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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2021 21:54:28 GMT -5
Have you considered the possibility that the Sabre DACs in the Cambridge may actually be emphasizing certain things... And that isn't at all the same thing as presenting them more accurately...
I haven't heard the latest DacMagic... but I did own one of the earlier models... and it seemed to actually "over-sharpen the details". It sounded nice when paired with certain speakers but I wouldn't at all rate it as accurate.
Isn't that the reason why there are so many different options? Each manufacturer, designer, engineer, etc. puts their finger print into the final design to achieve the sound signature that they are after. DSP, a filter curve, etc. is added to achieve the sound signature that "sounds right' to them and it ultimately becomes the brand's sound. Chord, B&W, Focal, etc. each have their own sound signature. Some DACs sound warmer, call it distortion, color, etc., some sharper / more detailed that can ultimately cause listening fatigue. Neither are wrong... neither are right... it's up to the consumer to decide what they prefer as each and every person hears and is moved by music differently. Measurements do nothing more that indicate something measures well or not... it has nothing to do with a users preference or what sounds right to them. Regarding if a design or sound signature is more accurate or able to achieve more accuracy than another... it ultimately depends on who's listening. What may sound accurate to you... may not sound accurate to others... it's all perception... Just adding the instrument - non amplified is the reference. That is the guage of accuracy imo. Now, say, a stringed violin plays in an amphitheater or halls of marble.... In upper end speakers I tend to note not only processors but speakers being described in adding environmental aspects to that stringed reference. |
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Post by Zombie on Mar 19, 2021 23:24:59 GMT -5
Have you considered the possibility that the Sabre DACs in the Cambridge may actually be emphasizing certain things... And that isn't at all the same thing as presenting them more accurately...
I haven't heard the latest DacMagic... but I did own one of the earlier models... and it seemed to actually "over-sharpen the details". It sounded nice when paired with certain speakers but I wouldn't at all rate it as accurate.
Sounds fine. I have noticed that compared to both the Schiit Gumby and Project S2 that it reveals more about the music. Meaning stuff recorded good sounds excellent. Stuff recorded poorly sounds worse. I haven’t detected any real colorization but it doesn’t hold anything back. It’s the most “ honest” DAC in my collection, lol. Not really. I just explained how it sounds to my ears in the most basic way. Obviously nothing scientific nor does it matter much to me. If it sounds good to me I’m satisfied. Might sound horrible in someone else’s opinion. That’s fine too. |
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Post by LuisV on Mar 25, 2021 11:54:19 GMT -5
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Post by Ex_Vintage on Mar 28, 2021 13:00:27 GMT -5
Little mix up by Amazon. Though the Topping D90 was cancelled and unable to ship until next month - walaaa in the mail. I opened the shipment only to discover .... the wrong DAC.  Thankfully, the S.M.S.L. also arrived a little later today:  Just finished the installation/integration. Bypassed the Bluesound Node 2i's internal DAC [by using the Toslink out while waiting for Coax cable] and also MQA unfolding since the S.M.S.L. has MQA capability. Then, I set the Node 2i's setting to fixed volume as the volume will be controlled by the S.M.S.L. M400. What I am really looking forward to is going from the Node 2i's RCA outputs to the S.M.S.L's XLR for Stereo while also utilizing the RCA to active subwoofers which have their own crossovers. First song just finished by Melody Gardot and most noticeable thing is the gain. I never looked at the RCA voltage from the Bluesound but noted I had to crank up the gains on the Parasound to achieve my regular volume. Now I need to get back behind the Parasound to reduce the gains because obviously the 4v XLR are truly that in output voltage. There's no need to compensate w/ the Parasound's variable gain inputs. Next, upon power up and down of the system the pops, random static sounds, and crackling are gone which plagued the system when utilizing the Node 2i's dac as well as RCA outputs. And how about that - the harshness is now gone. Talk to me baby, Melody Gardot sounds wonderfully smooth at the moment...... a Canary. Already I can