[bmichels]

BASS BOOST:

I consider the BHSE+ STAX SR009 the best Headphone experience I ever heard, except, may be, for the bass that was not always at the Level of the best Ortho Headphones.

So I was wondering if TotalDAC's "bass boost" option may be the cure to the SR009 bass weakness ( for those who think the STAX lack bass) ?

 

[a1uc]

For those who have the upradeitis but don´t have the money think of all the small things instead which can have great effect: Uptone Regen, LPS to NAS etc...

. I have a SSD NAS (2) Paul Hynes SR 5 linear psu etc

 

[a1uc]

I just picked up a pair of Audeze LCD-X they have awesome bass compared to my HD800

 

[nepherte]

  Sure, give me some time to let it settle in.  I'm breaking in some cables as well.  You mentioned that about Roon before.  If you can figure out how to run Roon on the Server, that could be a game changer.

 
The TotalDAC D1-Server is just another ARM based computer running linux. If Roonlabs fabricates a properly packaged, non-distro specific release, installation should be breeze. I asked Vincent and you basically have 100% control over the server via SSH access.

 

[nepherte]

  Will do.  Here is a photo of the Silver Spore4 for the HE-1000 but mine will be in black.  Adapters can be purchased to allow connection to other headphones so you won't have to buy cables for each of your headphones.

Thanks. I am hoping for actual pictures of your black HE-1000 cable (I've seen the pictures on the website) and obviously some impressions as well. I'll be getting a cable for the HD800 with the 'no cables' short adapter for the Audeze LCD series. I'm still wondering whether to go with copper or silver wires. Not sure what's best for my HD800 (main headphone).

 

[TheAttorney]

I am expecting a Nagra HD to arrive for comparison.  I also have an Aurender N10 and CAD CAT server coming in for comparison  and so all these questions will be answered for me soon.  Finally, while my HE-1000 has scaled superbly with this setup, I am expecting an HD800 with mods, LCD-4 and Dharma to arrive soon.  We'll see what stays.  

 
What with this and the Nagra HD thread, never have I had to get through so much popcorn

 
Have you considered the Melco N1Z as alternative to the Aurender or CAD servers? I'm curious about the Melco because it looks neat and compact, and fully SSD - no moving parts.

 

[romaz]

  For those who have the upradeitis but don´t have the money think of all the small things instead which can have great effect: Uptone Regen, LPS to NAS etc...

I agree with this.  Its also something we should all try to do to make sure we've optimized the weak links in our chain (ie USB connection, noisy switching power supplies, etc).  It makes no sense to get a nice amplifier, DAC or source only to have it limited by something like a dirty USB signal or contaminated power. Since more of us are streaming music these days, I also believe we need to focus more attention to our network gear.
 
A simple upgrade that has made a noticeable difference for me was to move my cable modem to my audio rack.  Basically, I ran quad-shielded Belden RG6 cable from my previous equipment closet on one end of my house over to my listening room.  Now my Netgear cable modem which has an integrated router and switch sits on my audio rack near the TotalDac.  Powering this cable modem/router/switch is my HD Plex linear PSU.  Presently, the TotalDac Server connects directly to this switch via a 1 meter audiophile-grade SOtM Cat 6 cable and so instead of 20 meters of poor quality CAT 6 cable between my music server and cable modem, now only 1 meter of high grade cable separates it.  I can confirm that with streaming Tidal, the difference is easily noticeable amounting to increased dynamics and clarity.  My NAS which contains 2 TB of SSDs (completely silent) and also powered by my HD Plex linear PSU also sits on my rack and connects to the switch via another 1 meter SOtM CAT 6 cable.  So basically, my NAS and TotalDAC Server are separated by only 2 meters of high grade CAT6 cable.  Once again, I have confirmed that this has made a subtle but easily noticeable difference.
 
With regards to attempting further noise reduction, with my previous setup which included an Auralic Aries with linear PSU and Linux-based SSD CAPS server with linear PSU connected to my Bricasti M1 DAC, I had installed AQ Jitterbugs in combination with a USB Regen and this combination made a noticeable difference also, similar in impact to what I described above with my network equipment.  I also tried installing AQ Jitterbugs in the spare USB port on my NAS and cable modem/router/switch but to be honest, Jitterbugs in these locations didn't result in any noticeable improvement.  I have not yet tried the USB Regen or AQ Jitterbugs on the TotalDac because I want to assess the TotalDac by itself for now.
 
Combined, do these improvements amount to the same difference as a new component like a DAC, source, amp or headphone?  Unfortunately, no, but these enhancements are still very worthwhile and not very expensive.

 

[romaz]

Romaz I see you get quite excited with the TotalDAC mono driving direct your headphone this is very good News and open new possibility for all of us ( except for HedAmps manufacturer . This corroborantes my initial finding with the D-1 dual.

