CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[analogmusic]

How about a naim amp?

 
Chord DAC and Naim amp sounds very to me. I absolutely love my Naim amplifiers and will never part with them. 
 
Depending on your budget, I would either suggest a Supernait 2, or separates like 282/Hicap/250

 

[pkcpga]

How about a naim amp?

I love and use the naim preamp and amp for my nautilus speakers with the Dave, I liked this set much better than the chord amps I've tried. Chord chose to use a sliding AB power amp instead of a true class A. For myself this becomes noticeable at low volume listening, it just doesn't seem as dynamic or room filling again mostly at lower volumes. I love the Dave it's the best DAC I've ever used by far including meridians superdac, naims DAC and Linn's DAC.

 

[Crgreen]

I wasn't aware Naim amps were class A.

 

[pkcpga]

I wasn't aware Naim amps were class A.

The 500's series is, not sure if any of the others are.

 

[TheAttorney]

I've got 2 Acoustic quartz under board tb-38h for sale,pm me if your interested.☺

I'm interested, but first I had hoped that romaz (who has the above) would have reported back how he got on with the KE washing machine pads.
The fact that he hasn't reported back so far suggests that he wasn't bowled over by them. OTOH, he hasn't posted much here anyway recently

 
 
The Acoustic Revive would definitely win by a mile over the KE pads on looks alone, but yet to be determined if it also wins on SQ

 

[lovethatsound]

I'm interested, but first I had hoped that romaz (who has the above) would have reported back how he got on with the KE washing machine pads.
The fact that he hasn't reported back so far suggests that he wasn't bowled over by them. OTOH, he hasn't posted much here anyway recently  

The Acoustic Revive would definitely win by a mile over the KE pads on looks alone, but yet to be determined if it also wins on SQ

He has posted on the Acoustic Revive a while ago,when he first got one.

 

[romaz]

I'm interested, but first I had hoped that romaz (who has the above) would have reported back how he got on with the KE washing machine pads.
The fact that he hasn't reported back so far suggests that he wasn't bowled over by them. OTOH, he hasn't posted much here anyway recently  

The Acoustic Revive would definitely win by a mile over the KE pads on looks alone, but yet to be determined if it also wins on SQ

My apologies for the dearth of posts lately. I am on a family holiday in Hawaii and so surfing rather than music has occupied more of my time. It is also inconvenient to post from an iPad and so I will refrain from any serious posts until I return home next week.

I had Kellett Enterprises make me a few custom sized isolation pads to try. They have good dampening capabilities but they require high loading pressure for their dampening to work well. This is why they work so well under a washing machine. Under a 7kg DAVE, their potential isn't fully realized. The reason they work better under the DAVE's footers compared to placing them directly under the DAVE's aluminum chassis is because the DAVE's footers exert more point pressure against the pads. If you decide to stay with these pads, this is definitely the best way to use them.

How did the KE pads compare to my Acoustic Revive TB-38H + Black Ravioli BR pads? Not nearly as well. I also tried them under my subwoofer but somehow, they made my bass sound more diffuse and bloated. They did work extremely well, however, under my washing machine.

Regarding the TB-38H, if you like the warmer signature of wood plinths over something like granite, you will like this unit. While it results in an improved noise floor, it comes at a loss of focus. The Black Raviolis bring back this focus and are perhaps the star of the show. Of the two, they make the bigger difference and for tight budgets, I would consider a quad of these and call it a day. They combine nicely with the TB-38H and to my eyes, the TB38H is very pleasing to look at. As they are made in England and sell for only £24 a piece, I would recommend you give them a try.

Upon my return home, I will be comparing what I have with other isolation devices including a quad of BrightStar IsoNodes, VooDoo IsoPods, Stillpoints Ultra SSs and a trio of Stillpoint Ultra 5s.

 

[raypin]

Mmm.....so, as a start, I should buy 4 of the Black Ravioli mechanical isolators for the Dave? Can I glue it?

 

[Mojo ideas]

If you buy them make sure they are al dente there's nothing worst than soggy pasta

 

[raypin]

Mmm...lol! Will do, sir!

