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DACMagic vs. Audio-GD DAC19 DSP1 - Page 14

post #196 of 207
3/8/10 at 11:00am
Compared to other amps, I think my two audio-gd amps have a very slightly smooth/mellow dynamics. Sound signature-wise, the compass amp and phoenix are very similar, and I'd bet the roc is too. Can be fixed though, just pair it with very dynamic dac or headphones.
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post #197 of 207
3/8/10 at 11:04am
Out of curiosity haloxt: which headphones do you consider very dynamic?
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post #198 of 207
3/8/10 at 11:29am
I haven't tried any bright headphones so I have no clue all my ultrasones are a bit on the mellow side, and my hfi-2200 are so mellow it makes audiotapes sound like music. I've read people say the K702 is on the smooth side also. But I read SA5000 is very fast and dynamic. You probably wouldn't want to get new headphones though, your best bet is probably to get a dac or cheap tweaks/cables that increase dynamics. Did you try audio-gd's sharkwire cables?
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post #199 of 207
3/8/10 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by noinimod View Post
With the your setup, it's such a shame you're using the LD DAC 1. I can say without a doubt that you'll hear a big, big difference with a better dac. I just got my DAC 19 DF and i have never heard acoustic instruments reproduced so true to life before.
Whaddya know, I just got mine today too!

Out of curiosity, what's your setup?
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post #200 of 207
3/8/10 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shampoosuicide View Post
Whaddya know, I just got mine today too!

Out of curiosity, what's your setup?
straight into dynaudio bm5as

I think i might have some channel imbalance problems though =\
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post #201 of 207
3/8/10 at 12:04pm
Does 'smooth' mean lacking dynamics?
I have noticed a number of posts where it was inferred that way.
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post #202 of 207
3/8/10 at 12:14pm
I'm not exactly certain what realmassy means by saying the roc doesn't have as good dynamics as the MKVII, but in my mind my two audio-gd amps just don't contribute any stridency/embellishment to the dynamics, changes in dynamics is relegated to the rest of my setup, namely the dac.
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post #203 of 207
3/8/10 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nigeljames View Post
Does 'smooth' mean lacking dynamics?
I have noticed a number of posts where it was inferred that way.
"Smooth" shouldn't necessarily mean poor dynamics if the term is used properly. A component could be smooth yet fast (in transients) and dynamic.
"Smooth" is the opposite of harsh (in my opinion). "Smooth" means it lacks unnatural harmonic distortion.
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post #204 of 207
3/8/10 at 12:43pm
To clarify: when I said "the only area where the Roc didn't best my MKVII (balanced to balanced comparison) was dynamics" I meant the amps are on the same level in terms of dynamics, and so the Roc didn't best the MKVII. The Roc is not less dynamic than the MKVII. Everything else, the Roc is better.
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post #205 of 207
3/8/10 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nigeljames View Post
I have asked this before (not to you) but how realistic does the Roc sound. Do the instruments sound like real instruments or a thinner copy. That is one of the biggest differences between the Solo SRG and the Woo 6se.
You are talking about your source characteristics here. The timbre, ambiance and the whole "realism" game is lead by your source, not amp. Of course, your amp has to be fast and quiet and "non colored" enough to convey this through.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nigeljames View Post
Is the Roc more full-bodied and 3 dimensional (instruments/voices not soundstage) that the Solo.
I ask because I recently bought a Woo 6se and one of the biggest improvements was that instruments sound far more 'real' and 3 dimensional and with greater presence and power. I like it
Your Woo - Solo comparison resembles my Roc - Solo contest: Solo was my reference until then, and I've realised then that it "warms" upper bass it "congests" the stage and is not quite fast enough for complicated music. Old rock, cheap pop, vocal or anything "monophonic" - OK. Live music, and everything that has "orchestra" in its name - not so OK. But it took Roc (burned-in) to know that - before that, Solo was as good as it gets. And yes... I've used RCA (SE) inputs and SE output on Roc. Same source, same headphones.

Since you also use same source with both amps, I presume your Woo is faster (real instruments) and has better separation (3 dimensional).

...but... we have the right topic in wrong thread...
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post #206 of 207
3/9/10 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FauDrei View Post
You are talking about your source characteristics here. The timbre, ambiance and the whole "realism" game is lead by your source, not amp. Of course, your amp has to be fast and quiet and "non colored" enough to convey this through.
Totally agree but the Solo is not as good as the Woo in transmitting these attributes and was wondering if the Roc would be better and more revealing than the Solo. Given all that I have heard about the Roc I would assume so even in SE mode.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FauDrei View Post
Your Woo - Solo comparison resembles my Roc - Solo contest: Solo was my reference until then, and I've realised then that it "warms" upper bass it "congests" the stage and is not quite fast enough for complicated music. Old rock, cheap pop, vocal or anything "monophonic" - OK. Live music, and everything that has "orchestra" in its name - not so OK. But it took Roc (burned-in) to know that - before that, Solo was as good as it gets. And yes... I've used RCA (SE) inputs and SE output on Roc. Same source, same headphones.
I agree soundstaging is not the Solo's forte but I never had any problems with the speed of the Solo with complicated music,but the Woo is even better, or its upper bass. Although I have got a very fast source that also has a very tight bass so that would help.

Quote:
Since you also use same source with both amps, I presume your Woo is faster (real instruments) and has better separation (3 dimensional).
YES

Quote:
...but... we have the right topic in wrong thread...
I just realized you are right, I thought I was still in the Roc thread
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post #207 of 207
3/20/10 at 2:54pm
The DACMagic was a nice DAC... I had the chance to actually take home one and demo it for a couple of days. It was very similar to the Elite Pro which is a very good thing for me. I preferred that DAC over the Essence as well.

I kept my Elite Pro since it´s just so much more versatile and the Dacmagic wasn´t an upgrade to it. Hopefully I will find the DAC19 to be an upgrade to my Keces since my Elite Pro will be with me until it dies
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