CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[Icenine2]

I am totally happy w/my DAVE+MScaler+DCA Stealth.
To anyone finding this different: Like the Avatar above of what appears a 59' Strat. Not everyone "hears" that guitar the same way or enjoys the sound/tone signature it produces. To write about DAVE and expect a miracle that everyone hears that the same will never happen. Throw in "Audiophiles" and we're really done.........

 

[Reactcore]

actually for sensitive HP's the headphone amp is outstanding and provides transparency

People with stock Dave should audition Austrian audio's Composer headphone.

This thing is increddibly easy to drive and had great synergy with my mod Dave. It should be good on stock too.

 

[JTbbb]

Although I generally use tube amps now, I still find that HD800S sounds great out of standard Dave.

 

[musicinmymind]

Although I generally use tube amps now, I still find that HD800S sounds great out of standard Dave.

I prefer the Meze Empyrean directly from Dave. The Empyrean has a darker sound signature which I find complements Dave's well.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

I am totally happy w/my DAVE+MScaler+DCA Stealth.
To anyone finding this different: Like the Avatar above of what appears a 59' Strat. Not everyone "hears" that guitar the same way or enjoys the sound/tone signature it produces. To write about DAVE and expect a miracle that everyone hears that the same will never happen. Throw in "Audiophiles" and we're really done.........

That is exactly right, and don't listen to anyone's opinions about this hobby, it's fun reading them and hearing about them and all the anecdotes, at the end of the day, you have to listen and pick what sounds best to YOU.

 

[seadog123]

I’ve move house and I’m most likely to get back to 100% HP listening due to a bad listening room.

I’ve a DAVE and Utopia 2020 HP. Listening to this via DAVE HP mode is pretty damn good.

What if I added a great HP amp like the GSX-Mini as well ?

Will this be a much better sound ?

I’ve had one before but not with a DAVE, and thought it is was excellent.

 

[Hiyono]

I noticed that on Farad’s website that they are in development a product called SuperX which can have 5 outputs. I emailed Farad if this can be a one box solution for Dave.

Farad said they will have different configurations and Dave will have one.

Looking forward to one one box and less cables. Big reason been holding back on upgrading Dave.

 

[Jon L]

Chord DAVE vs. Auralic Vega S1 streaming DAC vs. T&A DAC200.
The only problem is the Auralic costs only $2000

 

[Whazzzup]

I’ve move house and I’m most likely to get back to 100% HP listening due to a bad listening room.

I’ve a DAVE and Utopia 2020 HP. Listening to this via DAVE HP mode is pretty damn good.

What if I added a great HP amp like the GSX-Mini as well ?

Will this be a much better sound ?

I’ve had one before but not with a DAVE, and thought it is was excellent.

I had gsx mk2 for 7-8 years and upgraded to wa33 elite, much much better in almost every way especially imagery. Speed was about the same, they are both friggin fast.

 

[chesebert]

Agreed on everything (except for clasped soundstage which is not my experience), and especially on categorizing components based on price. I would rather listen to the 15yr old Emm Labs dac2 you can buy for a bit more than $2kish than Dave - way more dynamic and musical.

 

[MSwiss]

Everyone hears different I guess. I demoed a T&A and whilst it was good i preferred Dave.

Dave IMO doesn’t quite have the deep impact though. I prefer Hugo for Utopia , but my mates modded Dave is a different story. Made a huge difference. I will do the mods , it just adds an extra bit of punch and depth.

For stereo listening I really liked the Ideon dac, more than T&A again but ultimately preferred Dave to all of them.

Modded Dave and Utopia is a cracking combo.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

Some people really have no idea what music really is and what it really sounds like, I corne from a musical family and play a musical instrument myself, so yes I know. The DAVE even now is head and shoulders better than most of what's out there, the only thing I haven't compared it to is Wadax .

 

[VM72]

Agreed on everything (except for clasped soundstage which is not my experience), and especially on categorizing components based on price. I would rather listen to the 15yr old Emm Labs dac2 you can buy for a bit more than $2kish than Dave - way more dynamic and musical.

Before the Dave, I owned, among other DACs, the Emm Labs DAC2 (for 7 years). I honestly can’t imagine any sound feature, that the Dave doesn’t do better or significantly better.

 

[chesebert]

Before the Dave, I owned, among other DACs, the Emm Labs DAC2 (for 7 years). I honestly can’t imagine any sound feature, that the Dave doesn’t do better or significantly better.

Stock or one with PSU mod? Do you use a tube preamp or headphone amp?

 

[VM72]

Stock or one with PSU mod? Do you use a tube preamp or headphone amp?

Stock Dave, integrated amp - Pass Labs Int30