The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

Today is the Final Day for 20% off at High Definition Tape Transfers. I saw this site referenced in another forum I was browsing and decided to check it out. I downloaded a couple of DSD recording from them yesterday and they sound excellent. I'm sure they'll sound equally good in a PCM format which you can also purchase and download.

- The Oscar Peterson Trio at Newport - Pure DSD - DSD256 Direct Stream Digital Download
- Ben Webster Live in Copenhagen - Pure DSD - DSD256 Direct Stream Digital Download

I chose these recordings because they are not available to stream from Qobuz and it's hard to go wrong with Oscar Peterson or Ben Webster. Both recordings are clear and dynamic and really give you the sense of being there. Especially the Ben Webster recording.
 
SnowmaNick said:
Anyone here checking out the “15th” versions of Senafrips DACs? It looks like they are basically very similar to the previous generations next step up (ie: Pontus 15 ~\= Venus II-12th). I’ve seen a few reviews on the Pontus 15th, but am curious about the new Venus 15th is to the old Terminator II.
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I haven't ever had the chance to hear any Denafrips gear, but they have always looked very interesting to me.
 
SnowmaNick said:
Anyone here checking out the “15th” versions of Senafrips DACs? It looks like they are basically very similar to the previous generations next step up (ie: Pontus 15 ~\= Venus II-12th). I’ve seen a few reviews on the Pontus 15th, but am curious about the new Venus 15th is to the old Terminator II.
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Denafrips gear gives me pause. Are they actually improving stuff or just changing the sound profiles?
 
After having some issues with the Pontus II, namely a random digital distortion burp once or twice a day, which sounds like an old cassette tape when it got wrapped up, I am bringing in an Eversolo DMP-A8 to demo before my 30 day Pontus return window is up.

TMR thinks the issue is communication between my Node 2i and the Pontus II. The burp has occurred using both coax and optical into the Pontus II. It is completely random and I find myself just waiting for it again, which ain’t all that enjoyable if I’m being honest.

Aside from the burp issue, the sound is also a bit on the lively side IMO. Maybe it’s because it’s picking up more information, but the sound signature doesn’t seem nearly as analog sounding as the DAC in the old D-03x.

I have read comments regarding the A8 that reference the sound as on the warmer side of neutral, but have also seen differing views. Figured getting it in the system is the best way to find out. Getting it through Amazon meant quick shipping and an easy return.

@mindhead1 How would you describe the A8? Anything I should know about?
 
Slimwhit33 said:
After having some issues with the Pontus II, namely a random digital distortion burp once or twice a day, which sounds like an old cassette tape when it got wrapped up, I am bringing in an Eversolo DMP-A8 to demo before my 30 day Pontus return window is up.

TMR thinks the issue is communication between my Node 2i and the Pontus II. The burp has occurred using both coax and optical into the Pontus II. It is completely random and I find myself just waiting for it again, which ain’t all that enjoyable if I’m being honest.

Aside from the burp issue, the sound is also a bit on the lively side IMO. Maybe it’s because it’s picking up more information, but the sound signature doesn’t seem nearly as analog sounding as the DAC in the old D-03x.

I have read comments regarding the A8 that reference the sound as on the warmer side of neutral, but have also seen differing views. Figured getting it in the system is the best way to find out. Getting it through Amazon meant quick shipping and an easy return.

@mindhead1 How would you describe the A8? Anything I should know about?
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I’m a fan of the A8 and the AKM4499 chip that’s in it. The A8 has been rock solid for me. I’ve had it for 6 months and gotten 2 firmware updates. No issues with that process. The analog preamp in the A8 is very good when paired directly to power amps.

As a streamer the EverSolo software works well and provides a lot of compatibility options. The usual suspects Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, etc. It also supports Plex.

I have also used the A8 as a streamer to my J2S AKM4499 DAC via USB and again it’s excellent. I give the performance edge to the J2S probably because of the Sparkos OpAmp upgrade, but the DAC implementation in the A8 is very good and the differences I detect in SQ are very subtle. That said, when I first got the A8 I preferred the quality of the streaming sound from Roon from the A8 over the EverSolo Qobuz app. Streaming from Roon provides a touch more body/warmth to the sound. Again these differences are very subtle and only noticeable when going back and forth between sources and DAC.

I have also installed a hard drive in the A8 and have FLAC and DSD files loaded. The library management isn’t the most robust, but it’s not terrible. It’s good. I also, think files played from the SSD sound better than streamed content. Again very subtle differences.

I have not yet played with EQ and DSP settings in the A8.

TL/DR: I think the A8 is great. It’ll be in my system for a long time.
 
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mindhead1 said:
I’m a fan of the A8 and the AKM4499 chip that’s in it. The A8 has been rock solid for me. I’ve had it for 6 months and gotten 2 firmware updates. No issues with that process. The analog preamp in the A8 is very good when paired directly to power amps.

As a streamer the EverSolo software works well and provides a lot of compatibility options. The usual suspects Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, etc. It also supports Plex.

