Anyone using Arcam irDAC & what do you think of it?
Nov 26, 2015 at 2:48 PM Post #76 of 134
  ^^
I don't own this DAC anymore but last week was using it without a problem.
 
Placing the files directly on the "windows/system32/drivers" folder won't work.
 
You need to install the drivers, when you unzip the files there must be a folder "ARCAMUSBAudio_v1.61" in which there is a setup.exe file, run it, follow the instructions and a restart might be requiered.

Thanks very much. Eventually worked by doing what you said but also had to unplug the dac from wall before installing the drivers and rebooting pc a few times.
 
Feb 2, 2016 at 6:39 PM Post #77 of 134
Got the irRAC this morning.
First impressions after 3 hours of listening... Soundstage is very good, indeed aggressive and upfront as a member previously stated.

Small beautiful box, shame that the usb for iPod doesn't work for Android phones.

Did a bit comparision with the Fiio X5 dac and the arcam is in a different league as expected.


I did a A/B test from my Burson amp with my DX90 and the irDAC

I tried to find any differences but couldnot. Nothing at all
Both with hd650 and he400i

They sound the same.

One thing which i did feel was the black background of the DX90 but thats it.

I am not sure how you found it in a different league. As the DX90 and the X5 are in the same class.

And i do have very sensitive ears. if there was anything i would have noticed i am doing the A/B every day for the last 4,5 days. Still nothing
 
Feb 2, 2016 at 6:57 PM Post #78 of 134
^^
 
Sadly I have never tried the DX90 or the Burson amp.
 
The differences with other DAC were very easy to spot comparing to the irDAC.
 
For better or for worse I don't own the irDAC anymore.
 
Are you enjoying it so far?
 
Feb 3, 2016 at 11:05 AM Post #79 of 134
  ^^
 
Sadly I have never tried the DX90 or the Burson amp.
 
The differences with other DAC were very easy to spot comparing to the irDAC.
 
For better or for worse I don't own the irDAC anymore.
 
Are you enjoying it so far?


its ok nothing special, its $$$ for a box with many connectors, but i can use it as a usb dac, the dx90 as a USB dac is not completely sorted. but in terms of sq i gained nothing (yet)
 
Mar 3, 2016 at 5:03 PM Post #80 of 134
I'm looking for a new DAC to connect to the optical out on my TV.

Right now the Meridian Direct or the Arcam irDAC are my two top choices.

The Meridian can be had for less but offeres fewer features. I mostly will use the optical input on the dac and don't need it to do much else.

Do the two compete sonically?
 
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Mar 4, 2016 at 6:23 AM Post #82 of 134
I'm looking for a new DAC to connect to the optical out on my TV.

Right now the Meridian Direct or the Arcam irDAC are my two top choices.

The Meridian can be had for less but offers fewer features. I mostly will use the optical input on the dac and don't need it to do much else.

Do the two compete sonically?

I am curious, why do you need a good DAC for TV? Would not a Schiit Modi 2 Uber make the most fiscal sense? True - I use a Yggdrasil from my TV, because that is simply where the TV sits. Yet never once have I heard something that sounded good when the TV was used as a source. It is not until I switch to my transport or computer do I hear anything worthwhile.
 
But to answer your question, each DAC offered different benefits to my ears. I had both DACs in my same system, prior to the Yggdrasil. The irDAC had more precise details. The Director had more ease to the sound, comparable to one of the Multibit DACs from Schiit (but without the irDAC details). Both had a large soundstage. Also note, I was (and still am) using speakers, not headphones in this system (well - not headphones for the comparisons that I am describing here).
 
I was personally on the fence and kept both in my system until I bought the Gungnir Multibit. Only then was I satisfied at having precise details and an ease to the sound. No, Gungnir is not a value. But it solved my dilemma in choosing between two DACs, both the irDAC and Director - both DACs that I very much liked.
 
Mar 4, 2016 at 8:26 AM Post #83 of 134
The DAC will be connected to the optical out of the TV but the source will be an Apple TV4 which only has HDMI.

I need something compact and discrete which is another reason the Director gets a nod. Schiit does make nice products I've just not been compelled to buy one yet but I'm willing to look into their DAC offering.
 
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Mar 4, 2016 at 9:02 AM Post #84 of 134
The DAC will be connected to the optical out of the TV but the source will be an Apple TV4 which only has HDMI.

I need something compact and discrete which is another reason the Director gets a nod. Schiit does make nice products I've just not been compelled to buy one yet but I'm willing to look into their DAC offering.

I too will on occasion use my TV as an HDMI pass-thru. My transport is an Oppo BDP-105, which is what I use primarily as an HDMI pass-thru. No issue with either though.
 
Key concept was if the audio stream is not that high quality (i.e. watching the evening news) then the DAC should not matter all that much. I too thought both the irDAC and Director were gorgeous. And I can understand how it might be worth it from an aesthetic perspective. But the Schiit Modi 2 Uber is still half the cost of the currently half-cost Director. So just to watch the evening news, I would personally put it high on the list. And after that I'd lean towards the Director, which you can buy new, from known sources - meaning you have guaranteed warranty support. Last I checked, I did not see the super deal on the irDAC. They too seam to be gearing up for the next generation product, but the place I bought it from seemed to be out of stock.
 
Mar 4, 2016 at 5:40 PM Post #85 of 134
i like the irDAC and it can hook up to virtually anything, the bass slam is great and the vocals are superbly clear and a bit forward..  go ahead 
 
Mar 4, 2016 at 7:01 PM Post #86 of 134
I think the Director will better suit the needs of my system.

I use Apple Music primarily so the upscaling ability of the Meridian product should help the sound quality of the streaming audio.

The extra cost and features of the Arcam won't be of much use so I should be set with buying the Director at the reduced price point.
 
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Mar 10, 2016 at 6:03 PM Post #87 of 134

 

 
Mar 14, 2016 at 9:43 AM Post #88 of 134
Guys I too am thinking of buying the Arcam irDAC. Have heard a lot of positive about it. Also I plan to match it with Burson Audio Amp for my HD800. Our good dear friend nephilim32  convinced me real bad so  i will go forward for the buy.
 I too may order on Ebay from Italian seller based at Torino who is quoting $445 as of now with free shipping.
wink.gif

 
Mar 14, 2016 at 2:01 PM Post #90 of 134
I prefer the old PCM chip over the ESS its nice warm and smooth and the old one now i better value for money.
 

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