[money4me247]

  It may have actually been on the New Schiit! Ragnarok and Yggdrasil thread.  My less than pornographic memory in combo with sundry sleep cycles fails me now... 

ROTFL!!!!

 

[amigastar]

From the beginning of DSD i've never looked after a DAC who supports this.
I'm currently having a Concero SD who doesn't support DSD the Concero HD on the other hand does which for me this would be the least reason why i would buy the Concero HD.
 
I knew also from the beginning it wouldn't revolutionize the Audio market.
 
Anyways love some insight from a pro on this thing, so really enjoyed the read Jason.

 

[jsiegel14072]

Okay. Let’s say the next Sony reorganization (they ain’t exactly healthy these days) doesn’t kill DSD, but results in them releasing 20,000 DSD recordings of popular artists, all with DSD-guaranteed-from-the-start provenance, for, say, $5.99 an album.

pardon the nubee question, but wouldn't this require locking the entire Sony engineering force in a room with the "originals" and some pretty fantastic equipment to get good DSD?  
 
Apple has been requesting artists/labels to submit 24/96 files to make the itunes files and has an entire department to convert them to AAC.  Wouldn't Sony have to go back to artists/labels and get original source material (as good as it will ever get) and re-encode it all at DSD or DSD (double rate) or DSD (Quad rate) or DSD (Octuple rate).
 
i am assuming most of the material up until the 80's was single to multi channel analog tapes stored somewhere in hopefully climate and magnetically controlled environment.   Not sure how good they would be today, but it would seem like it would take a lot of effort to encode them to playback at DSD rates.
 
I assume that Digital recording has been improving over time and some of the 90's and on has been recorded for "easy" conversion. 

 

[twinkle]

  It may have actually been on the New Schiit! Ragnarok and Yggdrasil thread.  My less than pornographic memory in combo with sundry sleep cycles fails me now... 

 

[tonykaz]

Cookie Marenco and Blue Coast Records is selling DSD DACs in case your local guy no longer stocks them , she may be offering the widest selection , all at Great Prices !!!   She also has a small collection of music from largely unknown artists showcasing her own skill at DSD recording/mastering .   Get your's now while supplies last ( on second though , she may have a 10 year supply sitting on shelves collecting a coat of San Fransisco ambient dust ) .
  Out there somewhere there is a Sony interview where the Sony Guy suggested that DSD was only intended to be an In-House storage system , they never intended it for Product Sales ( and probably still don't ) .
  I think that Mark Waldrip of AIX was at that RMAF 2013 doing seminars about all this ( he was two thumbs down , as I recall ) .
RMAF 2013 web site may still have those Seminars available for viewing .  
Just-now , the Lads at Stereophile gave the Benchmark DSD DAC an (A) Recommended Component Rating ( just to show how out-of-touch JA is on this matter , he also is handing out a few A+ Ratings to Turntables ( Edison Players ) .  I , for one , have the feeling that the Press ( in General ) are stuck in the 1985 time frame where CDs were yuk compared with a nice Edison Player and all it's funny little quirky bits like Tip-Toes and Felt vs. Rubber Mat comparisons .   Can someone please send JA a Calander showing the Year : 2014 !  
  On the whole , Consumer Audio is "packed-full" of Sales Sizzle , Schiit is one of the 21st. Century outfits that sell Steak instead of the Sizzle .
  Nice going Jason and Dr.Mike .
 
  Tony in Michigan  

 

[Mach-X]

  Just-now , the Lads at Stereophile gave the Benchmark DSD DAC an (A) Recommended Component Rating ( just to show how out-of-touch JA is on this matter , he also is handing out a few A+ Ratings to Turntables ( Edison Players ) .

The only thing that affects Stereophile's recommendations are the ad dollars received from the equipment makers. Not sound quality, that's for sure. I'd get more realism from the National Inquirer!

