Incoming! The New Equipment Thread

Slimwhit33 said:
That’s the funny thing…. I believe it did. And it didn’t bother me because I didn’t know any different. But then I used the Eversolo for a few weeks and there was nothing like that between tracks.

The Luxman sounded marginally better to me than the Eversolo. It was enough that, combined with the fact that the screen on my A8 would randomly go on the fritz and have a frozen green screen with lines in it, I returned the Eversolo.

Once I went back to the Luxman, I loved the sound, but started to really notice the relay clicking.

I’m hoping the digital journey ends with this move as I feel a little silly about having 4 DAC’s in house since I sold my D-03x. It’s a real testament to how great the D-03x was and highlights why it was the longest tenured piece of equipment I’ve ever had. I didn’t think I would have such a difficult time replacing it. I was wrong.
Click to expand...
The Luxman D03x does it too with different file formats over digital coax. Most of my library is Flac, but listening to Qobuz playlists can be annoying. It’s a harsh click.
 
ngower said:
My USM delayed again, one week fulfillment ETA now up to a month. Design Within Reach not inspiring much confidence to get my business again. Will probably go Symbol Audio next time, even though it's the same product.

First world problem? Absolutely.
Click to expand...
is this a DWR issue? Or a USM issue...
 
Kris said:
The Luxman D03x does it too with different file formats over digital coax. Most of my library is Flac, but listening to Qobuz playlists can be annoying. It’s a harsh click.
Click to expand...
Thanks for confirming Kris.. I thought it did. Honestly I think the DA-06 clicking is louder than the D-03x. I used the word “egregious” with TMR. It’s part of the design but rough with playlists.
 
Kris said:
The Luxman D03x does it too with different file formats over digital coax. Most of my library is Flac, but listening to Qobuz playlists can be annoying. It’s a harsh click.
Click to expand...

Slimwhit33 said:
Thanks for confirming Kris.. I thought it did. Honestly I think the DA-06 clicking is louder than the D-03x. I used the word “egregious” with TMR. It’s part of the design but rough with playlists.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up on this. I listen to digital while I work most of the time (wfh) and use Roon Radio, so the formats are who knows what. The clicking would drive me crazy. Guess I’ll scratch these off my list.
 
MikeH said:
@mindhead1 you end up keeping the directstream?
Click to expand...
I’m still evaluating the DirectStream DAC (DSD). I’ve been taking notes and will write up my thoughts in full. I’ll say upfront that the DSD is very good. I get the hype. But I feel like the competition has caught up.

At this point in time, I’m leaning towards returning it. My OCD likes how nicely it stacks with the BHK Pre. However, my ears prefer the sound of the AKM 4499 DAC in the EverSolo A8 and my Geshelli Labs J2S.

The DSD has a warm smooth more analog sound. Tracks sound more like when I’m listening to vinyl and this is a good thing. That said, when compared to the 4499 DAC I’m noticing that the mids are a little recessed and the dynamic range isn’t as dynamic.

This is not completely the fault of the DSD, the digital outputs from the A8 are sub par in my opinion. For example, the I2S and USB out of the A8 sound about the same and the recessed less dynamic characteristics come through. However, when I switch to the Ifi Zen Stream via USB to the DSD the dynamic range and soundstage improves noticeably.

When I use the A8 via its XLR output I get dynamics, detail, and soundstage for days. It’s even better with my J2S DAC and the Zen Stream.

I like the DSD, but it’s not enough of a DAC difference/upgrade to make me want to listen to it over the 4499 DACs I currently have. I like soundstage, slam and dynamics with smoothness up top. The 4499 get me closer to this for now.

The DSD is more akin to the ifi Zen DACv2 I have which is very good. More warm sounding with good bass depth. Very listenable and the anchor of my headphone rigg.

I think the DSD is a great value at $1500 if you’re looking for a DAC to add more smoothness and warmth to your system. I would be very disappointed if I paid the original $6k for the piece, maybe not 10 years ago, but just before the MK2 version came out.

