Altmann Tera Player - Page 15  

Welcome back.  This is an expensive hobby, so it ok to flip-flop.  This is not a easy process.  Luckily there are those here with differing opinions so as to help one make better decisions.

I tried to research the Philips DAC in the T-P.  I did not know this T-P was 4 years in the making.  I ran into his interview here:

http://www.headfonia.com/an-interview-with-charles-altmann/

Before when I searched T-P, I get the main site, this site, headfonia site and the Tera video game.  When I did a search for the Philips 8852 (prototype), I was fortunate to find this article.  Remember, in part 2 of this article, reserve knowing that he used low-volume recordings and acknowledged this at a later time.  So the volume bit is tainted and possibly the live part.  It does make sense though that the live part is tainted also.

The 2nd to last comment confuses me by T-P owner #2.  He says he gets true 24/192 playback.  Not sure what to make of that.  The 'true' is what I do not get.  I know his username here, but hesistant to ask him.  He is the one that gives glowing reviews from the original locked T-P thread.

I'm neutral on the HM-901, but figure if it was outstanding, will consider it one year from now when it matures.  I think the T-P has a specialized purpose and other DAPs have general purpose.  So if another outstanding DAP comes along, will get both or sell one off.  I think the T-P should have good resale value.  After reading that delta-sigma stuff, hesitant on getting anything delta-sigma now.  But they say that the ESS chips are hybrids and not the old delta-sigma, but confused on that.  I want that impact sound or that magic sound as the article I posted earlier mentions.  I just don't want crystal-clear, transparent.  I want magic.  I will probably get flamed for that, but that is what I am looking for and that is what some of the owners seem to describe in varying degrees of verbs.

I was thinking of looking into armbands.  Have not thought about a case yet.  Maybe will look at Pelican cases (Size: 57 x 57 X 18 mm).  It seems durable though if Charles says you can use it to open a beer bottle cap.  I just plan to use it in my shirt pocket, so unsure for now.  Charles mentions the cheapest SDs will do.  I don't think the 'Extreme' models are needed.  

Thanks, I am on pace so maybe will put my name on in mid-Sept.  People work well after vacations.  Hopefully, his queue is lessen by then.

So, your in the queue to start having yours built?  How exciting.

I always sell a kidney when I need a new DAP, so that may get you over the top.

Can't seem to find a pair for sale. Gotta find them. About how much are they? Might pick them up just for the case. it a hard case or soft?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


The Yamaha EPH-100 IEM's sound really fine with the Tera Player and the soft case that is included with them holds the phones, player and a couple of cards perfectly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tera-Fi 

 I think the T-P should have good resale value.  After reading that delta-sigma stuff, hesitant on getting anything delta-sigma now.  But they say that the ESS chips are hybrids and not the old delta-sigma, but confused on that.  

The ESS is a delta/sigma. It has a lot of processing power to set things right without extra outboard circuitry. In fact it can be configured many different ways on it's own. In general, I find it an excellent DAC. In absolutes, I would say it's very informative and perhaps a bit on the smooth side compared to my pricey favs but a great choice at most price points.

That r2r vs delta-sigma article was misleading. The noise shaping part is correct but that noise isn't just out of band but gets removed with the same filters that change those unlistenable square waves into sine waves. the end sine wave at the analog out looks like any other. I'm a fan of the 1704 and think it can't be beat as the engine with a lot of outboard massaging but I know you can get better performance from a 1795 than a 1541, 8852 and probably the 1704 in most moderately priced things (under $2kish). It's all relative. The lack of low level ambiance retrieval in that review may be a clue to something. It's not as important to me, and obviously Charles, as good timing and musicality but it sounds like getting black may involve some lack of retrieval as well. Perhaps not enough to be important in this context with standard def material which I think is generally fine for the purpose DAPs are made for but there are obviously trade offs, well chosen or not.

Hi Kenman345,

I am using Final Audio Design pouch which fits the player and an iem perfectly.     

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


The Yamaha EPH-100 IEM's sound really fine with the Tera Player and the soft case that is included with them holds the phones, player and a couple of cards perfectly.

Have you had the ETY ER-4 P/S in your past inventory?  If so, how does it compare with the EPH-100?

I was looking forward to pairing with the T-P, but reluctant because of my medical condition.  But curiosity will take over one day, so will try for very casual use.  I've seen some nice re-cabling of the ER-4 P/S on this site.  Wish that were an option for me.

Once again, how do I acquire such a case? can't find anything on that in the US. Gonna check the For Sale section in a minute

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolutionx 

Hi Kenman345,

 

I am using Final Audio Design pouch which fits the player and an iem perfectly.     

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

The ESS is a delta/sigma. It has a lot of processing power to set things right without extra outboard circuitry. In fact it can be configured many different ways on it's own. In general, I find it an excellent DAC. In absolutes, I would say it's very informative and perhaps a bit on the smooth side compared to my pricey favs but a great choice at most price points.

 

That r2r vs delta-sigma article was misleading. The noise shaping part is correct but that noise isn't just out of band but gets removed with the same filters that change those unlistenable square waves into sine waves. the end sine wave at the analog out looks like any other. I'm a fan of the 1704 and think it can't be beat as the engine with a lot of outboard massaging but I know you can get better performance from a 1795 than a 1541, 8852 and probably the 1704 in most moderately priced things (under $2kish). It's all relative. The lack of low level ambiance retrieval in that review may be a clue to something. It's not as important to me, and obviously Charles, as good timing and musicality but it sounds like getting black may involve some lack of retrieval as well. Perhaps not enough to be important in this context with standard def material which I think is generally fine for the purpose DAPs are made for but there are obviously trade offs, well chosen or not.

