[sleepdeprecation]

It took me awhile to learn it, but sometimes the simpler setups are still really nice

 

[Ciggavelli]

FTFY…[Reg. TM; © bcowen: 2021]

I gotta ask, since I’ve seen this so many times…lol, but you do know “FTFY” was a term created before 2021, right? (and was most certainly created by somebody else). Unless, I’m missing something.

 

[hifixman]

Dang, did you spend your whole budget on the DAC?!

General speaking, there are three approaches of price matching in building a system:

1, costly dac + cheap amp:
In most cases in this formula, the dac is highly detailed and analytical normally with strong house sound (colorization), making the less detailed that is less colored sounding and cheaper amp better match to get the rather balanced and smooth sound for music enjoyment.

Examples: Rockana Wavedream, Mojo Mystique

2, cheap dac + costly amp:
Under this circumstance, the amp must be the strong point with superb imaging, stage and tonality so that it doesn't need to reply on a dac to add anything to reach high resolution.

Examples: Eksonic T2, Woo Wa234 & 3SE, Hifiman Shangri La SR

3, costly dac + costly amp:
Commonly found in submit hi systems, in this scenario, the dac doesn't force micro details but with three dimensionality as well as the least coloration. The amp is a giant monster with top quality and killer competence:

Examples: Soulnote 3 Series, DCS

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I gotta ask, since I’ve seen this so many times…lol, but you do know “FTFY” was a term created before 2021, right? (and was most certainly created by somebody else). Unless, I’m missing something.

It's a long-running joke.

 

[bfin3]

1, costly dac + cheap amp:
In most cases in this formula, the dac is highly detailed and analytical normally with strong house sound (colorization), making the less detailed that is less colored sounding and cheaper amp better match to get the rather balanced and smooth sound for music enjoyment.

This is interesting. I thought the less expensive amps introduced more color and artifacts and that the best didn't alter the signal besides increasing the gain. Not that the amp in question is necessarily cheap, but in relation to the mojo it's several tiers down the ladder. Very different, people usually skimp on the DAC if anything.

 

[hifixman]

This is interesting. I thought the less expensive amps introduced more color and artifacts and that the best didn't alter the signal besides increasing the gain. Not that the amp in question is necessarily cheap, but in relation to the mojo it's several tiers down the ladder. Very different, people usually skimp on the DAC if anything.

There has been a saying, mid fi chases details, submit fi seeks flavors (colorization with a neat name of house sound), which could be true for so many gears, and cables but with exceptions as well, as Soulnote 3 Series which is the brand with least coloration to my ears at submit fi level. US doesn't have any soulnote distributor till this summer. It is definitely the dac to watch!

 

[Elegiac]

And tubes fix everything
My cheat is this: Burr Brown DAC's have a good 'Hi-Fi' sound signature to my ear. Take a cheap BB DAC and run it through a nice tube. I've got an Xduoo MT-603 tube buffer with a lovely '62 Blackburn Mullard sitting in it... warm and smooth. I'm putting that between an FX-Audio DAC SQ5 (PCM1794) and an SMSL SH-6 for the amp. All up about $350, but it should sound very decent. Just need to get that amp... after my next DAP purchase

 

[jonathan c]

General speaking, there are three approaches of price matching in building a system:

1, costly dac + cheap amp:
In most cases in this formula, the dac is highly detailed and analytical normally with strong house sound (colorization), making the less detailed that is less colored sounding and cheaper amp better match to get the rather balanced and smooth sound for music enjoyment.

Examples: Rockana Wavedream, Mojo Mystique

2, cheap dac + costly amp:
Under this circumstance, the amp must be the strong point with superb imaging, stage and tonality so that it doesn't need to reply on a dac to add anything to reach high resolution.

Examples: Eksonic T2, Woo Wa234 & 3SE, Hifiman Shangri La SR

3, costly dac + costly amp:
Commonly found in submit hi systems, in this scenario, the dac doesn't force micro details but with three dimensionality as well as the least coloration. The amp is a giant monster with top quality and killer competence:

Examples: Soulnote 3 Series, DCS

While detailed, I would hardly deem the sound from Mojo Audio EVO Mystique to be ‘analytical’ let alone colourised: … natural … organic.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Very different, people usually skimp on the DAC if anything.

That is the ironic part, dac create the sound, amplifier just amplify it.

 

[BoyNamedSue]

Turned off my desktop system to save power in lieu of heat wave here in Cali. No AC, no system, no problem! Seriously, the Aeolus off a DAP sounds so good, I don't miss my system at all.

 

[jonathan c]

That is the ironic part, dac reconstructs the sound, amplifier just amplify it.

 

[sprellemannen]

I auditioned Violectric short time ago (the HPA V550 and the DHA V226): They are both amazing. The sound quality was great, they are very powerful and the build quality is amazing. I guess your HPA V200 is all of that, too

 

[jonathan c]

I auditioned Violectric short time ago (the HPA V550 and the DHA V226): They are both amazing. The sound quality was great, they are very powerful and the build quality is amazing. I guess your HPA V200 is all of that, too

AND even though the headphone ‘outs’ are SE, I can still use the V200 back XLR ‘ins’ from the DAC for higher S/N ratio and greater voltage for difficult headphones such as Beyer DT880 (600 ohms).

 

[kumar402]

That is the ironic part, dac create the sound, amplifier just amplify it.

Agree
I was turned off by the music I was getting out of my system even after getting good headphones and amp and it all came together once I got the DAC of my liking.

 

[project86]