SB3+Stello DA100

[Shahter]

How can you describe this pair as a source ?

Warm/Neutral/Bright ?

I"ll have soon Darth Beyer v.3 and DT990 600ohm . So you can probably understand the overall of such rig.

I"am slightly prefer warm sound , but not too much warm .

 

[kaushama]

What is SB3? Sound blaster3??

 

[Shahter]

Squeezbox 3

 

[jules650]

I lack experience with similarly priced DACs, but I think it's quite neutral, with a little bit more bass from the DA100 compared to the SB3. The DA100 is a significant improvement on the SB3's internal DAC. You get more clarity and detail with the Stello and treble is more defined. I've only had it for a week so these are only initial impressions. Having an improved source makes me want to upgrade my amp.

 

[Shahter]

Basicly I"am planning to build this rig :

Squeezbox->DA100>Opera/A.N.T Amber>Darth Beyer/DT990

I"ll check how my A.N.T will perform with Beyers , because it's very neutral amplifier . The only reason that I"ll probably sell him is 600 ohm of DT990 . So I"ll go for Opera once A.N.T will be sold , and I afraid that it can be too warm with Darth's ?

 

[finbad]

Hi Shahter,

I would STRONGLY advise securing the Corda Opera with SB3 as transport and I'll bet it will take a year before you would have the thought of what may be added due to only then thinking something maybe missing... Although, even then I doubt you will upgrade to another DAC because you will be so very entertained that new music will be a better persuit than gear, other than perhaps new cans for variety

Then you need to get to a meet or two to test the different sources for what you may prefer to spend money on for a different voicing of the Corda Opera. IMO

You need to hear the Opera and eventually other sources for extended listening sessions, IMO to decide a "better" direction is better and not just different to then proceed to upgrade. However, my opinion takes into consideration my wallet YMMV

Happy listening~

 

[Shahter]

Hi Hi-Finthen,

Where I live there is very small amount of >500$ headamps . I personally know only one guy with expensive tube amp , thats it. Here we have very small community of can lovers , so all my impressions I receive just from reading , except of cans that i listened to and chose my sound signature.

Why I want external DAC , it's because I"am planning to use this source (SB+DAC) for speakers too . Also Stello has 3 digital inputs , so I can hook up few additional sources beside just SB . Of course it will be expensive thing , but atm I prefer to buy DAC , and check first how it's going with my current amp. If I"ll feel that it's not good, I"ll go for Opera , but not before ANT will be sold.

 

[Mr.Shadow]

Shahter,
Maybe if you will change your location from: IL to Israel, people will understand that you are residing in Israel and not in state Illinois

P.S
besides that, it's good to see you here.

P.S. 2
I'm the guy with the "expensive" tube amp

 

[Shahter]

Nice to see you here ! Ya Shual

Yes, I thought about changing it. You"re probably right . Will do it then

 

[finbad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahter /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Hi-Finthen, Where I live there is very small amount of >500$ headamps . I personally know only one guy with expensive tube amp , thats it. Here we have very small community of can lovers , so all my impressions I receive just from reading , except of cans that i listened to and chose my sound signature. Why I want external DAC , it's because I"am planning to use this source (SB+DAC) for speakers too . Also Stello has 3 digital inputs , so I can hook up few additional sources beside just SB . Of course it will be expensive thing , but atm I prefer to buy DAC , and check first how it's going with my current amp. If I"ll feel that it's not good, I"ll go for Opera , but not before ANT will be sold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Shadow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Shahter, Maybe if you will change your location from: IL to Israel, people will understand that you are residing in Israel and not in state Illinois P.S besides that, it's good to see you here. P.S. 2 I'm the guy with the "expensive" tube amp

I see, of course.... Yes it is true Shahter, there is a limiting factor of a lack of multi imputs with the Corda Opera and no opto. which is a significant reason to do so by other means such as an outboard DAC , and I can understand the home stereo option to be a significant consideration. However, the order of purchaces while making some compromises in terms of multi transports is where I fail to understand the insistance to do so. But that is no reason not to do it your way. But you asked my/our opinion, so here: You really, really do want to listen to this Corda Opera and its very, very good and optimized intergraly implemented DAC section and what it will do for both your headphone and stereo listening (analog out preamp) even though it may not accept all other sources (other than manually changing inputs) which you may otherwise choose to use. You do realize there is an inexpensive opto / coax converter box available @ $25usd;As well as coax splitters or selector boxes also available? However, less than conviently ideal I do not believe there would be audiably detectable degrededation to the signal, however I also know that is arguable. You may find yourself selling off sources and utilizing USB & coax and be wholely satisfied, is my point. Especially after hearing this Corda Opera, it really is stellar...

You can thank me latter, my friend

All in my very humble opinion, good luck on your decision~

 

[Patu]

I kind of agree with Hi-Finthen that if you go for Opera then isn't it waste of money to buy a separate DAC. Of course it's a different thing if you go for analog only -Opera (which also for some reason seems like a stupid idea to me).

Anyway if we talk about DACs alone then I have a strong feeling that DA100 outperforms Opera's DAC but it's just my feeling. As an amp + dac combination it probably is a good combo.

So either leave DA100 and go only for Opera or then go for DA100 and buy a separate amp. That's my suggestion.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu /img/forum/go_quote.gif I kind of agree with Hi-Finthen that if you go for Opera then isn't it waste of money to buy a separate DAC. Of course it's a different thing if you go for analog only -Opera (which also for some reason seems like a stupid idea to me). Anyway if we talk about DACs alone then I have a strong feeling that DA100 outperforms Opera's DAC but it's just my feeling. As an amp + dac combination it probably is a good combo. So either leave DA100 and go only for Opera or then go for DA100 and buy a separate amp. That's my suggestion.

Patu is absolutely right. Not sure about Donetsk people, but fellas from Mariupol would either get just Opera or DA100 + some nice amp, like HP100 or GS1. Makes more sense. Of course Jan had some number of discounted Operas with faulty/disabled DAC so with those your choice makes sense.

 

[Shahter]

Wow

I"am impressed with so big worldwide community here !!!

Привет Мариуполю !!!

Guys , of course I meant the analog version of Opera . Sorry , I didn't mentioned it . The difference in price between analog and dac-in version is 225$ . The price of Stello is 780 $ incl. shipping so the difference is 535$ , and from what I had read here it's worth this ? I really didn't thought about spdif/coax switches , thanx Hi-Finthen , it can be good solution if I"ll go with fully Opera .

It's very interesting how can be DA100+HP100 combo vs. DA100+Opera Analog .... The second one is most expensive combo of course ...

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahter /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's very interesting how can be DA100+HP100 combo vs. DA100+Opera Analog .... The second one is most expensive combo of course ...

Iron_Dreamer has compared these two. I don't remember in which thread the comparison is though. Use search.

 

[Shahter]

Yes , I know what you mean , but I think there was Full Opera vs. DA100+HP100 . No Opera+DA100 ..

I"ll try to contact him for personal impressions .