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Review: Resonessence Labs Invicta - new high end DAC/amp/playback system - Page 16

post #226 of 468
12/28/12 at 5:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zachchen1996 View Post

This helps alot thanks, have you heard the anedio d2 with a top end usb to spdif converter? Would that just about match the SQ of an invicta plugged into pc through just usb?

 

I use the Resonessence Concero with it as a DDC, and I've tried the Stello U3 and Izmo M1, all of which are very good. I've never gone higher though, so no Empirical Offramp 5 or Audiophilleo with battery power.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post

That is, unfortunately, not how it works.  If I were you, I would start by filtering out DACs by feature set; then start collecting impressions on all that are left.  Here are a couple of more names after the Anedio D2 to get you started:

 

NAD M51, Mytek Stereo 192, PWD 2, Zodiac Gold + PSU (also the Zodiac Silver)

 

A little while ago people were hot on the W4S DACs too.  

 

That's really good advice. 

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post #227 of 468
12/28/12 at 5:54pm

I have personally used the Audiophilleo 2 w/ Pure power for several months now and found it to be the best usb to spdif converter I have tried.  

 

It is better than both the weiss dac202's firewire and the invicta's usb implementation. 

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post #228 of 468
12/28/12 at 7:36pm

That's curious.  How about SD?

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post #229 of 468
12/28/12 at 11:06pm

I believe the SD and USB sound very similar.  I think a while back I concluded that the SD may slightly edge ahead of the USB input, but with that said the differences are quite subtle.  However, when using the Audiophilleo, it is easier to tell the BNC input vs the USB and SD apart.  I'm no expert, but I think both the USB and SD eventually result in similar amounts of jitter because both inputs are using the internal clocks, but when using the BNC input fed by the Audiophilleo, the clock is of course coming externally.  As far as I can see it, the Audiophilleo sounds the best because it probably has the lower overall jitter.

 

That's what I can make of it.  Incidentally the W4S DAC2 which I just sold improved by a larger margin when using the Audiophilleo.  I can only conclude/assume the USB input on the DAC2 isn't as good as the Invicta's, hence the larger improvements when using the external usb/spdif converter.

 

I think it all comes down to the jitter control and management.

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post #230 of 468
12/29/12 at 8:23pm
I would add one other DAC/amp combo to Sphinx' list: the Lynx Hilo. I have one on my desk for evaluation, and my initial impressions are very favorable. And it's also a 192/24 analog to digital converter if you're into ripping vinyl. AND the latest firmware update added native DSD playback.

MSRP is $2495, and you can find it for $2295. You may have to invest in some custom cables, as all the analog inputs and outputs are XLR.
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post #231 of 468
12/30/12 at 7:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpz View Post

I believe the SD and USB sound very similar.  I think a while back I concluded that the SD may slightly edge ahead of the USB input, but with that said the differences are quite subtle.  However, when using the Audiophilleo, it is easier to tell the BNC input vs the USB and SD apart.  I'm no expert, but I think both the USB and SD eventually result in similar amounts of jitter because both inputs are using the internal clocks, but when using the BNC input fed by the Audiophilleo, the clock is of course coming externally.  As far as I can see it, the Audiophilleo sounds the best because it probably has the lower overall jitter.

 

That's what I can make of it.  Incidentally the W4S DAC2 which I just sold improved by a larger margin when using the Audiophilleo.  I can only conclude/assume the USB input on the DAC2 isn't as good as the Invicta's, hence the larger improvements when using the external usb/spdif converter.

 

I think it all comes down to the jitter control and management.

 

Intriguing.  I had the Audiophilleo 2, as well as Gordon Rankin's Wavelink for a bit.  No matter what I tried though, I couldn't get either of them to make a difference on my Antelope Zodiac.  I even went so far as to get a friend help me do a blind test with his 009s.  

 

I wrote them off at the time as a Zodiac owner, but as an Invicta owner I can conceive that results may be different.  Thx for sharing.

