semurphy

Here is an example of the dilemma I was noodling over... DNA Stratus 2A3 single ended triode SET vacuum tube headphone amplifier Scroll down for the note about why this particular balanced amp does not feature balanced input. Curious. On the solid state front, fully balanced seems to be more common. With tubes, the cost of fully balanced goes up quickly. More tubes, increasingly difficult to get the good ones, etc. Gives one pause before going down that path.

Hello all, I am working on a headphone system using Mac Audirvana >Ayre QB9 as my source. Ayre documentation mentions that the balanced output sounds slightly better. Of course the only way to really know is to listen but that that simple point is a common issue with headphone amps. You pretty much have to buy / evaluate based on best guess and user reviews. So the choice becomes thorny when the amps are made to order and have long lead times. Of the amps I am considering, here are the typical scenarios: 1. Solid state. both balanced and unbalanced amps often accept the AES jack. Candidates: SPL Auditor, Sennheiser HDVA 600, Headamp GS-X. 2.balanced tube amps. Generally use RCA even if the amp topology is balanced. For example, the DNA Stratus uses a balanced amp topology / balanced out but RCA input whereas Woo Audio WA22 uses balanced in / balanced out. 3. unbalanced tube amps. Of course this would be RCA in and RCA out. Candidates Woo Audio WA2, Eddie Current Zana Dux SE. So here are my questions: 1. What am I losing if I go with RCA out from the QB9? I noticed that the balanced has a higher output voltage on balanced that could explain the "better sounding" assessment. Am I missing something? 2. Any experience working through these choices? What did you notice? Certainly one consideration is the price associated with fully balanced but then, I DID fall in love with the Ayre QB9 :-) Comments and suggestions appreciated. Oh headphones: HD800, Beyerdynamic T1.

Definitely sub par release in my view. Bass heavy, compressed...agree with the comments. Never purchased a gold CD before but this might be the first time. Is the best that can be done with this recording or is this a vote for vinyl? Sean

Thanks Chris! Actually it was your review that made me think of this combination. Just probing for any issues. Regards, Sean

So, I picked up a used Bekeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Series 1. Next would be a USB interface. Would the Musical Fidelity V Link 192 fill the bill? Alternatively, I was thinking about a music server with balanced AES out...but I have never figured out how asynchronous fits into this combination. Words to the wise would be appreciated. Sean

Thank you Eloise. Would this also apply to a purpose built music server like the SOTM? Note the separate options for either USB or AES output. Computer Audiophile - SOtM sMS-1000 Audiophile Music Server Review By necessity, the USB only version would require an external USB to SPDIF. However, the AES version would presumably plug straight in to the AES input on the DAC. The question then would be the sonic difference?

I picked up a used Berkeley Alpha Series 1. Since the unit does not have built in USB, I was assuming I would pair it with an external USB interface like the Musical Fidelity 192 to start. However, I was wondering if there was an advantage to simply going with a music server that uses the AES interface. I understand why so much effort has gone into USB interfaces. I don't understand if a native AES interface would have an advantage for a dedicated music server. Comments?

Well, I suppose that is possible but the issue remains: they synced smoothly and played before but no longer. At least Golden Ears and Flac Player are decent workarounds. Any methods for confirming the sample rate?

I am running the latest versions of Apple OSX 10.7.4 IOS 5.1.1 Itunes: 10.6.3 I was trying some trials with different players and sync stopped working for my reference album (Raising Sand, 96/24 transcoded from flac to aiff exactly like Chris's video). No notification, it just would not sync. However, another album from HD tracks was working since. After long support calls, I reset the iPad. Now, I am getting notifications that the format is not supported. Bummer. It was working fine before. I double checked the encoding settings from Chris's video. Now, neither of my 96/24 files are working. Have others experienced this delightful development? Sean

Great comments on the Ayre. I agree that this sonic signature is the best I have heard in this price range. I'm not sure I would characterize as "Lush, romantic..." but there is definitely something pretty great about the space around the instruments and the special :musical" qualities I notched with mid range vocals. However, from the perspective of multiple inputs and flexibility, I thought the Bel Canto line would be worth checking out as well. Any comments on an Ayre vs DAC 2.5 or 3.5 comparison?

alcarp, re: NAD handshake with Macbook Pro Just plugging the USB in did not work for me. Typically, a new dec will show up in System Preferences right away. With the NAD, cycling the power button seemed to do the trick. Then, you just need to select the NAD in System Preferences > Sound >Output. Now, restart iTunes (or Amarra in my case). Beyond that, the NAD had no problems locking on to different sample rates.

