I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). Copyright Hifi Pig and Hifi Pig Magazine, Big Pig Media LLP. I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? the North American distributors for Rockna so I thought I would jump in on this To me, the instrumental timbre seems more accurate with DAVE than any other DACs I've heard. For some folk, a highly resolving and accurate system may well be described as being over-analytical, and on the other side of the audio fence, some will suggest that some systems sound nice but flawed. Complete electrical isolation definitely up there with the best dacs in the world. So this was headphones straight out of the DAVE? You might want to consideradding oneof Chord's Upscalers, either HugoM scaler, or the Blu Mk. Firstly, that was a very impressive list of high end components you have listened to. The PM2 is very special. Will do. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. JavaScript is disabled. If I want to build a complicated system, I won't consider DAVE because for the position of DAC, I can choose from other brands (Totaldac, NADAC, Rockna, Prismsound 8XR etc) at the same price. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. How does the PS Audio DirectStream DAC compare to the Chord DAC? And if I had to guess (given I haven't heard both), I'd guess it outperforms the Tambaqui. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary tells me that the definition of high-fidelity (HiFi) is the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original and it would seem to be reasonable to assume that this is the goal of audiophiles around the world. Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. I mean is it audibly noticeable? other dacs I have enjoyedin no particular order; I would not call this second tier; but I prefer what hear from my Select II to what Ive heard from these. To build a simple and good system). But digital, potentially, can change things. Digital Audio Forum: DAC, Transports, Digital Processing Forum, 4x20A circuits | Audioquest Niagara 3000 | Paul Hynes SR4T + HDPlex HD500 PSUs -> Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. The MSB simply offered more of everything and to my ears proved again that a true multi bit converter/ladder DAC is superior to delta/sigma or FPGA DACs. So thats it and I think the only thing I think Ive left out of the build part of this DAC is the 3 buttons and the knob on the front panel which are used for manually changing the volume and menu diving, though all this can be done from the remote. Rori I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive.However, this was at a time when both units were a similar price. To my ears it makes music sound unnatural. It's UPDATE VIDEO THREE for the Chord Electronics DAVE DAC REVIEW I have spent a lot more time with the DAVE Dac, still using. The Discrete DAC, the successor and highly improved replacement to the now-famous Analog DAC is the MSB DAC that everyone has been waiting for. will every hear. retail client forgets that most audio stores and audio distribution companies Superior conversion begins with clean and stable low-noise power. Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. They both use FPGA for their decoding. I've sometimes heard people say that DAVE is too bright or analytical for them. The Dave is VERY lovely on PCM, and pretty decent on DSD, but DSD is not its raison d'etre. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. Main Menu Any specific reason you wanna replace the Dave? Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. It matches Chord Dave and Mscaler on dynamics with slightly more bass slam. Focal Utopia ~ LCD i4 ~ ETHER FLOW open/C ~ LCD-2.2/XC ~ Nighthawk ~ K10 custom ~ JH Angie, Chord mscaler // Chord TT2 // Oppo PM-1 (Artisan silver headphone cable) // Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm // WAVE Stream bnc cables // Kef LS50 Meta. Ps Audio Directstream Dac Vs Auralic Vega Founded in 2004, Games for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers game creators and social innovators to drive real-world impact through games and immersive media Here is the list : Trinity Designs [Trinity DAC] TotalDAC [d1-Six] Aqua Acoustic Quality [Formula xHD] MSB Technology [Select DAC II Full Option . As the topic suggests, looking for comparisons on the above Dacs from people who have atleast heard and compared 2 of these dacs. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. Never use!! Auction bid 7 150 25 . DAVE is the most advanced DAC Chord Electronics has ever made. The only true way for the end user to know what they prefer is through listening in their own system.. . There is scale on bigger productions and intimacy on smaller-scale recordings and pieces, It wont make a pigs ear into a sows purse, but its majestic on really good recordings, Its very detailed but not harshly so actually, its a very easy component to fit in a system and live with, Its not cheap and you will want both PSUs once you compare with just one, No analogue inputs to make it the heart of a full system, You know that MSB have stuff that is out of reach financially and potentially better, Price: 11,000 plus 1,650 for a second power supply. The evolution of the original irreverent and irrelevant and non-authoritative site for headphone measurements, i.e. There are a lot of people that absolutely love the M-scaler. 