Brian Pivo

Hi Steve. Reason why that can't work for me is that my power amps have only digital (RCA, optical or XLR) inputs so I can't input analogue at all. Might be an interesting listen on a set-up that can connect. (Also makes it more marketable if I decide to sell.) Thanks Brian

Further info that subscribers may find of use: the Halide Bridge arrived a few days ago and, after a weekend of comparisons, I can report that, although it's a fair piece of equipment, thoughtfully, stylishly and professionally constructed, it falls short of the Profire 610: tonally it's truncated at the upper and lower extremes and the dynamic and spatial performance are correspondingly compromised. Note that this in comparison with the Profire. In isolation, it's not bad and may well be listenable but I didn't try make that assessment. Anyone in South Africa looking for one is welcome to buy it from me but if you have a Mac and therefore Firewire, your money will be better spent on the similarly priced Profire 610. I have also spent some time with Amarra Junior (limited to 16/44). The 5-day evaluation period is too short and I would like to have had more time with it. My initial impressions were 'sounds gimmiky - like the loudness switch turned on'. However, after switching it in and out of 'circuit', it soon became clear that it opens the sound (closed-off-ness is one of my major bugbears with computer audio) and extends dynamics. Compared with Pure Music, however, I can't comment. I'm presently using PM because I still have 5 evaluation days left. PM's effect on the music is similar to Amarra, possibly more subtle but I'm really not qualified to make conclusive comments here. So, what about taking the leap and investing in a Weiss interface? I sent off a mail to Weiss enquiring about local representation in SA and Mr Weiss responded suggesting that I try the INT202 since it shares the FireWire - S/PDIF circuitry with the AFI1 and DAC2. Since I have no need for the multiple interfaces or the AFI1 or the DAC in DAC, Mr Weiss recommended from a cost point of view, I've decided to pursue this route. I must also point out that Weiss' offer that I try out the product 10,000km away and return it if I don't like it came as a welcome and irresistable surprise. Next on the test bench will therefore be the INT202, Ayre's player and a RAM upgrade in my Mac Mini Core Solo.

I suppose I got a bit carried away. To your question, I have several misgivings, the most important of which is that Weiss devices are very pricey and I'm not sure I can try before buying. Frankly, I haven't tried the local suppliers but it is on my to-do-list. I'm also a bit daunted by knowing that I probably still have spades of work to do to the Mac, its software and its peripherals to reach its potential as a music source - and even then I don't know that it will be as good as a dedicated state of the art CD transport (let alone a 20-year old Wadia design). So, once again, unless anyone in the CA community has information that can direct me on a course of certain success within my system's constraints, I've decided to take all subsequent steps quite carefully, including the choice of the next (if any) firewire-S/PDIF converter/s.

Hi Steve Here are the mods I’ve made: • Dexa 3.3V regulator (http://www.partsconnexion.com/regulator_dexa.html); • Dexa 5V regulator; • WBT-66333 RCA socket on S/PDIF output (http://www.partsconnexion.com/connectors_brand_wbt.html); • Homegrown Audio 18AWG solid silver wiring from new parts to the board (http://www.homegrownaudio.com/bulk_wire.htm); • All power from small lead-acid batteries wired using van den Hul cs 12 (I think); As to the improvements, you’ll have to wade through the following: The computer-based sound I've heard on my system tends to be tonally and dynamically flat, almost one-dimensional: i.e. I get left-to-right info but little height and depth. In the worst case (toslink as I mentioned previously) it’s so dead and one-dimensional as to be unlistenable. The improvements I've stuck with, being the Profire with mods, are those that have made the system progressively more involving, three-dimensional and listenable. Ironically, a listener to my system a while ago said he could tell I was playing through a computer because, in his words, it was fizzy and electronic. He was completely wrong (possibly had had too much to drink)! It was the opposite: flat and lifeless without a hint of tizz or sparkle. The mods I've listed have livened up the system dynamically and tonally and improved the soundstage depth and height. In the process the music has become considerably more intelligible, spatially and tonally. I've achieved this without making it sound grainy or edged. However to put this in context, it hasn't given me the eureka experience I still recall from a few decades ago when I heard a Wadia 7 / 9 combination for the first time: where the sound obtained simultaneously greater bass extension, impact and tightness, the treble a sweet smoothness and yet, the presentation overall was one of considerably more detail, resolution and finesse. This is probably the ideal we strive for and many believe we can’t achieve. It is achievable but I’ve still got a way to go before I can get it from the Mac - iTunes – Profire combination. Hope that helps. Brian As an aside, I must also say that my system is remarkably revealing. It’s is set up in a room purpose-designed by a leading acoustic engineer and purpose-built and treated. (Roughly 7m x 8m x 4m.) I’m running four TacT 2150 power amps in ‘active crossover’ mode directly to Tannoy Kingdoms, bypassing internal crossovers. Cables and components where possible have been cryogenically treated. I run thick gauge silver-coated mains cable directly to the electricity mains distribution board in the street. The TacT processor runs off an outboard power supply that improves the already brilliant device by about 25%. The TacT processor is set up using a calibrated Linear X mike. I can hear on the system the difference between a short length of Kimber silver braided wire doing service from the regulator to the Profire board and the Homegrown Audio silver cable in its place. You will also hear on my system the difference between different generations of Mac Mini and their firewire chips. If my ears were 30 years younger they would be a better match for the system!

