CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[alexsh1]

I wonder how are people connecting their laptops and / or PC to the Dave? Maybe using standalone streamers?
I suppose iFi Streamer is a good way to avoid direct USB connection and reduce a noise coming from the PC.

 

[paulrbarnard]

I wonder how are people connecting their laptops and / or PC to the Dave? Maybe using standalone streamers?
I suppose iFi Streamer is a good way to avoid direct USB connection and reduce a noise coming from the PC.

Using a Pi with Optical hat and streaming via Roon. No direct connection with the PC

 

[Whazzzup]

There’s a few really good music server streamer makers, who specialize in this form of usb delivery or otherwise

 

[alexsh1]

There’s a few really good music server streamer makers, who specialize in this form of usb delivery or otherwise

Like what?

 

[alexsh1]

Using a Pi with Optical hat and streaming via Roon. No direct connection with the PC

Raspberry Pi?
I have never seen the optical hat.
I’ll check it out. Thanks

 

[Whazzzup]

Antipodes audio, innous, aurender to name a few. Use google, look at retail music servers. Pi is pi, audio music servers are audio music servers. Whatever in your budget.

 

[alexsh1]

Antipodes audio, innous, aurender to name a few. Use google, look at retail music servers. Pi is pi, audio music servers are audio music servers. Whatever in your budget.

I tried innous ZENmini MK3 server.
Ripping CDs is nice and I can install Roon Core but otherwise I do not understand why paying more. Mostly I am listening to Tidal or vinyl.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Raspberry Pi?
I have never seen the optical hat.
I’ll check it out. Thanks

Hifiberry digi pro plus

 

[Whazzzup]

I tried innous ZENmini MK3 server.
Ripping CDs is nice and I can install Roon Core but otherwise I do not understand why paying more. Mostly I am listening to Tidal or vinyl.

There’s a reason these companies specialize in audio delivery. It’s real but whatever, I’m not trying to convince anyone, but as doja cat wrote, I said what I said. Find out why or don’t, your call

 

[JamieMcC]

Hi guys looking for a bit of technical help I've found out that it's possible to take the SACD digital signal (normally locked to the dac in the SACD player) out via the dedicated hdmi audio out on my Oppo 205

I can do this via a hdmi i2S adapter/converter box offering different output options into my Dave but wondered what would be the inputs to prioritise to try and feed the Dave just to give it a try?

I might add I'm not sure this is possible but am sure there are far more knowledgeable folk here than me that might know if a work around is possible.

TIA if you can offer any advice/assistance

Jamie

 

[Reactcore]

I've been running some tests comparing a Douk U2 (non pro) vs Audiowise src-dx into a Hugo 2. Source is a laptop running on batteries using Roon remote - which was recommended by Dan at Audiowise. USB and coax cables are Audiowise supplied, USB cable has ferrites but both sets were cheap in comparison to other top end cables. The Douk is USB-C input so in order to use the same cable I needed a USB-C -> USB-B converter.

I've found the src-dx to provide more clarity and definition, particuarly in the bass, mid bass and midrange - the optical route is muddy by comparison. I'm concious Rob often discusses distortion can provide the illusion of extra detail and a somewhat brighter sound, but I don't think this is is the case here, I'm not noticing a harshness. In fact on some tracks (one of the Sohn electronic tracks he uses for testing) I just flat out prefer listening to the track via srx-dx over optical, the vocals are cleaner, calmer and the overall track makes more sense. He uses this track for depth comparison and I hear more reverb and detail in the background - hearing more into the depth. Other tracks I've listened to have similar results - less definition in the bass, sometimes more sibilance in vocals. I've also run some tests using Foobar2000 with with the PGGB plugin (not the full product so conversion is highly constrained) - I would say on a lot of tracks the separation of layers and definition appear to improve, which has peaked my interest to try PGGB.

I can accept Rob's view that Optical is the way to go - my source is on battery, no ground loops, the only element that I can think that is adding that muddyness is the Douk U2 - although the USB C->B converter could play apart - that's the only difference between the two configurations. Optical cable is a straight Kabledirect model and I think even Rob suggested this would be fine. The only way I could isolate this further would be to buy a streamer with direct optical out - and run off grid.

In terms of cabling for src-dx, do the BNC cables make a huge difference? What about the USB cable when used with the src-dx?

This is exactly what i hear.. but between HMS USB input and some of my DDC's vs my Questyle as DDC and to early comparisons with the Douk.. but.. the douk has died on me.. suddenly wont be detected on my music server pc, ipad or phone. I think it lost its on chip programming

So i ordered the Topping D10s and felt it was good at start but after some days of deeper audition and comparing to my Questyle it (sadly) became obvious the Questyle kept the reality of breathing clearness and space more around the instruments feeding into MDave.

So not wanting to use my 'overkill' DAC/amp as DDC feeding into MDave but using a dedicated compact DDC i now bought a Gustard U12 ..2nd hand as theyre not produced anymore. Also carrying a Xmos U208 as i still believe in that chip.

Lets see how that fares vs the Questyle when i get it after tomorrow.

Will update after testing

 

[GuiltyRocker]

Hi guys looking for a bit of technical help I've found out that it's possible to take the SACD digital signal (normally locked to the dac in the SACD player) out via the dedicated hdmi audio out on my Oppo 205

I can do this via a hdmi i2S adapter/converter box offering different output options into my Dave but wondered what would be the inputs to prioritise to try and feed the Dave just to give it a try?

I might add I'm not sure this is possible but am sure there are far more knowledgeable folk here than me that might know if a work around is possible.

TIA if you can offer any advice/assistance

Jamie

I do this with a Geerfab DBob, I've been playing SACDs into my Chord M scaler via Toslink, it goes via HDMI onto the Dbob Box and then gets extracted into Toslink, it sounds amazing.

 

[JamieMcC]

I do this with a Geerfab DBob, I've been playing SACDs into my Chord M scaler via Toslink, it goes via HDMI onto the Dbob Box and then gets extracted into Toslink, it sounds amazing.

Super thanks that's just the confirmation I needed I'm going to go ahead and give it a try myself.

 

[Meridian7]

I've been running some tests comparing a Douk U2 (non pro) vs Audiowise src-dx into a Hugo 2....I've found the src-dx to provide more clarity and definition, particuarly in the bass, mid bass and midrange - the optical route is muddy by comparison.

Src-dx goes up to 705/768 whereas Douck is max 192/24bit.

 

[Hummer25]

I have been playing around with optical vs coax out of the Douk audio U2 Pro DDC Hooked up to my MacBook Air using Audirvana. I have found the Toslink out of the DDC brings about a cleaner but slightly leaner presentation compared to Coax. Toslink option also has greater clarity. On some recordings this was particularly noticeable. Going back to coax sounded slightly thicker and muddy in comparison but it had more weight.

Maybe any slight RF noise etc is picked up by the coax cable and fed through to the DAC with the digital data and the result is a fuller but muddier sound? Not sure of the technicalities here but drawing an analogy with vinyl the same happens when vibration/feedback gets into the turntable/tonearm/cartridge and mixes in with the audio signal and you get a more woolly bass and thickening of the sound albeit less detailed and accurate?