Hello Head-fi; I'm back. This time to advance my views on phase linearity in the audio signal chain.   1. Only planar transducers (or phase-linear transducers) should be used in audio 2. Digital filters are completely unnecessary and counterproductive to hi-fi reproduction 3. The maximum...

I just had an idea of a complete hi-fi audio signal chain -- from the recording studio to our ears. It goes like this:   condenser mic -> successive approximation ADC -> PCM audio codec -> compressed file (FLAC)   FLAC -> R-2R dac -> headphones/speakers   The problem with digital audio is...

moved to sound science forum

  HRT HeadStreamer Review   Introduction   The HeadStreamer by High Resolution Technologies (HRT) is a USB DAC/Amp combo device. It has one USB input and one 1/8" stereo output. The USB input accepts up to 24-bit 96 kHz audio. The device is powered from USB and has no external power...

After the DAC, why do you need to filter out frequencies that are inaudible anyway? Doesn't this hurt the transient response of the DAC?

First, many important instruments radiate sound energy far above 22.05 KHz, the theoretical bandwidth limit of 16-bit 44.1 KHz sampled audio, and while this "ultrasonic" energy may not be directly audible, it significantly affects listener's subjective enjoyment of recorded music. It's Alive...

Seriously considering a Lynx L22... does anyone have one and can compare its sound to other DACs, like Benchmark DAC1, Stello DA100, PS Audio Link III? Actually any comparison or comments at all would be helpful. I'm trying to get an idea of where this soundcard fits in terms of sound quality.

I am interested in this DAC because Wavelength is one of the few companies that offer asynchronous-mode USB audio. Does anyone know how it compares to the more expensive Brick? I can't find any reviews or even any technical details anywhere.

I wish there were more better-sounding, affordable DACs came with USB inputs...

I'm using foobar with SSRC resampler at 48 KHz ultra mode and finding images to be slightly more focused. I hope I am not inadvertently ruining the digital signal? I also use Crossfeed. My DAC uses PCM2707 as USB receiver to TDA1543. I was reading an article on how TI came up with the...

Three-Two Asynchronous 96kHz/24bit USB to Headphone DAC I searched google for "asynchronous usb audio" and came up with this. Has anyone tried this out? The price seems very reasonable. Is Asynchronous mode with the 1020B chip noticeably better sounding that a PCM2706/7 in adaptive mode?

What digital source did you start with, and what upgrade path did you follow? Did you ever buy a more expensive source and feel that it wasn't an upgrade/find that a cheaper source sounded better than a more expensive one?

When I run a 20-200 Hz frequency sweep on my Alessandro MS1 I can hear some tizzing/rattling noise in left driver around 50 Hz and the right driver around 100 Hz. I read somewhere that this is due to a hair getting through the little holes. I have quarter-modded HD414 pads. My question is, do...

Keeping everything the same, but just doubling the components (run the second set with inverted phase). If I got another Scott Nixon USB DAC, another CKKIII, and reterminated my HD580 for balanced, would I see more of a difference than say, getting a 3-channel B22? Basically, given the same...

I have a Pico and compared its DAC section to my Scott Nixon USB Chibi DAC. The two are different topology, the Pico built with 96 KHz ASRC and WM8470 chip, while SN DAC is non-oversampling and uses TDA1543 chip. If I listen to the same track on one and then listen again on the other (both...

I'm getting bored of studying, and I woe to think of how the rest of my life is going to feel like if I'm getting bored already! I think I should just follow my passion for audio reproduction and start a small shop where I can sell headphones, speakers, amps, and sources. People would come...

Is the CKKIII the point of diminishing returns when it comes to solid state home headphone amps? Will a single-ended Beta-22 be a significant upgrade (their measured performance on AMB's site looks similar)? On the other hand, will an entry level tube amp like SOHA retain the same level of...

After a couple years hanging out on these forums, I think there is something that can greatly improve the usefulness of many discussions: That is comparing headphone amps (and actually all components) to units that are VASTLY different in terms of price and target audience. Too often do...

This is kind of generic question, but I feel that the answer can be found in the source rather than farther up the audio chain. In my experience with a few different USB-DACs, there is one thing in common that I am not able to escape - there is a piercing, glaring quality to upper-midrange...

Why isn't the DAC circuit information published about the RSA Predator like it is for the Headamp Pico? Does anyone know this information? Having listened to both amps, I want to know at least some information about the underlying chips/circuits so I know what components cause me to like one...

I strongly believe there is a such thing as ideal sound reproduction, where the sound produced is an exact sonic copy (sound pressure, tonality, positioning, etc) of the original performance. This is a product of all the components in the chain from storage (vinyl, CD, digital files) to...

My system is going through a radical change; I am going to purchase a Pico to use as a DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp and I am now thinking about what to use as a power amp for a reasonable price (<$450). I am considering two options: 1. Gainclone 2. AMB Beta-22 I would have to contract someone...

Don't laugh... this is a serious question. Anyone have the courage to try this? I am curious because I have really small speakers for my desk that came from a 5.1 system... and I want to see if my CKKIII would sound better than the T-amp that I am currently using.

I posted on the Pico order thread because I want the Pico with DAC to serve as a preamp for my future speaker system (with a Gainclone power amp) as well as a headphone amp for transportable listening on my laptop. In addition to using computer as source, I am planning to add an analog front end...

Just curious to see how these two circuits compare in terms of sound quality, since they use the same DAC chip. Anyone own both of them and can comment on this? The Alien DAC is substantially cheaper and I would probably just get that if it is comparable to the Keces.