[jlbrach]

if you have efficient HP's the dave amp function is excellent FWIIW

 

[Ciggavelli]

mDAVE with a modded PSU is real clean with the Sus and TCs. Without the modded PSU, it's limp. The DAVE is very sterile sounding. I like that sound, but others may find it lacking "emotion." I'm a big resolution and details guy, along with liking bass a lot. The modded PSU gives a little more density and oomph to the bass. Stock DAVE bass off hard to drive headphones is kinda a no-go, but I know there was this one poster (evan-something) who claimed he loved the Sus off the stock DAVE. Everybody disagreed with him, but nonetheless, it's another datapoint. All that said, I could live with only have a modded mDAVE and be happy. I wish it was XLR though. I don't really understand Rob's reasoning around hating XLR, but it is what it is.

 

[fdsa654hg]

Amp for speakers or headphones?

It's for headphones. Specifically, it's the AIC-10, and I'll be using it with the Abyss 1266.

 

[jlbrach]

mDAVE with a modded PSU is real clean with the Sus and TCs. Without the modded PSU, it's limp. The DAVE is very sterile sounding. I like that sound, but others may find it lacking "emotion." I'm a big resolution and details guy, along with liking bass a lot. The modded PSU gives a little more density and oomph to the bass. Stock DAVE bass off hard to drive headphones is kinda a no-go, but I know there was this one poster (evan-something) who claimed he loved the Sus off the stock DAVE. Everybody disagreed with him, but nonetheless, it's another datapoint. All that said, I could live with only have a modded mDAVE and be happy. I wish it was XLR though. I don't really understand Rob's reasoning around hating XLR, but it is what it is.

to me the detail of the dave coupled with a tube amp is simply unbeatable...others differ and that is why we have tons of choices which is great. the Dave is basically the only component I havent changed in years...perhaps one day I will but as of now I havent heard another DAC that moves me to change

 

[Reactcore]

mDAVE with a modded PSU is real clean with the Sus and TCs. Without the modded PSU, it's limp. The DAVE is very sterile sounding. I like that sound, but others may find it lacking "emotion." I'm a big resolution and details guy, along with liking bass a lot. The modded PSU gives a little more density and oomph to the bass. Stock DAVE bass off hard to drive headphones is kinda a no-go, but I know there was this one poster (evan-something) who claimed he loved the Sus off the stock DAVE. Everybody disagreed with him, but nonetheless, it's another datapoint. All that said, I could live with only have a modded mDAVE and be happy. I wish it was XLR though. I don't really understand Rob's reasoning around hating XLR, but it is what it is.

If you like its bass authority now (cause of external PSU's caps buffer), you should hear it with ultra low Z caps directly on the amp section.. Pure rumbling resolving heaven!

 

[Triode User]

I don't really understand Rob's reasoning around hating XLR, but it is what it is.

I don’t think it is a hate thing but just rather that the extra circuits in the Dave to create the balanced XLR outputs are always bound to be very slightly inferior compared to the simpler RCA output but whether it can be heard is a moot point. Having said that, my active speakers only have XLR inputs and I don’t lose any sleep over using the Dave XLR outputs to them, it still sounds superb.

 

[SteveHulk]

I don’t think it is a hate thing but just rather that the extra circuits in the Dave to create the balanced XLR outputs are always bound to be very slightly inferior compared to the simpler RCA output but whether it can be heard is a moot point. Having said that, my active speakers only have XLR inputs and I don’t lose any sleep over using the Dave XLR outputs to them, it still sounds superb.

I seem to remember that it was also an issue of cable length. For short runs RCA is the way to go, for longer runs XLR wins out.

I guess it is an issue of longer runs being more liable to ambient electrical noise pickup, which the balanced topology of XLR is designed to suppress.

 

[miketlse]

I seem to remember that it was also an issue of cable length. For short runs RCA is the way to go, for longer runs XLR wins out.

I guess it is an issue of longer runs being more liable to ambient electrical noise pickup, which the balanced topology of XLR is designed to suppress.

I think Rob did use the example of recording studios, where XLR was implemented in order to boost the signal voltages and remove the noise associated with long cable runs.
For most audiophiles, the cable runs are much shorter, and the signal voltages are larger, so the benefits of XLR are less obvious.

 

[walterboss]

If anyone fancies a deal on a DAVE I'll be selling mine next week. PM me if you're interested.

 

[nwavesailor]

What amp are you moving to from the DAVE?

 

[walterboss]

I've been using it with a Feliks Envy.

What I've heard from Elrogs and WE300b tubes assures me the May won't be overly soft (which Goldensound suggested to me it might be). However, everything I've read about it sounds like what I'm looking for these days.

I should point out, it is absolutely outstanding. I'm not searching for 'better'. Just more about fine-tuning for sound and dynamics preferences. I might actually be able to hold onto both rather than sell DAVE first. So pretty fantastic opportunity to trial both at home.

 

[nwavesailor]

Sorry….. I meant DAC as you have the Envy!!!!

 

[jlbrach]

the envy is great with my dave...

 

[nwavesailor]

the envy is great with my dave...

Yes Dave / Envy is great! I snagged a used SJ power supply and it's improved nicely.

 

[FunkyBassMan]

to me the detail of the dave coupled with a tube amp is simply unbeatable...others differ and that is why we have tons of choices which is great. the Dave is basically the only component I havent changed in years...perhaps one day I will but as of now I havent heard another DAC that moves me to change

Which tube amp do you like? I'm very nervous to get another HP amp out of the Dave because I got the Anni on glowing recommendations and it was awful (to me - super smeary)

(Edit - oops, I'm an idiot - you mention it like 3 posts above - Envy, sorry.)