http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ Discussion of source components and source formats (CD, SACD, DVD-A, tape, vinyl). en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.head-fi.org/forums/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/akai-ap-306c-any-good-456516/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:06 GMT I just found an old akai ap-306C turntable wich belongs to my dad and I was wondering if it is any good.
But I couldn't find much information about it, so I was wondering if anybody on head-fi knows something about this turntable.

Reference picture:
]]> Dedicated Source Components 32y0 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/akai-ap-306c-any-good-456516/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/usb-olive-music-server-456510/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:20 GMT I'm considering getting one of these music servers but I was wondering if it is possible to use their USB port to connect an external hard drive with music on it and play those files off of the hard drive. Also can you copy music from the external hard drive onto the Olive's internal hard drive, and vice versa? thanks in advance for the assistance. ]]> Dedicated Source Components j24 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/usb-olive-music-server-456510/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/added-value-performance-dac-456483/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:02:21 GMT Hello head-fiers I have already posted a request regarding a doubt I have circa the benefit of adding a dac to a new (but quite cheap) cdp. I... Hello head-fiers

I have already posted a request regarding a doubt I have circa the benefit of adding a dac to a new (but quite cheap) cdp.
I have realized I have wrongly presented the matter, also given the zero replies.
I understood and try again for I'd love to hear the expert's opinion.

I have recently purchased the small denon cdp unit (dcd-f107) and a Little Dot mkIV as an headamp. All this outputting on a grado's sr80i.
Reading and reading I stumbled more than once in some of you guys advising to add a dac to 'revitalize' a cdp. But most of the times regarding an older cdp.
I have no problem in listening to cd only but I'm aware of the convenience of having a wav (or else) archive on an HD. So in that case the dac i guess it would be a no brainer.
Still I'd like to concentrate on the cdp only for now

So the bottom line is:

would I gain a considerable better performance in adding a dac to this cdp which sports a Burr Brown PCM1796?
Is the microchip the only thing that counts in a dac?
Is it realistic to think that only a hi-end dac would add something to my new (but cheapo) cdp? lets say 1000 usd or above?

Thanks for all of your replies.

Cheers
Robin ]]> Dedicated Source Components hishammatar http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/added-value-performance-dac-456483/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/v-dac-keces-131-any-comparison-456456/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:48:45 GMT I know this subject was discussed in a previous thread but the answer was not clear. I want to pair one of these DACs to a WA6 amp with HPs Grado... I know this subject was discussed in a previous thread but the answer was not clear.

I want to pair one of these DACs to a WA6 amp with HPs Grado SR325is and Senn 650 (the Senn in a near future :atsmile:)

I would like to know which one is better. I assume the Keces is better by looking at its construction and the fact that it has a good quality power supply, but people is amazed by the performance of the V-Dac so I am confused. :confused_face(1): ]]> Dedicated Source Components alexandersv http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/v-dac-keces-131-any-comparison-456456/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/anyone-experience-tweaking-tascam-cd-450-a-456342/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:14:14 GMT I have had my CD-450 since they came out in 1999, and love it dearly. But being all caught up these days in tube and op amp rolling in every other... I have had my CD-450 since they came out in 1999, and love it dearly. But being all caught up these days in tube and op amp rolling in every other piece of gear I own, I have intentions of cracking open my Tascam to see what I can do.
Anyone own one of these decks, and know what options for upgrades there are? Being a $750 deck, I would imagine the internals are high quality, but it is 10 years old and might benefit from an op amp, DAC, or clock swap. I have some HDAM's sitting around looking for a new home, as well as a few different DAC's, I just need a little advice on tackling the actual swaps. ]]> Dedicated Source Components drewfus420 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/anyone-experience-tweaking-tascam-cd-450-a-456342/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/something-wrong-my-rotel-amp-456328/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:24:34 GMT (Mods, please move this if it's in the wrong forum. Thank you!)

