[freddypip]

I think a repair will be impossible. If you read back through the thread there was one engineer capable but unfortunately (I recall) he has passed away. The firmware issue may also be a significant problem and my guess is that its likely to be a specialist repair. Audioconcierge are a UK based retailer (I'm UK) and I'm not sure that ad (which has been up for some time) is correct in terms of their level of support - they were a RA dealer so might help with setting up etc but i every much doubt they have a repair route other than sending back to RA (who are now defunct).

Sorry to pass on bad news.

In terms of replacement, the Benchmark DAC3 matches my Mirus and when using HQPlayer I do not miss the filter options. The RME is very well though if and but for the need for an analog pre-amp, I would have bought one.

 

[project86]

I would reach out to Hans Looman of Infigo Audio to see if he has any recommendations. I think that if it's a hardware issue it may be possible to fix, but if it's a firmware thing it is less likely. But that's just my own speculation and Hans will hopefully be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[schlaget]

Thank you friends for your help. I contacted Audio Concierge and was also referred to Hans Looman. I sent him an Email a few hours ago and am still waiting for his reply.

My personal thoughts for a fix would be the following: Inside the Invicta there is a port beside the FPGA(Spartan 6) which I guess is used to program it when it is new. I have the *.bin file, which would be used to update the firmware by SD Card normally. Someone with knowledge may be able to program it again using that port and a device like the AMD HW-USB-II-G. Then one would need to check, if this solves the auto turn off problem, or if there is another cause for that.

@freddypip Yep I read about the unfortunate death of that engineer too.

@project86 I remember that you were/are very knowledgeable about the Invicta/Mirus. What would you personally consider a good replacement? From looking at the Specs, the RME seems full of cool features at a cheaper price than the Invicta was. Naturally sound is hard to describe, but I like the possibility of various filters (as in the Invicta, which made a difference there). I dont need headphone out atm. USB Input would be sufficent. My priority is sound quality.
My setup is PC - DAC - KGSSHV Carbon / KGST - SR009/SR007.

 

[project86]

@project86 I remember that you were/are very knowledgeable about the Invicta/Mirus. What would you personally consider a good replacement? From looking at the Specs, the RME seems full of cool features at a cheaper price than the Invicta was. Naturally sound is hard to describe, but I like the possibility of various filters (as in the Invicta, which made a difference there). I dont need headphone out atm. USB Input would be sufficent. My priority is sound quality.
My setup is PC - DAC - KGSSHV Carbon / KGST - SR009/SR007.

Well I had the Invicta as my reference since the early days, and kept current with upgrades until I ended up with the Mirus Pro Signature. I loved that thing to death and would have happily rode it into the sunset as my "forever" DAC (assuming it didn't have some issue like yours of course). But once Resonessence folded I figured it didn't make sense to have a "reference" that was no longer available, from a company that no longer existed. If not for my writing gig I wouldn't worry about it so much, but I do think it's important to have a somewhat relatable system.

I embarked on a multi-year search for a replacement, trying over two dozen DACs with all sorts of price tags up to $20k and beyond. That's separate from my actual review assignments for Darko Audio where I covered a bunch more DACs as well, again with a wide range of pricing.

I'll be doing a write-up of my little journey when I find the time but in summary, I ended up with a Cen.Grand DSDAC1.0 Deluxe as my new reference. At around $6k it's slightly less than what the Mirus Pro Signature used to cost, and to my ears sounds similar yet better - which is still a really hard thing to achieve even in 2023.

Other DACs I really loved (and some of which I also picked up, for some variation in my system) include the Schiit Yggy OG, Cayin CS-100DAC, Denafrips Pontus II, Merason DAC1, Audiobyte Hydra, Yulong DA1, Bricasti M3, Rockna Wavedream, Soul Note D2, and Musician Audio Aquarius. Some of those are more expensive and some aren't so much.

As far as the RME DACs, I do like them but also find them a little too analytical at times. You can definitely build a killer system based around one, but you gotta watch out for pairing them with the wrong gear. The built-in EQ function is great though and can help that aspect if you tweak it well enough. They are pretty widely available since they straddle the line between audiophile and pro-audio gear, so you should be able to track one down either locally or from a dealer that allows free/low cost in-home trials. Definitely worth a shot if you are intrigued by the price and feature set.

 

[PhilW]

Some could say the successor to the Mirus Signature Pro is the Infigo Method. That uses ESS9038 afaik and has some dna from Mirus. This paired with Fluvius would make an insane pairing I'm sure

 

[project86]

Definitely! But the pricing is so high as to make it untenable even for most folks who would have considered/did own the original, which ranged from $4k at the beginning to almost $8k at the end. Method 4 is around $35k so caters to a very different customer.

Plus the look is... Interesting.

