I really wonder how it sounds if I use a good USB cable without pow card between deluxe dac and GLD streamer. To achieve best results with i2s cable, I am told that I must use really good i2s cable otherwise it doesn’t matter.
Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference
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centigrade
New Head-Fier
It is deeper and quieter than a typical PC, iPhone, or Android phone. The detail expression and accuracy are definitely increased. However, you should consider that you cannot properly utilize the dsdac and GLD combo if you do not use a pow card.
project86
Headphoneus Supremus
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In my experience the DSDAC Deluxe responds well to cable quality, including USB cable. I do have a GLD on hand but don't yet have the POW card in my Deluxe (soon...) so I am not sure about the I2S cable quality.
Also, cable performance doesn't always track with their prices. Not saying a basic cable from the hardware store is as good as it gets, but rather that some quality cable brands sell for (relatively) reasonable prices and sometimes beat much more expensive options. Just like picking a headphone, the most expensive option does not always equal the best one.
Ok, so the usb input is very good. Almost makes me feel silly for working so hard on this DIY DDC and linear PSU 
I use wireworld ultraviolet hdmi and usb cables. Hardly crazy pricewise, so maybe I could invest a bit more in that department. Still suspect (hope?) the DAC is breaking in. May have to do some more serious A/B after some more hours. Currently enjoying USB with filter 2 and DSD64 in Non Rising mode.
I use wireworld ultraviolet hdmi and usb cables. Hardly crazy pricewise, so maybe I could invest a bit more in that department. Still suspect (hope?) the DAC is breaking in. May have to do some more serious A/B after some more hours. Currently enjoying USB with filter 2 and DSD64 in Non Rising mode.
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geoffalter11
Headphoneus Supremus
I don't think going crazy on a usb cable will make that big of a difference. The DAC scales, but just good wire with good shielding is all that is needed. I've tried expensive and non-expensive cables of all type and at the end of the day just picking something with good wire and proper shielding from a company you trust is all that matters.Ok, so the usb input is very good. Almost makes me feel silly for working so hard on this DIY DDC and linear PSU
I use wireworld ultraviolet hdmi and usb cables. Hardly crazy pricewise, so maybe I could invest a bit more in that department. Still suspect (hope?) the DAC is breaking in. May have to do some more serious A/B after some more hours. Currently enjoying USB with filter 2 and DSD64 in Non Rising mode.
Glad you are enjoying the DAC. Everyone will find a different filter they like for their own reasons. Don't think it really matters. I use Filter 6 and believe it to sound the best on the DAC, but don't find the differences between the filters to be a big deal. I could easily use any of them and be happy. I am more interested in the synergy between my server, streamer and amps with the Deluxe. Best to not overcomplicate...
As for break in, the DAC is pretty close to electrically stable at 100 hrs, although I still hear differences well past that. Which I attribute to just listening, learning and continuing to evolve with the DAC. We are in a constant state of evolution. I find source files to make the biggest difference in that the higher the quality of the PCM file, the better the DAC sounds when it upsamples to DSD. I don't listen to anything higher than 24/192, and most of my files are 24/96 or 24/48. But the quality of that recording regardless of the bit depth is more important, in my opinion.
I will review the GLD in the near future, just depending on the strength of my hands as to when.
I removed the stock fuse from my Deluxe dac. The fuse value is written 6.3A on the rear panel but the stock fuse I removed is 8A. Is there anybody who knows what should be the most convenient fuse amper value ? I sent emails to Cen Grand's different addresses but no answer so far. I want to change the stock fuse with Hifi Tuning.
My guess is, you could probably go as high as 10A (see my previous post with pictures of the manual which on one page quotes that value). But if it ships with an 8A fuse that would be the safe bet. I suspect the higher the amps rating, the better the sound.
So, as it turns out, i2s via the DDC is just a hair better than straight USB into the Super Clock model. It's a little sweeter with more impactful bass. By comparison, straight USB sounds like it has a very subtle layer of haze.
I wouldn't be surprised if straight USB were just as good as DDC->i2s on the Deluxe model, since it has a separate power supply for the analog section. Best I can come up with to explain the differences I'm hearing is added EMI noise from USB making its way into the analog section.
I wonder how many people on here are using this DAC primarily for 2 channel like me. I listen at pretty loud levels and I seem to have settled on very different preferences than most, in terms of upsampling and filter. I try to never run any higher than DSD128, and I've pretty much settled on filter 2, though if things continue to mellow out more I may revisit filter 4.
