You Have Proton

[Innertuber]

Woot, can't wait for your thoughts

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Listening to some 24/96 Fleetwood Mac through the Proton as I type this.

 

:~)

 

[Rob]

How does it sound Chris? Among other DACs, I have had my eye on that one.

 

Rob

 

[ggking7]

Oh man this is great. I've been waiting for that little guy for a long time. Can't wait to hear what you think!

 

[ggking7]

Is that 24/96 Fleetwood Mac DVD-A?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Yes, I ripped the DVD-Audio disc to my music server and it's fabulous.

 

Here is a link to the DVD-A disc http://www.amazon.com/Fleetwood-Mac-Rumours-DVD-Audio-Surround/dp/B00005B5L4

 

[ggking7]

Awesome, I just wish it was Peter Green material. I'll still buy it. What did you use to rip?

 

I'm dying to hear about the Proton too. Any ETA on your review?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I used DVDAExplorer on a Windows music server because the Mac version isn't that good. But I play everything back on my Windows and Mac music servers without issues.

 

No ETA just yet. So far so good though :~)

 

[jimim]

Well. . . how is it Chris? Will you be comparing it to say the benchmark or some other 24/96 USB DAC's?

 

Hope you like it!

 

jimi

 

[ggking7]

Maybe there's a problem with the Proton?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - You had to know I would respond to a comment like this one :~)

 

I really like what I've heard so far!

 

[Innertuber]

Chris - stop staring at Stevie Nicks and get writing on this!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm curious if any of the functionality of the Proton has changed since the original annoucement?

 

Given the:

A) Preponderance of DACs and DACs for headphones that beat it to market and -

 

B) The slug economy and general slow sales of everything, including new products and used.

 

C) It's been a while and the world keeps spinning along

 

 

 

[ggking7]

I've got to say I agree!

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Love the comments innertuber!

 

I have a few other things in the queue right now :~) I will say the Proton is different from the others in a very good way. I am really liking the volume control and sound quality.

 

[Wavelength]

Chris,

 

Was browsing the App Store when I found Romote a new remote control app that is WIFI but emulates the Apple IR Remote. The cool thing is this controls the volume on the Proton and therefore with Remote from Apple you get all the control you want with the Proton to make it kind of like a dac-preamp with ultimate control.

 

Guys I have mine on the big rig as follows for days now and it sounds pretty good:

 

MacMini+ ====>Proton------>Corona Series VT52 Amplifiers----->C&C WWWS Speakers.

 

It's kinda cool with the Romote program to be 100 feet away and control the volume and the track forward, pause, back.

 

This is cool!

 

Thanks

Gordon

 

[jimim]

Gordon, I didn't realize the Proton was going to have volume control?

 

[Wavelength]

Guys,

 

It's Rowmote, not romote... or better more info here:

 

http://www.rowmote.com/Rowmote.html

 

Yes the Proton has an analog volume control between the dac and the output driver. There is no mechanical knob but the volume control appears on the desktop, system prefs and Audio/Midi setup. This becomes your system volume control and therefore when it is changed on the computer, commands are sent to the Proton to adjust the analog volume to the same setting.

 

Since it is the system volume control that means Front Row and stuff like that as well as Rowmote will adjust the volume in the Proton instead of changing the resolution in the digital domain and sending inferior samples to the dac.

 

This way is much better.

 

Thanks

Gordon

 

[ggking7]

Very nice, here's my remote:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166047

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Gordon - I played around with Rowmote last night and think it needs a little refinement. When iTunes is the active window the Rowmote volume adjust the iTunes volume instead of the system volume. I couldn't figure out how to get control over the system volume with Rowmote and still have iTunes control via the Remote app at the same time. I'm going to look into this further.

 

[Wavelength]

Chris,

 

The new server side I send you seems to fix the problem. Evan seems to want to make this work and will have more updates soon on this.

 

Thanks

Gordon

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Great to hear Gordon. This is a wonderful product to use with the Proton. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the volume control in the Proton until I actual received the DAC and used it. It's really been fabulous so far.

 

[ggking7]

Hi Chris, is the Proton review canceled?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi ggking7 - No cancellations here. I have a pre-production model and don't want to jump the gun with any kind of review before I know more about the final production version. It may get better than it is now or vice versa.

 

Just playing it safe :~)

 

[ggking7]

Alright, thanks for the info.

 

[flatmap]

Got mine today. Looks like it's number 31. :-)

 

As soon as my tax return hit my wallet, I found myself involuntarily sending email to Wavelength Audio. Well, you know, if you just hang on to cash like that -- well you're going to need a new clutch or something. And before you know it, your car mechanic is going to be listening to his new Proton and where are you then? (Wait, is there something wrong with that logic? No, don't tell me.)

 

Just getting it setup. Physical size is nice; it's definitely portable if desired. Easy to pick up in one hand and not particularly smaller or bigger than my AKG K-702 headphones.

 

I love what Gordon has done with the volume control. And yes it does control both the headphone amp and the line out via the rca connectors. Why was I fuzzy about that, I don't know.

 

More later...