 

[schlaget]

I just switched to my old Yulong D100II as a backup. Omg this is so different. Slept in the drawer for years, since I had the Invicta. Ok unfair to compare a 300-400dollar dac to a 4000dollar one. But really... Not as resolving, different soundstage, just straight in the face.

@project86 I looked at most of the DACs in your list. Alone from reading a bit, I find the Cen.Grand and the Cayin the most interesting. Both seem to come from companies in China, so I also worry about support in the future should there ever be a need. The Cen.Grand is only available from a very limited number of distributors, whereas the Cayin seems to have a more established distributor network and is also available in Switzerland where I live. In general I have no problem ordering from China, but for a 6000$ piece of audio equipment, from a rather new? company I am somewhat hesitant.

Why do you prefer the Cen.Grand over the Cayin?

Am I correct that the Schiit Yggy has no filters to adapt the sound to ones liking? With a maximally resolving setup as the KGSSHV and the SR009 I really loved to change the filters. I listen 99% to classical music.

The advantage of the RME would be the support in Germany and the lower price. But I am somewhat worried, that it might be too resolving in my combination.

 

[project86]

Sorry I didn't realize you were in Switzerland, that's the old USA-centric brain of mine always making assumptions.

If the Cen.Grand is not available there I would not hesitate to recommend the Cayin CS-100DAC. Cayin has been around for many years and is about as reliable as they come. Plus if you have a local distributor that means it may be possible to get an in-home trial which is always an extremely valuable thing to do when shopping for gear in that price range.

If you value tweaking the sound, the Cayin might actually be your best bet anyway. It has selectable tube and solid-state output modes which each have their own flavor. And then it also lets you choose the digital filter which as always is not a massive change in sound but a subtle flavor, useful when combined with the tube/SS adjustment option. I liked the Cayin so much I picked it up to use in my system as an alternative to the Cen.Grand - I pair it with a Cayin tube amp and I love that duo. Here's my little thread on the CS-100DAC if you haven't seen it yet. I've been planning on adding more impressions but just haven't found the time.

The Schiit Yggdrasil does not have selectable filters. The latest "plus" edition does allow you to choose NOS mode but I haven't heard it so I can't say how much it may impact the sound.

If you can find an RME to try out for little or no cost in your own system, that is worth doing as well. Ideally you could have the Cayin and RME both in home at the same time for direct comparisons. That would truly allow you to judge if the Cayin is worth the extra cost, and if the RME will be too bright or not.

 

[schlaget]

Thank you Project86

I can actually get a Cayin to try from a local distributor. Still have to check if I can also get a RME to compare. The Cayin is huge, but if it does the job well this is secondary.

So far I have not gotten any response from Hans Looman. I will give him some time, but I might have to accept that the Invicta is lost.

 

[project86]

Yes the Cayin is massive which is either a great thing or a problem depending on your setup!

If I recall correctly, Hans always takes a while to respond, he does a lot of travelling and such. But I would ping him again if you don't hear back in a week or so.

 

[schlaget]

Ok I keep up my hopes then. Maybe he can help me after all.

Btw: I read your thread on the Cayin. Hope you finish your full review when you have the time.
If you allow: Is there anything you didn't like about it? Besides size

 

[project86]

Well I initially experienced dropouts via USB and I thought it was a problem with the Cayin DAC. Turns out my cable was dying. A good reminder that you can't always bend cables too sharply (which is sometimes just the way you need them to go) without repercussions. New cable, all good, very reliable.

So far the only noteworthy downside is the volume control isn't great to use. It's adjusted using the two arrow buttons and it goes in small increments, just not as intuitive as a traditional volume knob. Great for fine tuning but not so great if you need a large change. The DAC has dedicated outputs for pre-amp connection versus line-out, so they did really pay attention to folks who would use it driving an amplifier directly with no pre-amp. And the remote would more likely be used in that scenario which means this drawback is not such a big deal I guess.

Aside from that I really love the performance of the DAC. Switching between SS and tube mode is great, very unique insight from each one. And I haven't even considered tube rolling yet which could certainly make additional changes.

 

[capetownwatches]

Thought I'd have a listen to my OG Concero as a DAC for a change - it usually does duty as a USB bridge to the Yulong D18.

Wow - even after many years of ownership I still cannot believe that a USB powered DAC a little bigger than a pack of 20s can sound as full as it does.

 

[freddypip]

I have both the Concero and Mirus and the Concero is the really impressive bit of kit. The Apodizing filter makes it a wonderful DAC.

 

[capetownwatches]

I have both the Concero and Mirus and the Concero is the really impressive bit of kit. The Apodizing filter makes it a wonderful DAC.

I really enjoy the subtle smoothness and body of the IIR filter myself.