ericfarrell85
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Purrin, did you make the cable between the OR5 and M7 or request for Kingwa to change the i2s connection for compatibility with the offramp?
Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)
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I doubt the rankings would have changed much if at all. The OR5 will only improve on certain kinds of things, and even then it can only do so much. We actually did try the OR5 on a few of the lower cost DACs, but what we found is that these DACs just didn't scale that much. For example, someone had asked me if the OR5 was worth it with the Gungnir Gen 1 USB. I replied it wasn't worth it considering the low cost of the Gungnir and the small gains from the OR5 with it. In other words, the OR5 does give the Gungnir the technical prowess of the PWD2 via USB; and it doesn't make sense to pay $1100-$1500 for a USB converter for a $800 DAC.
Generally, if we felt the OR5 didn't improve a DAC significantly enough to change its ranking, we didn't bother. Just too much work and hassle trying to set up each DAC-Off event. Heck, we still have notes from a few other DACs which we need to compare and do write-ups on. The SABRE DACs all tended to have good USB implementations. The few DACs I wished we had a chance to try the OR5 on were the Lavry, M51, Luxman, Gamma2. The Gamma2 would have mainly been out of curiosity since it's DIY and usually obtainable used for a little over two hundred dollars. In any event, only the top three DACs, the Alpha, PWD2, and especially M7, improved significantly with the use of the OR5.
That's too general of a statement to make. Ultimately, it probably depends upon the quality of the SPDIF source. I found the Gen 2 USB implementation to be superior to SPDIF from two sources I deem as "decent" (a PC and a modified Marantz CDP), but it was so close that I can't be sure. The gains from the OR5 into the Gen 2 are very minimal. We will need to compare the Gungir Gen 2 USB with the Denon CDP, which I know is superior to my PC and Marantz. Maybe I'll ask Schiit if they have an old Theta CD transport l can borrow to add to the mix.
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Two ninja's have an Uber-Frost right now along with two three other DACs in this list. We are still sharing notes and have yet to make a final determination on its ranking. This is my very early assessment: Uber-Frost w/ Gen 2 USB is way too close to the Gungnir. Slightly less dynamic and slightly more grainy / less smooth. Equally resolving.
I actually made my own cable. Then I realized I could make a special request with Kingwa because Prepoman made such a request with his M7. Just easier this way because it allow me to "roll" standard Ethernet cables. Just kidding. I don't obsess about stuff like that too much. Maybe a little a bit.
thegunner100
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Considering a uber bifrost w/ usb gen 2 is $510, do you think the bifrost is better value wise compared to the gungnir w/ usb gen 2 at $850 when used with a SE amp?
Too late for me on that note, but I'm sure many others are wondering the same thing.
Happy Camper
Headphoneus Supremus
Purrin,
if you have your setup comments, which outputs did you listen to the Hilo with? Your description of a 2D presentation I noticed out of the monitor. The balanced outs gave a better soundstage using two DACs. But maybe that was how you tested it. I didn't see anywhere how it was set up.
if you have your setup comments, which outputs did you listen to the Hilo with? Your description of a 2D presentation I noticed out of the monitor. The balanced outs gave a better soundstage using two DACs. But maybe that was how you tested it. I didn't see anywhere how it was set up.
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The singled ended outputs were used with the Super 7 (headphone). I used the balanced outs to the Mjolnir (speaker rig).
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I know, I know. That what's we are trying to decide right now and it's killing us. There is no doubt however that the Gungnir is better, even with the SE outputs.
m2man
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Since the Gungnir is reclocking the OR5 (adding back jitter) I wonder how the über will do with the OR5. I know it's overkill but it'd be fun to try out...not that you need more setups to try. Give it a whirl.
bowtung
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Hi, I actually have a p1u, do you think the gungnir or the matrix x-sabre is a better fit? Thanks
I think the better dynamics of gungnir will suit the character of p1u, however seems like x-sabre is more resolving.
I think the better dynamics of gungnir will suit the character of p1u, however seems like x-sabre is more resolving.
Happy Camper
Headphoneus Supremus
I may be misunderstood. What was the Lynx Hilo's outputs when tested?
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I used the SE RCA outputs of the Hilo when the Super 7 amp was used. The balanced outputs XLR outputs of the Hilo were used with the Mjolnir.
Hard to say. I think it depends which direction you want to go. Both DACs are good, but excel in areas where each other don't.
Chris J
Headphoneus Supremus
A very interesting thread!
I'll be watching the Bifrost vs. Gungnir comments!
I'll be watching the Bifrost vs. Gungnir comments!
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May be another week. I need to stack the following together for a another DAC-Off.
- Gungnir
- Bifrost
- M7
- PWD2
- Metrum Quad
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