Vinshine Audio DAC R2R-REF w/ soekris

[taz23]

Hi Greg, I do not have experience with the industrial version. I chose the non-industrial one because it is within my budget. I think some people with both said the industrial version is better, but I cannot recall.

One thing for sure: the Intona device definitely helps with cleaning up the signal for the better in my case.

 

[taz23]

I was doing a listen with the VinShine DAC and the Chord Mojo, using my Rhapsodio Galaxy single DD universal IEM.  The transient and attack of the VinShine reminded me of the Mojo, and that inspire my listen even though it is past midnight here.  The two are surprisingly similar in tonality (which is a good thing), despite the different technologies behind it. 
 
But there are also some differences: the VinShine seems to be slightly clearer, with more defined transients and attacks.  This is akin to watching a 4K video, with the Mojo being also of HD quality, but slightly lower resolution.  Personally, I do not find the VinShine to be sibliant and love this clarity but I also acknowledge that I am a treble-happy guy.
 
 
One more thing: the headphone amp section is powerful, so I get some low-level hissing in the Galaxy IEM (16 ohms).  It is not obvious once the music starts.  This should not be an issue for less sensitive IEMs and ears.
 
Edit: I read a post on CA subsequently that mirrors my thoughts on the 4K-HD analogy: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/were-r2r-ladder-dacs-really-good-22423/#post367410
 
> "But I totally accept that what I call 'dynamics, colour and life' might well be someone else's idea 'too edgy'. But then again, I think real sounds are exactly that - not washed out, flat and grey."

 

[uncola]

Hmm interesting.  Yes I remember reading the lehmann amps seemed to emphasize the hd800's strengths like treble detail.. that's why sennheiser used it at the introduction of the hd800.  Later, hd800 lovers seemed to focus on amps which minimized the hd800 weaknesses like bright treble by using warm tube amps..  the opposite of the lehmann..   I have two discrete opamps I can use in the headphone amp of the vinshine audio when it gets here.. a burson v5 and a audiofeels 301.. should be interesting although I've heard opamp differences are pretty subtle.  I ordered an IC puller to assist in opamp removal about 30 days ago.. still waiting for it to arrive from the china ebay seller lol

 

[taz23]

  Hmm interesting.  Yes I remember reading the lehmann amps seemed to emphasize the hd800's strengths like treble detail.. that's why sennheiser used it at the introduction of the hd800.  Later, hd800 lovers seemed to focus on amps which minimized the hd800 weaknesses like bright treble by using warm tube amps..  the opposite of the lehmann..   I have two discrete opamps I can use in the headphone amp of the vinshine audio when it gets here.. a burson v5 and a audiofeels 301.. should be interesting although I've heard opamp differences are pretty subtle.  I ordered an IC puller to assist in opamp removal about 30 days ago.. still waiting for it to arrive from the china ebay seller lol

Aloha, uncola!
 
I believe I hear the same characteristics in the variable line-outs too (i.e., bypassing the Lehmann amps, if I am not wrong).  So I am inclined to say that it might be the characteristics of the DAC section.  Of course, I acknowledge that it is difficult to really make a comparison since there is no way to listen through the same device (speakers or headphone) for the two outputs.
 
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the DAC when you receive it...  hopefully by the end of this week. 

 

[taz23]

Tonight, I was testing the VinShine DAC with the DXIO Pro3z SPDIF converter (using the XMOS XU-216 chip) versus USB in to the Amanero I2S converter. 
 
Previously, I find that the Pro3z improved things noticeably on my other DACs, namely the Geek Pulse XFi and even the Chord Mojo.  But surprisingly, the Pro3z didn't do much for the VinShine; I am not sure if the minute differences I think I am hearing is real or just placebo. 
 
Upon discussions with Alvin, I found that the Soekris R2R board has excellent de-jitter capabilities.  This was based on his conversation with Chen from Singxer (the company that produced the popular SU-1 and F-1 SPDIF converters with XMOS XU-208).  In fact, the conversation talked about how the Soekris board has better reclocking internals than the Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC.
 