discern a deeper soundstage where the dynamics are increased and the musicians appear against a black OLED type background ..... The silence is stunning between notes as if the stillness of night allows more clarity of what's around - a note more prominent when played by an instrument. Back to that harshness .... this is a really noticeable contrast between the Node 2i's dac and the M400. The piano and other instruments have a warm tone. The grand piano no longer appears to be wailed on and struck like a staff to a rock but the keys meet w/ a gentle depression and a loving release to smoothly flow in melodic streams - so easy on the ears: The M400 is definitely living up to its reputation: www.disqus.social/2021/03/smsl-m400-dac-impressions.htmlLooking forward to a comparison between the SMSL and the D90. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2021 13:56:29 GMT -5
Little mix up by Amazon. Though the Topping D90 was cancelled and unable to ship until next month - walaaa in the mail. I opened the shipment only to discover .... the wrong DAC. Thankfully, the S.M.S.L. also arrived a little later today: Just finished the installation/integration. Bypassed the Bluesound Node 2i's internal DAC [by using the Toslink out while waiting for Coax cable] and also MQA unfolding since the S.M.S.L. has MQA capability. Then, I set the Node 2i's setting to fixed volume as the volume will be controlled by the S.M.S.L. M400. What I am really looking forward to is going from the Node 2i's RCA outputs to the S.M.S.L's XLR for Stereo while also utilizing the RCA to active subwoofers which have their own crossovers. First song just finished by Melody Gardot and most noticeable thing is the gain. I never looked at the RCA voltage from the Bluesound but noted I had to crank up the gains on the Parasound to achieve my regular volume. Now I need to get back behind the Parasound to reduce the gains because obviously the 4v XLR are truly that in output voltage. There's no need to compensate w/ the Parasound's variable gain inputs. Next, upon power up and down of the system the pops, random static sounds, and crackling are gone which plagued the system when utilizing the Node 2i's dac as well as RCA outputs. And how about that - the harshness is now gone. Talk to me baby, Melody Gardot sounds wonderfully smooth at the moment...... a Canary. Already I can discern a deeper soundstage where the dynamics are increased and the musicians appear against a black OLED type background ..... The silence is stunning between notes as if the stillness of night allows more clarity of what's around - a note more prominent when played by an instrument. Back to that harshness .... this is a really noticeable contrast between the Node 2i's dac and the M400. The piano and other instruments have a warm tone. The grand piano no longer appears to be wailed on and struck like a staff to a rock but the keys meet w/ a gentle depression and a loving release to smoothly flow in melodic streams - so easy on the ears: The M400 is definitely living up to its reputation: www.disqus.social/2021/03/smsl-m400-dac-impressions.htmlLooking forward to a comparison between the SMSL and the D90. Appreciate your interest Ex_Vintage but I won't be making a review/comparison. I wasn't supposed to receive the Topping D90 because I cancelled the order. I already sent it back to the manufacturer through Amazon. I was tempted to listen but since I didn't pay for the D90 didn't want to plug it in etc. I'm quite happy w/ the SMSL M400 at the moment. |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 8:29:39 GMT -5
The Ares II has been left on since added to my system, so after a few days of playing in the background, I decided to create a new playlist, sit down, crack open a Florida Cracker and listen... I used the following playlist streamed via Tidal connect.  tidal.com/browse/playlist/66ec6ac3-a21e-4bc3-a3f5-b81c630495f4Below are my notes: Great separation between main guitar, strong high center image, with secondary notes / details to the left and right. Nice air between guitar, percussion and triangle. Violin @ 1:50 has strong center image with alternating guitar notes between left and right channels. @ 2:47 guitar and violin take center stage. Neither distract from each other... as they are side by side. Sound stage width is beyond L&R speakers... height is several feet above. @ 4:47 nice air between instruments... places them nicely across the "stage". Sound effects placed nicely across the soundstage... micro details? No issues hearing them nor placing them. Anette's voice has a natural strong center image... heatbeat 1:18 is strong, yet not distracting from her voice. Horns @ 1:38 sound natural. Piano 1:48 is natural sounding. Both voices at 2:33 have a strong center image and appear to be standing next to each other. @3:30 horn sounds natural, not overly bright... tall center image. Overall the presentation has a nice dimensionality within the sound stage. Nice reverberation of the guitar notes... Diana's voice is dead center and a few feet above the speakers. Her voice is very natural sounding.... nice dimensionality between the band members and her voice. 