pumprdave

Chris, I don't know the answer to your question other than to say that it is probably dependent on your own tastes and the rest of your system. I also purchased a Mutec MC-3 to reclock between my TotalDAC D1 Reclocker and the TotalDAC Dac. I then purchased the Stanford Research clock to slave the Mutec which has a 10mhz atomic clock input. I also run the Mutec MC-3 word clock signal to my Tascam DA-3000 Digital Recorder. Unfortunately, we preferred the sound of the TotalDac WITHOUT the Mutec reclocker. The Mutec may have added some detail but at the expense of the overall analog-type musicality of the TotalDac. No wonder Vincent Brient does not supply his TotalDacs with a word clock input. His internal clocking must be superior. Other Dacs may benefit from reclocking by the Mutec, but I don't think the TotalDac does, at least in my system. So when I purchased the Sotm Server I already owned an underused Stanford Rubidium clock so why not engage Mr. Lee to build me a word clock input that accepts a 10 mhz clock signal. That's pretty unique isn't it, and certainly worth trying. And we did, and it is great. Mr. Lee is a master digital circuit designer as well as a company owner. He loves experimenting just like me. And I believe that makes his products special.

SOTM does DSD but my TotalDac is limited to DSD64 so I don't do higher DSD sampling rates. I just set ROON to max output rates of 24/192 and DSD64.

I met Mr. Lee with SOTM at THE SHOW NEWPORT last May, and he came to my home to demonstrate his sMS-1000SQ top of the line server with external power supply. It was connected to my TotalDac Dual Dac and D1 Reclocker. Mr. Lee said that he could create a modification for me to accept the 10 mhz word clock signal from my Stanford Research Rubidium Clock directly. Extra cost $1500. The stock server is $4000 with outboard power supply. The Stanford Research Rubidium Clock is $3900, far less than other "audiophile" clocks that may contain a Stanford Research board inside. The only other server with a 44 kHz word clock input is $17,000 and out of my price range. By the way most, if not all, word clock inputs accept a standard 44 kHz clock signal. I was impressed with his depth of knowledge, and three months later I had the only SOTM sMS-1000SQ in the world clocked directly to a 10 mhz Rubidium Clock. The sound was outstanding. About 4 months ago I sent an email to Mr. Lee suggesting that he incorporate ROON into his product and again he proved responsive and industrious. One month ago I sent my server back to Korea for an upgrade to the sMS-1000SQ Windows Edition. I had it back in two weeks. I now run Windows Server 2012 with Audiophile Optimizer and ROON. Sound quality was improved again, and ROON is a life changer. When I get around to it I will next experiment with ROON outputting to HQ Player to try the many filter options. Many of my best sounding digital files seem to be from High Definition Tape transfers. These are DSD files made directly from Safety Master Tapes. Indigos by Ellington is my favorite, and I also own it on an audiophile remastered vinyl LP. They are very close in sound quality but analog is still king. But then ROON doesn't run on my turntable. I can heartily recommend SOTM to anyone who is looking for a high end music server with ROON. If you are looking for a work clock input it is the only option less than $17,000 that I know of. I want to congratulate Mr. Lee for being at the bleeding edge of the server business. David Levinson Vice President, Los Angeles and Orange County Audiophile Society

Don't forget to look at Antipodes Servers and the TotalDac D1 Server. The new TotalDac D1 Server has custom software that uses all 4 cores of the Cubox processor for different functions. I just installed the new Cubox and software and the sound quality was improved nicely. You also get Vincent Brient's reclocker which uses circuitry from the $11,000 TotalDac.

I am deeply grateful to be the owner of a TotalDac d1-Dual Dac and d1-Server. Google the reviews. However, it clearly is a cost is no object DAC at $12,000. Hand Made, 400 Vishay resistors Ladder Dac, external power supply, dual mono for XLR outputs. Makes a good sounding CD close, but not equal, to a first class vinyl rig with Townsend Rock 7 turntable, Jan Allerts cartridge and EAR phono preamp. The most involving digital I have ever heard. DSD is limited to single DSD 64 only, and it sounds incredible. The handy BASS BOOST option gives you a one channel equalizer to select a boost in bass frequency below a threshold you set. I use it for most commercial CD's set at Plus 6 db at 90 Hz and below. I turn it off via the remote for well engineered recordings. This really adds depth and body to the sound of many CD's, along with capturing more of the room sound of classical recordings. More ROCK to rock and roll. I believe Flat response is for the recording studio, and the BBC curve is what I prefer in my listening room. All the best, David Levinson Newport Beach, CA.

