When I was using headphones with a Dave, I had ZMF Verite Open and Focal Stellia. I preferred the ZMF straight out of the Dave.
CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE
- Thread starter magiccabbage
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Tube amp? Perhaps from the Feliks range? As long as you don’t go too far down the tube rabbit hole, there are some reasonably priced tubes out there with warm flavours.
I mentioned the ZMF Aegis tube amp is great pairing for all ZMF, dynamic and planar. One of the ZMF employees uses with Dave/mscaler.
The Violetric amps are warmer than DAVE if you’d prefer not to go into tubes.
Which Vioelectric pre amp can you recommend?
icnaiwhimor1975
500+ Head-Fier
is DAVE much better than hugo2?
does 40 pulse array elements sound much better than 20?
the price difference is 6 times higher
does 40 pulse array elements sound much better than 20?
the price difference is 6 times higher
ecwl
500+ Head-Fier
No. I don't think it's worth 6 times higher in the sense that I don't think a Tesla S is worth that much more than a Honda Civic. Or a Rolex is worth that much more than a Swatch/Timex.
But as I own both and use both all the time (Hugo 2 at work, DAVE at home), DAVE is better in a few ways:
1) 20 elements in DAVE gives ?better low-level signal accuracy? so you can hear complex details slightly better and get deeper soundstage
2) 164000 taps in DAVE give much sharper transients (piano strikes, guitar plucks, hand clapping, violin bowing) compared to Hugo 2's 49152 taps and also gives fuller bass notes and slightly better timbral accuracy
3) DAVE's 17th order noise shaper also gives ?better low-level signal accuracy? you can hear complex details slightly better and get deeper soundstage compared to the 11th order noise shaper
4) DAVE's power supply (+ power noise filtering) is likely superior to Hugo 2 giving once again, presumably gives ?better low-level signal accuracy
But, because DAVE is mains-powered, sometimes it can be more finicky with the digital source for optimal sound compared to the Hugo 2.
I love my DAVE but I would recommend most people to get Qutest/TT2/Hugo 2. On the other hand, if I were to buy all over again, I would get the DAVE again. And if I stop caring so much about my finances, I probably would buy a DAVE for my office too. But then I don't own a Tesla S or a Rolex. Ultimately, value is in the eye of the beholder.
V550? V281? You’d need to try them to see if you like them. They won’t let through all of the detail DAVE has on offer, but perhaps all that detail is what you’re not enjoying?
number1sixerfan
Headphoneus Supremus
I wasn't implying you need to buy a warm stand-alone amp, but if really want to keep the Utopia 22 and like it otherwise; as others are suggesting, a tube amp with a warm character should help. But I would be sure to audition, as some tube amps are more neutral in color/tone. Some good recs already in the thread, but you could also check out the eneulum. It's a bit too warm for my preferences but many love it.
LeeJB1970
100+ Head-Fier
I currently have the V281 but have a Susvara and Ferrum stack on the way. Will compare both amps as I also have the Utopia 22 and read that the V281 may not be the best for Susvara. I would prefer a natural, warmer leaning amp.
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Which DDC are you guys using? I'm thinking of upgrading from the Pi2AES since i've been having connection issues with it. Looking for something to feed my Chord DACs and use with a Macbook pro.
Also looking for a high performance power conditionet and cables to connect the Mac to the DDC and the DDC to Hugo2.
Also looking for a high performance power conditionet and cables to connect the Mac to the DDC and the DDC to Hugo2.
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Puritan power conditioners seem to have a good reputation, I have those. Whether it makes a difference depends on your home grid. Some need it, some don't and as usual ASR finds it all snake oil.
dsyzling
100+ Head-Fier
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One left field suggestion you could try as a test for your Hugo 2. Try an Audiowise src-dx with dual bnc and adapter, usb direct from your laptop on battery. Then test PGGB - 107 bit precision is now free to use - of course this will require some disk space but would be an interesting test nonetheless. Also test a trial of HQPlayer and compare direct with standard Hugo 2 direct. HQPlayer PCM upsampling is pretty light for most laptops - Sinc-L, LNS15, 24 bit 704/768.
Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
Go down the tube rabbit hole, wa33 elite with upgrade Takatsuki and western electric tubes. It’s elevated my original TT to please never die status
Hi Everyone,
I need some guidance on changing my settings on the Dave. I am using it with the Envy and Susvara/Stealths. Envy sounds the best in high gain to my ears.
That being said, I would like to lower the Volts being sent to the amplifier. Right now I am using DAC mode and XLRs. Does this mean I am sending 6 V? If this is the case, do I put the Dave in preamp mode to lower the volts? If so, which dB should I go to to get 3V, 2V, 1V?
Also, I was looking at the Dave manual today and noticed for Optical in it only goes up to 96kHz, should I set my Qobuz to max out at 96kHz not 192kHz?
Thanks everyone.
I need some guidance on changing my settings on the Dave. I am using it with the Envy and Susvara/Stealths. Envy sounds the best in high gain to my ears.
That being said, I would like to lower the Volts being sent to the amplifier. Right now I am using DAC mode and XLRs. Does this mean I am sending 6 V? If this is the case, do I put the Dave in preamp mode to lower the volts? If so, which dB should I go to to get 3V, 2V, 1V?
Also, I was looking at the Dave manual today and noticed for Optical in it only goes up to 96kHz, should I set my Qobuz to max out at 96kHz not 192kHz?
Thanks everyone.
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