Good to see your comments on the Profire 610 vs Stello U2. I have a slightly modded Profire 610 connected to Mac Mini which sounds almost as good as my stock-standard 15-year old Wadia 2000 CD transport. I've tried a few USB products as well as high quality toslink as alternatives. Living in South Africa, I've had to buy everything I've tried so I haven't taken bold (expensive) steps toward the > $1,000 items such as Weiss has to offer. Because I had modified the Profire, I assumed when it stopped working about a week ago, that it was my (un)doing and I set about looking for an alternative. Based on CA's recommendations I have ordered a Halide Bridge. It will probably take a few weeks to reach me. However, during my wait, I tried out the Cambridge DacMagic and compared with a friend's standard Profire. The Profire is better. I was considering getting the Stello U2 based on Stereophile's recommendation also but I'll hold back based on your comments. Encouraged by the testing, I put my modded Profire back in circuit and, as will happen with computer equipment, it came back to life on its own. No question, it's a great product. However, it isn't in the same league as the Wadia and when I'm not shuffling songs, the Wadia is still the device I turn to. The Wadia is also not the best transport out there so these devices still have a way to go. Here are some more of my experiences for CA readers still experimenting: • The quality of the firewire cable makes a difference as does the S/PDIF cable. I have had to make up the firewire cable from a cheap cable since I can't source blank firewire plugs. I'm very happy with the wiring products I've found on Homegrown Audio's site - solid silver, Teflon coated, well priced. I'm using 18AWG for firewire cable and for the power supply. The length is very short since I can place the Mac Mini right up close to the Profire; • The Profire 610 runs off the firewire power rails unless you plug it into its separate 12V supply. I have installed two regulated supplies from PartsConnexion: one at 5V and one at 3.3V to drive the non-controlling boards on the Profire; • The Profire S/PDIF output is considerably more sensitive to the cable than is the Wadia's for example. I found the Profire somewhat less lively than the Wadia (and the Wadia is supposed to be laid-back!) so, once again, Homegrown Audio's pure silver (including the shielding), 75Ohm, crimped S/PDIF cable works best for me; • Installing the set-up on good shelving makes a difference, don't believe otherwise. I have modified a cheap stand by installing laminated glass of 3mm and 4mm (dissimilar thicknesses reduce resonances, the laminating film is also a great "deadener") and I'm using Symposium RollerBlocks and laminated shelving to good effect; • Just because a recording is high-res doesn't mean it's going to sound good. I've purchased only one high-res recording, Plant and Krausse's and, through iTunes, it's outclassed by many 44/16 straight-from-CD rips. I'm planning now to look into high res iTunes bolt-on playback alternatives and, if I learn anything there may share my thoughts; • Don't underestimate the convenience of iTune's Remote app! However, the most important of my experiences is that our systems are revealing in different ways and we have to try stuff out to see what works best for us. There are many devices on the market that are probably diabolically bad. I've tried a few myself and for me the worst has to be a computer plugged in directly via toslink to my DAC/processor. This may be a function of the input on the TacT RCS 2.2 that I use but, on the other hand, I switched to TacT after being blown away by how much better their products sounded than my (at the time) top of the range Wadia 27 iX whatever DAC, especially when used with the TacT digital amps (which in their turn, outclassed the 600W FPB Krell that I was using at the time). Were it not for the convenience and being conservative with new technology, I would probably have steered away from computer audio for the time being. However, one can get respectable sound following the route I've gone and I'm happy at this stage to sit on the fence and wait for a watershed range of products to emerge that conclusively outperform a state-of-the-art CD player. If anyone out there has a strong opposing view in respect of S/PDIF converters or firewire / USB enabled DACs processors that will conclusively outperform the TacT set-up, I’d like to hear from you.