Thanks.  Was not quite sure.  In my 2-week crash course, starting to get a bit of a better feel for things.  The ESS chips seem to be implemented more and more and seems to advance much, but still has yet to reach the upper echelon or top-tier.  But at the right price point, an excellent choice and DAC.  I would be very happy with the DX100 ESS, HM-901 ESSx2 minus the form-factor.  But if I can get that 'organic or analogue' sound, that is what I am striving for and I am not quite sure the ESS can produce that musicality at this time.  I maybe chasing unicorns.  If I was into Home Audio, I would only purchase 1704.  The ESS would be tempting, but not certain it can deliver that certain sound characteristic.  I can be completely wrong, but that is just my newbie subjective observation.  I will probably e-mail Charles on his opinion on this since his articles were of yesteryear.  Would be interesting to know his opinion on these Sabre chips.

That is good to know.  Home audio is not something that interests me as that takes a lot of dedication and commitment to do right.  Plus I am on the road 90% of the time.  But if I ever was interested, I would probably be a fan of the 1704 also.  I prefer high def over standard def, but not sure I have that option with this player.  I need to e-mail Charles and ask about this some more.

Are you familiar with the industrial DAC that is used in the T-P?  The Philips 8852 was used in  the development, but changed to the Philip NOS (non-oversampling?).  It is difficult to do a search without a model number.  He mentions it has better numbers than the TDA1543 and better for portability.  Do you have any familiarity with the TDA1543?  Curious about that chip as it maybe the closest thing to compare with the T-P DAC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tera-Fi 

Thanks.  Was not quite sure.  In my 2-week crash course, starting to get a bit of a better feel for things.  The ESS chips seem to be implemented more and more and seems to advance much, but still has yet to reach the upper echelon or top-tier.  But at the right price point, an excellent choice and DAC.  I would be very happy with the DX100 ESS, HM-901 ESSx2 minus the form-factor.  But if I can get that 'organic or analogue' sound, that is what I am striving for and I am not quite sure the ESS can produce that musicality at this time.  I maybe chasing unicorns.  If I was into Home Audio, I would only purchase 1704.  The ESS would be tempting, but not certain it can deliver that certain sound characteristic.  I can be completely wrong, but that is just my newbie subjective observation.  I will probably e-mail Charles on his opinion on this since his articles were of yesteryear.  Would be interesting to know his opinion on these Sabre chips.

 

That is good to know.  Home audio is not something that interests me as that takes a lot of dedication and commitment to do right.  Plus I am on the road 90% of the time.  But if I ever was interested, I would probably be a fan of the 1704 also.  I prefer high def over standard def, but not sure I have that option with this player.  I need to e-mail Charles and ask about this some more.

 

Are you familiar with the industrial DAC that is used in the T-P?  The Philips 8852 was used in  the development, but changed to the Philip NOS (non-oversampling?).  It is difficult to do a search without a model number.  He mentions it has better numbers than the TDA1543 and better for portability.  Do you have any familiarity with the TDA1543?  Curious about that chip as it maybe the closest thing to compare with the T-P DAC.

NOS stands for 'new old stock'. The 1543 was/is a 16 bit ladder DAC that runs pretty hot so it's inefficient and not the best choice for battery life. It's also large and needs outboard filtering besides. I suspect that the 8852 is still being used and considered NOS at this point. At the end of the day, if it sounds better, it is.

Look at point and shoot camera cases for something similar to that Final case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


I have previously owned both the ER4S and ER4P and much prefer the Yamaha to either. It has a much more expansive soundstage and I feel that the EPH-100 renders instrumental timbre and tonal balance more realistically. They are also far more comfortable than either of the ER phones. Isolation seems to be about the same between both.

Good to know.  Will check out the thread.  I guess I can put the ETY's for sale if these work out.

Browsing EPH-100 thread.  Pic of case on first page.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/577712/yamaha-eph-100

I might get something like:

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1010-027-100-Micro-Carabineer-Yellow/dp/B001PYST9Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1345244994&sr=8-5&keywords=pelican+yellow+case

But not sure which model fits yet.

w/ foam

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Pick-Pluck-foam-Micro-Case/dp/B000GGMMEK/ref=pd_sim_hi_4

I like waterproof just in case for such an expensive item.  It will be in shirt pocket during use, so not sure if I would get a case to use at the same time.

Something like this might work also:

http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-1000-Series-Waterproof-Case/dp/B000F1ULU8/ref=pd_sbs_cps_11

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

NOS stands for 'new old stock'. The 1543 was/is a 16 bit ladder DAC that runs pretty hot so it's inefficient and not the best choice for battery life. It's also large and needs outboard filtering besides. I suspect that the 8852 is still being used and considered NOS at this point. At the end of the day, if it sounds better, it is.

 

Look at point and shoot camera cases for something similar to that Final case.

That would make sense if it might still be the 8852...

I did some digging and ran into this link:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-161830.html

I probably feel the same way as some these posters that I was not able to express in words.  Not looking for that 'digitized' sound.

Thanks, you have been very helpful.  I am probably determined to get this player now.  It is more a matter of timing than 'if' at this point.  It will be a 6-month range on the purchase.

I read in the interview you can request a loaner sample.  Since, you seem to be in the 'biz', any chance on getting a loaner sample for a few months?  Be great if you get your hands on one to get your impressions one day.