axel

I'm interested in hearing impressions of the DA-06 compared to other high end DACs, such as: Meitner MA-1 MSB Analog DAC Ayon Stealth/Stratos Thanks!

If you believe this is silly discussion, you're more than welcome to abandon it. I think most of us do not think that way. An example: A few years back I've purchased the wonderful SACD remasters of the Blue Note jazz label that Analogue Productions has released (those of you who haven't heard them - I highly recommend them). As most of you know, these remasters are not cheap and cost $25 per title. Now, Acoustic Sounds declared their new "SUPER HiREZ" store and are selling those exact titles as DSD files - again, those are THE EXACT bit-by-bit titles (no new remasters/higher resolution/vinyl) - and they sell them for $25 a piece. I don't HAVE to buy anything. But I would like to move on, as you know SACD is a dead format and SACD players are becoming a rare-breed. Of course you can continue to listen to R2R tapes if your stuck in the 50s, no need to get their vinyl/CD/lossless releases - just some maintenance on your 50s made R2R playback equipment and you're all set.

I'm sure that if this was the case with standard CDs, you wouldn't be raising pro-industry flags. Comparing it to vinyl is like apple and oranges. LPs are analog-domain based format. A DSD file and its matching SACD are identical, the former is the studio master of the latter. SONY just found a way to make more money from their DSD patent on our expense.

But that's illegal, isn't it? And, also, not very easy to get hold of.

I am aware of that, all my music files are from CDs that I own. What bothers me is the fact that I own many hybrid SACDs and I can't play them on my computer, I'll probably have to re-purchase them as DSD files to play them.

The Ayre is USB only so I don't quite understand how the Berkeley Alpha USB was connected to it, and what was exactly compared.

If I own the SACD why am I required to buy the DSD download to listen through my computer? It's like purchasing a CD album and then purchasing its download. You pay for the rights only once. It would have made sense if this is a different format/transfer - but, in fact, it's just the SAME data on the SACD (in fact it's the original file that was stamped on the SACD - isn't it?).

I've noticed that in various C.A.P.S v3 configurations it is suggested as an upgrade option to use Red Wine's Black Lighting power supply. I currently use this power supply: HFX Store - EF15 fanless PSU What do I need in order to connect a Black Lighting to my audio-pc and what is the required output voltage? Thanks!

Hmmm, I would expect the inner DAC + dedicated computer to sound at least as well as the CDP - but maybe that's just me being optimistic. Aren't we all here because we aim to have computers sounding better than CD-transports?

Thanks, very interesting!

Thanks. I will try using the WASAPI driver, although I have contradicting opinions regarding it compared to kernel streaming.

Thanks for the tips! See my comments below: My Audiophilleo is connected to the PurePower battery power supply and I make sure the PurePower is not connected to any USB source for charging when playing - so, theoretically I do not use the USB power. Where can I find a battery power supply for the entire computer and/or a specialized extremely low noise external PS? It is bit perfect and the audio pc is used only for playing music I do not use it for anything else (not even for ripping and/or downloading music). It is installed to the minimum with the least amount of required services/drivers. Good point, no I have not tried the Ayon SPDIF input before. I can try borrowing a dedicated Ayon DAC and see how it compares. Another thought is that it may also be part of the break-in of this input that was never used.

Board: Intel Dry Fork CPU: Intel Core i3 3240T Memory: 16GB (DDR3 1600MHz) Storage: 512GB Samsung SSD Power supply: HFX EF15 fanless PSU (HFX Store - EF15 fanless PSU) Case: HFX (HFX Store - heatsink enclosures) OS: Windows 8 64bit Pro No WiFi - connected to the network by a physical cable. I use Kernel Streaming. Currently the Audiophilleo2 is connected by a standard USB A-B cable, the PurePower, while playing, is disconnected from the computer (i.e. does not charge).

Many hours of research and advice from colleagues that have been in the "computer audiophile" business for a while - led me to build a dedicated audio pc with high quality parts. The player/server was developed by a close friend (who is a computer audiophile as well). The pc is connected by USB to an Audiophilleo2 with the PurePower battery power supply to an Ayon CD5s digital input (Coax). After a few days of comparisons, I found my Ayon CDP to be more "live" sounding and with much better depth (or what usually is called "analog" sounding) while the pc connected to my Ayon digital input sounded a bit more detailed but also more 2-dimensional and dead (i.e. "digital" sound). Currently, apart from the ease-of-use of the audio pc, I don't see myself dumping my Ayon CDP. Am I missing something? P.S. Hi-Rez music is currently less of an interest to me, I have a large CD collection and I want to be able to listen to it in the highest possible quality. Thanks!

Still trying to process the amount of information I've been given (I've also browsed the website and looked into some of the "tutorials"). So I understood a few basic things that most of you agree on: - Using a firewire/USB based DAC is the simplest solution due to the fact that coax/AES are not native computer interfaces and therefore will require an additional PCI card - Recommended DACs are: Weiss, Metric Halo, Ayre and Wavelength (how about the new Chord QBD76?) Regarding the PC/Laptop solution: 1) If I decide to purchase a Mac Mini will I need an additional external monitor to control it or just an IPOD touch will suffice? 2) I've noticed that the "standard" (non-pro) MacBook has a firewire 400 connection - will it be able to handle high res streaming (24bit/192kHz)? A few answers to your questions: 1) I don't care if the PC-based system is a Mac or a "standard" PC 2) My old PC is a Pentium 4 3.2gHz (single core) with 2GB RAM and a 160GB HD 3) I don't have a TV in my listening room 4) I will not sell my current CD player to fund this purchase (will the external DAC "upgrade" my current CD player as well?) And a few more questions : How do the likes of the Naim HDX and the Linn DS solutions (also mentioned in this thread) - compare to the suggested solutions? Thanks again!!