Hi all,

I finally set up my integrated Rotel amp, the 810a with my Paradigm speakers. It sounds AMAZING! However, I've noticed that every time I turn the Rotel on, there's a 'popping' noise and the woofer moves a bit.

Is this normal? I've read online about amps from 20 - 30 years ago having a soft start, but I'm not sure if mine does, or did, and now it's faulty.

Is this fixable? Will it cost an arm and a leg? Should I just buy a Harman Kardon 430 receiver that I've been eyeballing? :D (This place is the worst!)

Thanks! ]]> Dedicated Source Components punkaroo http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/something-wrong-my-rotel-amp-456328/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/do-i-need-pre-amp-go-line-out-amp-456305/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:06:42 GMT so i have a pair of grado hf2s, and all music comes from my computer. i want to get an apoggee duet to use for semi-portable and home use, and i was... so i have a pair of grado hf2s, and all music comes from my computer. i want to get an apoggee duet to use for semi-portable and home use, and i was thinking of getting an amp to drive speakers. the question is do i need an integrated amp or could i just hook the duet to an amp and control volume either through my computers itunes/digital out, or through the duet volume control? i've seen some really great deals on rotel amps (trying to power magnepans) and don't see much reason in paying extra for an integrated, when all it will really do for me is control volume. ]]> Dedicated Source Components elliottwilliams http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/do-i-need-pre-amp-go-line-out-amp-456305/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/creek-obh-14-24bit-dac-time-upgrade-456288/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:22:24 GMT I own the Creek OBH-14 24bit / 48Khz DAC Image: http://www.reson.ch/media/images/popup/365_0.JPG Nowdays most of my listening has switched... I own the Creek OBH-14 24bit / 48Khz DAC



Nowdays most of my listening has switched over from vinyl/redbook and SACD to 320K mp3s... (I know, shame... but due to lack of time etc, it is much easier for me...) :deadhorse: I connect the SPDIF output of an M-Audio Audiophile to the DAC.


I have a newfound love for my STAX Λ SR404s paired with the SRM-313. I feed those with the analog output of the DAC.

The DAC has a crisp quality of sound with great weight and dynamics. Compared to other sources I have listened to I would enjoy mids that were more forward and a higher degree of realism. Kind of like what the feeling that vinyl conveys.

Considering that my listening will come mostly from 320K mp3s some FLACs (and perhaps some 24bit FLACS) , would it be worth of upgrading to something with the cost of $500 max. (used)? Or will the improvements be so marginal that I would rather spend it on a different pair of cans for a different taste. ]]> Dedicated Source Components marios_mar http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/creek-obh-14-24bit-dac-time-upgrade-456288/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/suggest-me-dac-kit-456275/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:39:57 GMT I am looking to build my own DAC....i have got to choose from atleast three options now ... 1. Gigalab DAC kit $110 2. HIFIDIY 1798 DAC kit $159... I am looking to build my own DAC....i have got to choose from atleast three options now ...

