Need major DAC help in less than two weeks! Tick....tick...tick..tick.tick

[tkam]

Have you considered trying other phones? The CD3000 are not very rich, "weighty" phones. They've always been on the lean side of things in my experience.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spraggih The X-10 (tube buffer) came today. The combo is very nice; I have not heard anything that makes me jump up but music is more fluid, tamed, weighty and more ambiance. Also on some tracks the bass has more bump to it. (Not on all tracks though - kind of strange I think). In the non-audiophile sense it is not necessary worth $399 (retail for tube buffer) but in the audiophile sense it is a no-brainer. For more melodious music with improved fluidity and weight $400 is like chump change. Good thing I am not an audiophile I will give it a few weeks and a diverse set of tracks and see what happens and try when possible A/B without the tube buffer. I tried one A/B and the buffer is doing something. AND STAY away from the Bel Canto 3 - it's a $2000 DAC right? The Lavry DA10 looks very interesting - I also may be able to sell my amp and recoup some of the costs. The DA60 modded/DA62 look interesting also. But I think if the X-DAC does not work out I will take a break and just play through my iPod and amp.

Sweet. Theres a used X10 for under 300 I'm looking at..I hear Pink Floyds mods turn the X10 into a real beast..

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkam Have you considered trying other phones? The CD3000 are not very rich, "weighty" phones. They've always been on the lean side of things in my experience.

STOP right there.

I am already managing all kinds of transport and DAC variables - I do not want to add headphones to the mix.

It's a consideration - just not a strong one - CD3000's PRAT and details and imaging and how it plays cymbals and some other things make it a keeper (also I must have closed). Weight-iness is not the major concern - it's just finding a consistently better experience than what I had with the micro-DAC. I would say I have experienced a somewhat significant upgrade with the X-DAC alone over the micro-DAC but there were some sharper, (yes leaner) but more importantly less than melodious tracks -

Right now with the tube buffer and some other cables everything sounds very good - not an overwhelming (oh my, oh my experience) but very satisfying. I am just continuing to listen and see what other options exist - spending $500+ + $300+ on a DAC and tube buffer is pretty expensive. Also value comes in and asks, "Is the X-DAC and buffer better sounding (to me!) than what the Lavry would sound like?" If not then the Lavry is just $100 more and comes with a headphone amp - although I understand the amp is best for low impedance cans (which the CD3000s are).

I think good equipment makes you stop wondering what more could be there or what is missing or should this backdrop have more weight or whatever and it just sounds good (not necessarily WoW, and WoW each time but just good).

For me it's now about value - can I get the same thing for half the price I have out there now with Musical Fidelity?

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice Sweet. Theres a used X10 for under 300 I'm looking at..I hear Pink Floyds mods turn the X10 into a real beast..

Please not so fast. This is just my opinion and it is based on 1 day of listening. Is there anyway you can listen - or perhaps buy a new old and have the ability to return it if it does not do the trick for you?

There is one very important positive with the tube buffer - it works with any manufacturer/component.

Given you are saving up for the DAC1 I would hold off (or try to listen to someone's or buy new with a return policy) - that way you are only out shipping. Hopefully you can get a reseller to throw in free shipping and you would only eat return shipping - assuming you get a full refund.