CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[audio_1]

Yeah, if you put a DC4 on both the DAVE and M-Scaler, it brings the cost up to near the cost of a DCS Rossini + Clock. That was my dilemma for a long time before getting the two DC4s. I figured I already had the DAVE and the M-Scaler, so buying 2 DC4s was cheaper than starting fresh with DCS gear. If I had to start over again, I’d try to demo a Rossini and Clock right next to my DC4 mDAVE.

Don't worry about the dCS Rossini + Clock. The Dave with improved power supply and m-Scaler would be far better than it imho. Even a standard Dave easily exceeds the performance of the Vivaldi. I compared both before purchasing the Dave!

 

[Triode User]

I look forward to it as well [SJ vs Farad power supplies]. While you're at it, it would be useful to see where the DC3 (if you still have it) fits into this pecking order.
Whilst it's highly unlikely (but still possible) that the Farad can beat an ARC6 DC4, a more telling comparison would be against the DC3.

Sorry, I sold the DC3 for Dave to part fund the DC4. I did hear them side by side powering the Dave before selling the DC3 and the DC4 was very far ahead of the DC3.

I do still have DC4 as well as an ARC6 but at some point I guess I will sell the DC4. Hopefully not before hearing the Farad/Dave.

 

[audio_1]

Is Dave + LPS (maybe someone will design an equally great SMPS?) + Upscaling + Server (reclocker), etc. the best DAC in the world? I don't know. I'd love to also hear an EMM or MSB at some point. But, irregardless, this system remains something pretty special, and of a truth, It's been outrageously good fun building it.

I would say yes. I have owned both dCS and Emm Labs DACs in the past. Emm labs convert PCM to DSD so they are far from transparent. Soft bass and transients. Thanks to Rob Watts I now know why. Emm labs DACs and transports are designed with optical connections. I erroneously used AES connections when I had the Emm Labs due to the perceived enhanced detail and liveliness. Emm Lab DACs are also affected by ground plane noise and noise floor modulation! People forget all DACs suffer from the same issues (& jitter) as Chord DACs, discussed on head-fi!

 

[marcmccalmont]

I look forward to it as well [SJ vs Farad power supplies]. While you're at it, it would be useful to see where the DC3 (if you still have it) fits into this pecking order.
Whilst it's highly unlikely (but still possible) that the Farad can beat an ARC6 DC4, a more telling comparison would be against the DC3.

I discussed a +_ 15 volt supply with LTA and they have it on the drawing board (Bellesen has matching negative regulators) so in the future we might have another affordable option if your interested contact LTA and let them know the more inquiries the faster it will happen
The contact link for LTA https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/contact

 

[chesebert]

I would say yes. I have owned both dCS and Emm Labs DACs in the past. Emm labs convert PCM to DSD so they are far from transparent. Soft bass and transients. Thanks to Rob Watts I now know why. Emm labs DACs and transports are designed with optical connections. I erroneously used AES connections when I had the Emm Labs due to the perceived enhanced detail and liveliness. Emm Lab DACs are also affected by ground plane noise and noise floor modulation! People forget all DACs suffer from the same issues (& jitter) as Chord DACs, discussed on head-fi!

To be fair, you compared a 2010 SACD player to a 2016 dac. Also, not saying there is anything sus, but all you have posted since you joined headfi were Chord Dave-related matters. Are you sure you are not a Chord dealer or supplier or other related party?

 

[audio_1]

Are you sure you are not a Chord dealer or supplier or other related party?

No, just a Dave owner, really enjoying the sound of my system.

 

[chesebert]

No, just a Dave owner, really enjoying the sound of my system.

Well, keep on trucking in that case

 

[Sampajanna]

Before I go through a round of major investment into the Dave, I find myself at my dealers listening to dCS components. I've brought home the Bartok twice now and then also looked at the Rossini. I wondered if I could just live with these big boxes instead of the Dave and the capillary network of components feeding it. Can't do it.

People describe listening to dCS gear as transporting them to a euphoric, blissful world. I agree. It is a simply sumptuous sound. However, it is the dCS world. Every sonic component is drenched with dCS's dense, velvety texture. I could easily see why people love it. For me though, the Dave brings me more faithfully into the world of the music.

