musicalsound

My initial impression using 24/96 material and comparing Benchmark usb vs. coaxial (via Profire 610) they are very similar but the usb input seems to sound cleaner. When comparing 24/96 and 24/192 material through the coaxial input, the 24/192 seems to be slightly more detail. I would recommend sticking to the usb input for 24/96 materials or try something like the Berkeley - which I'm looking forward to try. You can download some very good quality sample from http://www.designwsound.com/dwsblog/?page_id=318 to try. I haven't had a chance to test out the analogue output of the Profire 610 which I think should be very interesting. Its analogue output uses TRS (balanced) connection so I need to get some custom made cables (TRS to XLR) for that. Any other comments out there?

Howard, Looking at http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProFire610.html it says: "ProFire 610 allows you to enjoy full 24-bit/192kHz operation on all inputs and outputs simultaneously. ProFire 610 allows you to enjoy full 24-bit/192kHz operation on all inputs and outputs simultaneously" In addition, I've just bought one to use as a firewire interface to play back 24/192 files with the Benchmark DAC1 PRE and perhaps the Berkeley Alpha in the future. It seems like a bargain but I wonder how it compares to those firewire interface from Weiss. I've yet to test out its analogue output sound quality as it only provide TRS analogue output.

As the sound of the Marantz SA-7S1 is highly regards by users here and elsewhere, anyone got a chance to compare it with the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC or the Weiss Engineering Minerva?

There doesn't seems to be any mention of DSD decoding on their site anymore http://www.sonicstudio.com/amarra/amarra_feat.html

Hey Coops. Any updates on your experience with AX24? I've recently purchased the Korg MR-1000 to playback DSD or 24/192 files and having a lot of fun with it. Planning to do some recording to DSD with this portal device in the future.

If 2 different transport or music source are bit perfect and get fed into the same DAC, shouldn't they sound the same?

Can it playback DSD or DXD files?

Anyone is using DAD AX24 http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm for playing back SACD or DXD or 24/192 music files? Any experience to share? How is it connected to your computer or SACD transport?

chrille and others, did you end up getting the Korg MR-1000 to playback DSD files? I am planning to get one and wanted to get your impression/experience with it. Cheers!

Chris, <br /> <br /> Thanks for the info. Is your current setup using a Macbook Pro? Which version of Mac OS and iTunes are you using?

Chris, <br /> <br /> What do you use to test for bit perfect of AIFF files? Thanks!

I've been comparing the following 2 configuration:<br /> <br /> 1.) Mac OS X 10.5.3 with iTunes 7.6.2 playing AIFF files --> (via USB with 24 bit / 44.1 kHz setting in Audio Midi and standard USB cable) Benchmark DAC1 PRE <br /> 2.) Sony DVP-S9000ES --> (via coaxial) Benchmark DAC1 PRE<br /> <br /> I wanted 1. to sound better but 2. always end up sounding cleaner. <br /> <br /> Is this possible? Could this be the version of iTunes or the USB cable or something else?<br /> <br />

I've been comparing the following 2 configuration:<br /> <br /> 1.) Mac OS X 10.5.3 with iTunes 7.6.2 playing AIFF files --> (via USB with 24 bit / 44.1 kHz setting in Audio Midi and standard USB cable) Benchmark DAC1 PRE <br /> 2.) Sony DVP-S9000ES --> (via coaxial) Benchmark DAC1 PRE<br /> <br /> I wanted 1. to sound better but 2. always end up sounding cleaner. <br /> <br /> Is this possible? Could this be the version of iTunes or the USB cable or something else?<br /> <br />

Don't forget that there is a professional version of Minerva where the only different is the faceplate and of course the price is cheaper. http://www.weiss.ch/dac2/dac2.htm

I wonder how the sound of Mac -> Minerva will compare if these wav files are used to create an DVD-A disc and playback using a DVD-A player such as an Esoteric SA-60... For those who don't want to invest in a separate DAC just yet.