2. I suppose that the vast majority of people who listen for pleasure at home are looking for a balance between the two, and whilst I still maintain we are most likely to hear the biggest effect in a system by changing transducers, every element in the chain of sound will affect the final sound and, in a digital system, I think the DAC you choose can have a huge effect on the final sound. Its not bombarding you with information, but it is a notably more defined sound with regards to the spatial information and the way that elements sit in the mix a tad more solidity and more of a sense of the stereo image being wider and deeper and with instruments and sounds occupying a definite space of their own. There are separate optimal PCM and DSD modes for playbacks and bit perfect playback is how DAVE performs optimally as the FPGA up samples and noise shapes everything to 104MHz 5-bit. Its a clever thing meaning that their products are repairable and upgradeable for example, you can have a card that is set up for single-ended outputs or balanced XLR outputs (for review we have the balanced version). The Discrete is around 11,000 whilst the Select is 120,750 with its power base. I did try with just the one power supply and the Discrete remained a very strong performer with the differences being a very slight loss in the sense of separation and definition when listening intently. Guess what I am trying to say is: preamps are important. Since opening our doors in 1986, weve been driven by one goal: to craft an unrivaled listening experience for music lovers across the globe. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. Im sure it does have a flavour of its own, but from my standpoint, it sounds like a very neutral and transparent DAC. I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. The remainder I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive, I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. personal preference." We feel but with digital things change quickly, and a month ago I got a new server, the SGM Extreme. Founded in 2010 Whats Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. Click here to download your copy, At 11000 plus taxes as tested the Lampizator Big 7 is certainly no budget DAC, but does it deliver on sonic ability? Regardless if the buyer has never auditioned the unit, and found it corresponding to, Simaudio Moon Neo 260 DT CD Transport / Empirical Audio reclocking system: Synchro-Mesh Reclocker driven by Dynamo Linear Power Supply, 2 x Reference BNC digital cable / Schiit Yggdrasil Less is More (LIM) DAC / Octave HP 700 preamp / Octave RE 320 stereo amp with Super Black Box / Reference 3A Reflector monitors, on Sound Anchors Signature stands / dual JL Audio Fathom 112 v2 subwoofers / Cables: ZenWave Audio D4 interconnects, ZenWave SMSG speaker cables / Diverse Herbie's Audio Lab footers / Acoustic treatment: Tri-panels, window plugs, ceiling diffusers (all ASC), diverse carpets chosen for acoustic properties (wool, polypropylene basketweave), Sure absolutely agree that paying that much money without auditioning (preferably in my house, with my own equipment, in my room) does not make much sense. Roon/Jriver 22 -> Ayre QX-5 Twenty -> Ayre AX-5 Twenty -> B&W N802D (Transparent Cables). This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. Compared to some other similarly priced DACs ($10 - $15k MSRP) I prefer the Discrete with 2 Discrete PS. I've owned a PS Audio What didn't you like about the Dave? Have you thought about hooking up a Blu2 to Dave? Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. Thanks guys! This DAC is 11,000 and as such, it is a considerable investment to make, but I would suggest that this is not stupid money for the kind of transparency and clarity it brings. I havent heard the Rockna. Thirdly, having suggested that the brightness issue may lay elsewhere, I will shortly post a suggested tweak directly to both HMS and DAVE - that I have found to increase the "weight", "solidity" and "analogueness" of the resulting sound. DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by mtoc, Jun 9, 2016. I do however like the i2S connection better than any other Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). ), Chord Hugo 2 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp), DAC Noise Modulation: Chord DAVE vs Topping DX7 Pro+, Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. You're very polite about how you describe your preferences, cmarin. Pass Labs INT-60. I say take what everyone post when a grain of salt, because an individual's preference may be different than yours. One name that was thrown around by a few people I know is the Rockna Wavedream. We can operate our current DAC modules at up to 6 MHz for PCM and up to 50 MHz for DSD. Point 75 EmmLab Dac2 I paid 9K$ for this on 2010. UPnP Protocol After that you are GOLDEN. dCS Bartok>Chord DAVE>MSB discrete discreteR2R R2R DAVE BartokdCSBartok in this forum and they are all very good dacs. But dont take our word for it. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. The MSB Renderer was developed using an in-house hardware design running an ultra low noise A5 processor for optimal audio playback performance. its that good. And in the case of a great DAC with great amps in a system with very low noise, going direct to the amps can be magical.