To my ears, the Dave System does not coat but better reveals gradients of timbral textures as rendered by the sources. The shapes and shading seem to come more directly from the beauty of the instruments and voices themselves. I think this is the wonder of what Rob Watts achieved in the Dave. Then this ecosystem of gear around It pumps in greater mass and flesh, detail and dynamics.

Is Dave + LPS (maybe someone will design an equally great SMPS?) + Upscaling + Server (reclocker), etc. the best DAC in the world? I don't know. I'd love to also hear an EMM or MSB at some point. But, irregardless, this system remains something pretty special, and of a truth, It's been outrageously good fun building it.

ps. By the by, if you don't know, Sean Jacobs sells DIY DC4 modules. https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/dc3dc4-diy-modules

This is so well put. I agree. Fully dialed in Mscaler + Dave w/ DC4 and cables punches way, way above its weight.

 

[Darkliner]

Just received news my DC4 Arc6 is ready to be shipped out. I am extremely excited to say the least, to finally find out what the dave on steroids sounds like!

 

[muski]

Just received news my DC4 Arc6 is ready to be shipped out. I am extremely excited to say the least, to finally find out what the dave on steroids sounds like!

Can’t wait to hear what you think of this compelling upgrade.

 

[marcmccalmont]

Just received news my DC4 Arc6 is ready to be shipped out. I am extremely excited to say the least, to finally find out what the dave on steroids sounds like!

I’m sure you’ve been warned of a 3 month break in period. I’m 2 1/2 months into mine. Was better than stock from the beginning but every so often a lesser day then better the next.

 

[sm60]

Can’t wait to hear what you think of this compelling upgrade.

I have gone in a different direction. Just got this Lampizator DAC. Best DAC I’ve heard in 30 years of listening to digital audio. Utterly natural sounding without a trace of harshness. Resolves everything up to DSD 512 and PCM 32 bit 768khz. Has a built in Roon bridge so Roon is plug and play by hooking it up to LAN. The Dave in its box weighs 10 pounds. This behemoth comes in a flight case weighing almost 100 pounds. Costs twice as much as the Dave. On DSD the sound is simply transcendent. The room disappears and singers project with a realism that’s hard to describe. You are there.

Downsides? Other than the silly price (as you’d expect with a DAC that costs this much, the build quality is superlative with ultra high end parts) and the sheer weight and size due to its use of direct heated triodes is that one must be prepared to put up with the downsides of owning tube equipment. In particular, be prepared to pay top dollar for the best direct heated triodes. But you can get bargains if you are prepared to experiment. It allows six different types of output tubes and they sound quite different. I have the pricey KR 242s that are stunning in their dynamics and resolution. Ellington’s famous Jazz Party album is a raucous romp with a full bore brass section and a diverse suite of percussion instruments. The Lampi gets the tonality right in this 60 year old recording better than any other component I’ve yet heard, vinyl included.

I don’t view the Dave as competition because it’s not in this price class and it was built to a much lower price level with obvious economy of parts and material. It’s like comparing a Lexus, well designed and built but with some economizing, to a high end Maserati. The Lampi uses cost no object parts in its build and is made to order. Takes 3 months. You can customize it in many ways.

I’ll keep my Dave as a semi portable rig with headphones. That’s really where it belongs and shines. The Lampi is my new reference for digital playback. Highly recommended if you can afford the tariff.

 

[MvRBE10]

I’m sure you’ve been warned of a 3 month break in period. I’m 2 1/2 months into mine. Was better than stock from the beginning but every so often a lesser day then better the next.

Thats odd? Did not now that. My farad setup for the dave was like breathtaking from the moment inturned it on and slightly improved just like the first time of the dave. 3 month??? Wow

 

[Ciggavelli]

Thats odd? Did not now that. My farad setup for the dave was like breathtaking from the moment inturned it on and slightly improved just like the first time of the dave. 3 month??? Wow

It’s the Mundorf caps that take that long to break-in

 

[MvRBE10]

So what part of the caps inflickt this? That it colors or do not give the current form it needs straight from the box. There is than a chemical process that make up for what the electronics or the design does not solve out of the box. Hoping to understand this process as curiuous i am.