CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[SuperBurrito]

Does anyone here use their Dave with JRiver and Windows 10? If so could you please share any preferred setup configuration with both JRiver and Win 10. I'd just like to confirm that my settings will produce maximum sound quality. Thanks!

 

[TheAttorney]

It appears you mean that 16 ferrites are "ugly and cumbersome looking"

Well think of it like this: ferrite cores are a filter for the problems caused by all the equipment that processes the digital signal, transmitted along the cable that plugs into DAVE and for the tendency of the cable, itself, to act as an antenna.

We already know that each piece of equipment that processes the digital signal is failing to do so cleanly, otherwise you wouldn't hear improvements from filtering closer to DAVE. Ferrites are actually the strongest filter you can use (if you use enough).

They are also extremely easy to buy, easy to use and cheap. So the best filtering is the simplest and cheapest. That sounds like the elegant solution to me...

I suppose you could find a cloth braid type cover to wrap the entire cable if you thought it would look better as an "audiophile hose"! And it would be heavy, too.


At worst, it just means you'll need to use more ferrites than expected to hear any change. When you hear a change, it is by definition an improvement and proof that the other equipment has failed at being "clean".

Now playing: Anouar Brahem - Uns

An example of a more elegant solution is the Habst BNC cable that romaz reported on in the Blu2 thread.
He acknowledged that ferrites did improve the stock BNC cables, but that the Habst was noticeably better still, although I don't think he clarified whether the Habst could be further improved by ferrites. Therefore, there may be something about the Habst construction that reduces RFI more effectively than ferrites. Or maybe there is something else going on with these cables that is separate to RFI?

Another example is the SOtM CAT7 cable with its built-in small filter box, that romaz and audiobacon have raved over before. And the Wireworld platinum also mentioned recently.

The trouble with all of these alternatives is that they're expensive, and I fully take your points about the ferrites being low cost and scientifically justified, which is why I have more on order to try out. I can't resist a bargain.

In the meantime, after viewing that video about laptop RFI, i've made a couple of free tweaks:

1. Moved my laptop from 40cm (and 2 wooden shelves) directly above DAVE to an adjacent desk about 1m diaginally across, which is as far as my 2m Supra will allow.
2. Fully switched off my other computer equipment in the room at the mains socket. These were a 2nd laptop, monitor and wifi printer all on a different distribution block to my main rig. These were all off anyway when Iistening, but as the video showed, a laptop can still emit RFI radiation when seemingly off - because of trickle charging, standby activity or whatever.

Anyway, I can't reliably say if these latest tweaks made a difference or not, but with all recent changes in place, including 4 ferrites on the Supra CAT8, further burn-in of mR v1.4 and Fidlizer Pro at its extreme setting, I heard incrementally the best sound yet from my system. So I'll keep that constant now for a few days in order to have a clear reference point for when the new ferrites arrive.

 

[Jawed]

The trouble with all of these alternatives is that they're expensive, and I fully take your points about the ferrites being low cost and scientifically justified, which is why I have more on order to try out. I can't resist a bargain.

I suppose a way to "measure" the effectiveness of the ferrites you're using is to listen for changes caused by removing other devices that have also been used to improve performance. In theory, when there's enough ferrites, that change elsewhere in the system should make no difference.

I have the optical connection to use as my reference, but I suppose it's more difficult for other people who have nothing in their system that will output optical to DAVE.

Now playing: Nitin Sawnhey - Moonrise

 

[hmartin]

Apologies if this has been posted before, but this reviewer thinks that the dCS Network Bridge is a good match for Dave. Best money spent on that than exotic cables!

https://www.dcsltd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/HiFiPlus_Network_Bridge_review_Oct17.pdf

Thanks!

The DCS Network bridge is nice, but it seems that the only way to get 384 kHz is using the dual XLR solution!? Anyone know if this is compatible with dual XLR on the Dave? And even if that is compatible you would still need a dual XLR on the yet to be announced separate M-Scalar and/or Davina to be able to use of the DCS with a M-Scalar and high-res DXD files.