Based on my limited knowledge on electronics, I am guessing that this is the reason why the Pro3z did not help much.  If I am wrong, please kindly correct me.
 
By the way, I was also told that Alvin still has 6 units.  Please feel free to contact him directly if you are interested. 
 
*I am just a very happy customer, and I do not get any benefits by promoting the DAC*

 

[uncola]

My dac r2r-ref arrived today!  I've only been using it an hour or two but it's a clear step up from my geek out with lh labs revive(duh).  There's more air around vocals, the sound of fingers strumming against guitar strings have more audible texture, I feel like I can hear the roughness of the strings more.  Instruments are easier to pick out from each other.  I'm not a great audiophile poet like Srajan Ebaen who can compare treble to the flavor of an orange dreamsicle or say midbass is crisp like a tempura shrimp with a firm yet giving depth.  I've only used it with my preamp/speakers so far.  I still need to add the lh labs revive back to my system, then test it with my HD800.  I'll post much longer impressions tomorrow!
 
Unboxing pics, this chassis is literally the thickest and strongest chassis of any product I've owned, the black anodizing and port label text is very good quality too
 

 

 

 

[Greg121986]

Mine came in last night. I haven't had a chance to hook it up to my stereo yet. I have a Devialet Expert 220 Pro on loan, so the DAC-R2R-REF has some big competition! 

 

[uncola]

congrats Greg!  My Hattor preamp arrived on the same day as the r2r-ref so I've been listening to all my music again and feel like a kid in a candy store.  One thing I noticed.. I added the LH Labs Revive back in the chain and struggled to hear improvement.. I guess the amanero is less sensitive to usb power etc than a usb powered dac like the geek out.

 

[alvin1118]

Allow me to chime in if I may. The Amanero USB to I2S signal is noise isolated @ Soekris dam1021 I2S input section thanks to this isolator: http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/Si861x-2x.pdf

Hence the USB input of this DAC appear to have higher immunity to noise

Oh yeah, the coax and aes inputs are isolated via murata digital isolation transformer too.

 

[Greg121986]

Speaking of inputs, I had a minor oversight in the fact that this DAC does not have an optical input. I need optical to connect into my TV. 
 
Does anyone have a recommendation for a way to get audio from my 2016 model Samsung TV to the Coax or AES input available on the R2R-REF?

 

[foreverzer0]

  Speaking of inputs, I had a minor oversight in the fact that this DAC does not have an optical input. I need optical to connect into my TV. 
 
Does anyone have a recommendation for a way to get audio from my 2016 model Samsung TV to the Coax or AES input available on the R2R-REF?

 
They make convertors for less than $15 if you look on Amazon. Also, if you have a receiver, those also have coax out sometimes.

 

[uncola]

ok guys we need to decide on a nickname for this dac.  Vinshine Audio Dac-r2r-ref is too long and just calling it the soekris dac ignores all the work and extra stuff in it.
 
1) Dac-r2r-ref  -  still kinda long but might be ok?
 
2) r2r-ref  - unique enough and kind of short
 
3) the ref.  like.. nobody challenges the ref! like a baseball referee
 
4)  you guys have any suggestions?
 
didn't get much testing done today, time was split between soekris and brand new awesome preamp.  will take some glamour photos tomorrow in the daylight

 

[foreverzer0]

  ok guys we need to decide on a nickname for this dac.  Vinshine Audio Dac-r2r-ref is too long and just calling it the soekris dac ignores all the work and extra stuff in it.
 
1) Dac-r2r-ref  -  still kinda long but might be ok?
 
2) r2r-ref  - unique enough and kind of short
 
3) the ref.  like.. nobody challenges the ref! like a baseball referee
 
4)  you guys have any suggestions?
 
didn't get much testing done today, time was split between soekris and brand new awesome preamp.  will take some glamour photos tomorrow in the daylight

 
vinshine r2r

 

[uncola]

foreverzer0 that is a great suggestion, that gets my vote too
 
took some pics in natural light today.. letting it warm up so I can start testing with hd800
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[alvin1118]

Literally warm up under the hot sun @ Hawaii !