AudioNervosa

Systemic Development => Bipolar System Disorders => Topic started by: James Edward on January 09, 2021, 08:50:06 AM

Title: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: James Edward on January 09, 2021, 08:50:06 AM
Morning all, just some musings on a morning of measuring and moving speakers, switching dacs, etc. A typical Saturday morning...
I’ve been streaming music via a Bluesound Node 2i https://www.crutchfield.com/S-EXCxk772o9J/shopsearch/node_2i.html?XVINQ=BI4&XVVER=1PP&awcr=76828502216917&awdv=c&awkw=bluesound%20node%202i&awmt=e&awnw=s&awat=&awug=98088
I have always been satisfied with the sound via it’s analog outputs. However, I was sent a couple of Schiit dacs to try by a friend- the Modi3, and Modi Multibit. It became clear to me that as good as the Node 2i is, the sound can be improved upon. With the new dacs, I could more easily discern the SQ of the two tiers of Tidal streaming. Truthfully, I wish I could say it was a clear cut win for the Schiits, but I’ve been trying some new speakers too, but too many changes preclude me from saying so. The Node 2i made everything sound good; the dacs pronounced differences, not all good. Maybe GIGO at work.
This morning, I decided to try using the coax DAC input on my Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD player, something recommended to me many times. This appears to have taken things to an altogether higher level; it should at it’s price. I’ve been suckered in to ‘new’ sounding better before, and then time takes it’s toll. But for now, I’m going to enjoy what seems to be lower lows and higher, sweeter highs.
All this is being done via a BlueJeans 75 ohm digital 1 meter cable. Any recommendations on upgrading this piece is appreciated.
I just want to reiterate- the Schiits vs the Esoteric is an apples to oranges comparison. 250.00 dac vs 5,000.00 player.
Jim
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Jack on January 09, 2021, 12:35:24 PM
Try either the Coax cable from TWL or Audio Envy. 
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Nick B on January 09, 2021, 01:52:48 PM
Haven’t tried the TWL Spirit 75 cable, but I’m quite happy with the Audio Envy.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Jack on January 09, 2021, 02:01:50 PM
Just so happens an AE coax cable showed up on AC yesterday.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: rollo on January 10, 2021, 09:10:38 AM
  Lesson learned that the Esoteric is lacking. For 5K you should be in bliss. Liking the Merason DAC.


charles
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: James Edward on January 10, 2021, 11:04:53 AM
Charles,
I AM LOVING the Esoteric's sound- this is what I wrote about it:

This morning, I decided to try using the coax DAC input on my Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD player, something recommended to me many times. This appears to have taken things to an altogether higher level; it should at it’s price. I’ve been suckered in to ‘new’ sounding better before, and then time takes it’s toll. But for now, I’m going to enjoy what seems to be lower lows and higher, sweeter highs.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 11, 2021, 07:03:02 AM
Nice post.  Dialed in my system to 95%. Had streaming issues from iPad with Qobuz on the Cambridge CXN, got a new dongle and that did not help. WiFi signal showed 90+% but still cutting in and out.  Decided this weekend to fish a ethernet cable from the main floor to basement listening room (that was a chore), and Viola -- all fixed. Appears the Cambridge likes that better, still trying to figure out how that improved WiFi signal from iPad but not sweating that anymore. Ended up getting a variac or my ST-70 since the voltage in the new place fluctuates from 116-127VAC - not great for tube longevity. All better now dialed in at 119.  I have excellent imaging and whether you like it or not, there is a older dance track, Amy Stewart, Knock on Wood that provides some great soundstage. Hearing full front wall and side wall imaging - nice recording. Vinyl is sounding good also, Vivaldi 4 seasons, excellent.  Noticed some bass reflections from the front wall so ordered up some panels from Audimute, coming next week. Being said, very happy and enjoying!
Happy New Year to all.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Nick B on January 11, 2021, 09:52:13 AM
Nice post.  Dialed in my system to 95%. Had streaming issues from iPad with Qobuz on the Cambridge CXN, got a new dongle and that did not help. WiFi signal showed 90+% but still cutting in and out.  Decided this weekend to fish a ethernet cable from the main floor to basement listening room (that was a chore), and Viola -- all fixed. Appears the Cambridge likes that better, still trying to figure out how that improved WiFi signal from iPad but not sweating that anymore. Ended up getting a variac or my ST-70 since the voltage in the new place fluctuates from 116-127VAC - not great for tube longevity. All better now dialed in at 119.  I have excellent imaging and whether you like it or not, there is a older dance track, Amy Stewart, Knock on Wood that provides some great soundstage. Hearing full front wall and side wall imaging - nice recording. Vinyl is sounding good also, Vivaldi 4 seasons, excellent.  Noticed some bass reflections from the front wall so ordered up some panels from Audimute, coming next week. Being said, very happy and enjoying!
Happy New Year to all.