Maybe better to get an Aries G2 instead, or wait and hope Chord releases a Dave compatible streamer ... hopefully with 802.11ac.

 

[Beolab]

Thanks!

The DCS Network bridge is nice, but it seems that the only way to get 384 kHz is using the dual XLR solution!? Anyone know if this is compatible with dual XLR on the Dave? And even if that is compatible you would still need a dual XLR on the yet to be announced separate M-Scalar and/or Davina to be able to use of the DCS with a M-Scalar and high-res DXD files.

Maybe better to get an Aries G2 instead, or wait and hope Chord releases a Dave compatible streamer ... hopefully with 802.11ac.

There is an FW upgrade for the dCS NB during the following weeks where it will enable the USB input, to be a 384 Khz USB output for the DAVE and other USB DAC's that can handle 384 Khz .
Yes it is the best sounding ( highest precision ) streamer i have personally yet heard period. ( Better than Aurrender W20 , Auralic , Burmester , MSB Network Streamer , Sonorus Ultra Rendu , SoMtm 200 )

 

[hmartin]

There is an FW upgrade for the dCS NB during the following weeks where it will enable the USB input, to be a 384 Khz USB output for the DAVE and other USB DAC's that can handle 384 Khz .
Yes it is the best sounding ( highest precision ) streamer i have personally yet heard period. ( Better than Aurrender W20 , Auralic , Burmester , MSB Network Streamer , Sonorus Ultra Rendu , SoMtm 200 )

Thanks Beolab, that is great news indeed.

Cannot wait for impressions of the USB out to Dave.

 

[Beolab]

Here you can read more about the implementation of MQA and the dCS NB and releas date in Nov.

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2017/10/mqa-dcs/

 

[nicoludio]

Hello Rob and all, I am considering using the DAVE connected directly to ADAM active speakers which have XLR inputs only. I understand that the speakers are fully balanced internally, with single ended input signals converted - using op amps - into a balanced signal prior to amplification.

Since the DAVE is inherently single ended, with the single ended output converted into balanced form using op amps, which would be the preferred connection configuration:

1. balanced from DAVE to speaker, using the DAVE's op amps; or

2. single ended from DAVE to speaker, using the speaker's op amps?

I suppose the other way to put the question would be whether the op amps in the DAVE would be of better quality than the op amps in the ADAM speakers for converting the single ended output from the DAVE into balanced form.

The other concern is that the balanced output of the DAVE is rather high - this was measured by Stereophile to be 8.75V from the balanced output jacks vs 4.375V from the single ended outputs - with the possibility of overloading the speaker inputs, although the speakers have an input gain adjustment of + / - 10 dB,

Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated.

 

[dmance]

Does anyone have any indication that DAVE may be firmware upgraded soon? I've picked up hints from posts that the WTA filters in Blu2 and Hugo2 are more optimal than in DAVE. And maybe knowledge from the upcoming DAVINA would further that. I know Rob Watts said he would only do so if he could enable a substantial improvement in SQ ...but here's hoping that happens soon. DAVE is approaching 2-years in the field and a mid-life update of some sort is always welcome.

 

[Triode User]

Hello Rob and all, I am considering using the DAVE connected directly to ADAM active speakers which have XLR inputs only. I understand that the speakers are fully balanced internally, with single ended input signals converted - using op amps - into a balanced signal prior to amplification.

Since the DAVE is inherently single ended, with the single ended output converted into balanced form using op amps, which would be the preferred connection configuration:

1. balanced from DAVE to speaker, using the DAVE's op amps; or

2. single ended from DAVE to speaker, using the speaker's op amps?

I suppose the other way to put the question would be whether the op amps in the DAVE would be of better quality than the op amps in the ADAM speakers for converting the single ended output from the DAVE into balanced form.

The other concern is that the balanced output of the DAVE is rather high - this was measured by Stereophile to be 8.75V from the balanced output jacks vs 4.375V from the single ended outputs - with the possibility of overloading the speaker inputs, although the speakers have an input gain adjustment of + / - 10 dB,

Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated.

