[beemarman]

After what seemed like an endless couple of weeks, my black DAVE is finally en route to me for delivery tomorrow.
A black Mscaler and the WAVE STRATOS (soon to be replaced by WAVE’s STORM) have been patiently awaiting its arrival.

I would very appreciate a suggestion of a set of tracks to get started with. I own a pair of Utopias and Obravo’s Ra 21 C-Cu.
I will be using a Sonore optical Rendu+opticalModule Deluxe as my source/Roon endpoint.

Many thanks in advance!

Just que up your favourite track and enjoy. You don’t need anyone to recommend you a track that you probably wouldn’t like anyway.

 

[NYanakiev]

Well, it arrived! Needed help from Chord to get it to play music but wow is it great or what?!

I still need to try the WAVE STRATOS but I don't have much space between the desk and the wall. If I buy them I'd need to think of a different setup altogether...

 

[NYanakiev]

@alxw0w thanks ever so much for the stand recommendation

Moved things around to use the WAVE STRATOS and not keep the two units too close.
WAVE‘s STORM coming in soon- I will have the pleasure of comparing the two side by side.

 

[LucyWu]

Well, it arrived! Needed help from Chord to get it to play music but wow is it great or what?!

I still need to try the WAVE STRATOS but I don't have much space between the desk and the wall. If I buy them I'd need to think of a different setup altogether...

Excellent set up (I have mostly the same). The Stratos cables take a bit of wrangling, but well worth the effort - big improvement on the stock cables.

Next step - ditch the mscaler psu for something better. (You didn't think you'd be done now, did you?)

 

[Ragnar-BY]

@Rob Watts
Sorry to bother with a question that was clearly already discussed, but the search did not help. What volume setting corresponds to 2V and 1V on line output? Maybe there is a table with voltage and loudness values somewhere?

I found that the standard -3dB in DAC mode does not overload my amplifier noticeably, but makes the sound more compressed and flat than preamplifier mode set to -7 .. -10 dB.

 

[TheAttorney]

While we're interrupting @Rob Watts , I have another question:

I've been trying a server that can output up to 176 kHz on AES.
The spec for DAVE states that its AES input has max of 88 kHz. Yet DAVE plays fine at the higher setting.
Any reason why I shouldn't continue running at the higher rate if I'm not experiencing any glitches?

 

[jcn3]

While we're interrupting @Rob Watts , I have another question:

I've been trying a server that can output up to 176 kHz on AES.
The spec for DAVE states that its AES input has max of 88 kHz. Yet DAVE plays fine at the higher setting.
Any reason why I shouldn't continue running at the higher rate if I'm not experiencing any glitches?

no, there's no reason that you can't continue to use it. either it'll work or it doesn't. i've gotten 192k and dsd64 through optical on my dave -- sounds great.

i do find it interesting that your server only goes up to 176k on aes. the spec is typically up to 192k -- a multiple of 48k. do you have any details on your server's limitation?

 

[ecwl]

@Rob Watts
Sorry to bother with a question that was clearly already discussed, but the search did not help. What volume setting corresponds to 2V and 1V on line output? Maybe there is a table with voltage and loudness values somewhere?

I found that the standard -3dB in DAC mode does not overload my amplifier noticeably, but makes the sound more compressed and flat than preamplifier mode set to -7 .. -10 dB.

Remember that M-scaler lowers the volume by -2.7dB too (although I just treat it as -3dB)
Also, I‘m reasonably sure (though not 100%) balanced voltages are double unbalanced.

So I made a chart for myself so I don’t forget. Left it on my Notes app in iCloud:
DAVE output voltages unbalanced
-3dB = 3V
-7dB = 2V
-13dB = 1V
Digital Clipping +4dB

balanced output impedance 33ohms

With M-Scaler voltages (technically 2.7dB reduction)
0dB = 3V
-4dB = 2V
-10dB = 1V
Digital Clipping +7dB

M-Scaler voltages with balanced output
-6dB =3V
-10dB = 2V
-16dB - 1V

 

[TheAttorney]

no, there's no reason that you can't continue to use it. either it'll work or it doesn't. i've gotten 192k and dsd64 through optical on my dave -- sounds great.
i do find it interesting that your server only goes up to 176k on aes. the spec is typically up to 192k -- a multiple of 48k. do you have any details on your server's limitation?

Thankyou for the confirmation. The server on trial is a Grimm MU1 which I'm considering to replace my optimised NUC.
After checking the spec, the MU1 does indeed go up to 192k - just that almost all my music files are 16/44k. I do have a few 48k files around, as well as some 24/44k, so I need to check out if those will also work.

 

[Jawed]

Moved things around to use the WAVE STRATOS and not keep the two units too close.

You failed there

Now playing: Grouper - I'm Clean Now

 

[NYanakiev]

Finally got around to trying out my Ra 21-C-Cu with the Dave and Mscaler. Suffice to say, they sound nothing short of amazing.

Very different sound signature compared to the Utopias with a cavernous sound stage and awesome bass. Love it!!

@PhilW

 

[Rob Watts]

@Rob Watts
Sorry to bother with a question that was clearly already discussed, but the search did not help. What volume setting corresponds to 2V and 1V on line output? Maybe there is a table with voltage and loudness values somewhere?

I found that the standard -3dB in DAC mode does not overload my amplifier noticeably, but makes the sound more compressed and flat than preamplifier mode set to -7 .. -10 dB.

@ecwl kindly beat me to an answer! Yes the best setting does depend somewhat on the pre-amp.

While we're interrupting @Rob Watts , I have another question:

I've been trying a server that can output up to 176 kHz on AES.
The spec for DAVE states that its AES input has max of 88 kHz. Yet DAVE plays fine at the higher setting.
Any reason why I shouldn't continue running at the higher rate if I'm not experiencing any glitches?

No reason at all. AES is technically inferior to BNC as it was put together simply because studios use XLRs and have lots of mic cables hanging around. Because it's not a solid RF standard, Chord are playing safe with 88kHz.

 

[Ragnar-BY]

@Rob Watts @ecwl Thank you for clarification!

By the way, Rob, I have to admit that although I thought differently at first, over time I became convinced that your digital volume control works better than any analog attenuator. Even if the attenuator is built with separate resistors, no matter what unobtanium these resistors are made of.

 

[NYanakiev]

I have been using the mDAVE with the Ra 21-C-Cu IEMs all day today- along with the Wave STRATOS, of course.
The An Introduction to Qobuz playlist played back through Roon has been a great showcase for my new system.

To say that I am thrilled with the outcome would be an understatement.
@Rob Watts many thanks for your patience in answering my endless questions! Feels great sitting at the top of the summit!

EDIT: That is, until I get the Wave STORM in the next few days! @Triode User

 

[NYanakiev]

I have a bit of a weird issue. I am experiencing an issue using the Ra 21-C-Cu (made out of copper) when listening to music connected to:

a) Focal Arche+Rasperry Pi (Roon endpoint) with an iFi iPower power supply
b) Dave+Mscaler+Sonore Optical Rendu+Optical module (Dave+Mscaler using stock PSUs, Rendu units using a switching power supply)
-->Source gets internet through an ethernet cable plugged into a Devolo powerline adapter

After 10-15 minutes of listening my ears start getting small electrical shocks that are not painful but certainly unpleasant.
Any ideas??? Has anyone had to deal with this sort of issue before??