I have a Townsend Rock 7 Turntable, Jan Allaerts Cartridge, EAR 912 Preamp, Tascam DA-3000 High Def Recorder. I can record your file onto a USB stick at 24-192 or DSD or both. I am in Newport Beach, CA. Email me your phone number to [email protected]. David Levinson Vice President Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society

I could not convince a cynical engineer in 10 hours about the sound quality. However, I can convince a music lover or audiophile in 10 minutes of listening to my stereo in Newport Beach, California. Tubes offer size and palpability of sound. The Sound extends beyond the outside left and right of the speakers. The Sound extends behind the speakers and in front of the speakers. On a well miked recording the Sound envelopes the room on a 3-D basis from only two stereo speakers. The Modded Oppo come the closest to my high-end vinyl LP playback system than any DAC I have ever owned, and I have owned many, unfortunately. Conversely, most solid state equipment creates a more miniature sound in between the speakers. No one in their right mind would put up with the care and feeding of tube equipment if it did not sound better. IT DOES, HUGELY. Best regards, David Levinson You know my title

I should add that the review is by Bob Levi, our society president, and it appears in Positive Feedback Online.

GE 6SN7 GTB EARLY 60's. Measured by Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio as one of the lowest noise 6SN7s he has ever seen. Obviously any 6SN7 will do. The stock new tubes supplied by Modwright are also excellent. But I love experimenting with NOS tubes like vintage wine.

Hot Review: The NOS Philips 5R4GYS Rectifier Tube (Replaces GZ34/5AR4): Bargain Priced! Awesome sound! This 1960's made tube developed for rugged video application has been found in quantity by Upscale Audio, in Upland, CA. Kevin Deal searches the world for new old stock tubes hidden in the wildest places and he struck gold here! It may have been made for video, but it kicks ass for audio!! From Upscale: Product Description The best buy and best made 5AR4/5U4G/GZ33/GZ37 that we have or ever had. Made in Holland, where the famous Amperex Bugle Boy tubes were made. First-rate, absolutely stunning tubes. Available now at a crazy bargain. This is because I made a nice score on them, but take my work, they will go for $100 each eventually. NOTE: Like the 5u4g, these are a bit taller than a typical 5AR4. They require 5 inches of clearance from the tube socket base to the top of the tube. (At lease 2 inches taller than the 5AR4.)This is mostly for folks who may want to use these in an enclosed piece of gear that may have limited clearance... if your equipment keeps them out in the open, the ST-shaped glass will look stunning. They will fit the DiaLogue pieces quite well with cage on. The Sound: I compared them to the holy grail of rectifiers, the Mullard GZ34/5AR4 which I boughtused for $80. New is $250 if you can find them. In the ModWright PS9 Power supply and in a Dynaco Stereo 70, the Phillips worked wonders. More definition, more subtlety, more elegance, tighter imaging, fleshier, quicker, added depth, and just more realism. Vocals are better then ever and alive with inner definition and nuance. This is a ModWright alert for sure. If you use the PS9, get this tube, but forget the cage. It is two inches higher than the cage top. Amazing improvement will be on tap! You will be stunned by the overall improvement over the stock tube or your NOS upgrade you paid dearly for. They should work well in any Cary application. Ask Upscale for advise on this. The 5R4GYS is totally compatible with the GZ34/5AR4 so no worries. Plus, here's the good news! They cost only $55 new and tested in the box from Upscale Audio. Since 5AR4's last 20-30,000 hours do not wait until your tube dies to buy this because Upscale will run out. Buy one or two now and take your precious Mullard and keep it as backup. The Philips is way beyond the GE, HT, Sovtek, JJ and any others.I have tried them all I assure you. A cut above the PrimaLuna made tube as well and I really like the PrimaLuna rectifier a lot. The 5R4GYS is a great looking tube, too. It has brought new life and authority to my ModWright Sony which I already considered reference grade. Kevin, keep up the great work and good hunting! The Philips 5R4GYS Rectifier Tube from Holland is the very best I have heard and tested to date! Highest recommendation! Upscale Audio MSRP: $55

Please call Modwright for this information.

I have an Oppo 105D with the full boat Modwright Tube Mods with NOS 6SN7s and Giant Phillips rectifier tube. You have to tell Dan to make a hole in the top of the power supply for it. I have a 2014 iMac connected via USB running JRiver for Mac. I just sold my Auralic Vega DAC. The modded Oppo smokes it on PCM and DSD and 2X DSD. I don't know what else to say. David Levinson Senior Vice President Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society.

If you go to the Audirvana Preferences -- Volume Control and set it to SOFTWARE ONLY if solves this problem. If you then move the volume control accidentally the music will not stop. It has no effect.

If the Audirvana volume wheel is set to anything but 0 (zero) DSD will not play. If you turn the volume wheel during DSD play the music will stop. Restoring the volume to zero will cause the music to begin playing again. This applies using an Auralic Vega in DSD over PCM mode. It may apply with all DACs. I thought I would save someone the several hours of frustration that I went through tonight. My volume control had been moved and I spent several hours trying to get my previously working DSD to play again. I accidentally stumbled on moving the volume control and I immediately got music again.

I also have had one event since using the settings above. It looks like this will remain an occasional occurrence when switching from a CD track to a DSD track.