Decware Appreciation Thread (MT review up on first page 2-10-12) - Page 62

Steve mentioned a Dac on the phone with me that he said was very good and only $150. That one might be a good option, but I still don't understand if I need a balanced DAC. I hate being a Noob.

^ Nothing in the changes described for the new Taboo model suggests a balanced DAC is needed or indeed can be used with it. What has changed is the Taboo III has balanced as well as single-ended headphone outs. There's quite a variety of DACs in use with Decware amps, at just about every price-point! One school of thought - which I agree with - is you should get a neutral, detailed and transparent DAC. This makes your life easier, with just the amp to tailor to your preferred sound. Which you can do *a lot* with these amps - they respond very well to different tubes.

Was it the Odac? I'm thinking of using one of those with the Taboo this year and going for a better DAC next year.

No, I am looking at the ODAC, but Steve mentioned something by Tascam. I will have to research it as I was in my car and didn't write down the model. I trust Steve's opinion though.

Balanced vs unbalanced.  The only reason for balanced inputs or outputs is when long distances have to be covered by cable.  I await the review of the Decware amp, I am anxious.  I have the Taboo and CSP2+.  I look forward to hearing about all the speakers at Decware too.  There is currently a lot to look forward to in this thread. Please, include lots of pics.  

I have an empty 8 gb SD card ready to go for Wednesday....

 

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the new HR-1 that's replaced my ERR's as Steve's current radial (well hybrid radial at least) design.  They're significantly more "spendy" than my ERR's, but I love that he continues to use radials in some shape or form.  

I watched a couple of hours of Zenfest while they were listening to the HR-1's. I am not sure I should listen to them... lucky I drive a Prius and I can't fit them in the car! Seriously, it would be neat to hear them on the new monos. Yikes!

They would have a hard time pulling me out of that listening room come closing time. I wish they still offered the ERR speaker. It sounds like a good fit for me, but I am leaning towards the MG944. Still, I am concerned about a lack of power out of the Taboo and would hate to have to use my Onkyo to drive my new speakers.

First, I have to decide on a DAC and whether I should spend money on a balanced cable from Audeze or Toxic. I still have a couple months, but I am pretty indecisive. I still haven't given up the possibility of the LCD3.

 

We'll have to find some time soon when you can listen to my Taboo + LCD-3 (at least before I sell the LCD-3).  Maybe we can organize a very small meet.  I know I'll need to get back together with Nick Dangerous soon as he and I swapped rectifiers at the Austin meet.  I'll touch base with Nick and see if we can't set something up.

 

Using a balanced cable with the Taboo Mkiii just allows bypass of the Lucid mode.

The power will be the same for both 1/4 inch and balanced XLR.

For me, it is the Lucid mode which makes the Taboo sound as good as it does.  I don't think Lucid mode is for everyone since it completely changes the sound stage.

Monday the 11th or Thursday the 14th works for me. C'mon by & I have an ample-sized community room here (where I host the Dallas Head-Fi meets). I'll also provide a demo of the Concero DAC. It isn't balanced, but if you need that the X-Sabre will do & has a similar sonic signature.

According to UPS the amp is out for delivery so I will have it today. I am looking forward to the process and in a couple weeks DMinches will be here so we can compare the two Taboo amps and also use the csp2 with the mpa with and without. My review should take a good 4-5 weeks to complete.  The headphones I will use will be the LCDw2,LCD3,HD800,AT3000,Beyer 770 80 ohms so I have a pretty good variety of different cans to work with. 

Good thing it is in your area today, Frank. We're getting a ton of snow today. 10=12 inches between Madison and Chicago.