1. Gigalab DAC kit $110
2. HIFIDIY 1798 DAC kit $159 + $25 for tranformer
3. Analogmetic DAC kit $122

I am looking at the best possible DAC kit for the price. Please suggest me any other kits you may have (bugdet is not more than $170 ) . Would any of the above mentioned kits exceed the Zhoulu 3.5/AudioGD Compass/Musiland MK2 ?? ]]> Dedicated Source Components cha_indian http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/suggest-me-dac-kit-456275/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/active-passive-preamps-active-passive-volume-controls-confusion-456267/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:38:02 GMT Hello, I hope I am posting this in the right forum, if not mods please move this thread. In the past I used my headphone amp (headroom ultra... Hello, I hope I am posting this in the right forum, if not mods please move this thread.
In the past I used my headphone amp (headroom ultra desktop/meier-audio corda symphony) as preamp for my poweramp/speakers (primare 31.2 2x 120w and audio physic yara ii classic). However, I am going stax and this means I can no longer use my headphone amp as preamp (the stax amps I can afford usually dont function in such a way).
I first wanted to get a dac with preamp but there is little choice there in my pricerange only the dac1 and the minidac as far as I know. So I was thinking about a dedicated preamp but I dont want to spend too much money on it, on the ohter hand I want my 1400 euro speakers and 1800 euro poweramp to sound good. I am not sure how this worked in the past but I think the symphony and ultra desktop used passive preamp, i hope someone can confirm this.
But now my questions and confusion, as far as I knew a preamp is just a volume control
1. then what is the difference between an active/passive rpeamp and
2. a passive/active volume control?
I am confused ads to what my options are. Someone please explain...
Greetings, Anouk ]]> Dedicated Source Components Anouk http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/active-passive-preamps-active-passive-volume-controls-confusion-456267/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/small-compact-dac-dolby-virtual-speaker-456239/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:35:19 GMT Anyone know of any small headphone-ish DACs with Dolby virtual speaker, dolby headphone, etc.? Not looking for a big denon A/V receiver or anything... Anyone know of any small headphone-ish DACs with Dolby virtual speaker, dolby headphone, etc.? Not looking for a big denon A/V receiver or anything similar. Want a bare-bones nice-quality DAC for audio only that has some well-implemented DSP. (Not the battery operated JVC.) ]]> Dedicated Source Components Speederlander http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/small-compact-dac-dolby-virtual-speaker-456239/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/using-minidisc-deck-dac-456140/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:11:45 GMT Works like a charm, i have the JB940 and if you connect toslink and press record (with no disc in) it acts as a DAC. This sounds better than my CD... Works like a charm, i have the JB940 and if you connect toslink and press record (with no disc in) it acts as a DAC.
This sounds better than my CD Players output (old Marantz CD63 ki).
Wonder what kind of DAC it is, all i can find is that it is a 24bit delta-sigma ADC, Current pulse DAC. ]]> Dedicated Source Components astroid http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/using-minidisc-deck-dac-456140/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/pico-amp-dac-dac-only-456119/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:27:30 GMT Has anyone compared if it makes much or any difference? 1. Pico amp/dac as dac only (as preamp) to an home/desktop amp 2. Pico dac only to an amp.... Has anyone compared if it makes much or any difference?
1. Pico amp/dac as dac only (as preamp) to an home/desktop amp
2. Pico dac only to an amp.

The reason is, I have a pico amp/dac and use it as dac only through the headphone out with volume at low gain all the way turned up. Is it worth getting a pico dac only. It's the pico dac line out going to make a significant difference?

thank you ]]> Dedicated Source Components sling5s http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/pico-amp-dac-dac-only-456119/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/opinions-turntable-package-456111/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:30:38 GMT I'm still searching for my TT fix. I decided against the Technics 1200 due to many reasons. Anyway, I found this package here:
MUSICDIRECT - PRO-JECT RM-5 SE TURNTABLE with Blue Point Cartridge .

So It looks great but does anyone know about the most important aspect, SOUND? Please give me some pointers too about this setup and the cartridge. I still want to pick up the Senn HD650 to go with it and PRO-JECT PHONO BOX SE II , no sure about headphone amp yet..


I did find this nice review for a superpack version (electronic speed control)
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/project3/combo.html ]]> Dedicated Source Components heli0sphan http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/opinions-turntable-package-456111/ http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/would-dac-improve-my-setup-456098/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:41:26 GMT I have a Marantz CD5001 feeding my Audioengine A5's. Would there be any sound improvement adding a V-DAC to the back end of the Marantz or using Foobar> V-DAC > A5's. (All files are Wav)

I would like the convenience of a PC to DAC but don't want to spend over $300 on a dac. I don't need a headphone amp/dac since I am going to sell my headphones. I have determined that I am a IEM & speaker guy. ]]> Dedicated Source Components brown274 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/would-dac-improve-my-setup-456098/