can anyone give me a proper explanation about the reported bnc dropouts when connecting the mscaler? 1 and 2 then 3 and 4 inputs and so on. i'm considering a dave upgrade next year but worried about this.
CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE
- Thread starter magiccabbage
- Start date
-
- Tags
- chord-dave
The DAVE requires tighter tolerances to reliably sync the dual BNC signals compared to the later Chord DACs. Improvements were made to the data transmission format post-DAVE that make this less of a concern. Or so I'd read.
Users here have reported having more luck when needed on inputs 3/4, which was my experience as well.
Users here have reported having more luck when needed on inputs 3/4, which was my experience as well.
does this happen with every new dave and mscaler i.e. switching to inputs 3 and 4?
Triode User
Member of the Trade: WAVE High Fidelity
This is not a thing to be worried about.
The usual situation is that the dual BNC connection to the Dave is rock solid no matter whether you use 1+2 or 3+4. In the rare case where there is an issue then mostly switching the pair of input sockets used on the Dave solves it or sometimes using different cables. In the even rarer cases where neither of these solve it then from what I have read of Rob Watts posts a factory adjustment is required.
As to an explanation of what causes it then unfortunately I cannot help (perhaps ask RW?). I can say though is that having owned two different Daves from when they first came and swopping cables in and out of them several times every day to test cables all I can say is that I have never ever had any drop out issues when connected to either Blu2 or Mscaler.
good news many thanks
on an unrelated note if a streamer is wired in ethernet but also has optical out to the dac is the galvanic isolation of the optical connection compromised? my imac is ethernet wired in with optical to mscaler.
on an unrelated note if a streamer is wired in ethernet but also has optical out to the dac is the galvanic isolation of the optical connection compromised? my imac is ethernet wired in with optical to mscaler.
Last edited:
JaZZ
Headphoneus Supremus
Never had any drop-outs either.
DAVE drop-outs are luck of the draw. My first Dave had them quite badly and needed to be replaced. The replacement has had no problems. I recently acquired a second DAVE for my main system, and it has not had the problem either.
Just make sure you check your new DAVE right away with dual BNC from the M Scaler, using USB input on the M-Scaler (for some reason the drop-outs only happen with USB). Check both sets of inputs, if either shows drop-outs then get the unit replaced. It should be no problem - in my case my dealer worked with the local distributor to exchange the faulty unit.
If I were Chord I would check each unit for this before leaving the factory - perhaps they do now, and this is no longer a problem.
Just make sure you check your new DAVE right away with dual BNC from the M Scaler, using USB input on the M-Scaler (for some reason the drop-outs only happen with USB). Check both sets of inputs, if either shows drop-outs then get the unit replaced. It should be no problem - in my case my dealer worked with the local distributor to exchange the faulty unit.
If I were Chord I would check each unit for this before leaving the factory - perhaps they do now, and this is no longer a problem.
Last edited:
I experienced the drop-out problem connecting HMS with Dave to BNC 1&2. That's really annoying!. To solve this problem you have to switch to port 3&4. I too overcome this problem by doing so. It took me several weeks after connecting to 3&4 before the problem is completely gone.
Right now I wouldn't dare to touch the BNC ports and Cable. Quite afraid that the problem may comeback. Some people said the SQ on 1&2 is better than 3&4 but that's fine. As long as I can use the product as the money I spent, I am ok with 3&4.
Note* I did a lot of experiment about the BNC ports and cables. The problem is there for 1&2, it's never gone, especially when you use streaming service, the dropout will frequently occur. My internet is 1GB and connect to my source with AQ diamond ethernet cable. So, I think the problem is the port themselves.
I heard that Chord offers a replacement service for this problem. So if you like the Company sound and signature, just go for it, it's a good DAC.
Right now I wouldn't dare to touch the BNC ports and Cable. Quite afraid that the problem may comeback. Some people said the SQ on 1&2 is better than 3&4 but that's fine. As long as I can use the product as the money I spent, I am ok with 3&4.
Note* I did a lot of experiment about the BNC ports and cables. The problem is there for 1&2, it's never gone, especially when you use streaming service, the dropout will frequently occur. My internet is 1GB and connect to my source with AQ diamond ethernet cable. So, I think the problem is the port themselves.
I heard that Chord offers a replacement service for this problem. So if you like the Company sound and signature, just go for it, it's a good DAC.
You won't regret it. As I type this, I am listening to my DAVE+Blu MK II and I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful it is. I can't thank @Rob Watts and John Franks (@Mojo ideas) and the entire Chord team enough for bringing these products to the market and my home.
Last edited:
Triode User
Member of the Trade: WAVE High Fidelity
Agreed, the Dave towers above all other DACs in the Chord range which is no mean feat because they are all excellent in their own right but the Dave is in a league of its own. The transparency is just to die for and then add it to the Blu MK II to go to another level.
I have been a member of this site for 5,583 days as of the time of this post and my audiophile journey is complete and I can focus on the music. The DAVE+Blu Mk II is in a class of its own-- its Gordon Murray and Paul Rosche's McLaren F1; its Rob Watts and John Franks' DAVE. My only regret is that I didn't purchase the DAVE sooner.
Last edited:
If one had to pick between a solo dave and TT2/Mscaler with no intent of adding an mscaler to dave later on which way would everyone go?
Triode User
Member of the Trade: WAVE High Fidelity
You know my answer, solo Dave every time. The subtle detail due to its transparency is irreplaceable in my opinion and having specifically compared it to TT2+Mscaler in my own system.