There are a lot of great DACs available in the $1k - $2K range. I think I’m going to keep exploring. Maybe a Geshelli Daisy or a Laiv or whatever the latest Denafrips hotness is.

Or, maybe I learn some self control and stop chasing the dragon, or save my money and get a 1300G. Ahhh - Ahhhhhhhh (channeling Sam Kinison). 😂
 
Last edited:
USM delayed again. Ordered 1/23 with an ETA of 1/30-2/1. Current ship date is 2/28 (which gets delayed by one week every Sunday).

Gonna call and see if I can maybe get the black earlier, as it seems like the 1 week fulfillment time is a lie and they're just gonna keep delaying it.
 
ngower said:
Go help Ghost "move" and steal his
Click to expand...
why-not-both-why-not.gif
 
Got a call that I thought might be the delivery company in Boston setting up my time, but it was a scammer from "the Federal Reserve." I hung up and he called back like "sorry sir did we get disconnected?" and I was like "I hung up because it's a scam" and he started to be lke "no sir we have a cashiers check from the Federal Res--" and I just hung up again. If you're gonna scam someone at least maybe make it believable? The fuck would the Fed be doing calling someone making my salary? I am not a bank, they have no reason to call me.
 
ngower said:
Got a call that I thought might be the delivery company in Boston setting up my time, but it was a scammer from "the Federal Reserve." I hung up and he called back like "sorry sir did we get disconnected?" and I was like "I hung up because it's a scam" and he started to be lke "no sir we have a cashiers check from the Federal Res--" and I just hung up again. If you're gonna scam someone at least maybe make it believable? The fuck would the Fed be doing calling someone making my salary? I am not a bank, they have no reason to call me.
Click to expand...
No sir, it's true, a Nigerian prince found you on a random web search, they work for the IRS and you owe a lot of money. But good news, you can pay it in iTunes gift cards and then you will get your Federal Reserve cashier's check in 8 to 10 to 26 weeks.
 
I returned the PS Audio DirectStream DAC mk1 (DSD). It wasn't the upgrade I was looking for. It's a really good DAC and in its day (2015 - 2020) was probably as good as it got. But I think modern DACs have surpassed it. At least my 2 main DACs with AKM4499 chips have (EverSolo A8 and Geshelli J2S). I would say the DSD reminded me most of my ifi Zen DAC v2 in terms of its warmth and level of detail. I like the ZDv2 a lot. It anchors my headphone rig and did time as my main DAC before I got the J2S.

I will say the A8 and J2S are very similar in terms of soundstage and detail. However, I give the edge to the J2S once the Op Amp upgrades come into play. I have the Sparkos 3602 in the J2S and they provide a nice tone and sense of separation to the music that slightly edges out the A8. These are very subtle differences. I could live with either of these as my main DAC and prefer both over the DSD in terms of soundstage and dynamics.

That said, I'm giving the edge to the J2S because of its op amp rolling capabilities. While I was evaluating the DSD I ordered a Sparkos dual 2259 op amp for the SE slot in my J2S. The hype on that thing is legit. The 3602 are excellent but the 2259 just bring more of all the characteristics I like about the 3602. The music has a little more weight to it. Fuller midrange. The slam and soundstage, excellent. It sounds good. All of the listening with the 2259 has been in the Kinki amp. It sounds really good. I'm going to continue down this op amp rabbit hole and get some for the Kinki amp and see how that sounds. Stay tuned.

I have a couple of Burson V7 Vivids on order for the balanced outputs of the J2S, but they appear to be lost in USPS hell. If they don't show up this weekend I'll contact the vendor and get another set shipped. I'd get another set of 2259 for the balanced slots, but they won't fit in the J2S. I'd have to upgrade to the J3 which is mostly a larger case and board w/ wider spacing to accommodate the larger op amps. If the Burson's are as good as advertised I'm sure I'll be happy with them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top