I have also used the A8 as a streamer to my J2S AKM4499 DAC via USB and again it’s excellent. I give the performance edge to the J2S probably because of the Sparkos OpAmp upgrade, but the DAC implementation in the A8 is very good and the differences I detect in SQ are very subtle. That said, when I first got the A8 I preferred the quality of the streaming sound from Roon from the A8 over the EverSolo Qobuz app. Streaming from Roon provides a touch more body/warmth to the sound. Again these differences are very subtle and only noticeable when going back and forth between sources and DAC.

I have also installed a hard drive in the A8 and have DLAC and DSD files loaded. The library management isn’t the most robust, but it’s not terrible. It’s good. I also, think files played from the SSD sound better than streamed content. Again very subtle differences.

I have not yet played with EQ and DSP settings in the A8.

TL/DR: I think the A8 is great. It’ll be in my system for a long time.
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I appreciate the quick response. Glad to hear your experience has been positive to date.

My streaming is done through Roon, and is mostly just Tidal. I would like to burn my cd collection at some point but not there yet and I haven’t gotten into buying high res music yet either.

Looking forward to comparing the two setups for a few days. Hoping one or the other will stand out.

More to come.
 
mindhead1 said:
Today is the Final Day for 20% off at High Definition Tape Transfers. I saw this site referenced in another forum I was browsing and decided to check it out. I downloaded a couple of DSD recording from them yesterday and they sound excellent. I'm sure they'll sound equally good in a PCM format which you can also purchase and download.

- The Oscar Peterson Trio at Newport - Pure DSD - DSD256 Direct Stream Digital Download
- Ben Webster Live in Copenhagen - Pure DSD - DSD256 Direct Stream Digital Download

I chose these recordings because they are not available to stream from Qobuz and it's hard to go wrong with Oscar Peterson or Ben Webster. Both recordings are clear and dynamic and really give you the sense of being there. Especially the Ben Webster recording.
Click to expand...
if anybody is interested in doing any HDTT swaps.....let me know. I have a few.
 
Slimwhit33 said:
I appreciate the quick response. Glad to hear your experience has been positive to date.

My streaming is done through Roon, and is mostly just Tidal. I would like to burn my cd collection at some point but not there yet and I haven’t gotten into buying high res music yet either.

Looking forward to comparing the two setups for a few days. Hoping one or the other will stand out.

More to come.
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The A8 also supports adding an external CD player so that CDs can be ripped to local storage. Another feature I have yet to try.
 
SnowmaNick said:
Even Roon isn’t perfect with metadata when ripping. It’s kind of a PITA, especially when you’re doing many CD’s in a row.
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I don’t think anything is, I always used to rip using XLD on my Mac because it was the most reliable and sounded the best. Still had plenty of metadata editing once it was done and then again when I experimented with roon. At least that was on the MacBook though and not on a 9” touchscreen on the front of a piece of gear!
 
I had seen yesterday, and @SnowmaNick also pointed out, that TMR had a Luxman D-06 DAC for sale...

Had, being the optimal word. I'll compare the Eversolo to the Node/D-06 combo over the next couple weeks. I know the D-06 is "older" tech, but its roughly the same timeframe as the D-03x I had (and loved/miss) but is a more advanced unit. For streaming Tidal, it should be great.

I feel better having a Luxman piece back in the house..

I'm returning the Pontus as it just didn't gel with me.. gave it about 3 weeks of use and it just didn't grab me. It was a used unit so broken in so no further changes expected. Its a very nice looking and extremely well built DAC..
 
Slimwhit33 said:
I had seen yesterday, and @SnowmaNick also pointed out, that TMR had a Luxman D-06 DAC for sale...

Had, being the optimal word. I'll compare the Eversolo to the Node/D-06 combo over the next couple weeks. I know the D-06 is "older" tech, but its roughly the same timeframe as the D-03x I had (and loved/miss) but is a more advanced unit. For streaming Tidal, it should be great.

I feel better having a Luxman piece back in the house..

I'm returning the Pontus as it just didn't gel with me.. gave it about 3 weeks of use and it just didn't grab me. It was a used unit so broken in so no further changes expected. Its a very nice looking and extremely well built DAC..
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I think you made the right call.
 
I'm curious to hear about the shootout. Getting a dedicated DAC feels like my next upgrade and then I can focus on just improving interconnects/cables and maybe rolling the opamps on my Kinki.

Been running the Bluesound Node that I got in 2021 for the last 3 years and its been getting the job done, but I would love to get something more robust and "hifi"

I've been eyeing the Pontus 15th and have seen nothing but rave reviews so I'm intrigued by your experience.
 
Ghost said:
I'm curious to hear about the shootout. Getting a dedicated DAC feels like my next upgrade and then I can focus on just improving interconnects/cables and maybe rolling the opamps on my Kinki.

Been running the Bluesound Node that I got in 2021 for the last 3 years and its been getting the job done, but I would love to get something more robust and "hifi"

I've been eyeing the Pontus 15th and have seen nothing but rave reviews so I'm intrigued by your experience.
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Sometimes people and equipment (or the equipment with other equipment) just don’t gel. Lots of people like Ortofon carts and the experience I had with the OM series and the couple of times I’ve heard the 2M series, they just aren’t for me.
 
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