[xaval]

Has anyone tested this DAC with an external and well regulated PSU as a means to evaluate how much more SQ can be squeezed out of this baby?

 

[zenpunk]

The Stagedac doesn't use an external PSU. High quality and clean power  is part of the design.

 

[xaval]

Thanks, from the product description and this thread I can tell it's a quality PSU; just asking because someone might have testes an external model with better results.

 

[oldson]

xaval
i see you are an audiolab fan. have you trialled the 8200 range?
 
i am looking to trial the 8200cd or cdq, and possibly the mdac.
will be interesting to compare with my stagedac.

 

[xaval]

I guess you can say that as I've owned a few Audiolabs along the years and the CDM/DAC combo still remains and, as the amp and speakers, have stood the test of time - are they old enough to be badged vintage?
 
I've been tempted to upgrade the DAC but haven't really felt an upgrade was justifiable (as per my view as a financial proposition) as there seems to be an amazing synergy and I've moved house 3 times since I own this system .
Audiolab has come up with a couple models that sounded a bit better, however, not that much better as to justify the box swap. I'm obviously looking forward for the MDAC for that giant leap

 

[TheWuss]

I've been a happy owner of a silver Stagedac for almost a year.
So, to celebrate its first birthday, I got it a little brother...
 
I ordered one in black. 

 
Seriously.  I have become something of a Stagedac fanboy.
I have tried multiple sources with my headphone setups.  and none of the others give me the sound that i've fallen in love with from the Stagedac.
So, I've decided to make two headphone rigs with it as the source.  (home and work)
 
And so, my musical fidelity M1 DAC will move into the living room, and become the DAC for my home theater.
And my iStreamer will remain my mobile and bedside source.
 
And I will be one happy camper....  

 
In a perfect world, sure, the Stagedac would have balanced outputs.
But, I'm so taken by its sound signature and its crossfeed and filters that I'm willing to take balanced out of the equation for now...
 
That's an endorsement if there's ever been one!

 

[monoethylene]

Quote:

I've been a happy owner of a silver Stagedac for almost a year.
So, to celebrate its first birthday, I got it a little brother...
 
I ordered one in black. 

 
Seriously.  I have become something of a Stagedac fanboy.
I have tried multiple sources with my headphone setups.  and none of the others give me the sound that i've fallen in love with from the Stagedac.
So, I've decided to make two headphone rigs with it as the source.  (home and work)
 
And so, my musical fidelity M1 DAC will move into the living room, and become the DAC for my home theater.
And my iStreamer will remain my mobile and bedside source.
 
And I will be one happy camper....  

 
In a perfect world, sure, the Stagedac would have balanced outputs.
But, I'm so taken by its sound signature and its crossfeed and filters that I'm willing to take balanced out of the equation for now...
 
That's an endorsement if there's ever been one!

Well done!!!!!
 
 

 

[TheWuss]

and... 
here it is.
 

 
the blue LED looks nice beside the Virtue TWO.2
 

 

[brasewel]

Very nice. What speakers are those?

 

[TheWuss]

KRK Rokit 5's.
 
 

 

[brasewel]

Just looked them up. How do they sound at $150/pair? I'm looking for a good budget bookshelf speaker to complement my LCDs

 

[asmagus]

I use KRK RP 6 - sound can be compared to AKG 271 mkII or ATH W5000. Midrange is in front.

 

[TheWuss]

Quote:

Just looked them up. How do they sound at $150/pair? I'm looking for a good budget bookshelf speaker to complement my LCDs

pretty good for the money.
my impression of them is that they are not quite as good a "near range" monitor as i'd have liked.
they actually sound really nice from 8 feet out and further away.
but, decent at 7 feet or closer.
 
when you get too close, the bass loses a bit of focus, and the highs become a bit edgy.
but, with a little distance, everything balances out nicely.
 
they have quite a few nice features for the money as well.  (including balanced inputs, tonal adjustment, gain knob, etc.)

 

[brasewel]

Thanks TheWuss. I'm mostly going to be listening anywhere between 6-8 feet away unless I'm at my computer where I'll be using my headphones. I don't want to divert this thread from the Stagedac though.

 

[oldson]

Quote:

and... 
here it is.
 

 
the blue LED looks nice beside the Virtue TWO.2
 

where do i get a headphone stand like yours?