Dangerous Music Source DAC

[basketcase14240]

That review made me sad lol. I hope it's not true since I plan on getting the Source soon. Well even if it is true I still don't think there is a better dac/monitor controller/headphone amp out there for the price

 

[Zoom25]

   
Oh I was just planning on using an optical to SPDIF  since it's a combo aes/spdif input port. Does that not work? 
 
Honestly I wasn't aware digital cables had an impedance at all... Suppose it makes sense.  So I am looking up how to choose best impedance for the cables and this is what I found: For optimum signal transfer, the cable’s characteristic impedance should be matched to the impedance/resistance of the load."  That basically just means that the impedance of the aes cable needs to match the coaxial I assume? So it's going to be optical cable -> opt/coax adaptor -> coax cable (impedence x) -> coax/aes adaptar -> aes cable (impedance x) -> source.  And just make sure that the x's match up?

 
I did notice it was labelled a combo jack. Although I've never tried plugging an optical cable there. I was always recommended AES by the guys at Dangerous. I'll bring out the cables to investigate and report back.
 
Definitely pay attention to impedance for AES and coaxial cables. Here's how it works. Analog cables may not work as digital cables, although digital cables will work as analog cables. 75 ohm and 110 ohm are crucial in making sure you're actually getting a signal in the first place...especially for a long run. I didn't know this before and I got an analog XLR and it didn't work for AES connection.
 
The impedance of the cable depends on the transport's impedance, not the Dangerous Source. For example, I can use a XLR-XLR from a CD player to Dangerous Source, or coaxial from CD player to XLR to Dangerous Source. Even though in both cases, the termination going to Dangerous Source is XLR, the termination connection being XLR actually has nothing to do with what impedance cable you should get. It's all about what the original transport is sending to the DAC. So if the CD player has AES output, you will use 110 ohm cable. If the CD player has coaxial output, you will use 75 ohm. You can choose whatever end termination - it's irrelevant in deciding the impedance of the cable.
 
For coaxial output, you choose 75 ohm (also true for BNC). For AES (XLR to XLR or even XLR terminating to coaxial), you go with 110 ohm.  

 

[Zoom25]

  I finally got my Source which I'm using with my HD800s. I agree it's a great combo! Maybe down the line I'll try to compare a dedicated headphone amp and see if it makes any improvement but I'm very happy for now. The Source is very well-made too - I was surprised by the build quality for the price. 
 
I also tried it with my iPhone 6 and it works for me with a USB hub. Without the hub you get the 'too much power' error. Weirdly I can still control the volume from the iPhone when it's plugged in via the USB hub (with other DACs the iPhone volume control has been disabled) but at max volume there doesn't seem to be any audible distortion. 
 
One really stupid question - is there a way to power the Source off without unplugging it? Does just pressing the input button so that no inputs are lit up do it?
 
EDIT: Also, just saw this review: http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/dangerous-music/source.htm Aren't those measurements pretty bad? What's up with the headphone frequency response and THD measurements? Surely they can't be right?

Congrats on the purchase! Glad you're enjoying it. If you're on a mac, definitely give the new Audirvana Plus a shot or even Amarra. It does wonders for the HD 800.
 
The build quality is great. Only thing I can fault - the top cover can be prone to finger prints. For unplugging, I just turn all the lights off - the temperature of the unit goes down a bit in comparison to when the lights are on but no music is playing (it's something that I have picked up over the year+ with it).

 

[Zoom25]

I checked up on the numbers. I'm not sure if they are legit. For example, when I emailed Dangerous, they told me the headphone output impedance is less than 1 ohm. On Ken's site, it is listed at 2.2 ohm. 
 
Also, I don't understand his concern for lower impedance headphones and portables. I'm running Denon's and KRK's that are both high sensitivity and low impedance. I've also tried other Sony's and Shure, and they all seem fine.
 
Regarding his iPhone comparison to Source, I'd be skeptical. I remember reading his initial review of the iPhone 6 when it came out. The guy really loves it. I have an iPhone 6 Plus and really like it, but I've found the Source through USB on another level with all of my headphones, including the Apple EarPods, in comparison to iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 Plus comes nowhere near in resolution and I find it has much more harshness and distortion. My experience with iPhone and Dangerous Source with regards to distortion has been completely opposite. Even my Mid 2012 15" Mackook Pro has cleaner output and less harsher sounding headphone out than the iPhone 6 plus.

 

[bixby]

 
Congrats on the purchase! Glad you're enjoying it. If you're on a mac, definitely give the new Audirvana Plus a shot or even Amarra. It does wonders for the HD 800.
 
The build quality is great. Only thing I can fault - the top cover can be prone to finger prints. For unplugging, I just turn all the lights off - the temperature of the unit goes down a bit in comparison to when the lights are on but no music is playing (it's something that I have picked up over the year+ with it).

Great player suggestions and if you want a really lightweight footprint player with great sound, then try the demo of Decibel.  It is now my fave.  Let us know how they all get along with your 800s.

 

[Zoom25]

  Great player suggestions and if you want a really lightweight footprint player with great sound, then try the demo of Decibel.  It is now my fave.  Let us know how they all get along with your 800s.

I'll give Decibel a shot again. I had it a few years back and it was okay. Hopefully it changed now, would definitely love a lighter player. Sometimes I get lazy and run streaming music or even iTunes off of Amarra SQ.
 
