Thoughts on a bunch of DACs (and why delta-sigma kinda sucks, just to get you to think about stuff)

[LingLing1337]

 

[AustinValentine]

 

[Good pics & stuff]

 
Yep, just like the photo of the other one - uses an SAA7350. (Yours is in much nicer condition than that other though.)

 

[koolblue3]

The Model S is indeed an excellent TDA1541A-based DAC (I recently wrote a full review that's floating around elsewhere on the interwebs), but I only recommend it if you are specifically looking for a non-oversampling DAC. If you don't have experience with non-oversampling DACs, start with some cheap offerings to see if it's your thing or not. Most people are going to be best served by oversampling DACs, like the Yggy.

I owned a Model S (mk I) for almost 3 years. It is indeed a very nice DAC, with a very deep soundstage unlike most other DACs. It is lively and exciting, however as I improved my main system and it marched towards transparency and truth (?) I found I preferred 2 of my other R2R DACs over it and sold it

 

[wahsmoh]

Thank you LingLing. Now we can confirm that Stereophile review is correct and the master DAC list on the web is wrong. (I think valistech.narod.ru and dutchaudioclassics.nl?)

 

[BassDigger]

I owned a Model S (mk I) for almost 3 years. It is indeed a very nice DAC, with a very deep soundstage unlike most other DACs. It is lively and exciting, however as I improved my main system and it marched towards transparency and truth (?) I found I preferred 2 of my other R2R DACs over it and sold it

 

 Do tell???? 

 

[wahsmoh]

Has anyone ever seen or heard of this thing before?? This is a Krell Studio DAC that caught my attention. 2x PCM63-P and 2x Motorola DSP56001. Won't have the same algorithm but uses the same chips of the era in a dual mono configuration.
 


 
I took the pics off the web randomly but a listing caught my interest

 

[smitty1110]

Spoiler: Giant post

  Has anyone ever seen or heard of this thing before?? This is a Krell Studio DAC that caught my attention. 2x PCM63-P and 2x Motorola DSP56001. Won't have the same algorithm but uses the same chips of the era in a dual mono configuration.
 


 
I took the pics off the web randomly but a listing caught my interest

 

Hm, interesting looking. I'm interested to see what chips they used, especially since they are claiming 20-bits.

 

[jacal01]

And btw, this being the R2R lalala thread, I wonder why isnt anyone talking about the (only?) portable r2r dac/headamp http://www.head-fi.org/products/myst-1866/reviews/11660

 
The Altmann Tera-Player DAP used the TDA1543 DAC chip.
 
FU:  Charles Altmann's present DAP is called the Tera-Player Light.  Same NOS R2R Philips TDA1543 DAC chip, I'm pretty sure, knowing his preference for it and most likely stocked up inventory, but with an improved player algorithm for significantly more money ($3800).  Shoulda bought the first Tera-Player at ~$1K, looking back and knowing what I know now, but I choked on its relative sticker price for a DAP back then.

 

[prot]

The Altmann Tera-Player DAP used the TDA1543 DAC chip.

FU:  Charles Altmann's present DAP is called the Tera-Player Light.  Same NOS R2R Philips TDA1543 DAC chip, I'm pretty sure, knowing his preference for it and most likely stocked up inventory, but with an improved player algorithm for significantly more money.  Shoulda bought the first Tera-Player at ~$1K, looking back and knowing what I know now, but I choked on its relative sticker price for a DAP even then. 

Good catch. That funny altmann guy also sells a few multibit DAC contraptions http://www.mother-of-tone.com/creation.htm ... you may be surprised by the price

Not sure what to say about the tera player. May sound really good but it's the most inconvenient DAP ever: no screen, no playlists, only plays wav, etc...

 

[jacal01]

Hence the updated algorithm.  No screen is a nuisance, tho.

 

[wahsmoh]

Good catch. That funny altmann guy also sells a few multibit DAC contraptions http://www.mother-of-tone.com/creation.htm ... you may be surprised by the price

Not sure what to say about the tera player. May sound really good but it's the most inconvenient DAP ever: no screen, no playlists, only plays wav, etc...

 
At his prices is that guy serious or a just a really good troll?? I can't imagine anyone would buy that and if they do they are funding his vacation package

 

[evillamer]

If only Schiit will manufacture a R2R DAP with their closed form filter.

I would die to have a R2R unit for my car.

 

[jacal01]

I think the better paradigm would prolly be a typical and ubiquitous iphone or Samsung source and following portable R2R DAC/amp (current).

 

[prot]

AFAIK, he's bloody serious. The only extra info I have is of the "heard from a friend who heard from a friend" type ... apparently the contraptions do indeed sound very good. Whether that's $7K good is anyone's guess. I'd be more inclined to give my cash to the kind of strange genius that the altmann guy seems to be, than to some 'highend' company .. but I think he's exaggerating quite a bit with those prices.
But apparently he has clients and you have to wait in line for many months to get one of his 'wonders' .. and he keeps raising those prices.

 

[evillamer]

  I think the better paradigm would prolly be a typical and ubiquitous iphone or Samsung source and following portable R2R DAC/amp (current).

 
I will pay a grand for a Schiit Fulla Gen 2 with multi-bit tech trickled from Yggdrasil.