[MorbidToaster]

An impedance adapter should improve upon the dial problem. Has anyone tried that? Make 'em a bit harder to drive?

 

[TheWuss]

No. But, i have used the preamp volume adjustment of the wyred 4 sound dac.  Just reduce a few decibels, and you have a lot more play on the dark star volume knob.
in fact, in my rig, i could either reduce volume at the audiophilleo or the wyred 4 sound.  

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Steve,  Have you listened to the D7000 on this rig?  Being somewhat of a basshead I am interested if this amp delivers in the downstairs department

?
 
You mentioned that the amp has a slightly warm signature, are we talking just pinch of warmth or is it getting closer to the warmth of a tube amp?
 
Cheers.

The low impedance and high efficiency of the D7000 are not a good match for the DS. So far the D7000, DX1000 and Edition 9 all get a low level hiss noise. It is constant meaning it does not go high or low based on volume and can hardly hear it only when no music. 
 
The power of the DS even at the low gain is to much for them leaving very little play on the volume. Lowering the volume out of the Squeezebox or DAC will allow more volume play in the DS.
 
 

 

[grokit]

Isn't upsampling necessary to avoid a loss of SQ if lowering the digital volume on a DAC

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Isn't upsampling necessary to avoid a loss of SQ if lowering the digital volume on a DAC

It depends where the volume control is done, in the digital or analog domain. If it is in the digital then yes, it could affect. For instance, Wadia says that lowering the volume below 85 will start affecting resolution. I always reduce the gain of the digital output out of the squeezbox and always keep the DAC at 100.
 
 

 

[grokit]

That makes sense, as I have read that any DSP without upsampling *can* have a significant effect on SQ. I've noticed it before but not consistently.

 

[nigeljames]

Quote:

There is no risk wirth decware you are over the pond is the only reason . The Taboo is best for low impedance cans  like the lCD2 and HE500.  The one thing is that decware is in the states and provides a lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong but then again  shipping for us is not expensive. Your best bet is buy the stuff in the UK so you dont get aggravated but reliability and quality is not an issue with their amps and if it was they would not be a 12 week wait for their product. They have almost 100 amps back ordered in their line. Has to say something for the company dont you think

If you looking for the best synergy with HE6 you need the juice dude but this amp will play my D7000.HE500 and LCD2 when I owned them and does it well. Now compare that to the UK products

 

Its not the quality of the Decware amps thats the issue. If I ordered the Taboo I would probably also order the vCaps so thats $1200 + delivery + vat and customs fees. Not exactly small change.
For that I would want an amp that could drive all my headphones exceedingly well. Thats why I have the Master-6 ordered. Its got plenty of power for HE-6's, is neutral so should do very well with LCD-2's ( my previous ROC did very well with the LCD-2's) and with an output of only(!) 600mw into 600 ohms should also suit the T1's very well (again the Roc did an excellent job with the T1's even unbalanced).
 
With the Taboo general reports are that it is excellent with the LCD's and more than capable of driving the T1's very well. The HE-6's are the issue with me. No one knows or is saying how much power the Taboo gives out into 50 ohms and until I find out it becomes a risk. You have stated yourself that the Taboo clipped on some recordings and my head would explode before I could get the Roc or Woo6se to clip.
Decware advertise the Taboo for planer phones but to the best of my knowledge have not declared how much power is produced into 50 ohms. This is a vital bit of information for anyone looking for am amp for the HE-6's.
I would use my Master-6 pre output (9 volts) to drive the Taboo and would not expect it to clip, especially with the rock and metal music I listen to, but its too much of a risk until I get the info I need.
 
 

 

[Frank I]

Thats the reason I told you to look elsewhere. its not the best match for the HE6` and tHAT IS WHY i SOLD THE HE6. But it was designed around the LCD2. I use it for my HE500 and D7000 I use the CSP2 for the T1 . I also run my speakers off the setup.  If you dont play demanding classical recordings it does well with the HE6 but iMO a speaker solid state amp is  best for the hE6

 

[Cybrsrch1]

Totally Agree. Ray is an engineering Audio Genius, his designs, the execution and implementation with the best parts, his testing and golden ear, and with the Dark Star you are seeing some of Rays finest work, I have an RSA Predator, its a Jewel of an amp, I love the sound, it has a life time warranty, parts and labor, the battery has a 3 year  warranty. Cheers Ray !!.  You cant put a price on the magic Ray can infuse in his gear, to me he is and always will be the "[size=small]Michelangelo" [/size]of audio design, and a really nice guy too. An added note, Ray has excellent quality in his work, all this chinese junk you can buy is cheap, and when it breaks you better be a tech to fix it, you get what you pay for, Buy American and own it with pride !

 

[Neogeo333]

Maybe some Chinese products are not so great, but there a few that are pretty good.  Example Audio-GD and Eastern Electric.  Their build quality compared to other made in USA is no so good, but their performance is top notch.  If you can past the outside part the inside will amaze you.  That said its still a relative new market for them but they have grown alot lately.  I say that because im Chinese. 

 

[Syan25]

AGREED
 
Quote:

Totally Agree. Ray is an engineering Audio Genius, his designs, the execution and implementation with the best parts, his testing and golden ear, and with the Dark Star you are seeing some of Rays finest work, I have an RSA Predator, its a Jewel of an amp, I love the sound, it has a life time warranty, parts and labor, the battery has a 3 year  warranty. Cheers Ray !!.  You cant put a price on the magic Ray can infuse in his gear, to me he is and always will be the "[size=small]Michelangelo" [/size]of audio design, and a really nice guy too. An added note, Ray has excellent quality in his work, all this chinese junk you can buy is cheap, and when it breaks you better be a tech to fix it, you get what you pay for, Buy American and own it with pride !

 
 

 

[saisunil]

Anyone knows or has experience -  how it compares to Head-Direct's EF-6?
 
Thanks
 
PS: Nice review ...

 

[audionewbi]

That is what I was going to ask but I thought it might not be appropiate. After all the hifiman did built that having their HE 6 in mind. 
Quote:

Anyone knows or has experience -  how it compares to Head-Direct's EF-6?
 
Thanks
 
PS: Nice review ...

 

 

[winzzz]

the fanboy level in this thread is truly amazing

 

[Kremer930]

There seems to be mixed reviews about the ef6 whereas just about everyone praises the Dark Star. Would be a surprise to read a side by side where the dark star loses.