[crazyface]

Hello!

I've decided to put the turntable system on hold until I've actually collected more vinyl records. So, in the meantime, I'd like to upgrade my digital audio system to give me sound that's warm, lush and euphonic (like vinyl), but also highly detailed and seperated (like good digital audio). So what I'm hoping to accomplish with this thread is that some folks will explain the "theory" behind system-building to me, relating it to my goals.

First of all - I'm hoping that my goals don't exclude one-another (that is, that I can get good detail and seperation while still having lush vinyl sound.) I really don't care about "accuracy", for what that's worth; if vinyl's appeal is due to "distortion", then I'd love some more of that kind of distortion in my digital setup, somehow. I'm guessing that for the lushness I need to incorporate tubes into my system - but what to do for greater detail/seperation? I tried a plug-in for Foobar called "audio sharpening", and that did something like that, but it was very fatiguing - and as far as I know, computers can't play SACD or DVD-A discs, and I definitely want a system that can play them.

I have Etymotic ER4S's, Grado 225's, and Ergo2's (with AMP1 SS amp.) The Ergo2's are very "dark" headphones with excellent low bass and a great soundstage. They tend to veil, so detail and seperation aren't well achieved by them. However, out of the three headphones I own, they're my favorite. Though I don't think I'll buy another headphone or amp anytime soon, I am curious what you think I could do in these areas to get the kind of sound I'm after. I do intend to, someday, upgrade to one of the $2~K headphones, or perhaps a K1000 if I can ever come to understand just what I'd need to get to interface it with the rest of my system (it uses weird connections I'm not familiar with, apparently, and requires "speaker amps".) As for amps, I assume I'd be well served to buy a tube-based one?

In any case, my current headphone collection will be expanded someday, so I don't feel comfortable with the idea of buying a system "underneath" them to play to their strengths/weaknesses -- I'd rather buy a system that does what I want, and then make sure that my eventual headphone upgrade provides the perfect "topping." ...unless you advise against this approach?

I'm using my computer's on-board sound, and have intended for my first upgrade to be a proper DAC. At first I was considering the Beresford 7510, the Monica2, and the Paradisea+ -- but I've heard a lot of great things about the Promitheus lately, and am now leaning towards it. However, I think that I want a DAC that will work with 20-bit CD's and SACD/DVDA players - and I don't know if any NOS DAC can. Is this a legitimate concern - should I be aiming for a system DAC that can "handle" them, or would any DVDA/SACD player I might buy do well enough on its own circuitry?

Speaking of NOS DACs, I'm inclined to believe that a NOS tube-based DAC will help me get the kind of sound that I want. Sound about right?

I also plan to buy an Aphex Aural Exciter 204 for use in this system.

Feel free to offer any additional thoughts or ask any more questions that you feel might be helpful! Thanks!

 

[crazyface]

Did I ask my questions wrong?

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is this a legitimate concern - should I be aiming for a system DAC that can "handle" them, or would any DVDA/SACD player I might buy do well enough on its own circuitry?

No standalone DAC will play usual DVD-A or SACD content anyway since the copy protection prevents players from providing a digital hi-res stream.All you can get is the redbook layer (if available).
It's a bummer but OTOH you don't have to worry about DVD-A/SACD compatibility.

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello! First of all - I'm hoping that my goals don't exclude one-another (that is, that I can get good detail and seperation while still having lush vinyl sound.)

I hate to be the party pooper but one of the reasons you aren't flooded by answers is the contradicting nature of what you are asking for.
First of all: Vinyl sounds like vinyl, digital formats won't whatever you do.
If you are fond of the sound of vinyl it would be easier and probably cheaper to squeeze more detail out of it than to infuse vinyl like euphony into digital formats while keeping most of the resolution.
Well, both ways aren't exactly cheap and there are different levels of expensive so a budget would be helpful for enabling us to recommend something.

 

[crazyface]

Thank you for your reply!
Is there very little I can do then to make digital more suited to my tastes? NOS and tubes would be unavailing?
I like vinyl very much, but I own only one record - I'll have to buy more before I can justify buying an expensive turntable system.
As for the digital system, around $1000 total would be nice, but I would like to hear suggestions regardless of their cost, so that I can better understand what is involved technically in my problem.

 

[MaloS]

Honestly, the source is not what we, the digital folks, use to tune the system for the most part. We choose the source with the highest detail/resolution, since its garbage in - garbage out, and then choose a euphonic amp/headphone combo. It is not going to be like vinyl ever, but I am very fond of what a pair of dynamic phones and a nice amp for a moderate price can do when given a good source.

 

[MaloS]

double

 

[noseallinit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like vinyl very much, but I own only one record - I'll have to buy more before I can justify buying an expensive turntable system.

I owned very few LP's when I bought me B&O turntable and none of it was what I was wanting to listen to at the time. every format I have owned I started with the equipment first! if you want to acquire vinyl and want that sound, I would say buy that turntable. then you will have something that you can listen to your vinyl purchases on as you acquire them. start with the equipment and then add to your library. your collection will grow faster than you can imagine..

 

[crazyface]

Ok! I will keep this in mind! I do have many CD's, however, that were never made in vinyl edition...so I will have to pay their system attention at some time.

Malos, you signatuare says:
"Grado SR225 + tube warmth = being hit in the head with a large gold brick while floating in the upper atmospheres of Jupiter" -spacecoyote

is this a good thing or a bad thing??

So you say that to get a NOS tube DAC would be a bad thing, because it would be warm?

 

[JadeEast]

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue27/monica_dac.htm

I've got the usb monica and I like it quite allot.
This is coming from listening to a vinyl only tube based system
for the last few years. I haven't settled on a power supply yet.
Its a good product and probably the kind of dac your looking
for. As the linked review states the dynamics may not be
"super hI - fi look at me" but that may be the power supply
I have used.

 

[Killercrush]

Storm Audio Pandora :

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...=202509&page=9

It looks and must sound great. It's a NOS dac based on 16 Phillips TDA1543 chips and w/ batteries powered option to come later.