 

[OddE]

   
Just-now , the Lads at Stereophile gave the Benchmark DSD DAC an (A) Recommended Component Rating

 
-Maybe I do not read you correctly, but what is wrong with giving the DAC2 an excellent rating? (The most problematic aspect of it from the Stereophile core audience's view probably is that it is not expensive enough to be a 'proper' high-end DAC...)
 

 

[Sarvasaha]

Have been working my way through this thread, at 191 pages it is an epic saga.
So, my 5c worth on a number of topics.
1. HD Tracks, have bought some. A lot of the product seems to be CD standard - that to me is arguably misrepresentation.
I bought Graceland by Paul Simon. I remember really loving it on vinyl (yes I know).
The HD version seems to have been remastered for loudness. It is now really "in your face" and I cannot listen to it, until I get my LP12 back. There was nothing wrong with the original. Might digitise it myself as:
a. I have a high quality source (Vinyl!). My LPs are in really good nick.
b. I have a home recording studio.
Which brings me to:
 
2. ADC.
I have an 8 channel pro-sumer AD/DA.
Am going to try Gungnir as the DA for my monitors...
When the XLR cables I ordered a week and a half ago from Sydney (I live in Melbourne, OZ) arrive.
...and they don't answer e-mails.
I also ordered some SPDIF cable from Blue jeans Cables in the US. They arrived in 5 days and were cheaper.

So I would love to have 8 channels of Schiit or 2 in 6 out or something. But I can understand Schiit not dipping a toe in that water as there are so many ADC out there. For example:
Lynx, Lavry, Mytek, Weiss, Apogee, Antelope and Focusrite and.... and that's just some of the professional ones. So, I recently bought a 2 channel Mytek ADC - waiting for the box to arrive...

Cost about the same as Gungnir and has very good rep. That leaves me with the issue of "How am I going to get the SPDIF into the PC?"
Mytek do a very nice (I assume) 8 channels in and out SPDIF / PCIE interface. Great. Only $800. (Damn)
So, if Mike still thinks SPDIF is better than USB. How about a 1(+) in, 1(+) out SPDIF/PCIE card?
 
3. EQ
It might be nice to have a "tilt" EQ to go between the Gungnir / Mjolnir.
This might be able to tame those headphones with the upwards tilt in the frequency response at bass end or top end. You know, the "too bright" or "Very detailed ones" or "light on bass" depending on your bias.
Yes those, the ones ending in -6 or 800 (perhaps).

HOWEVER.
There is a lot of discussion in the Pro-audio forums about the detrimental effects of EQ.
Like non-linear phase response . Unless you go for a linear-phase eq.
Which introduces other problems - like smearing of transients.
So, probably a bad idea and maybe the reason why the Schiit amps don't have it.
 
4. Did I mention I have vinyl?
So a nice Schiit phono preamp so that I can sell my existing VTL pre-amp and monoblocks so that I can get Ragnarok would be great. Yes, I know I'm dreaming. Would be better than shelling out for the music all over again though. Or spending an insane amount of time copying LPs to digital.
 
To close, I appreciate the Schiit ethic. As they say down this way "Goodonya (mate)"
Michael.

 

[tonykaz]

Hello Norway and Odd Erling ,
 
  DSD is a non-starter ! 
 Stereophile is recommending stuff for readership to purchase , from a position of authority , in essence they are offering bad advise , I presume they are doing this Knowingly .
 I would hope that the Authorities in the Press would consider it their responsibility to proffer good , usable advice to a readership who subscribe to their services expressly for good advice but instead it seems that the recommendations arise from the basis of Advertising Dollars and the support of those who spend those Dollars .  
 My complaint is that Stereophile Editorial Content seems to be "Infomercials" .   
 
  Tony in Michigan 

 

[yay101]

Journalism as a whole is a massive poopoo. Its not audio sites promising unmeasurable results or food packaging claiming 50% less sodium than a pile of sodium.

