
  5. I propose you give Srajan's piece a read, this is not questionable or dubious in any way imho: 6moons audio industry features: A broken system For me personally, 6moons is the publication I trust the most, especially Srajan's own reviews float my boat. Additionally his taste in sound reproduction (and price area) kind of reflect my own, which gives additional weight to his words (for me at least). If I had to choose one online mag, this would be it. Cheers Edit: The T+A @ DSD512 gets my vote as well!
  6. Last week I had the honor to host a TotalDac six as my guest, not the tube version but the transistor one. This was a rather lucky coincident, because normally this unit is way outside my financial happy-zone. However, the loaned TotalDAC was part of a big DAC shootout and after the event took place, I was able to integrate it in my system, if only for a few days before it had to go back to France. To be completely honest, after the shootout I had very little hope that the TotalDAC would be an adequate match to my system. We had a plethora of high end DACs available (Lampizator 7, tuned Linn, PS Audio DS, T+A, Artistic Fidelity, Soekris, Lynx and the TotalDAC) and were able to compare those (via A/D conversion) to a master tape copy. Strangely enough, the TotalDAC was one of the worst contenders in this field, although being by far the most expensive. However, having heard Vincent's DACs at various shows before, I just couldn't get my head around what I heard, leaving me with the conclusion that something in the shootout wasn't to the TotalDACs liking. Possible explanations could be that the unit wasn't fully burnt in or that the TotalDAC is sensible to certain cables or power issues - I don't know. To make a long story short, what I heard at home was so completely different than at the shootout, it was an ear-opener. My system consists of a T+A DAC8 DSD - running of course in DSD512 mode. From there I go directly in my Gryphon Antileon Signature amp, which drives a pair of MBL 116. The system is Entreq'ed, cables are from Sablon and Gold Note and power conditioning is handled by Vibex. Because I listen exclusively to digital, I refuse to invest in a preamp and instead look for DACs with a competent output stage and volume control. The T+A has a resistor based vc, the TotalDAC handles vc in the digital domain. All my files were upsampled via HQPlayer to either DSD512 or high res PCM for the TotalDAC. So, what did I hear? The TotalDAC is a very relaxed sounding DAC. Directly compared with my T+A, the noisefloor drops to almost non-existent levels. Considering that noisefloor is one of the hallmarks of the T+A, that is saying something. IIRC, the French's noisefloor is at a record-setting -160db and I believe you can hear that. Along with lower noisefloor, you get the usual suspects, like more resolution, more air around instruments and finer decays. Additionally I found the TotalDAC to be the least fatiguing DAC I heard in my system by a comfortable margin. That includes DACs like Lampizator, Electrocompaniet, Lector, PS Audio and my resident T+A. I could listen for hours without feeling the urge to stop. Great stuff. In a nutshell, the TotalDAC sounded simply pleasant and very appealing. The comparison with my T+A was very interesting, because I believe both are targeted to different customer groups, as the sound is very different. The T+A makes music exciting, raising the adrenaline level and delivers the wow-factor. It sounds bigger and more dynamic in an absolute manner (although I consider the TotalDAC to be the winner in the micro-dynamic discipline). Also the bass goes lower and is more powerful, but less refined and articulated. A friend of mine said that - based purely on sonics - 60% or 70% of all audiophiles would prefer the TotalDAC, the rest would choose the T+A. Generally I would agree, but I made a slight alteration for myself: For 60%-70% of my music collection I would like to have the TotalDAC around, for the rest I would choose the T+A. The TotalDAC is clearly the more refined DAC. However, when the music demands a kick in the behind, the T+A just makes it more fun and exciting. If I just want to relax and get lost in the music, I can think of no better choice than the TotalDAC. Having both on tap would be my ultimate dream, choosing either one depending on the mood or the music material. As this will probably not become reality, I'm more than happy with my T+A, especially considering the enormous price gap between both. As a final word I would like to add, that I didn't felt the need for a preamp with both units at all. Judging from the 6moons review, the tube output has to be more problematic with a direct connection to the poweramp. As my Gryphon is very picky with who delivers the signal to him, I can attest that both the T+A and the TotalDAC are decent preamp replacements. Here's a little picture of the music pyramid, lucky me: Cheers Christoph
  7. Could you also make a test with and without your Intona/Jcat isolator in the chain? Since it isolates and does reclocking, I'm wondering how much effect better upstream components still have... Thanks!
  8. I would like to know if it's possible to use roon and Alchemy together. To be more specific, I would like to use roonserver with the ipad remote, but would also like to take advantage of Alchemy's scriptable source format - output modulator/frequency routing at the same time. Both roon and HQPlayer haven't yet implemented this very very helpful logic. I'm already a roon lifetime subscriptor, but I would definitely buy Alchemy for this feature.
  9. I made my decision based on listening with my CAPS Pipeline without NAA. Although I had a SGM in my system for a weekend and therefor know what it can do with the T+A, it already works brilliantly with a computer built to normal audiophile standards (e.g. linear power, audio USB card, isolation devices, etc). I have exactly the same expectations for a DAC as Keith, therefor my Lampi was balanced and with volume control as well (although with Mundorf silver/gold/oil caps instead of Duelund). The T+A did outperform it and did so at a considerably lower price (in Europe) and until then the L4 was always the price/performance champ in the DAC market for me. The money I gained from the switch I spent on some room acoustic treatment that should be arriving soon. The Atlantic does seem like a great DAC, although with comparable features (balanced, with volume control and PCM/DSD512) and after EU/US taxes, it costs almost 3 times as much as the T+A (based on list price, actual price may be lower). This makes the T+A for me the steal in the current DAC market.
  10. Hi Phil, I wasn't assuming, just hoping :-) Is there a chance that this could be a working scenario at some point? I'm planning to upgrade from 2012 to 2016 once it's available.
  11. Hi Phil, does the screenshot suggests that we will be able to run Roonserver + HQPlayer in core mode with server2016?
  12. The heat in my CAPS is under control now, but I might try this out in order to reduce stressing my power supply which operates at it's limit and does get very hot. Does this have a direct effect on the CPU performance? I need every GHz I can get. Edit: Nevermind, just looked it up myself, I'm going to try this out, hopefully my HDPlex will thank me for that. Thanks!
  13. I didn't, that's really awful. Hope they are able to rebuild it, fingers crossed.
  14. There you go, not pretty but it does DSD512 fanless and without a 6700k (but with a xeon e3 1271v3). Without the extra two, the CPU would eventually heat up, now it can play 24/7. Ascoli is a beautiful city, on the square there were 3 weddings going on at the same time! Watched the scene while drinking my Anisetta and eating Migliori Olive Ascolana. The whole region was fantastic, especially Castelluccio was out of this world.
  15. Great news Bibo, would love to hear a T+A with a sotm sms200 or mR. Finally, I'm getting my T+A next week. I sold my Lampi, get better sound and even have some cash left over. That's new to me. By the way, do you still want to see a photo of the inside of my CAPS with the additional heatpipes to the left? I'm back home and could make a photo now. (I visited Ascoli Piceno 2 weeks before the earthquake, so sad what happened there...)
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