[ecwl]

yes cables matter!Nordost Valhalla IC/Evolution Acoustics power cord with mine.I also use the DAVE in DAC mode into Airtight ATM 300b amp

Hmmm. The input sensitivity of the airtight is listed as 290mV. I’m surprised the 3V RCA from DAVE is not clipping the airtight. Have you tried switching DAVE to preamp mode at -7dB to put out 2V or even -13dB to put out 1V and see if it sounds better? It’s possible that airtight just doesn’t clip even if you feed a high voltage source I guess.
I hate the fact that many manufacturers quote preamplifiers input sensitivity in mV and their CD players output voltage in volts so I’m never sure what output voltage matches what preamp.

 

[Nostoi]

This looks very interesting, but from what I gather - it's not available to private consumers? Industry only?

 

[walterboss]

First hour with a DAVE coming from a TT2.

*drools over self and everything*

Can I just say thank you to everyone who's ever gushed about this thing on here. They all contributed to me getting this and hearing all this. Updating my signature was extremely pleasant

 

[nwavesailor]

I had a similar journey from a TT2 to DAVE! It is quite a nice step up so enjoy it.

 

[Triode User]

Indeed, I think we all know what @walterboss is talking about !!

 

[CBR954RR]

With nearly 3 years of DAVE ownership I still drool on a daily basis.

 

[SoundeScapes]

First hour with a DAVE coming from a TT2.

*drools over self and everything*

Can I just say thank you to everyone who's ever gushed about this thing on here. They all contributed to me getting this and hearing all this. Updating my signature was extremely pleasant

What are the main differences you hear?
You don’t find it thinner and more sterile sounding compared to TT2?

I have read that people find the TT2 to sound fuller and more forgiving.
I own the Mscaler and TT2 myself and am curious. I use it with speakers though.

 

[walterboss]

What are the main differences you hear?
You don’t find it thinner and more sterile sounding compared to TT2?

I have read that people find the TT2 to sound fuller and more forgiving.
I own the Mscaler and TT2 myself and am curious. I use it with speakers though.

I could easily get lost in a word salad over the improvements. The simplest way I can think of is to say that basically everything – across the board – is lifted and bettered on DAVE. Clarity, separation (by god!), dynamics...the bass is so clear and thick and punchy. Instruments like piano sing, vocals take you inside the vocal booth during recording...I could go on.

I don't hear a drop of this thinness that many have mentioned. Within seconds of the first track I listened to (Airbag by Radiohead, my favourite album, and I know every track inside out and sideways) I knew it was a completely different experience.

For context, I would liken it to going from a well-mastered Bluray to a 4K UHD. That's reductive, but I don't have the language to describe what I'm hearing.

To put it even simpler: music sounds richer, more dynamic and beautiful. And the crossfeed function is an another level compared to TT2. Max crossfeed on a busy orchestral suite is *chef's kiss*.

I listen purely on headphones, btw.

I want to try a Holo May at some point, and like it, I feel like everyone should get a chance to at least experience DAVE, even if you decide it's not for you. It's one of those pools you really have to jump in to at some stage, just so you can finally know.

For further context, music made me cry today. It hasn't done that for a long while. Make of that what you will

 

[jlbrach]

geez, dont you know ASR crowd says all DAC's sound the same...no reason to spend more than 200 bucks lol

 

[walterboss]

geez, dont you know ASR crowd says all DAC's sound the same...no reason to spend more than 200 bucks lol

Yep, I'm happy to leave them listening to their Topping A90s and HD650s never knowing what they're missing because it couldn't be measured.

What I've heard today, I don't care about whether it can be measured or not Their loss.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

geez, dont you know ASR crowd says all DAC's sound the same...no reason to spend more than 200 bucks lol

Hahahahahahahhaa, love it. The ASR crowd is going to go wild when they hear that the new "Quartet" M Scaler will have a 4 Million tap interpolation filter,

 

[tjkohli]

You guys are making me regret getting TT2 over a used Dave

 

[GuiltyRocker]

You guys are making me regret getting TT2 over a used Dave

Don't, I had both and prefer the TT-2 with M Scaler, while the DAVE is slightly more revealing, the TT-2 in my opinion is more musical, especially with the M Scaler.

 

[jlbrach]

Hahahahahahahhaa, love it. The ASR crowd is going to go wild when they hear that the new "Quartet" M Scaler will have a 4 Million tap interpolation filter,

bottom line is the ASR site exists to essentially mock anyone who pays more than 200 dollars for anything...they do not listen to the product they simply publish measurements...to me it is not a serious site but there are lots of people who cannot afford TOTL equipment who feel good after reading the reviews there...

 

[nwavesailor]

The TT2 is a great DAC!
I had my TT2 for a year or two and was very happy.
I wondered if the DAVE (and cost) would be worth the upgrade and it was. I wanted a more reveling DAC and some don't.
I went from the Qutest to TT2 to DAVE. All were good and every step up was worth it.
The DAVE was what I was looking for but some prefer less detail and a warmer presentation.