Meier Corda Move details released

[jcn3]

sorry, a bit of a fan boy post . . .

i am REALLY diggin' my move !! i'm listening to diana krall right now and it's like she's singing just to me! her voice is so rich, layered, and seductive!

 

[DaNuS]

How has everyone's experience been with noise on this unit. I am looking for a transportable Amp/DAC combo but searching the thread I've seen a few reports of hiss/hum and noise from hard drive movement. Is this present on all systems? Is there any way around it?

 

[Mansize_tissue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaNuS /img/forum/go_quote.gif How has everyone's experience been with noise on this unit. I am looking for a transportable Amp/DAC combo but searching the thread I've seen a few reports of hiss/hum and noise from hard drive movement. Is this present on all systems? Is there any way around it?

I don't get this problem when connected to either my laptop or desktop, so i guess it isn't inherent to every setup.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaNuS /img/forum/go_quote.gif How has everyone's experience been with noise on this unit. I am looking for a transportable Amp/DAC combo but searching the thread I've seen a few reports of hiss/hum and noise from hard drive movement. Is this present on all systems? Is there any way around it?

There is no harddrive on the Move! If there ever was noise associated with that, it's coming from the (bad) player, not the Move.

 

[Henry Flower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorander /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is no harddrive on the Move! If there ever was noise associated with that, it's coming from the (bad) player, not the Move.

I think we're talking about noise via USB when connected to a computer. Connecting via an external hub might solve that, if you do have a problem with it.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Flower /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think we're talking about noise via USB when connected to a computer. Connecting via an external hub might solve that, if you do have a problem with it.

Oh I see then. In that case, that problem should (and can) apply to any other USB DACs (since the issue comes from the USB port in use). Either unplugging & plugging back the USB cable or using a different USB port should fix that.

Cheers!

 

[jcn3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaNuS /img/forum/go_quote.gif How has everyone's experience been with noise on this unit. I am looking for a transportable Amp/DAC combo but searching the thread I've seen a few reports of hiss/hum and noise from hard drive movement. Is this present on all systems? Is there any way around it?

i'm not getting any noise via the usb.

 

[DaNuS]

Awesome that is what I wanted to hear! Guess I've found my work Amp/DAC! Thanks for all the feedback guys!

 

[paulvgm]

I find that when I use my hd650s with the Move, if it's in low gain mode the volume is barely enough at max. On high gain I usually have it at about 12-1 o'clock. Does anyone else notice that the sound from using the Move as a DAC/Amp is about the same as the onboard audio? It's a bit harsh on the high frequencies as well. So far, I'm disappointed. I was expecting a marked improvement from the onboard audio.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulvgm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I find that when I use my hd650s with the Move, if it's in low gain mode the volume is barely enough at max. On high gain I usually have it at about 12-1 o'clock. Does anyone else notice that the sound from using the Move as a DAC/Amp is about the same as the onboard audio? It's a bit harsh on the high frequencies as well. So far, I'm disappointed. I was expecting a marked improvement from the onboard audio.

What kind of source files and interconnects are you using? Just curious...

 

[paulvgm]

I'm using lossless (ape/flac) and mp3s (192-320), through a powered usb hub to the dac with a 12volt supply plugged into the Move as well. There is no noise from the usb, but the sound quality is very similar to what i get if I were to just plug my headphones straight into the computer's onboard headphone jack.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulvgm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm using lossless (ape/flac) and mp3s (192-320), through a powered usb hub to the dac with a 12volt supply plugged into the Move as well. There is no noise from the usb, but the sound quality is very similar to what i get if I were to just plug my headphones straight into the computer's onboard headphone jack.

Sorry to hear that... My move is on back order, I guess I'll post my results too after I burn it in. I use an ECHO indigo IO, but I bet I will get a less neutral tone from the move. Can't wait to compare, I think I will keep it no matter for the price and quality since I will mostly use it portably. I mean, its closest competitor that I know of in the portable amp/DAC is the total bithead at $210 after shipping. I got the move from ttvj for $220. I'd be willing to bet good money that the move beats the bithead in quality hands down.

What is your pc soundcard? I'm interested.

PS. I've found that the rabbit resampler reduces my audio quality (noticably audible) and uses wayyyy too much cpu time. Maybe just ASIO4All would have an effect... 48000 hz might not be what the move wants.

 

[paulvgm]

I'm just using my mobo's onboard audio which is why I was shocked to see that the Move offered no significant improvement. I've tried foobar2k with asio and directsound with and without rabbit resampler. I've also tried winamp with directsound. Still no improvement. I've think I've done everything right so I'm not sure why it is so.

 

[koto-in]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulvgm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm using lossless (ape/flac) and mp3s (192-320), through a powered usb hub to the dac with a 12volt supply plugged into the Move as well. There is no noise from the usb, but the sound quality is very similar to what i get if I were to just plug my headphones straight into the computer's onboard headphone jack.

It is interesting that sometimes quality itself is seen as insufficient, and it is a difference in quality that one seeks to evaluate. It sounds as if you already have a good sound card in your box and in order to get dramatic improvement in sound quality, you'll have to go further up the amplifier chain. The MOVE is primarily designed to provide the power that portables lack and its efficacy is perhaps best evaluated under these conditions. The internal DAC is of course a great feature that allows the amp to deliver quality sound irrespective of the quality of any particular computer's sound card. Being portable, this means that the MOVE can be used with multiple computers in multiple locations without a degradation in sound quality. The perceivable difference in quality is of course dependent on the quality of the source's analog output - presumably sometimes better, sometimes worse...

 

[globiboulga]

Yeah, it sounds weird to be honest. I get a significant difference compared to my laptop onboard card, though not through USB (I managed to already ruin the USB/power side of the Move so that the amp now only runs on battery, thanks to a dodgy universal power supply). But it works, and beautifully for that matter.

I don't know if you are like me, I mean the move is my first amp, but the first time I listened to it I was not impressed either. At the end of the day some sound came out of the box and that was kinda of the same than without it... The only significant difference was the power/volume. I could have turned deaf within second if I moved the volume knob more than 1/4 up.

And then after burn in and getting my ears used to the gear (and getting a decent set of regular cans not IEM), it becomes obvious. It's a bit like those 3D pictures: you don't see anything for ages and then all of a sudden you see the dinosor jumping at your face

... And you cannot not see the thing again anymore... It's there. You can't go back... You're proud, too.

You can see 3D images...

Same thing with headphones amps... I tried without it a couple of time and it's aweful... I just can't go back anymore. The difference is SO obvious now.

Only my Cowon D2 holds its ground but it become more and more likely to me that I will soon pair it forever with the move. I bought the velcro straps anyway, there's no hope for the poor bugger...

A marriage in heaven...