Glad you’re 95% there. Hadn’t heard of Audimute, so took a look at their website. Very nice selection of products and reasonably priced.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 11, 2021, 11:13:14 AM
Nick and all -- I researched several and was able to talk to a few of them  These guys were great to work with. Use the material from Guilford of Maine so had to look on their site for materials. Ordered up some sample fabrics for the WAF which was free and delivered quickly.  15 day lead time for panels from Audimute.  Acoustical Solutions was another which were decent to work with.  Looking forward to mounting these and removing the reflections. Must say this room is giving me some decent bass from my Fritzies!
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Nick B on January 11, 2021, 02:49:35 PM
Nick and all -- I researched several and was able to talk to a few of them  These guys were great to work with. Use the material from Guilford of Maine so had to look on their site for materials. Ordered up some sample fabrics for the WAF which was free and delivered quickly.  15 day lead time for panels from Audimute.  Acoustical Solutions was another which were decent to work with.  Looking forward to mounting these and removing the reflections. Must say this room is giving me some decent bass from my Fritzies!

Yeah, those little Fritzies have good bass. As I know little about acoustics, what effect are the reflections currently having on bass response?
PS was fun to listen to some Amii Stewart...brought me back to another era 😀
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 11, 2021, 03:23:28 PM
Nick,  No real effect on response, just getting reflection from the front wall. Carrera's are approx. 40" from the wall but placing my hand on it while listening t elevated levels ( :roll:) I felt what I heard. Sounds strange but experimenting with some fabric taped to the ceiling to floor, helped, hence my decision to get panels more appealing.  Trust you heard the wall to wall imaging on that Ami Stewart track. My font wall is 20' wide and it was fully covered in sound. (Still can't believe back in the day, I would dance to that entire version without stopping. Must have been  :beer: and  :yay2: )
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Nick B on January 11, 2021, 07:57:03 PM
Nick,  No real effect on response, just getting reflection from the front wall. Carrera's are approx. 40" from the wall but placing my hand on it while listening t elevated levels ( :roll:) I felt what I heard. Sounds strange but experimenting with some fabric taped to the ceiling to floor, helped, hence my decision to get panels more appealing.  Trust you heard the wall to wall imaging on that Ami Stewart track. My font wall is 20' wide and it was fully covered in sound. (Still can't believe back in the day, I would dance to that entire version without stopping. Must have been  :beer: and  :yay2: )

Brad,
Understand about the vibration issue. Was playing a frequency response test CD some months ago and noticed bad room interaction at about 70 Hz or so. Only listened to Ami on iPad last night. Maybe on the big rig tonight after the football game. Speaking of Ami and disco, wonder whatever happened to my bell bottom pants?!
Nick
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 12, 2021, 04:27:32 AM
Was it by chance the Nordst Systems solution disc?  Used mine to set up the initial speaker placement but did NOT use disc #2 for the frequency sweep. Duh, will do that tonight. Found a picture of me in a leisure suit and platforms -- kids (32/30) were cracking up. They also watched the BeeGees special and laughed but did agree that some of the music of the era was pretty good and asked if the times were that crazy.  Then the stories started.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: rollo on January 12, 2021, 08:46:44 AM
Charles,
I AM LOVING the Esoteric's sound- this is what I wrote about it:

This morning, I decided to try using the coax DAC input on my Esoteric K-07X SACD/CD player, something recommended to me many times. This appears to have taken things to an altogether higher level; it should at it’s price. I’ve been suckered in to ‘new’ sounding better before, and then time takes it’s toll. But for now, I’m going to enjoy what seems to be lower lows and higher, sweeter highs.


  I guess I misunderstood. Just used a different input as opposed to DAC. My bad read it to fast.

charles
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Nick B on January 12, 2021, 11:09:37 AM
Was it by chance the Nordst Systems solution disc?  Used mine to set up the initial speaker placement but did NOT use disc #2 for the frequency sweep. Duh, will do that tonight. Found a picture of me in a leisure suit and platforms -- kids (32/30) were cracking up. They also watched the BeeGees special and laughed but did agree that some of the music of the era was pretty good and asked if the times were that crazy.  Then the stories started.

It was a CD I found, probably on Tidal. I don’t have the ability to play CDs...only do streaming. I’ve never used a CD for speaker placement. Might look into that. But I have a very asymmetrical room and actually feel quite fortunate that it sounds so good.
I did play that Ami Stewart cut last night on the big rig and don’t get the wide soundstage that you mentioned. But my system does other things quite well. As I’ve probably mentioned previously, this is the best things have sounded....ever!  :D
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 12, 2021, 01:16:28 PM
Make sure it is the "long disco version" from The Anthology album. 
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: tmazz on January 13, 2021, 10:36:49 AM
Nice post.  Dialed in my system to 95%. Had streaming issues from iPad with Qobuz on the Cambridge CXN, got a new dongle and that did not help. WiFi signal showed 90+% but still cutting in and out.  Decided this weekend to fish a ethernet cable from the main floor to basement listening room (that was a chore), and Viola -- all fixed. Appears the Cambridge likes that better, still trying to figure out how that improved WiFi signal from iPad but not sweating that anymore. Ended up getting a variac or my ST-70 since the voltage in the new place fluctuates from 116-127VAC - not great for tube longevity. All better now dialed in at 119.  I have excellent imaging and whether you like it or not, there is a older dance track, Amy Stewart, Knock on Wood that provides some great soundstage. Hearing full front wall and side wall imaging - nice recording. Vinyl is sounding good also, Vivaldi 4 seasons, excellent.  Noticed some bass reflections from the front wall so ordered up some panels from Audimute, coming next week. Being said, very happy and enjoying!
Happy New Year to all.

Keep in mind that the Cambridge CXN is a streamer. It is the CXN itself that communicates with Qobuz and downloads the music you are hearing. The he iPad is just a remote interface with the CXN and  it only exchanges control messages back and forth with the streamer. These messages are very short and low bandwidth compared to the music itself. SO by connecting the CXN to a wired ethernet connection you are doing all of the heavy lifting over the wired connection. The communications that the iPad does with the streamer is pretty lightweight which is why your WiFi connections handle it with no problem.
Title: Re: Yet Another Post On My Path To Nirvana... DAC
Post by: Brap on January 13, 2021, 11:17:51 AM
Tmazz -- thank you for the explanation, I really appreciate it. I am new (last year) to the streaming game and have not investigated the relationships with the various interfaces. I now know to ASK AN folks first before I go down the path with the manufacturers.  It took 4 weeks to get this dialed in but that is water under the bridge. BTW, Had to run a Ethernet cable through a couple of walls, meaning, had to cut off the connector to fish and then install a new one.  Bought the crimper and connectors. A little time consuming adding the new connector but finally figured it out.  Next time won't take that long.  Thanks again for your help.