The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

MikeH said:
Are you then using your iMac as your RoonCore? I really like my NUC but not sure pricing in Canada...or current pricing in general now...I built one a few years ago and it was probably around $400 USD or less with all various parts (RAM + SSD) and was very easy to set up. So more than a NAS I think but I do like it.
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Yes the iMac acts as the Core. I have priced out building a NUC and doing a NAS. In Canada the NAS is the cheaper option but not by a lot.
 
Joe Mac said:
@MikeH you like your denafrips gear right?

I think I might have a lead on some NOS of their avatar CDT from an official supplier of theirs to the Chinese market. It can take universal voltage so that’s all good too.

Just wondering about your experiences with reliability, build quality etc. it seems a better regarded device that what I’d be looking at.
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Listening to it right now :) I have the Denafrips Ares II. I think it's a great device. Sound quality is real good. Build is nice and sturdy. I got mine used and have had it for probably 6+ months now and absolutely no issues. Didn't realize that they a CDT so can't speak to that...but I can whole-heartedly recommend the DAC. I have briefly considered upgrading to their next model up but think a phono stage is probably my next move if I make one...)

I swapped out the power cord on it since I think it just comes with a kinda generic cord but no complaints otherwise.
 
MikeH said:
Listening to it right now :) I have the Denafrips Ares II. I think it's a great device. Sound quality is real good. Build is nice and sturdy. I got mine used and have had it for probably 6+ months now and absolutely no issues. Didn't realize that they a CDT so can't speak to that...but I can whole-heartedly recommend the DAC. I have briefly considered upgrading to their next model up but think a phono stage is probably my next move if I make one...)

I swapped out the power cord on it since I think it just comes with a kinda generic cord but no complaints otherwise.
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They did but they soon pulled it from the overseas market. They still sell it in the domestic market in China but not overseas through vineshine. One of the Chinese official distributors is selling them on eBay! It supposedly sounds divine

They chose to use a NOS CD lens mechanism that Philips made in the 80s and that is kinda revered and then add that to new better quality electronics and outputs. Jays Audio did the same thing at the same time with the their CDT2. Jays outmanoeuvred them and Denafrips couldn’t get enough mechanisms to distribute internationally and have spares for maintenance so they pulled it outside China.
 
Joe Mac said:
They did but they soon pulled it from the overseas market. They still sell it in the domestic market in China but not overseas through vineshine. One of the Chinese official distributors is selling them on eBay! It supposedly sounds divine

They chose to use a NOS CD lens mechanism that Philips made in the 80s and that is kinda revered and then add that to new better quality electronics and outputs. Jays Audio did the same thing at the same time with the their CDT2. Jays outmanoeuvred them and Denafrips couldn’t get enough mechanisms to distribute internationally and have spares for maintenance so they pulled it outside China.
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Interesting....based on how much I like the DAC, I wouldn't hesitate to check out some of their other equipment.
 
i seem to have an issue thats only on tidal master tracks on my IFI hipdac (it could be this way on other dacs but i only have the ifi).. and thats the gap between songs is actually cutting out parts at the beginning of songs. is there something i can do in roon to fix this or is this just MQA being crappy and i need to move to Qobuz to fix it (as it seemingly only happens when it renders the masters)
 
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I'm thinking of upgrading my pre-amp. The Adcom I have is pretty old and since I'm doing more with digital files now, I think I'd like something that could work with both analog and digital. Specifically, I'd like to see about something that could accept a native DSD stream. Any ideas? I have two Marantz mono amps that I enjoy using and would like to keep those. I realize I may have to get an integrated amp to get what I want but would prefer not to. Thanks.
 
