PS Audio DLIII DAC Follow-up

Hi Jimi - Thanks for letting me know it's working well for you. I usually tell people to try out an existing DAC if they have one because you never know the sound may be superb!<br />

<br />

If you do wind up getting a DAC I think you'll be surprised at the improvement though. I suggested trying one out from a local dealer when you get around to it.

I'm going to wait for the Proton to come out and then jump on something. I have Benchmark in the back of my mind and hopefully I can compare the 2 when the other comes out.<br />

jimi

Very nice... After an email exchange w/ Rick Cullen yesterday, I ordered a Stage 3 modified DL III from Cullen Circuits. I should have it sometime next week. Can't wait to use this w/ my now week-old Apple TV!!!

Very cool, you'll have to let us know how it sounds.

Hi,<br />

<br />

I also have the PS Audio DL III mod by Rick Cullen (Stage IV) and I think this is a great piece of gear ! But don't forget the quality of the Mac Book Pro as a very high end player indeed !<br />

<br />

All the best,

Chris,<br />

<br />

There are lots of Dacs coming on the market used that accept up to 24/96 digital input. What happens if you feed a signal that is 24/192 into a DAC like this, for example the Theta GenIII Dac? <br />

<br />

You spoke of a Dac that does 192 natively, such as the Alpha Dac. I take it you mean that they accept 24/192 as a digital input and don't have to upsample it to get to this point: native being non-upsampled. I know that the Benchmark DAC doesn't do 24/192 "natively" and instead downsamples everything to 24/96.<br />

<br />

Just trying t understand this concept. Can you verify the above? Seems to me that at this point it might be limiting to buy a Dac that only does 24/96 when recordings are starting to show up that are much better.<br />

<br />

/LM

Hi Lee - Not all DACs handle all resolutions the same. Some 24/96 DACs may just downsample higher resolutions. The Stello DA100 Signature I recently reviewed will not play anything over 24/96, period. Trying to play a 24/192 file produces no sound.<br />

<br />

When I mention natively I do mean no up or down sampling. Once in a while natively can be used when describing a DAC that accepts 24/96 via USB without drivers etc... Benchmark, Wavelength, and Empricial come to mind here. I'm not quite sure what you mean by saying the Benchmark downsamples everything to 24/96. Maybe I need a little more direction or discussion on this one :-)<br />

<br />

Personally I wouldn't purchase a DAC that doesn't do 24/192, but that's because I have material at this resolution. Many people don't have anything over 16/44.1 and may never have anything over this resolution. Thus, a 16/44.1 DAC will be perfect.

Hi Chris, This is my first post. Firstly many thanks for a great job on this site, im really enjoying it.<br />

I downloaded some linn studio master files, converted using max, imported into itunes ..(followed your instructions) connected to ps audio dac with mini optical.<br />

Can you just confirm the final steps on the audio/midi setup page.<br />

Thanks<br />

Damian

Hi Damian - In Audio Midi setup select Built-in Output next to the "Properties For" section. Then Select your sample rate such as 24/96 under audio output. That's it!<br />

<br />

Let me know if I skimped on this little explanation too much. I can explain in greater detail if needed.

Hey Chris,<br />

<br />

Can you explain briefly how you are ripping DVD-A and what software?<br />

<br />

Also, are you liking XLD?<br />

<br />

/Lee

Hi Lee - I use a program called DVDAExplorer. Search for it in the forums here and there will be a link or two. It can be tough to locate on the Internet.<br />

<br />

I haven't spent any time with XLD yet. Too busy!

Chris,<br />

<br />

So, I've had my PS Audio DL III with Stage IV Cullin Circuits mod now for about a month. I originally had it hooked up to my big rig via a Kimber Kable USB type B cable on my Mac Mini. All my content is ALAC and some is true 24bit/96khz purchased from various places on the internet (HDtracks.com, etc). <br />

<br />

Anyway, I was disappointed to learn the the USB port is limited to 16bit/48khz operation and did notice a lack of depth to the music on my big rig. So, like you, I decided to go the optical route and purchased a Hosa 5ft Toslink cable and a Mini Toslink adapter for output to the DAC using the digital out set at 24bit/96khz. I spend a good part of yesterday listening to a variety of music but mostly stuck to jazz during the afternoon. It sounds great, lot's of depth, airy highs, etc. However, later in the evening, I decided to put on the rock in the form of Dave Matthews Band (Under the Table.., Crash). The sound coming out of my system surprised me as it was not warm, the highs were sort of sizzling and way too prominent for my taste. All in all the music sounded intolerably digital. Is it possible that over time the TOSLINK lasers heating up could cause such behavior? Or is it due to the upsampling of 44.1khz/16bit content on the Mac? Am I just hearing the limitations of CD quality music? I wonder if the optical cable I am using is the issue? I was considering the purchase of the Kimber Kable OPT-1. Perhaps you can shed some light on this issue? Please let me know you thoughts.<br />

<br />

Thanks,<br />

Stuart

Dear Stuart,<br />

<br />

Are you setting the sampling rate on your Mac's output to match the music you're playing? Just in case you're not familiar with this: In Applications-->Utilities folder you'll find the Audio MIDI Setup application. If you open that, click "Audio Devices" at the top of the window, and then where it says "Propterties for" choose "Built-in Output". This will let you set the sample rate going out through TOSLINK. You'll see the pop-up menus for this part way down the right side. If you set those to match the music you are playing then the Mac will not do any upsampling or downsampling. If these settings do not match the song you are playing then the Mac will upsample or downsample as needed. I expect that might be where things are going wrong for you.<br />

<br />

If that's not it then it's a puzzler to me. I have a Cullen Stage III mod DL III in the mail to me, so hope there's not a serious issue here. I too would like to listen to some higher bitrate music on it (as Chris reported).<br />

<br />

Best regards,<br />

<br />

Charlie

Dear Stuart,<br />

<br />

Also, I just purchased a mini Toslink to Toslink 2m cable from Cables To Go. It seems to me that it's much better to have one, uninterrupted fiber with the correct connectors built into each end than to get a pricey cable and then put a cheap adapter on the end. The connection between the adapter and the cable seems like a real opportunity for problems.I don't know if my concerns here are warranted, but just thought I would note it since you suggested getting a Kimber Kable OPT-1 which would need an adapter to connect to the Mac.<br />

<br />

Best regards,<br />

<br />

Charlie

Dear Chris,<br />

<br />

Since you bought the review unit, are you going to add it to the CASH listing?<br />

<br />

Regards,<br />

<br />

Charlie

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