Many thx for the fast & clear answers. Dsd64 is still a sore point for me. If I pay $1000+ I want a device that can handle pretty much everything a DAP can throw at it ... and allows me to forget about formats, bitrates, etc and just enjoy the music.
Otherwise looks like a very solid contender ... guess I'll wait till some impressions come in. Subscribed.
Hi prot,
The WM8741 is limited to native DSD64 (2.8MHz), and we still decided that it was the best sounding chip for our goals. Luckily, most DSD files out there are in fact DSD64.
Buyer of RWAK120 from Vinnie. Very good work and awesome service. Vinnie is very reactive even for overseas customers (France). I can see that the same Wolfson 8741 chip has been chosen for the CDM. Why not 2xDACs like the RWAK ??
Hi Cladane,
Thank you for your kind words!
The RWAK100-S uses 1 x WM8741 (with single-ended, 3.5mm line out.... just like the CDM). But unlike the RWAK100-S, the CDM offers native DSD64 support. I also much prefer our
analog output stage after the d/a (very important factor in sound quality of the dac - it's not just the d/a chip alone that determines the sound), and we use very good linear regulation
for the d/a's 5V and 3.3V lines.
I also need to mention that we use a dedicated clock generator IC that offers significantly lower jitter than most crystals found in the portable players and even more expensive dac units.
If we used two WM8741 like the RWAK120-S, we'd have to make the unit even a little larger (and we did not want to make it any wider and no longer than the iPhone 6+) and the battery life
would be lower. Instead, we decided to stick with one WM8741 and make a great analog output stage for it, great power supply rails, great clocking, etc.
Congrats to the team at ALO for delivering another portable where the tubes appear to do more than simply add pretty lights to the equation (cough, Peachtree
)
Hi estreeter - thank you! Yes, the CDM's dual mono tube stage is integral to the sound - no matter if you are using the SE, BAL, or USB inputs. They all feed through the dual mono
6111 tube stage and we believe we really hit it out of the park in terms of sound and low noise / microphonics.
Going dual mono with the tubes also enhanced the sound stage - we initially were using a single tube, and then ALO really wanted to know how the sound would change with one tube per channel. It was quite remarkable! So we had to use the two tubes, even though the battery life was a little lower this way. With CDM, we put the sound quality first, and ALO really wanted to capture a lot of the Studio Six's sound with a portable package.
question: if I'm going to use my failing DX50 as pure transport, what output will I have to use to what-input you have in the CDM as dac/amp? Is it the coax out?
Hi rpade,
The CDM only has a USB digital input. It works with your Mac, PC (you need to load the drivers), as well as iOS devices (using CCK) and Android (ALSA installed). So if you want to use
the DX50, it will be via the SE or BAL line out to the SE or BAL line in of the CDM.
Hi Skooter and Audionewbi - Many thanks!
Cheers!
Vinnie