For 2 channel, I want the bass to feel right in the body; something difficult to judge with headphones. I also want to be able to listen at somewhat loud levels for long periods of time without fatigue. When I go higher than DSD128, I notice the bass weakens a bit, and isn't felt as strongly in the body. I also notice that going above filter 2 or 3 also impacts the tonal balance and that things tend to get a little brighter, causing more listening fatigue. I was home sick the other day and listened with these settings for about 8 hours straight and enjoyed every minute.
Ted at PS Audio has said that when you go above DSD128, jitter starts to become an issue. I think that's right, and I think it may explain what I hear in the bass when going any higher. It makes sense that when the steps are narrower, any timing deviation will tend to cause more noise relative to the ideal step shape, and this noise is highly correlated with the signal. And it takes more steps to represent a bass frequency than a treble frequency.
As for filter 2, it sounds closest to me as non-rising mode when playing DSD128 files. I have lots of vinyl rips; some in DSD128. Playing them back with no upsampling sounds amazing. I'm of the opinion that - barring very bad downstream components or acoustics - the best digital filter is no digital filter
One man's opinions, for what they're worth.
A second data point supporting this....So, as it turns out, i2s via the DDC is just a hair better than straight USB into the Super Clock model. It's a little sweeter with more impactful bass. By comparison, straight USB sounds like it has a very subtle layer of haze.
I wouldn't be surprised if straight USB were just as good as DDC->i2s on the Deluxe model, since it has a separate power supply for the analog section. Best I can come up with to explain the differences I'm hearing is added EMI noise from USB making its way into the analog section.
I wonder how many people on here are using this DAC primarily for 2 channel like me. I listen at pretty loud levels and I seem to have settled on very different preferences than most, in terms of upsampling and filter. I try to never run any higher than DSD128, and I've pretty much settled on filter 2, though if things continue to mellow out more I may revisit filter 4.
For 2 channel, I want the bass to feel right in the body; something difficult to judge with headphones. I also want to be able to listen at somewhat loud levels for long periods of time without fatigue. When I go higher than DSD128, I notice the bass weakens a bit, and isn't felt as strongly in the body. I also notice that going above filter 2 or 3 also impacts the tonal balance and that things tend to get a little brighter, causing more listening fatigue. I was home sick the other day and listened with these settings for about 8 hours straight and enjoyed every minute.
Ted at PS Audio has said that when you go above DSD128, jitter starts to become an issue. I think that's right, and I think it may explain what I hear in the bass when going any higher. It makes sense that when the steps are narrower, any timing deviation will tend to cause more noise relative to the ideal step shape, and this noise is highly correlated with the signal. And it takes more steps to represent a bass frequency than a treble frequency.
As for filter 2, it sounds closest to me as non-rising mode when playing DSD128 files. I have lots of vinyl rips; some in DSD128. Playing them back with no upsampling sounds amazing. I'm of the opinion that - barring very bad downstream components or acoustics - the best digital filter is no digital filter
One man's opinions, for what they're worth.
https://dsd-guide.com/sites/default/files/Andreas Koch - Raising the sample rate of DSD.pdf
I should probably mention that the differences are pretty subtle. I'm actually very impressed with how well this DAC does at higher rate DSD. Still prefer DSD128 most of the time, though!
Have you ever compared the Deluxe dac to Denafrips Venus or Terminator dacs ? Some hi fi enthusiasts say they sold their Terminator dacs and purchased Cen Grand Deluxe dac instead.
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
Never compared to Terminator. However I sold my Chord TT2 for Deluxe. Also had compared side by side with Holo May KTE, I "easily" prefer Deluxe as well for better soundstage and overall refinement.
project86
Headphoneus Supremus
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I've spent time with most (but not all) of the Denafrips DACs over the last few years. I enjoy them and find them to be a really good value. Especially the Pontus line which imho is the sweet spot in terms of performance for the money. But I vastly prefer the Cen.Grand when it comes to overall sound quality, performance, build quality, etc. It's not even close.
Garyzhao1980
New Head-Fier
I am a user of cen.grand from Shanghai and very glad to see so many fans here out of China. I already use GLD deluxe and DSDAC deluxe combi for around one year. Dsdac deluxe connecting with GLD by pow interface sounds amazing. I post my recording by ip15 for your reference.
irishnutter
New Head-Fier
I am a user of cen.grand from Shanghai and very glad to see so many fans here out of China. I already use GLD deluxe and DSDAC deluxe combi for around one year. Dsdac deluxe connecting with GLD by pow interface sounds amazing. I post my recording by ip15 for your reference.
Great sounding system!
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