mdmost said:
I'm thinking of upgrading my pre-amp. The Adcom I have is pretty old and since I'm doing more with digital files now, I think I'd like something that could work with both analog and digital. Specifically, I'd like to see about something that could accept a native DSD stream. Any ideas? I have two Marantz mono amps that I enjoy using and would like to keep those. I realize I may have to get an integrated amp to get what I want but would prefer not to. Thanks.
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What do you want to spend on a pre amp? I really like my PS Audio Stellar preamp/DAC but dunno if that’s more than what you’d be willing to spend.
 
mdmost said:
I'm thinking this might work. Not a pre-amp but can output to a power amp. Does DSD and other hi-res files.

www.musicdirect.com

Cambridge - CXA61 Integrated Amplifier

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com
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I would go for a used PS Audio Stellar GainCell DAC. Seems like it'll check all your boxes for a features standpoint.
There are currently a couple on Ebay listed for $1200. But they both have make an offer options so you might be able to snag one for $1000(ish) today. If you're patient I bet one would show up for $1000.
 
mdmost said:
I'm thinking this might work. Not a pre-amp but can output to a power amp. Does DSD and other hi-res files.

www.musicdirect.com

Cambridge - CXA61 Integrated Amplifier

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com
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displayname said:
I would go for a used PS Audio Stellar GainCell DAC. Seems like it'll check all your boxes for a features standpoint.
There are currently a couple on Ebay listed for $1200. But they both have make an offer options so you might be able to snag one for $1000(ish) today. If you're patient I bet one would show up for $1000.
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If it can be got second hand in budget I’d definitely second it. It’s a really great piece of gear that I’ve been really happy with for the last 3 and a half years. I don’t see it being a piece that I’d be changing in the near future. I’d definitely pick a preamp/DAC over an integrated amp as a preamp too because for a similar price, and even a decent amount less, you’re likely getting far more of what you’re using for your buck, a lot of the money building that Cambridge will have gone into the power amplifier section that you just won’t be using.

Note: To play DSD on the PS its native over I2S, DOP over USB. It doesn’t do DSD over coax or optical.
 
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mdmost said:
I'm thinking of upgrading my pre-amp. The Adcom I have is pretty old and since I'm doing more with digital files now, I think I'd like something that could work with both analog and digital. Specifically, I'd like to see about something that could accept a native DSD stream. Any ideas? I have two Marantz mono amps that I enjoy using and would like to keep those. I realize I may have to get an integrated amp to get what I want but would prefer not to. Thanks.
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How would you be sending DSD files to the DAC?
 
MikeH said:
How would you be sending DSD files to the DAC?
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USB from my Mac. If it had HDMI, I could send it from my Onkyo SACD player as well.

I currently send DSD files to my Topping DAC and then out to my Adcom. The Adcom is old and I'm ready to upgrade. I can only send DSD over PCM whereas I'd like to have the option for Native DSD.
 
mdmost said:
USB from my Mac. If it had HDMI, I could send it from my Onkyo SACD player as well.

I currently send DSD files to my Topping DAC and then out to my Adcom. The Adcom is old and I'm ready to upgrade. I can only send DSD over PCM whereas I'd like to have the option for Native DSD.
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The PS doesn’t have hdmi. It might look like it does but it uses a HDMI cable to transfer an I2S signal. There are a few CD transports that can go to it but only PS audios own extravagantly priced SACD player can be sent that way. You can send the CD layer over coax/optical or just use the SACD players own DAC and connect it to one of the Stellar’s 3 analogue inputs. On my old sony I used to connect it with both analogue and coax, using analogue for SACDs and coax for CDs. The mac should connect over usb and do DSD no problem, I’ve done that with my MacBook to it before.
 
Joe Mac said:
The mac should connect over usb and do DSD no problem, I’ve done that with my MacBook to it before.
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Yea--should be fine depending on what software is being used. Sometimes it will send the audio out to the OSX mixer first which I think may convert it to PCM, so just need to bypass that. I think most software that plays DSD will do so, but just need to mess with some settings sometimes. I know I had some issue with that and my Singxer DAC and had to change some software settings.
 
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