CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[Bonesy Jonesy]

  From CanJam Singapore 2016 Impressions (February 20-21, 2016) thread:
 
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

Would have been great to hear DAVE linked to the BHSE and 009's...... would possibly be the best headphone set up on the planet !  

 

[ecwl]

I started off listening to various demo recordings I like to use to test stereo systems, trying to listen to the effects and descriptions of what everyone else has been saying that's great about DAVE. Then I started listening to more of my regular music, mainly classical, old and new just to enjoy the musicality. But I realized subconsciously, I was still listening more to symphonic works for soundstage, depth, transients, low-level linearity, timber and other audiophile effects. For a change, I put on Paul Lewis playing Schubert Improtus. I was simply blown away by the sound of the piano. I remember I was first drawn to QBD76 because of how natural it produced piano sounds compared to other DACs. DAVE simply takes it to a completely different level. Needless to say, I'm still listening to the album as I type this.

 

[yamuling]

THX for your suggestion.
 
I tried. A bit better but not as perfect as with the PRE. Not a big problem I love the full combination.
 
If direct linking DAVE to active speakers. Should them all power cable grounded? In my system, only speakers‘ power cable no earth. When close DAVE first, left speaker has continuous hiss out. Never happened before. Maybe earth settings in my system cause the SQ not perfect without PRE

 

[AndrewOld]

MQA - does anyone know anything about how the proposed MQA format will impact the DAVE (and the Hugos). Will decoding MQA need to be done in the DAC? Or can it be completely decoded by the media player before the signal gets to the DAC? Are MQA specific filters necessary; if they are, will the DACs firmware need to be modified to implement them? Will MQA take off or sink without trace?

 

[bmichels]

+1. Will DAVE Fully support MQA in the near future through a Firmware upgrade ( i understood that in order to have MQA décoded corectly in the Music player there is also some MQA support needed in the DAC) ?

 

[ecwl]

I just don't get the fascination with MQA as I think of it as predominantly marketing. To me, MQA sounds like a better FLAC/mp3 format that compresses 24/192 (or higher resolution) into 24/44. I don't see people going around asking whether their DACs can play FLAC directly instead of PCM or insisting that their new DACs are going to be obsolete if it can't play FLAC directly.
 
Another issue I find is that in general, the better the DAC, the smaller the sonic difference is between a 24/192 file and a 16/44 file.
 
I'm assuming that when MQA is finally available widely, the only time I'll use it is when I'm streaming from Tidal. I'm also guessing that my Windows computer server/renderer is going to be able to run the Tidal desktop app which would convert the 24/44 MQA FLAC into 24/192 or higher PCM to be streamed to Chord DAVE. I just don't see myself buying MQA files when I can just buy lossless compressed 24/192 FLAC files.

 

[DaveRedRef-III]

It is so much more than a better Flac. MQA makes corrections to the original timing errors and it remasters, as I understand the process. If this is the case then it is bound to sound better than the original on any DAC.

 

[DaveRedRef-III]

Out of interest has anyone heard DAVE through the latest KEF top range speakers: Blade, Blade Two or Reference range? Their latest version of the single-unit tweeter/Mid sounds quite special from recent reviews.

 

[STR-1]

I'm hoping to have a demo of the Dave later this week and currently have the Hugo TT for a few days on loan. I've already satisfied myself that the TT is a significant step up in quality from my Hugo and hope to hear a significant jump again from TT to Dave. I'll learn what I can from the 1-hour demo, where I will be comparing the Dave with the TT using my HE1000 and AK380, but would welcome thoughts from those of you who have owned both TT and Dave on what I should expect to hear. Thanks in advance.

 

[JaZZ]

I started off listening to various demo recordings I like to use to test stereo systems, trying to listen to the effects and descriptions of what everyone else has been saying that's great about DAVE. Then I started listening to more of my regular music, mainly classical, old and new just to enjoy the musicality. But I realized subconsciously, I was still listening more to symphonic works for soundstage, depth, transients, low-level linearity, timber and other audiophile effects. For a change, I put on Paul Lewis playing Schubert Improtus. I was simply blown away by the sound of the piano. I remember I was first drawn to QBD76 because of how natural it produced piano sounds compared to other DACs. DAVE simply takes it to a completely different level. Needless to say, I'm still listening to the album as I type this.

 
I agree: The reproduction of a grand piano is one of DAVE's key skills.

 

[ecwl]

  Out of interest has anyone heard DAVE through the latest KEF top range speakers: Blade, Blade Two or Reference range? Their latest version of the single-unit tweeter/Mid sounds quite special from recent reviews.

No but I listened to Blade Two through an Aesthetix Romulus CD player driving a Bryston amp in a dealer with church-like ceilings. That was too much warmth from the tube CD player and the resonances in the listening space. But walking up to the speaker, it sounds neutral. But then you can read the measurements on Stereophile and compare your Olympus III's measurements on Soundstage so you don't really need my listening opinion. Anyway, I think the KEF speaker series is solid, if you're looking for a new pair of speakers with a different frequency response. If flat frequency response is what you're going for, I think your options are KEF Blade or Magico... But I think I'm getting off topic so I'll just add that DAVE sounds way better than the Aesthetix Romulus?

 

[gnomen]

  I bought my DAVE last week in China. Very exciting with the SQ paired with ATC Sca-2 preamp and ATC 50ASLT. Soon become the best DAC I ever have. 
 
One question, I heard from here digital pre inside DAVE should be very transparent. I tried DAVE XLR output direct to ATC 50ASLT. Again the same as other DAC direct linking, its sound a bit thick, slow, low control power so a bit pity. Perfect SQ again when add the preamp.
 
