I am comparing the Meridian G08 vs the lite dac-ah (is this Fair?)

[bhd812]

so I have my dac-ah hooked up thru the cox digi output on the g08. the g08 and the dac-ah are plugged in the b52 (I can later hook up the Raptor also).
the g08 audio out is plugged in balanced and of course the dac is in un-balanced (i can hook both up un balanced using the same cables also later)

so um I am noticing little difference but really...its not night and day.

of course this all comes back to the g08 as a transport. so how is the g08's digi out?

the idea of this is if you give the dac-ah and great transport you can have something really really really good.

again depends how the g08's digi out is..

anyone have ideas? help? is it fair?

 

[Spadge]

This is good news as I have an DAC-AH (CAA mod) sitting under the Christmas tree

Paul

 

[bhd812]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spadge /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is good news as I have an DAC-AH (CAA mod) sitting under the Christmas tree Paul

hold the phone please..

There are many things here that can be influenced by what I hear...
first off what is happening in the go8's digi out exactly?
the g08 is plugged into the bpt bp-1 power thingy while the dac is plugged in a monster pc-100, both power cond's have their own sound..so either the bp-1 is taking down the sound of the g08 in comparsion or the dac is getting up'd in sound by the pc-100 or one is being moved up or down..or nothing?
the g08 audio out is going balanced but being used un-balanced from the adapter I made to plug my balanced cardas senn cable in..so is the difference I am hearing cause of the balanced out of the g08? is it better? worse? nothing?
the g08 is using a lowrad power cable and the dac-ah has a queil power cord..is that making a difference?

so far the differences are small. the g08 audio out is backed off more where the dac-ah's output is more smushed up front..the dac-ah is unmodded BTW.
the dac-ah has a stronger bass and highs then the go8's audio out.
I would need to do more listening to both in a more common way to judge soundstage,prat,etc. (more fair would be same power cables,same power outlet,same un-balanced output)


of course I can do this but the question is...

is this still fair?

even if I come up with a small tiny difference then it would mean by using a great transport you may be well and close up there in terms of sound..

but is this fair?

 

[Spadge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 /img/forum/go_quote.gif of course I can do this but the question is... is this still fair?

Weather it's fair or not... I'm just going to read the fourth line of your original post over and over again. Then never read this thread again and I'll be happy

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 the idea of this is if you give the dac-ah and great transport you can have something really really really good.

 

[chesebert]

once again the technology of extracting that perfect sine wave is getting cheaper and cheaper to achieve these days. How do you deal with jitter (can you even hear it?)

 

[Elephas]

I think it's fair to compare gear of varying price levels. Some differences are more obvious, such as iPod earbuds with HD650's. Other differences may require more time and understanding to discern and appreciate.

You could try a different transport with the DAC-AH, such as a cheap DVD player's optical output. This would highlight the effect of the G08's digital output. I'm guessing the cheap DVD player will sound worse.

Also, try using the same power conditioner for both transport and DAC, and then try using different ones with each, and finally try plugging both directly to the wall. This should highlight any differences the power has on the G08 and DAC-AH. Something could be holding the G08 back. Or one weak link, for example a power conditioner, is limiting everything in the chain.

I think this type of discussion is interesting and useful. We shouldn't be hesitant to compare high cost products with inexpensive ones.

 

[mrarroyo]

I am using a $45 Philips DVP642 via cheap optical cable to Lite Dac-Ah and to me it sounds as good or better than my Arcam DiVA CD73. I have used various amps and headphones with the same results.

 

[gordolindsay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think this type of discussion is interesting and useful. We shouldn't be hesitant to compare high cost products with inexpensive ones.

I agree, why shouldn't we? I mean, if a cheap piece of equipment sounds even somewhat close to a multi-thousand dollar piece, then I think people should know about it.

It gives people like me that can only dream of the G08 something to look forward to.

So Billy, thanks for the info and keep on researching, I know I'm interested in what you dig up.

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 /img/forum/go_quote.gif the dac-ah has a stronger bass and highs then the go8's audio out.

Given NOS DACs by design have a treble drop out I'd say the BPT is sucking the treble heat right out of the Meridian. I had a similar experience with my previous balanced transformer conditioner.

When comparing gear its best to run from the wall using the same PCs and ICs to limit variables.

 

[jeffreyj900]

I think it would be a great test that many would be interested in. I for one have seriously wondered how a cheap transport with a dac would stack up to my Meridian G07. There has been several threads on this topic. I do not recall a direct comparison of a cheap transport/dac combo vs. a high end source. I have been wanting to get to a meet so I could hear for myself

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreyj900 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think it would be a great test that many would be interested in. I for one have seriously wondered how a cheap transport with a dac would stack up to my Meridian G07. There has been several threads on this topic. I do not recall a direct comparison of a cheap transport/dac combo vs. a high end source. I have been wanting to get to a meet so I could hear for myself

There are some interesting comparisons of different combinations and different priced CD players w and w/o DACs on this site, but I hope your spanish is better than mine..

http://www.matrixhifi.com/pruebasciegas.htm

 

[bhd812]

Ok boys I will do a more common comparo tonight after work (I get off at 1am).

I will plug both meridian and dac using a quiel power cord,and plug from the same power cond using both un balanced via both with same lenght enigma audio ic's.


would be a interesting comparo..
but I would still be using the g08 as a transport...so..

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreyj900 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think it would be a great test that many would be interested in. I for one have seriously wondered how a cheap transport with a dac would stack up to my Meridian G07. There has been several threads on this topic. I do not recall a direct comparison of a cheap transport/dac combo vs. a high end source. I have been wanting to get to a meet so I could hear for myself

So come to the Southeast/Georgia meet in January!

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

One thought is that the G08 is meant to be rather special as a transport. Apparently uses a computer CD drive to read ahead and buffer the data, allowing data recovery (unlike normal CDPs). If well implemented, that could well give a better digital signal than virtually any other transport available.

Ref the G07, I've compared one of these to an old NOS DAC (derek shrek version). Personally I prefered the NOS DAC. Midrange on the G07 was ace, but the bass was a real mess.

 

[jeffreyj900]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meyvn /img/forum/go_quote.gif So come to the Southeast/Georgia meet in January!

Yes indeed. Didn't realize there was going to be a meet.