So, I went back and did a quick listen to the Ayre. Still the one to beat sonically IMO. Following the comments on the NAD + OR5 combo as well. Makes sense. My test to date of the NAD was marred by listening to an amazing but totally unfamiliar setup - Magnepan speakers. Came across this one that looks nice but hard to interpret the technical side. Sort of synch USB, for to not. Has anyone heard this one? DAC 8 Lynx Hilo. I love shootouts! I'm not suprised that earflappin got the "it sounds very good" response. Seems like once you get to a certain level of super accurate and neutral, it's hard to comment further. Let's face it, as soon as you get into "engaging" or "musical" you sort of have to be in the room. Aside from pro applications, where would use the A to D function? I assume recording sessions or vinyl but not sure.

Great feedback. Definitely some new items I have not heard of...Hilo and NAD C390DD. I watched a video on the NAD where they mentioned use of Gordon Rankin's USB stack in this unit. Interesting that they are really vague about what they use in either the M2 or M51 Dac. On the M51, it seems that a number of people are using this in combination with the Empirical Audio On Ramp interface...this suggests to me that the USB interface on the M51 could be improved. So at the risk of a Frankenstein system, I was thinking maybe the M51 and the Berkeley USB interface could be interesting to compare to the Ayre that is still my sonic standard. The Lynx Hilo looks really interesting as well. Does it have that "pro audio" all work and no play sound? Many thanks!

Cross posted on Head-Fi. What can I say? I have divided loyalties. Ok I sold everything and will be starting from scratch. Goal: computer audio + headphones + 2 channel boost for TV. I have sinned! The previous non system was Musical Fidelity M5 integrated with Revel M22 speakers. However NOW I have thin walls and cranky neighbors. I still have the speakers but sold the amp and matching A5 CD player. So, before I get to the amp / headphone questions I'd like the groups impression of these DACs: Ayre QB9: I I really liked the "space" around the instruments I heard compared to the Arcam D33. I also like the balanced output option. Alas, for a minimalist system, the lack of inputs makes it "just" a DAC...simple and true. This is my audio benchmark so far. I do not have the courage to listen to the Berkeley Audio in the next room. NAD M51: Based on forum comments, I chased this one down. Local dealer could not figure out how to get it to recognize my Macbook but I persisted and got it working. Once you know the secret handshake it locks on consistently. The review set-up was pretty foreign to me: Magnepan + Classe. Awesome imaging but seemed a tad flat. Speakers or DAC? I suspect the speakers but no way to tell. Clearly and A/B in home review makes sense...except for the fact that I sold everything... d'oh! April Music DP1: Great reviews but I'd love to know of any A/B comparisons with the Ayre or NAD. Can't believe everything you read etc. Obviously this one has the advantage of DAC + headphone amp...plus cool Nagra styling. I also confess I desire for things to look cool as well as sound great. I also listened to the Arcam D33 and the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC, against the Ayre. All were great but the Ayre won. It's that magic moment when you find yourself hanging on notes (Allison Krause as I recall) instead of "what's different here" Music tastes: jazz, crossover vocals, world music, latin, percussive everything, rock when it takes me back, pop for guilty pleasures. I've always preferred controlled bass and accuracy without edginess. In speaker terms, Revel, Dynaudio. B&W not so much. So, any comments on the DAC comparisons above? A/B will tell the tale sonically...but the allure of a DAC that works as a preamp appeals to my minimal side. Since I have the warped view of reality that comes with being a technology marketing guy, some perspective is appreciated. Regards.

For me the choice is simple: Amarra sounds best. However, I do like many of the features in Pure as well just for fun . What I would love to see is an Amarra for iPad!