M_audio

I used DSP as Plugin in Audirvana with Mosaic T16 DAC with great results. It was real-time DSP as correction of my speakers response in room. I stopped using it when i changed the speakers - it would have meant measuring again to create the new response profile. But also when adding some components which change e.g the higs. So not using it now. You are not wrong, but the 4 parts in your equation are not all equal. The file is the basis, the biggest part of the equation, while room and speaker response are dynamic variables dependent one on another. Sometimes you can get without it. They mostly affect certain frequencies of the reproduced file, not all of them, but still can change our perception of the music a lot. If PowerDAC SX works for you otherwise - do they have enough ampere for WVL - i would still go for it with DSP. It can only make things better. And maybe you decide you don't need DSP.

Thnx, I see. So basically USB to TOSLink like i do with PowerDAC B. BX should be better by design, e.g. afaik it doesnt use anymore I2S, something which should create even less noise and/or distortion, and i trust EC Designs in this point. What i noticed is that B is xtremely sensible to source and connection used. I tested direct TOSLINK connection to it with various plastic optical cables, could hear differences between diverse plastic optical cables. While not all was bad (as i wrote before, great sense of immediacy and analog sound), highs were just way too strong. Adding Mutec aleviated it but did not remove it completely. Adding Lifatec optical removed the too strong highs and attack (direct connection Macbook to PowerDAC B), but made the sound more sonore and sometimes even rough (e.g. Bach Cello solos). However i think with 2 recklockers i could be somewhere where you are with PowerDAC SQ - some things even better, some maybe not. Cos i know BX can't be 100% immune to source and connection either. No component ever is. In the end i will also use so called Regen-Link - super short Curious Evolved USB cable to 1st recklocker, than AES to Mutec and then Lifatec optical to PowerDAC B. Already now eclectic Charles Webster mix never sounded so good.

This is compared/relative to what? Power Dac B? I'm curious what was your source/connection to PowerDac BX?

Justa short pic, i am testing like crazy. I even managed to burn an xpensive USB-card during the process of testing. Currently WW USB from Macbook cable going into Matrix X SPDIF 3, then optical WW cable into Mutec MC3, and then via Lifatec to PowerDAC B. Still not finished, further stuff is on the way - Cardas Clear AES cable and Clear XLR to go balanced from preamp into Wadia, which should bring at least 3dB in SNR. And other stuff which should make a music server outta MacBook Pro 2015 if it works according to my plan. 1st try failed with burning flahes (on the USB card). Why i am not giving up? Cos with PowerDAC B i feel i am onto something. Already now ambiental Dub Techno sounds super lush and atmospheric with sounds with lotsa body moving in the background inna super chilly way, while Miles' Kinda Blue became super transparent with great double-bass.

Yea Satri circutit seems to be at its best with headphones, but even then underpowered for some! I used Bakoon amp with with Mosaic T16 DAC and while the sound was special and later when i got 1st Watt F7 it reminded me a bit of Bakoon, with the difference that Bakoon was just too fast. It didnt let me live in the moment. When i perceived the musical intention, it already was on its way to other tune, and other and other. Never contemplated on the moment. So there was something with Satri transients, probly decay was shortened. Also very special highs, but in the long term a bit too much energy. I noticed this pattern also with other owners and different speakers.

That's hilarious, your younger than i have experience with HiFi. But don't worry, i started early like you so i'm still not over 50. While it is true that hearing is of course better in younger age and it generally declines with progressing age, it is also very often individual. Some of the factors that can make it or brake it are among other the diet! There are studies that show typical pro-inflammatory diet will affect you hearing negatively and even contribute to tinitus. On the other side holistic diet will help you keep your hearing intact well into mature age. So no beers at audiophile meetings. While it is true that the amp is mostly responsible for good bass, there is a number of other factors. I will state only few: speakers and synergy with amp. your room. Source In your chain i already see the weak link . Bluesound Node. Get rid of that and get a decent source. Satri this, Satri that. I have experience with Satri circuits as i owned a Bakoon amp and while it was a special amp, it had also serious flaws. So Satri circuit does not mean anything and can even be bad in specific settings. Anyhows, you dont disagree with me, i never said bass were thunderous. It just depends on too many factors. For now i love the double basses in jazz bands. With PowerDAC B music has a high groove factor when it has to have it, and is highly relaxed when it is supposed to be. Not looking for measurements, although my background are exact sciences. In the end, music is a feeling.