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post #232 of 468
12/30/12 at 8:22am
This has me curious about the Invicta vs the Cantana. How would you compare it with the Perfect Wave DAC? I seem to remember we shared the same feelings on the PWD.
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post #233 of 468
12/30/12 at 9:42am

MT, do you mean Project86? I never tried the PWD.  (Read too many disappointed impressions to put it on my shopping list.)

 

The good thing with the PWD is that you get a new DAC with every firmware upgrade. 

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post #234 of 468
12/30/12 at 9:44am

I emailed Mark and just heard back from him:

 

Quote:

As you guessed it's Holiday season here, however I will take some photos of how to swap out the fuses and post these instruction on our Web site. As for the protection; If the unit is set to operate at 115V and you plug into a 230V supply, both fuses will blow. If the unit is set for 230V and you plug in to 115Vsupply the logo will illuminate, but the unit will not operate. ...I will let you know when we have posted the instruction on how to change the fuses....may even take a movie to show that it takes less than 5 minutes (personally I think it can be done in less than 2 minutes)!

 

Mark M

 

It looks like we should expect to see an instruction on how to swap out the fuses on their web site soon smily_headphones1.gif

 

BTW, I'm having a hard time choosing between the DNA Stratus and the EC Super 7. I started a new thread about this a few days ago, but have yet to receive a single reply...  Need some help here!


Edited by econparanoia - 12/30/12 at 9:51am
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post #235 of 468
12/30/12 at 9:58am

Awesome, nice job.

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post #236 of 468
12/30/12 at 10:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by econparanoia View Post

I emailed Mark and just heard back from him:

It looks like we should expect to see an instruction on how to swap out the fuses on their web site soon smily_headphones1.gif

BTW, I'm having a hard time choosing between the DNA Stratus and the EC Super 7. I started a new thread about this a few days ago, but have yet to receive a single reply...  Need some help here!

I heard the Super 7 briefly, under meet conditions, with a PWD and Senn 800s. If you like Craig's house sound, it's a solid value, but I don't like the aesthetics. It's a boxy box with tubes sticking out the top, not nearly as pleasing to my eye as the ZD or BA.
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post #237 of 468
12/30/12 at 11:21am

I am not familiar with Craig's house sound. But according to reviews, the Super 7 is supposed to be really good. I don't like the look, either. I checked with Craig a few days ago, and was told that the he will use a new chassis (similar to ZD's) for the next run of Super 7. However, the "new" Super 7 will be about $500 more expensive.


Edited by econparanoia - 12/30/12 at 11:22am
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post #238 of 468
12/30/12 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by burnspbesq View Post


I heard the Super 7 briefly, under meet conditions, with a PWD and Senn 800s. If you like Craig's house sound, it's a solid value, but I don't like the aesthetics. It's a boxy box with tubes sticking out the top, not nearly as pleasing to my eye as the ZD or BA.

 

Agreed - both amps look rather boring to me, though of course the DNA has that blue which is appealing (even though it matches nothing). 

 

I'm one of the few who isn't a huge fan of the PWD. At least not the original version which is all that I've heard. It just doesn't do much for me, and I think the Invicta is on a completely higher level. 

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post #239 of 468
12/30/12 at 11:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by burnspbesq View Post

I heard the Super 7 briefly, under meet conditions, with a PWD and Senn 800s. If you like Craig's house sound, it's a solid value, but I don't like the aesthetics. It's a boxy box with tubes sticking out the top, not nearly as pleasing to my eye as the ZD or BA.

Best I've heard the HD800 was with the Liquid Glass. Blew me away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post

MT, do you mean Project86? I never tried the PWD.  (Read too many disappointed impressions to put it on my shopping list.)

The good thing with the PWD is that you get a new DAC with every firmware upgrade. 

Project 86 but anyone can chime in.
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post #240 of 468
1/4/13 at 2:51pm

Just want to write and let everyone know that a video tutorial on how to swap fuses on Invicta has been made by Mark and is available online now at:

 

http://resonessencelabs.com/swapping-fuses-on-invicta/

 

 

Enjoysmily_headphones1.gif

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