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- Users: project86
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
I've edited my above post to be more clear that the solutions I've mentioned are for North American customers. I really can't or shouldn't speak to how any other dealer/distributor in any other region might handle the process. Sorry for any confusion there. In other news, I also neglected to...- project86
- Post #564
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
I'm not sure those details are worked out yet. I have only ever dealt with Cen.Grand direct and then Arthur who is the North American distributor. They have a growing network of dealers in other regions but I'm just not familiar with any of those myself, sorry.- project86
- Post #563
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
Motivated by this recent discussion, I checked in and and was able to get a little update. Turns out things have changed a bit since my last post, so this is the latest info. (I've edited this to reflect the fact that it pertains to North America only, via distributor Power Holdings. I don't...- project86
- Post #561
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
Unfortunately I don't have that info yet. I would also assume that new production DAC units would have the card installed but there could possibly be a price increase to offset that. It's something I've seen from other brands when they have a new feature included, so who knows. Ideally they...- project86
- Post #560
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
The latest info I have is that DSDAC1.0 Deluxe owners will in fact be able to add the upgrade card on their own. The hardware part should be a relatively simple plug and play addition, but it will also require a firmware flash which involves plugging a special cable to the main board which...- project86
- Post #558
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Reply to review by 'project86' on item 'xDuoo TA-20 Plus'
@sameh931 I would generally never talk anyone out of buying a Cayin amp, as my experiences with them have been universally positive. I have not heard the HA-2A yet but it looks like a mini version of my HA-6A and I absolutely love that amp. That said, the TA-20 Plus is a crowd pleasing amp as...- project86
- Head Gear rating reply
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Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!
Agree about DH Labs, exceptional bang for the buck with their stuff.- project86
- Post #177
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
I don't normally use the DSDAC in my speaker rig, so the volume control doesn't get a regular workout as it would in that scenario. I'll note that it is very useful for trimming a bit of volume when using headphone amps with stepped attenuators that don't have enough steps, meaning volume...- project86
- Post #552
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Review: Violectric V800 DAC
Still a great looking combo after all these years!- project86
- Post #844
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Cayin Soul 170HA: A Beastly TOTL Vacuum Tube Headphone/Speaker Amplifier wth KT170
Not sure he's even showing everything or just the Cayin models, as I recall Andy has (or did have) a Weiss DAC502 and lots of other fun stuff.- project86
- Post #115
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
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Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!
That's probably correct then, since that is an official video. I was just going by the wording on page 3 of the manual, and they seem to have forgotten to list I2S. Plus it makes sense as you can use the Matrix X SPDIF 2 and 3 to go from USB to I2S. And the Element S basically contains an X...- project86
- Post #173
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!
I'm actually not positive it can do USB in to I2S out. Seems like it should be able to, but the manual specifically says coax, AES, and optical, omitting the I2S option from that sentence. Maybe just a mistake on their wording though? I will have to try it when I get a chance.- project86
- Post #171
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
As much as I love the Cen.Grand sound, I think in your case it makes the most sense to grab the Merason DAC1 and enjoy it.- project86
- Post #548
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
You sent me a message with basically the same question but I'll reply here in case the answer is useful to others. As you could probably tell by my initial writeup, I quite liked the Merason DAC1. It's a very involving, engaging DAC that I suspect would sound great in most systems. I did end...- project86
- Post #546
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Review by 'project86' on item 'Apos Ray 12AU7 Vacuum Tube'
I recently wrote up my thoughts about the xDuoo TA-20 Plus hybrid headphone amplifier, which you can read here. Apos Audio also sent along their Ray 12AU7 tubes which not only worked great with the TA-20 Plus but also sounded lovely in several other amps I have on hand. I enjoyed them so much...- project86
- Head Gear rating
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Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!
Yes you can switch modes via the front panel and also using the app. I can't imagine having to power cycle or move cables, that seems really inconvenient. I think the only thing you can't do is run it as a DDC and also select the USB output to feed your DAC. That gets disabled in DDC mode, so...- project86
- Post #165
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Reply to review by 'project86' on item 'xDuoo TA-20 Plus'
@dynavit Sorry I only did pretty straight forward swaps with 12AU7 tubes, some of which had the ECC82 label. Didn't try anything more adventurous than that, and have not touched the rectifier tube yet.- project86
- Head Gear rating reply
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Cayin Soul 170HA: A Beastly TOTL Vacuum Tube Headphone/Speaker Amplifier wth KT170
But they listened in show conditions, which in my experience makes it impossible to draw any meaningful conclusions on things like amp/headphone pairings. Shows are great to get a really baseline idea of what a headphone generally sounds like. Especially closed back headphones and IEMs. Beyond...- project86
- Post #77
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
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Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!
I don't currently have Apple Music to test, but I do recall a big talking point of both the XSPDIF 3 and the Element S is that they can be used with tablets or phones. Whether or not you get bit perfect output/hi-res output is more dependent upon your device and software though... but I can say...- project86
- Post #162
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Review: Violectric V800 DAC
Keep in mind Violectric initially made some 24/192 boards with a newer Tenor chip, so those do exist along with the older Tenos 24/96 and also the XMOS version. I do think the XMOS is probably "better" than the Tenor solutions, just in terms of general compatibility or future proofing. But...- project86
- Post #839
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Review: Violectric V800 DAC
I guess you could go back through this thread and scour the pics, see if anything stands out in terms of the physical USB B port and maybe what color it is or some other tiny detail. It does seem like a very long shot though - who says they didn't change part over the years, unrelated to the...- project86
- Post #834
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Review: Violectric V800 DAC
I don't think there will be any way to tell from an external view. After all, a USB B port is a USB B port, and I don't recall there being any sort of labelling which said "24/192" or whatever. The seller would be able to check using various methods though. If they are using a driver, that...- project86
- Post #832
- Forum: Dedicated Source Components
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Cayin Soul 170HA: A Beastly TOTL Vacuum Tube Headphone/Speaker Amplifier wth KT170
I spent a bit of time on the HA-300 as well.- project86
- Post #63
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
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Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
Wow that's very strange! I wonder what could have caused it? Seems like a display failure (I've had vertical lines on big flat panel TVs before so I assume there is a similarity). But I don't get how it would appear based on just moving the device like you described. I would definitely reach...- project86
- Post #544
- Forum: High-end Audio Forum
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Cayin Soul 170HA: A Beastly TOTL Vacuum Tube Headphone/Speaker Amplifier wth KT170
Wow looks like a beast!- project86
- Post #39
- Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)