Rockna Wavelight

[harsheel]

What's' the consensus of the Wavelight's preamp section? May be buying a new amp but don't have a preamp to go with it.

I used the WaveLight as a DAC and Preamp for a while and the sound was clear and well presented. I did end up adding an external preamp and found the sound more engaging. I set the volume to about 50-90 depending on how much I want to use the preamp volume control (my toddler sometimes grabs the volume knob). If I did not have an external pre-amp already I would be content using the Wavelight as both DAC and Preamp especially now as the app has gotten way better to use.

 

[Weissenborn]

Anybody of you using the Wavelight with a headphone amp from the Lake People. I'm just wondering if this DAC would be a good match for my Niimbus US5 Pro.....

....no one ?

 

[RubyTiger]

I have to agree with the assessment the preamp section is just ok. The best sound I obtained was with volume at 100. Now I have a new question. Has anyone tried using a Chord M Scaler with the Wavelight? I know it's made for the Chord dac's but I'm curious to know what it would do.

 

[Weissenborn]

Will I get some sonic improvements when I put a DDC (in my case a Denafrips Gaia 12th) in front of my new WaveLight DAC ?

 

[Diet Kokaine]

Will I get some sonic improvements when I put a DDC (in my case a Denafrips Gaia 12th) in front of my new WaveLight DAC ?

The Wavelight is very sensitive to every change you make upstream. You should hear a clear difference.

 

[Fife]

Will I get some sonic improvements when I put a DDC (in my case a Denafrips Gaia 12th) in front of my new WaveLight DAC ?

You may be better off saving the DDC budget and required cables and picking up a used WaveDream edition/Sigamture instead, if within budget

 

[Diet Kokaine]

You may be better off saving the DDC budget and required cables and picking up a used WaveDream edition/Sigamture instead, if within budget

A good source is a prerequisite with either DAC.

 

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

A few questions.

1. If I connect the Wavelight DAC to an active studio monitor, which volume control is better to use—the analog or the hybrid? (In the DAC's menu.) Since the studio monitor has no volume control, the Wavelight would handle this task.

2. Does the Wavelight Server have a replaceable fuse, like the Wavelight DAC?

3. In the Wavelight Server’s streamer settings, is Tidal already available alongside Spotify?

 

[Bkido]

A few questions.

1. If I connect the Wavelight DAC to an active studio monitor, which volume control is better to use—the analog or the hybrid? (In the DAC's menu.) Since the studio monitor has no volume control, the Wavelight would handle this task.

2. Does the Wavelight Server have a replaceable fuse, like the Wavelight DAC?

3. In the Wavelight Server’s streamer settings, is Tidal already available alongside Spotify?

1. I'm using the volume control only to lower the output voltage a bit to go into my tube amp (94/100) but, at least in my setup, hybrid seems more transparent.

2. I think it does have a replaceable fuse under a black cap on the PSU PCB but I don't pay much attention to fuses.

3. From what I know Rockna tries to integrate Tidal Connect for quite some time now but it seems that working with Tidal is a pain. So not sure we'll ever see an integration on WLS. Qobuz Connect seems to be in the works though. I'm using Tidal/Qobuz through Roon myself.

 

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

1. I'm using the volume control only to lower the output voltage a bit to go into my tube amp (94/100) but, at least in my setup, hybrid seems more transparent.

2. I think it does have a replaceable fuse under a black cap on the PSU PCB but I don't pay much attention to fuses.

3. From what I know Rockna tries to integrate Tidal Connect for quite some time now but it seems that working with Tidal is a pain. So not sure we'll ever see an integration on WLS. Qobuz Connect seems to be in the works though. I'm using Tidal/Qobuz through Roon myself.

Thank you for your answer!
If the WLS and WLD are connected with an I2S cable, then both devices allow you to set the phase response (Linear, Minimal, Hybrid). What is the correct procedure in this case? For example, if the WLS is set to Linear, should the WLD also be set to Linear to ensure proper synergy between the two devices? Or not?

 

[Go0o0d]

Hello,

First time using this thread and wanted to learn more about the WL.

I currently have Holo Bliss KTE and a Denafrips Ares 15th; and my headset is a Susvara OG, and am looking for a DAC for it.

I also have other headphones: ZMF Caldera Open and the Empyrean II.

I have narrowed it down to two DACs, either the WL or the Holo May KTE.

I prefer a organic, life-like, slightly warm sound that has an expansive soundstage.

If anyone has used either of those DACs in conjunction with the above setup, please let me know which you prefer and why.

Thank you.

 

[sajunky]

I have narrowed it down to two DACs, either the WL or the Holo May KTE.

I prefer a organic, life-like, slightly warm sound that has an expansive soundstage.

Coming up from laid-down Ares to Rockna would be shocking due to the much more punchy character, but it is worth to audition before purchasing.

Holo Audio is not a good upgrade path from Denafrips, unless you prefer more Delta-Sigma like sound. Definitely not for my taste.

I can't comment on soundstage, it can be either on a wide flat plane or in depth dimension and I prefer speakers for the R2R gear.

If you want organic natural sound I suggest Audio GD. You can start with R-28mk3 combo with pre-amp&HPA, just to taste Audio GD sound for a low money or go with upper shelf either plain DACs with built-in power conditioner (HE models) or the R-27RE combo.

 

[Clemmaster]

Thank you for your answer!
If the WLS and WLD are connected with an I2S cable, then both devices allow you to set the phase response (Linear, Minimal, Hybrid). What is the correct procedure in this case? For example, if the WLS is set to Linear, should the WLD also be set to Linear to ensure proper synergy between the two devices? Or not?

You’d probably want to set the WLD to NOS and let the WLS do the upsampling then (with the filter of your choice).