I am not familiar with those active speakers but you say they only have XLR input so aren’t you fixed with having to use the Dave XLR ie balanced outputs? If you feel the Dave output is too high you could just turn the Dave output down.

 

[Triode User]

Does anyone have any indication that DAVE may be firmware upgraded soon? I've picked up hints from posts that the WTA filters in Blu2 and Hugo2 are more optimal than in DAVE. And maybe knowledge from the upcoming DAVINA would further that. I know Rob Watts said he would only do so if he could enable a substantial improvement in SQ ...but here's hoping that happens soon. DAVE is approaching 2-years in the field and a mid-life update of some sort is always welcome.

Well, as you say, the party line from Chord has always been no firmware updates for Dave, ever.

Out of interest, where did you pick up on thoughts that the Hugo2 filters are more optimal than Dave. I have never heard any such talk and rather doubt it. What issues do you have with Dave that I have not noticed?

 

[Rob Watts]

Hello Rob and all, I am considering using the DAVE connected directly to ADAM active speakers which have XLR inputs only. I understand that the speakers are fully balanced internally, with single ended input signals converted - using op amps - into a balanced signal prior to amplification.

Since the DAVE is inherently single ended, with the single ended output converted into balanced form using op amps, which would be the preferred connection configuration:

1. balanced from DAVE to speaker, using the DAVE's op amps; or

2. single ended from DAVE to speaker, using the speaker's op amps?

I suppose the other way to put the question would be whether the op amps in the DAVE would be of better quality than the op amps in the ADAM speakers for converting the single ended output from the DAVE into balanced form.

The other concern is that the balanced output of the DAVE is rather high - this was measured by Stereophile to be 8.75V from the balanced output jacks vs 4.375V from the single ended outputs - with the possibility of overloading the speaker inputs, although the speakers have an input gain adjustment of + / - 10 dB,

Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated.

My guess would be balanced from Dave.

And use Dave's volume control, that will solve the potential for too high a voltage driving the ADAM.

 

[nicoludio]

I am not familiar with those active speakers but you say they only have XLR input so aren’t you fixed with having to use the Dave XLR ie balanced outputs? If you feel the Dave output is too high you could just turn the Dave output down.

My guess would be balanced from Dave.

And use Dave's volume control, that will solve the potential for too high a voltage driving the ADAM.

Thanks. I could have the interconnects terminated with RCA plugs at the DAVE end and XLR plugs at the speaker end, so taking advantage of the DAVE's better quality and lower level single ended outputs. Having said that, I guess the op amps in the DAVE should be of a better quality than that in the ADAM, and that balanced would be the way to go.

Can I also assume that using the DAVE's volume control at the lower half (ie, below 50%) would not cause any loss in sound quality, since no bit decimation is utilised to control the volume?

 

[Rob Watts]

Thanks. I could have the interconnects terminated with RCA plugs at the DAVE end and XLR plugs at the speaker end, so taking advantage of the DAVE's better quality and lower level single ended outputs. Having said that, I guess the op amps in the DAVE should be of a better quality than that in the ADAM, and that balanced would be the way to go.

Can I also assume that using the DAVE's volume control at the lower half (ie, below 50%) would not cause any loss in sound quality, since no bit decimation is utilised to control the volume?

Yes - as the digital data-path (from input right through to the pulse array outputs) is better than 350 dB, so all truncation errors are eliminated - thus a major change in volume will have no effect on detail resolution and (more critically) depth perception.

 

[marcmccalmont]

I have replaced my DAC and Preamp in 2 systems now with great results
Primary system (balanced) DAVE replaced both an Anedio D2 (ESS Sabre) and a Parasound 2000 (ultra analog) and a Spectral DMC 30 SSII preamp
Secondary system (single ended) HUGO2 replaced an Anedio D2 and a Threshold Fet 10
Both Dave and Hugo2 are in preamp mode Dave is driving a pair of Spectral amps balanced and Hugo2 is driving a pair of Emotiva powered speakers directly
Dave required ferrites on the inputs and outputs, Hugo2 did not. I also used shorting caps on Dave's unused digital inputs, bnc&aes with positive results
Both systems never sounded better! Marc