Xactly my experience! And your new PowerDAC SX should be even better than the prior version. But i was also surprised, didnt xpect this level of transparency and speed and naturalness. Somethin' Else album now sounds pretty close to what i had with my 5k analogue system (fully balanced from MC to the amp). In some aspects even better - the groove factor with PowerDAC is even better and instruments are clearer. Why should bass be light 😆

Continuing the report on PowerDAC B. Since i was amazed by the sound from MacBook Pro optical out, i decided that i'm so done with USB and wanna go the optimal, pardon, optical way. Optical is how EC Designer designed it in the 1st place. The Optical In is there because EC Designs started with Mac Pro and Macbook Pro optical out. So i ordered a Mutec MC3+, mind you without that evil USB, and here it is. Not yet burned in, cold OOB, but the certain V-"forwardness" i experienced via MBP optical is gone! Sound got also more fluid and less sharp. Mutec is literally hanging on the heavy Cardas Clear powercord which is Beyond. Still plastic Toslinks. Lifatec 13 feet will come. Still on Fosi V3 Sparkos. Will change soon too, but i might go back for the sake of simplicity.

Your welcome. You still can sell out your HiFi system, buy a 250€ Fosi V3 with Sparkos and you can probly afford the newer and better PowerDAC BX. 😃 That's how i did it. Sold out my HiFi components and downgraded.. I was waiting since summer for BX but than gave up and wanted to got with a DAC-Preamp and Amp. Then came by chance over PowerDAC B and was like OK i'm gonna try it. I still have my Cardas Beyond + XL cabling. i think it contributes to the sound of Fosi V3 which also uses a better SPS than standard, with a Teddy Pardo DC cable silver over copper. And i ordered 13 feet Lifatec optical. Hope it is not too long to profit from it's quality. Wanna prevent the USB path if possible, i had it for so many years, and still use it in home-office, but now is time for something new. With TOSLINK i can see there is no Integer mode, but still more dynamic and fresh sound via Macbook Pro optical. Even a bit forward. I give it to the Macbook Pro TOSLINK out. No smoothing out, sharp transients, even via this cheap plastic optical. go figure. Gonna see what Lifatec is going to bring to the table. Had a short one b4 with Mosaic. A possible bigger add on would be also Mutec MC3 which has TOSLINK in/out. But 1st gotta get the pre and amp next week.

Here is a system as simple as possible. Sometimes less is more. Just connected my MacBook Pro TOSLINK to PowerDAC B optical in. PowerDAC B feeds - a Fosi V3 integrated little f***r which i got just for fun. It is a provisoric system, while am i waiting for pre/amp. But tell you what - i was amazed from the 1st sound of this little system! A minute before Chord Mojo fed by Innous Phoenix via Curious Evolved shortest cable possible was playing here. And this - much better! Worlds. And suddenly the need for DDCs disappeared. Even the optical cable is cheapo Amazon optical! Ok Fosi V3 has these discrete op amps Class A called Sparkos added which costed more than than the little f***r Fosi. Otherwise it sounds a bit mechanical. Now what with the pre/amp on the way? I like Less is More. Learned it in my home-office system that the more elements you have the more sound you loose. Here also the red John Blue JB3 speaker - no x-over, no magnetic shielding no nothing. With 2-way system you need an x-over, but every x-over has its disadvantages. Also a widebander has it. But it does not lose anything on x-over caps and so on. Yeah bass will not shatter you. But i had my days in the clubs with shattering bas. Now i wanna listen to where the most music happens and this little John Blue is amazing at it. I must say i didn't see that coming. I had the original Mosaic T16 which was amazing but sometimes smoothed out some background details (in my pretty warmish system). But this - a breeze of fresh air!

PowerDAC BX is finally available, just in for Christmass :D But i just bought PowerDAC B 2nd hand since i could wait anymore since summer when i sold my DAC. Should come in these days. I plan to use it direct via 3m TOSLINK from Macbook Pro, this is how EC Designs also develops or tests their DACs. Eventually step up to Singxer SU-6 / USB->TOSLINK.

Did anyone compare EC Designs to Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC?

Well the utube recording is not professional nor probly very good. Also dont know how double bass sounds on that particular '71. recording. Would be good to hear some Thimar or Bill Evans Trio on Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Not sure about resale value though. There is no EC Designs on offer at hifishark xcept some shady ad, means people keep like to keep them, and if offer is scarce then price should be stable.

Sounds great xcept the double bass sounds bit boxed on those flat non-boxed speakers

but not 2buy...