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Matrix X-Sabre DAC review and impression thread - Page 9

post #121 of 547
2/28/13 at 9:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcullinan View Post

I figured it wouldn't play them, but will DSD pop up in iTunes. I'm guessing a plugin will be needed. I run everything through remote and iTunes. Quite nice. Not as built up as the Squeezebox Interface, but not a big deal.

 

Pure Music will act as aplayer plugin in iTunes. iTunes will act as the organizer but Pure Music will play the music and Pure Music support DSD (as DoP).

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post #122 of 547
2/28/13 at 12:52pm
Cool. Thanks. That will work.
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post #123 of 547
2/28/13 at 12:52pm
Cool. Thanks. That will work.
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post #124 of 547
2/28/13 at 5:19pm

Eventhought this DAC is not officially released and I will be eagerly waiting for in depth reviews, I think my search for excellent DAC in ~1k$ might be over. Besides all audio-based characteristics (well, I don't really need DAC to do much - low noise and as neutral as possible, nothing more), I had few visual requirements as well - smooth looking black chasis and subtle LED lights. In look-and-feel department X-Sabre looks like a winner already, lets "see" if it hears like one as well. I am wondering how it compares to some other competitors, like Anedio D2 or Calyx 24/192. Thankfully I have some time before I will be able to afford new dac so I am pretty sure some reviews will be already out before I will have sufficient funds at my disposal :)

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post #125 of 547
3/1/13 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 

So I finally got around to installing the drivers on my laptop rather than relying on my Auraliti PK90 (which is so simple to use, it makes me spoiled). The setup process is more involved than I expected, but I followed the instructions and got it running in a few minutes. I'm playing DSD tracks with no issues, as well as 24-bit/352.8kHz PCM files. It has a very small delay switching to new sample rates, with no annoying "click" sounds or any other quirks to speak of. Overall I couldn't be more pleased with the smoothness of operation. And it sounds damn fine too!

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post #126 of 547
3/1/13 at 12:31am

Am interested how thisbaby compares to the like of nad m51/wyred4sounds dac/antelope zodiac/eastern electric minimax plus?

 

edit: chord chrodette qutehd included?


Edited by hifimanrookie - 3/1/13 at 9:17am
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post #127 of 547
3/1/13 at 8:52am

By the way, seeing that this DAC is on pre-order at 1100$, should I expect the price to go up after it's released? I have seen many manufacturers to offer some discount prior the launch, and since there is nothing explicitly said I am wondering whether the price is rock solid or if this is just "pre-order special". I wanted to go for amp first, but that can wait if I could safe few hundred bucks by getting DAC first :)

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post #128 of 547
3/1/13 at 8:56am
From what I've been told, $1100 is the price now and forever.
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post #129 of 547
3/1/13 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by project86 View Post

 Overall I couldn't be more pleased with the smoothness of operation. And it sounds damn fine too!

 

Is the sound there up with the better ones or where do you think it fits in?

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post #130 of 547
3/1/13 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gurus View Post

 

Is the sound there up with the better ones or where do you think it fits in?

Yeah am interested in this also..how does it compare to the likes of: wyred4sounds dac2, antelope zodiac, nad m51, chord chordette qutehd, benchmark dac2 hgc and metrum octave?


Edited by hifimanrookie - 3/1/13 at 10:20am
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post #131 of 547
3/1/13 at 10:16am

I am amazed that a product coming in at $1100 can have casework made out of a CNC machined billet of aluminum.

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post #132 of 547
3/1/13 at 11:18am

Also is it warmer sounding than the Ressonence Concero but still as detailed with good transparency... And project dont test all DSDs test lots of PCM. Its going to miff me if I have to have 2 dacs one for each type of playback.

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post #133 of 547
3/1/13 at 3:08pm
Thread Starter 

I'll have more impressions and comparisons in due time. Sorry, I wish I could just sit here all day, listen, and report back, but it just doesn't work out that way. I'm lucky to grab an hour here and there when the kids are in bed.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by agisthos View Post

I am amazed that a product coming in at $1100 can have casework made out of a CNC machined billet of aluminum.

 

Me too. I've discussed this with several people "in the biz" who make their own gear, and all have commented on how expensive this must be. One even had a hard time believing it was real - he thought for sure the press photos were different than the actual product. Nope, it's the real deal. 

 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by mcullinan View Post

Also is it warmer sounding than the Ressonence Concero but still as detailed with good transparency... And project dont test all DSDs test lots of PCM. Its going to miff me if I have to have 2 dacs one for each type of playback.

 

Well there's always that new Light Harmonic DaVinci Dual DAC, with separate paths for PCM and DSD. I must have left that $31,000 in my other pants. 

 

But seriously, no issues with PCM at all so far - it's very nice. My only complaint is having to do math because the front panel says 44.1 and X4 and I need to think about that for a minute or two. Yes, I'm slow.... But all my usual reference recordings (including HRx files from Reference Recordings!) sound exceptional. 

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post #134 of 547
3/1/13 at 3:18pm
Not sure about your library, but most of my hi rez stuff is 96 or 192 so its either the x2 or x4 for those, or its DXD and the x8.
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post #135 of 547
3/1/13 at 3:35pm
Lol. 31k! I heard that Dac last year at the NY Show with a pair of Wilson's. Really good! It's cool looking too, but out of my budget. Wayy out. Glad it sounds good on PCM. That is tough. 44.1 x 4 I've been doing a little rounding with my daughter in math. Could be 40 x4 160. Close to 176. 48 round to 50. 50x 4 200. Close to 192. This math brought to u by the 4th grade! Math is a lot harder nowadays than when I grew up. wink.gif it should def tell you but that's not a deal breaker.
Edited by mcullinan - 3/1/13 at 3:37pm
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