Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBigCW /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Is it only with that copy? If so, then it's probably the rip. If not, then it might be a problem with the tube. What's your source? It could be a problem with your speakers. Do you hear the clipping on any other song? Does the same thing happen when you don't use the tube out?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustVisit /img/forum/go_quote.gif
That's the suggestion I will give as well. Also, a side note, tube need some time to "warm up" to get in to working mode. If you just turn on the DAC, wait a few minutes before you use the tube pre out stage.
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Thanks for the great suggestions. I think it's a combination of things. I do not think the unit is defective, or the tube is bad at this point. I would also be very surprised if a new rip with the same settings changed anything, but I have an older Pioneer DVD-ROM that has better compatibility with certain older CD's that could prove me wrong.
I think that the tube pre-out runs hot; I'm pretty sure that I read, maybe somewhere in this thread, that the tube pre-out on the D1 has 20% more output power than the SS side with the "direct" button engaged. It is therefore variable when you want it to be for that reason. Even though I had already tried it both ways, I decided after reading
this about the NuForce uDAC to give the volume pot another shot.
When I powered up from scratch, I went with the "direct" button disengaged and used the volume control. I was able to re-set the volume on the D1 and my receiver differently where there was not so much gain from the D1 and everything was fine with the same relative room volume, or even higher (I could not get the speakers to clip this way). I do not like this method so much, as I have a "pet peeve" against redundant volume controls
Then I ran it "direct" once more, and it clipped again. I compared the sound with my Fubar I/O, since they were already both hooked up to the receiver. The Fubar I/O has more resolution in the low end; easy to tell with this recording. This is not a fair comparison for a few reasons:
1) the Fubar has the optional "Supplier" PSU, that could account for the difference right there;
2) I am not going through the tube, or the Maverick at all, with the Fubar;
3) the tube on the D1 is still burning in, and will resolve more fully soon.
The Fubar is also on a fixed, non-variable line in (inline with my phono stage), and did not clip at high volume with the same ripped recording; I imagine the devilsound would distort my speakers with this bass (through no fault of its own) though, as this is a very good recording for reference bass. That is why I don't have the devilsound DAC anymore btw, it exposed too many limits in my "live" system! Very HQ, very forward. Probably get another one someday though as it was
very nice.
Anyways, back to the Maverick D1; it's warmed up now and the bass is better, but still not quite a defined as the Fubar's; different. I would say that the Fubar is more neutral, and tighter, as a DAC. But it could be the tube. If I keep the volume knob at halfway when in "volume control" mode, and let it warm up, no problemo, I love the D1 again, and I guess I can live with the redundant volume controls this time. At least the system volume on my Mac Pro is disabled, though I think it always is with it's separate optical out
I haven't tried the D1 into my receiver with the SS out because while my receiver is a very good one for the money, the nine discrete amps are 100% digital; they need the tube flavor. Also, the SS outs are going into a better tubed headphone amp (HiFiMAN EF-5), so that's the way it has to be
Having said that, the headphone amp on the D1 is surprisingly good, and will drive all but the pickiest of cans, IMHO
So I promise that I will re-rip (someday) and try switching inputs (in the future), but I am satified again. For now
I am trying to clarify a few things, that I think I know, "for sure" though:
1) the headphone jack on the D1 is always SS, never tube;
2) the direct button bypasses the volume control for both inputs, but the headphone out is always controlled by the volume knob;
3) I can to roll in a 6922 type of tube that I already have on order to try in something else, into my D1 to see how it sounds. It's a "PCC88 Philips A frame" I got for an Indeed Hybrid.
Pretty sure 1 & 2 above are right and 3) is
totally wrong, please correct me if necessary
!
EDIT: It looks like I can try my tube?:
"The WE396A is an incredible tube. Originally used by ATT for telephone amplifiers, it sounds rich, dynamic and detailed. It has low noise and low microphonics. It can sound better than any 6922 or 7308 in the right preamp application. Perfect for the Shandling CD Player It has the same pinout as the 2C51 or 5670, but is the best of breed. In original Western Electric boxes!"
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