 

[bmichels]

..... if you have a good collection of TOTL headphones, the DAVE is a no-brainer investment that will allow you to enjoy your TOTL headphones far better than ever before. Guaranteed. Are there just as good or better alternatives? Sure but in the Chord line-up and I've owned or used the Mojo, Chord Hugo, the QBD 76 and the Chord TT, DAVE is simply the best. It simply outclasses them...

Well, now that I have brought home a BHSE + Stax SR009 I definitively need to upgrade my HUGO DAC

At every trade show I enjoyed HeadAmp's AYRE QB-9 sound signature with the BHSE+SR009. But... I guess today the BHSE/SR009 can take advantage of a more recent/TOL DAC that the "old" QB-9 ? So... May be DAVE Is the best solution ?

Peter from HeadAmp reconised that the DAVE offers much more details but... With a SR009 he feels that the DAVE´s sound may be less enjoable than the warmish QB-9 and that we MUST avoid a bright DAC with the SR009/BHSE.

So.... with this BHSE/SE009 formula1 combo Is DAVE still the best solution In Town or will a warmish DAC be a safer purchase ? May be a tube DAC or the new AYRE QB-9 ( to stay with the "AYRE sound" ) ?

 

[romaz]

Well, now that I have brought home a BHSE + Stax SR009 I definitively need to upgrade my HUGO DAC

At every trade show I enjoyed HeadAmp's AYRE QB-9 sound signature with the BHSE+SR009. But... I guess today the BHSE/SR009 can take advantage of a more recent/TOL DAC that the "old" QB-9 ? So... May be DAVE Is the best solution ?

Peter from HeadAmp reconised that the DAVE offers much more details but... With a SR009 he feels that the DAVE´s sound may be less enjoable than the warmish QB-9 and that we MUST avoid a bright DAC with the SR009/BHSE.

So.... with this BHSE/SE009 formula1 combo Is DAVE still the best solution In Town or will a warmish DAC be a safer purchase ? May be a tube DAC or the new AYRE QB-9 ( to stay with the "AYRE sound" ) ?

This is interesting that Peter would tell you this but you also have to understand he is an Ayre dealer and has something to gain by telling you this. Peter heard my DAVE against his QB-9 feeding the BHSE which was then driving a set of 009s and we BOTH acknowledged at the time how much better the DAVE was over the QB-9.

Bertrand, I know you prefer a warmer signature in general and there is nothing wrong with this but I would suggest you bring a DAVE home for audition before deciding because to give up the rich dimensionality of the DAVE for a touch of warmth is not a good tradeoff, IMO. If after hearing a DAVE in your system and you still find yourself craving a touch of warmth or even-order harmonics, there are so many other areas you can find this without compromising the DAC.

Moreover, if you buy an Ayre, what happens to your HEX? Will you then buy a separate amp for that as well?

 

[raypin]

Mmmm.......can't comment on e stats since I don't have one.....yet. Currently using my DAVE as a standalone system with no external amp. I want to familiarize myself with the unit first before venturing in equipment matching (amp side).

 

[romaz]

Mmmm.......can't comment on e stats since I don't have one.....yet. Currently using my DAVE as a standalone system with no external amp. I want to familiarize myself with the unit first before venturing in equipment matching (amp side).r

I think what you are doing is the right thing. So many dismiss the unique and wonderful virtues of the DAVE's headphone amp never even having heard it.

 

[106099]

Well, now that I have brought home a BHSE + Stax SR009 I definitively need to upgrade my HUGO DAC

At every trade show I enjoyed HeadAmp's AYRE QB-9 sound signature with the BHSE+SR009. But... I guess today the BHSE/SR009 can take advantage of a more recent/TOL DAC that the "old" QB-9 ? So... May be DAVE Is the best solution ?

Peter from HeadAmp reconised that the DAVE offers much more details but... With a SR009 he feels that the DAVE´s sound may be less enjoable than the warmish QB-9 and that we MUST avoid a bright DAC with the SR009/BHSE.

So.... with this BHSE/SE009 formula1 combo Is DAVE still the best solution In Town or will a warmish DAC be a safer purchase ? May be a tube DAC or the new AYRE QB-9 ( to stay with the "AYRE sound" ) ?

 
I like the DAVE sound straight more than feeding the BHSE.
The BHSE did sounded more velvety with the Nagra HD DAC than the Nagra alone, but we're splitting hairs.
 
paul