A quick question for Rob and everyone else. I have a DXD recording of Carmen Sings The Blues, which sounds terrific. After reacquainting myself with some signal theory (my background is applied math), I tried the following interesting experiment. I TPDF dithered the recording to 8 bits...

Hi Again All Ages ago, I found an excellent paper on MQA https://www.audiomisc.co.uk/MQA/origami/ThereAndBack.html In there, you will see measurements of the terrible post-ringing MQA introduces. This idea of the excellent time smear MQA has is bunkum - there, I said it - bunkum. Ayre...

Of course, it is not losses - that shallow filter that cuts in about 24k means, by its very design, it is not lossless. In fact, I have seen the graphs of the effect of that filter. It was supposed to be so shallow that you get negligible post-ringing. Don't you believe it - it was there...

I love MQA, too. I have gone into how it works. For over 99% of content, it is just a tricky way of encoding lossless 96K - except above audibility has a shallow filter applied, i.e. at about 24k. Then, it throws away samples above the 96k sample rate. That creates aliasing products...

Just a few further impressions. The M-Scaler was disconnected. In some ways it was preferred without the M-Scaler - the M-Scaler had better separation, detail etc, but sounded slightly more 'metallic. He still preferred the SET, but the direct connection seemed to show the strengths of the...

It's been a while since I posted about my experience with the TT2 and M-Scaler. This has been because I broke my Distal Femur and then Covid. Finally the guy that installs my stuff has had a chance to check it out and has done some preliminary listening. He used it only with the M-Scaler...

Question for Rob - can you confirm that the balanced output is the actual output stage of the DAC and not connected to an amp. I know you have explained it and I tried to explain it to a tech a know who refuses to believe it - it must contain an mp to produce 18w. To stop any further debate...

Yes - direct connecting the Chord to speakers (sorry no experience with headphones) is an immediate improvement especially in the areas you mentioned - soundstage, depth and width. The comparison was done with a high end Grandinote Amp. We did not do a direct comparison against the...

No problems here with 89db speakers - no overheating etc. But I listen at lowish levels. My dealer, who listens LOUD, did mention it got a little hot. Thanks Bill

86db (and above of course) would work fine. This is due, as I mentioned in another post, the ears logarithmic response. What kind of money and where you live will really help. In the US the Salk Speaker mentioned would be great, but outside your budget...

Sorry - no. I am out in Australia so have no idea of physically where it is or if they have a listening room. A friend here in Aus got two sub-woofers from them and had a very positive experience. The speakers I referenced only went down to 52 hz, but Salk has a version with a self powered...

I can say, at about 3 meters away, my 89db speakers are more than loud enough - even for my mad dealer that listens LOUD. A tech I know set it up balanced using some simple zip wire and Rob Watts has said that is about 18w. Its important to remember the ears logarithmic response ie 10 times...

This is my review of the M-Scalar and TT2 direct connected to some 89db speakers as per a previous post. First this is one of the two best DAC's I have ever heard - I think actually the best - and I have heard and owned quite a few over the years. The other DAC is the Grandinote - but IMHO...

Wow - thanks or the very enlightening reply - it clarified a lot of things. Now to pen my review - I stayed up too late last night and will be watching the cricket at 6.30 which, here in Aus, is about right now, so may not be finished for a bit. Thanks Bill

Having heard your M-Scaler and TT2 direct connected to speakers, the reaction of myself and other audiophiles, I think you know more than designers of other DAC's. But exactly what was heard will need to wait until I do my write up. It's 4.30 in the morning here in Aus so I don't want to...