1, Any special setting shoud do with the ATC speaker or power amp? I saw HIFI show having DAVE ATC combinition, too. I tried -25dB to -45dB, will it be too low setting for DAVE?
 
2, If I use the preamp for future, should I use RCA to preamp and let preamp change signal to balanced XLR to speakers? As I heard Chord prefer RCA.
 
3, When Chord sleep or close, left channel ATC speaker has hiss sound. Is it alright? In my system only speakers are not grounded. Will it course SQ problem for direct linking?
 
4, Any power cable or Usb cable suggestion for DAVE？ I'm now using the cables with DAVE and have better SQ when direct linking. Tried ENTREQ Challenger serials and AIM cable, quite big difference again. They are suitable for the former DAC. A bit confused now. 
 
Thx for any suggestions

Hi Yamuling.  I was very interested in your post as there are similarities with my setup.  Would like to see any replies you receive from other forum members who drive their power amps directly.
 
I have the ATC 50ASLTs you describe, used with a Mark Levinson No 380 pre-amp (which I found to be better than ATC's own SCA-2).  With my first hi-fi DAC, a Weiss 202 purchased in 2012 I tried using direct XLR connection to the 50s without success.  The output from the Weiss was too high and the sound was distorted.  Later, in conversation with Daniel Weiss, I discovered it is possible to lower the output level of the Weiss DAC very easily.  When this option is selected the output volume of the Weiss is typically operating between -10 and -30 dB.  Most important, the sound is a tad more transparent without the pre-amp than with it.  Consequently I have de-commissioned the pre-amp and just use a direct connection to the 50s.  Very happy.
 
Daniel Weiss explains that there is some loss of resolution if digital volume is reduced too far (e.g. by more than, say, -40dB) as the number of effective bits is reduced.  I cannot say I hear any loss of sound quality at the levels I use. 
 
When I purchased a Hugo TT for use in my second system (a headphone system at my workstation) I also checked that it worked with the same setup in my main system.  So I hooked the TT up directly to the 50s, again using the XLR cables.  The result is just fine -- no overload, and operating in roughly the same volume setting range.  As with the Weiss, I do find there is just that extra little transparency connecting the TT directly versus using the pre-amp.  With the pre-amp in place it is as if a fine veil is introduced over the sound.  I would like to say there is more body, or more control, or some other compensating contribution from the pre-amp included.  But I just cannot hear it.
 
Regarding your specific questions. 
 
1. The volume level is fine, as already noted.  I did notice somewhere Rob Watts saying the way the digital volume works on his DACs there is no loss of resolution.
 
2. I just used XLR cables.  I would have thought best to let the DAC do the SE to XLR conversion; would be interested to hear other views.
 
3. No hiss in my setup.
 
4. I just use the power cable and USB cable that came with the TT.  Again, would be interested to hear other views.
 
Cheers

 

[bmichels]

After 3 years of hesitations..... I JUST placed yesterday my deposit for my BHSE. This will be the last batch of the BHSE SE with the separate PSU. So I could not resist...

Now....the looooong wait start. Plenty time to investigate those tube rolling options...

Question is : has someone tested the DAVE with the BHSE/Sr009 or at least with a TOL STAX set-up ?

 

[PANURUS]

Saturday I have heard a comparaison between the Dave and the NAIM NDS powered by NAIM 555 PSDR (18000 euro of NAIM product).
The loundspeakers active was the ATC scm 100 ASL (18000 Euro).
So that the A/B was easy, the Dave and the NDS was connected via a preamp ATC SCA2 (8000 Euro).
Unfortunately the cables between Dave and NDS to "ATC  SCA2" were differents. One of them was the WIREWORLD Eclipse Gold that I use at home.
Result: I heard over the differences between cables that between DACs.
Interchanged cables do not put a clear difference detected
After that, the seller connects the Dave directly with balanced Chord cables(green one's) on the loundspeakers ATC scm 100 classic.
The quality became better but with this setup i did not hear all the dynamic that is possible and that I like.
At this moment, the seller said me: For the same quality by the NAIM way, i would have to use a NAIM preamp of 30000 Euro.
So the NAIM setup will be near 50000 Euros with cables.
That said, i ask him to change the Chord cable by some balanced WIREWORLD cables.
It did it with 2 eclipse 7 ( I think).
With this setup, I then enjoyed the music. More open. The basses were more detailled and the dynamic was there. The seller agreed

The most part of the signature of the Dave was audible.
How can I said that?
Because from each setup with Dave, that I heard:
- with CHORD amplifier, ATC amplifier, BRYSTON amplifier, TAD amplifier
- differents sources: OPPO, TAD, NAIM
- Headphones : HD800, HD800S, STAX, GRADO, OPPO
- loudspeakers : TAD, ATC SCM 100 ASL(active), ATC SCM50 ASL (active)
When the music is composed of a mix of instruments and seems a little confused with old DAC's, each time, i am impressed (with Dave)for a quality that never touched me so deeply throughout my years of listening to these works.
Resume:
The seller confirms: The ancient works are revived by Dave
I will define the main part of the signature of the Dave like: Discrimination.
If possible, take with you your inter-connect cable when you go to the shop. That will help.

 

[PANURUS]

After 3 years of hesitations..... I JUST placed yesterday my deposit for my BHSE. This will be the last batch of the BHSE SE with the separate PSU. So I could not resist...

Now....the looooong wait start. Plenty time to investigate those tube rolling options...

Question is : has someone tested the DAVE with the BHSE/Sr009 or at least with a TOL STAX set-up ?

Do not forget the multimeter

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdMR9pZ3IcQ