The whole thing is mostly broken, and the few people with integrity can't get a gig because they refuse to sell something, a way of life, a product or even just incorrect information.

 

[tonykaz]

Hello Mach-X  ,
 
  I tend to agree with you .  
  I've felt the Glossy Press people are attempting to present products for the benefit of the Readership , sometimes convincingly , they present themselves as Technical Authorities , far more experienced than anyone that buys their printed summaries . 
  I've discovered them to be offering Voice ( access to our ears)  for $$$ to Importers , Distributers , Manufacturers and Retailers who need Consumers to Buy .  
 
  I may be over-reacting on all this after reading Sterophiles Recommended Components recent Issue and discovering Turntables to be fetching A+ Recommendations  -- TURNTABLES ? , I stopped Selling VPI Turntables back in 1985 when the format Died .   What's Up ?
 
Tony in Michigan
 
ps.  I do know people that still own thousands of "Long-playing" vinyl albums and can't part with them , even though they probably should be shredded and recycled into Toyota Body Panels . Oh well , it's something the Grandchildren will address after the Funeral . 

 

[OddE]

  Hello Norway and Odd Erling ,
 
  DSD is a non-starter ! 
(...)
 My complaint is that Stereophile Editorial Content seems to be "Infomercials" .   

 
-Ah, then I understand - and, to some extent, agree. However, I think adding DSD support may be a sound decision from Benchmark Media Systems' point of view - after all, if the customers keep screaming for DSD, you either cater to their desires or risk losing their business.
 
That Stereophile requires the presence of a feature which is of dubious value (to say the least!) to grant a device top marks I agree is a problem - basically, they flog the dead horse even harder, causing further incentives for DAC manufacturers to add DSD.
 
Bah. In a few years' time, there will be more DSD DAC models on the market than there will be native DSD recordings to listen to...

 

[crazychile]

As I've mentioned in the past, I used to work for a well known digital audio company many years ago that shall remain nameless. We submitted review samples to the audio magazines like everyone else. Only after they requested them, so we weren't just randomly shipping  them product. We had a pretty decent sized ad budget with one of the majors which we cut way back for about 9 months. During this time they had samples of 3 or 4 models but no review. We later increased the budget and within a 6 month span 3 models got reviewed. Coincidence? Maybe.

 

[tonykaz]

Mr. Crazychile in Farmland ,
  You have a nearly identical background as I .  
 Can you offer an opinion as to the Etymotic working with the Lyr 2 ?  
Personally , I ride the bicycle and use it as my Car , for everyday errands and fitness .  Always wanted a Helix . 
 I have a long history in Audio , from the 1960s , Importing , Mail-Ordering , Retailing , Manufacturing and now , finishing up my 7th. Decade of enjoying all things Life , a Headphone hobbyist ( my wife banned any and all Hi-Fi from our shared living space ) .
 Review Mags. are a curse to a Manufacturer trying to live from published reviews , the reviewer becomes a Saddam Hussain Lord of the Realm ( as in HP of the Absolute Sound ) , they can "Create" product sales out of thin air or they can Kill a very good product .
  Today , the Internet Killed the King , now we have communication systems like this one that allows two far distant Souls ( like you and I ) the ability to reach out thru our keyboards to learn from others experiences which informs our decisions far more accurately than any extrapolation we might try to make based on some reviewer's vaguely worded opinions .
 
Tony in Michigan ( no longer Fly-over country , thanks to the Internet ) 

 

[Defiant00]

  <snip>
 
4. Did I mention I have vinyl?
So a nice Schiit phono preamp so that I can sell my existing VTL pre-amp and monoblocks so that I can get Ragnarok would be great. Yes, I know I'm dreaming. Would be better than shelling out for the music all over again though. Or spending an insane amount of time copying LPs to digital.
 
To close, I appreciate the Schiit ethic. As they say down this way "Goodonya (mate)"
Michael.

 
The Mani, Schiit's phono preamp, should be out this year.