I did a Amarra 3.0.2 vs Audirvana 2.0.9 for HD 800 comparison awhile back on another thread. Here's my post with some commentary after: post #2753
 
Adding to that, I'll say this about about Amarra. Slightly more in your face, tighter bass response, dryer sounding at the top, perhaps better mid range resolution (although not sure if that is just a side effect of the more in your face signature). Audirvana throws a more 3D circular sound and it just sounds more sweeter with HD 800.
 
Vocal placement is the real difference between the two. If you imagine the soundstage of HD 800 as a sphere, and where your ears are as the middle point of the sphere, then Amarra throws vocals slightly in front of that point. Audirvana throws vocals around the middle of the sphere. It's really noticeable on HD 800. Frequency aside, that's the main reason to consider when choosing between Amarra and Audirvana.
 
I'll try Decibel and report back as well. I'm really happy that the Source is actually responding to EQ and player changes.

 

[mhamel]

Well, I've waited for reviews, read and re-read the specs, and have been chomping at the bit to compare it to my Yggdrasil, so I've pulled the trigger on ordering a Convert-2.

It should be here Tuesday.

-Mike

 

[Zoom25]

Well, I've waited for reviews, read and re-read the specs, and have been chomping at the bit to compare it to my Yggdrasil, so I've pulled the trigger on ordering a Convert-2.

It should be here Tuesday.

-Mike

Nice. Looking forward to impressions.

 

[cycler2]

Same here.  I have been using a Dangerous Music Source for a couple of years and enjoy it very much.  So I don't really need a new DAC.  But, of course, the upgrade bug bites periodically and I've been thinking about both the Yggdrasil and the Convert-2. 
Rich

 

[ToroFiestaSol]

Well, I've waited for reviews, read and re-read the specs, and have been chomping at the bit to compare it to my Yggdrasil, so I've pulled the trigger on ordering a Convert-2.

It should be here Tuesday.

-Mike

 
I'm very interested on this, there aren't any reviews of the Convert and it looks outstanding!
I've used the D-Box DAC several times where I work, and that thing sounds HUGE, really huge, deep and clear, it's better than the Source DAC.
Dangerous Music says that Convert is their best DAC by a wide margin, so I'm pretty sure it will destroy the Yggdrasil (and everything else!)

 

[Zoom25]

   
I'm very interested on this, there aren't any reviews of the Convert and it looks outstanding!
I've used the D-Box DAC several times where I work, and that thing sounds HUGE, really huge, deep and clear, it's better than the Source DAC.
Dangerous Music says that Convert is their best DAC by a wide margin, so I'm pretty sure it will destroy the Yggdrasil (and everything else!)

How is the headphone amp on the D-Box?

 

[ToroFiestaSol]

 
How is the headphone amp on the D-Box?

 
I used the Source one time, one friend owns it, and tested it with Sony MDR-7506, which is not a demanding headphone to drive, so maybe my little experience isn't very helpful. All I can say is that drived the Sony so easy. I can comment more on the DAC, which is amazing for the price, is not like the D-Box DAC but is a bargain.
Also the unit works as monitor controller, so you can have your speakers (2 pairs or 1 with subwoofer) and 2 headphones connected, and switch between them with the buttons in the panel of the Source.
I have an Audient ID22 because of the preamps, my budget didn't allowed me to buy the Source + 2 class A preamps...it's really a solid product, can't go wrong with it!

 

[Zoom25]

   
I used the Source one time, one friend owns it, and tested it with Sony MDR-7506, which is not a demanding headphone to drive, so maybe my little experience isn't very helpful. All I can say is that drived the Sony so easy. I can comment more on the DAC, which is amazing for the price, is not like the D-Box DAC but is a bargain.
Also the unit works as monitor controller, so you can have your speakers (2 pairs or 1 with subwoofer) and 2 headphones connected, and switch between them with the buttons in the panel of the Source.
I have an Audient ID22 because of the preamps, my budget didn't allowed me to buy the Source + 2 class A preamps...it's really a solid product, can't go wrong with it!

I know. I have the Source.
 
I just wanted to know about the D-Box headphone amp. On the website they list the amp to have 20Watts power output.

 

[ToroFiestaSol]

Ah sorry, did't read well! hahaha
 
It's very nice, used it with my K812 at the studio and drives them very well, very powerful and wide sound.
It's more powerful than the Audient amp, and has a very neutral sound but "with balls", don't know how to explain it right because my vocabulary is limited in english, but is very pleasing to listen, not sterile in any way.

 

[mhamel]

The Convert-2 is in the house.
 
I'm having a very busy week so I haven't had time to really level-match and compare with the Yggrasil and the Source. Just a few really quick initial impressions. Depth of soundstage and layering of instruments in space is jaw-dropping. I think the Yggy's imaging may be a bit wider but not as deep. There is a sense of spaciousness with the Yggy that, to date, is the best I've heard from a DAC. I'm hearing similar qualities with the Convert-2, but need quite a bit more time with it before I can really comment on how they compare and which I prefer.
 
Typically DM, it feels very well-built. It's pro gear, so it's designed to be functional before stylish. My primary concern is sound, not cosmetics, and I know some people find pro gear ugly, but to my eyes it's also a great looking piece of gear. 
 
More impressions to come.
 
  -Mike