How will you describe the improvement from the D-1 dual to the mono ( regarding driving headphone direct ) in term of Sound signature and also in available power ? Is it worth the extra cost ?

Thanks

Yes, bmichels, there is clearly an excitement level that comes with any new component so I have to be careful about what I say right now.  I will withhold from making any more statements about sound quality until the unit is broken in and after my initial "first impression" emotions have settled down.

 

[Yoga]

  Just a word of caution on the d1-twelve -- It's not much more money than the monoblocs and so I was tempted by this option but Vincent has stated the noise floor and impedance of this DAC is so low that an output stage was not necessary in its design.  Without an output stage, this DAC cannot drive headphones directly and so you will need a separate amp with the twelve.  Maybe that's not an issue for you because you like your headphone amp but the experience of hearing the monoblocs directly (without an amp) is truly something to behold, even compared to the dual. 
 
For those considering the possibility of the monoblocs for headphones, should you go DAC-direct via XLR, you may find you will not need a separate headphone amp ever (unless you prefer electrostatics) which could help justify its price, at least that was my reasoning.  If you were previously considering an Egoista 845 or Woo 234 Mono, then the TotalDac by itself is not only the better value but also the superior option (IMHO).  You also won't need to worry about buying expensive interconnects and extra power cables, etc.  If you decide to invest in a good headphone cable like the DHC with adapters, you will be able to connect to just about any non-electrostatic headphone.  Here is a photo of the adapter:
 

 
You're really - really - making me want the TotalDAC mono. Although not quantifiable, my gut has been pointing me towards TotalDAC for a long time. Perhaps it's time to pull the trigger on the monos. As you say, an end game setup that needs no disparate amplifier.

 

[romaz]

BASS BOOST:

I consider the BHSE+ STAX SR009 the best Headphone experience I ever heard, except, may be, for the bass that was not always at the Level of the best Ortho Headphones.

So I was wondering if TotalDAC's "bass boost" option may be the cure to the SR009 bass weakness ( for those who think the STAX lack bass) ?

I know what you mean having owned a BHSE and SR-009 myself until recently.  This is an excellent combination, among the best there is especially for classical and folk music.  My opinion quickly changes, however, for amplified rock and high energy music although you have heard it for yourself and if you found the bass acceptable, then you should go for it.  For me, because the bass was lacking, it didn't feel tonally balanced but this is not a fault of just the Stax, this is simply the characteristic of electrostats.  Look at any Martin Logan electrostatic speaker, for example, and you will notice they all combine a dynamic paper cone woofer with their electrostatic panel to generate bass.  The same thing goes for the new EnigmaAcoustics Dharma -- it's the only way.
 
If I had kept my BHSE/SR009 and bought a TotalDac, I would most definitely get the Bass Boost option although would this be enough, I'm not sure?

 

[romaz]

. I have a SSD NAS (2) Paul Hynes SR 5 linear psu etc

I am told Paul Hynes makes some of the best linear PSUs around.  The new CAD CAT server I have coming in has one.

 

[romaz]

I just picked up a pair of Audeze LCD-X they have awesome bass compared to my HD800

With all this talk about DACs and sources, the transducer is still the most important part of the chain.  

 

[romaz]

   
The TotalDAC D1-Server is just another ARM based computer running linux. If Roonlabs fabricates a properly packaged, non-distro specific release, installation should be breeze. I asked Vincent and you basically have 100% control over the server via SSH access.

I believe they have released it already.  Antipodes is a Linux-based machine and they have announced their Roon option will be available in December.  If you know someone smart enough to port Roon to the TotalDac Server, you will have a line of people lining up for it, I'm sure.

 

[romaz]

  Thanks. I am hoping for actual pictures of your black HE-1000 cable (I've seen the pictures on the website) and obviously some impressions as well. I'll be getting a cable for the HD800 with the 'no cables' short adapter for the Audeze LCD series. I'm still wondering whether to go with copper or silver wires. Not sure what's best for my HD800 (main headphone).

Pictures should be available soon.  I've always assumed I would go copper with the HD800 but reputable sources have indicated the Silver Spore4 doesn't sound bright.  I have an HD800 coming in with the Anax mod and I will pair it with the Silver Spore and let you know although it may take time for the adapter to come in.

 

[romaz]

   
What with this and the Nagra HD thread, never have I had to get through so much popcorn

 
Have you considered the Melco N1Z as alternative to the Aurender or CAD servers? I'm curious about the Melco because it looks neat and compact, and fully SSD - no moving parts.

I had never heard of the Melco until now.  It looks like a solid server that plays in the same league as the Aurender N10 and CAT but I wonder why Melco is using switching power supplies and not linear?  The CAT is fully SSD also and has no moving parts.