1:50 strong just left of center placement of the guitar with bass placement just to their right... she slides back into the center once she starts singing again. Nice ending guitar note with good reverb... Overall very pleasing sounding... A lot of audio separation is going on here... starts towards the lower left, then right, building up to a strong center image with Keb'Mo' singing the blues with a nice soundscape The washboard sounds live... you can hear his fingers scratching across the washboard... pretty cool. Micro details are not lost, you can hear the various bells and sounds across the soundstage. Soundstage width appears to be just beyond the sides of the speakers... Keb'Mo' sounds like he's sitting on a chair a few feet about the centerline. Like a warm buttery French pastry... smooth and rich. Her vibrato is delicate... you can hear her take breaths... sexy. He has a great voice... strong center image and appears slightly taller than hers. At times when they sing together, he seems slight left of center and she is right of center. Chi..ki...ta.... lovely ending... I wish I understood French... lol A toe tapping, fun track that was sped up from the original and in my opinion sounds much better. 1:18 a sizzling type sound effect starts at the lower left of the soundstage, flies over head, then right and back to the left. When the "chanting" starts, it has a great reverb effect that energizes the room nicely. Bass line is deep, quick and very melodic. Extremely 3-dimensional in the chorus... fills the room. I can actually feel the bass notes in the seat cushions of my couch... great bass extension. Sound stage is nice and wide... past the speakers. Strong center image that is a few feet above the centerline. |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 8:29:57 GMT -5
Another fun track with deep bass... great separation and placement of the bass notes within the soundstage. @.18 seconds the room is energized with a strong reverberation presentation. The digital sound effects dance around the soundstage nicely. Strong center image that is slightly forward of the speakers plane... background vocals are placed behind Malia's vocals. Strong center image... her vocals are dead center with the electrical guitar just to her left. Lesser DACs would make her voice harsh sounding... she sounds natural. @2.25 or so, the electric guitar is right of center. Not as wide as other tracks, but it still achieves a good dimensional presentation. Guitars are natural sounding... great right and left placement of both guitars, with strong center image to highlight a particular place within the track. Sound stage is beyond the side of the speakers... bass line has good attack... quick... presentation is natural and not harsh. Opening through the first 45 seconds has strong center image with guitar slaps, percussion, etc floating around the soundstage. 41 seconds you can hear him fidget in place and then at 1:07 hear him say a faint... "yeah". Percussion, effects, etc. float around the soundstage between left and right... his vocals are dead center. You can hear a slight echo in his voice... either the studio or reverb in the recording. Soundstage isn't as tall as other tracks, but it above the height of the speakers. Right from the beginning... the organ fills the room with a ton of reverberation... adds a nice dimensionality to the track. Her vocals are dead center... strong bass notes... chorus has echo that you can hear throughout the room. After the 4min mark, the organist appears to be sitting in front of you and you can hear them striking the keys... very cool... Wide and deep soundstage... as he starts to sing, you hear an echo alternating between the left and right speaker... the high hats, percussion, etc. sound very natural. Tons of detail, yet not sharp nor harsh. Great separation between instruments. Extremely natural sounding... digital glare is gone. Very pleasing to the ears... nice and deep soundstage. Sounds like the drummer is in front of you and you can follow him across the drum set as he strikes the various drums... very cool... |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 8:41:50 GMT -5
After enjoying the Ares in NOS mode, I decided to try OS, so I grabbed another Florida Cracker from the fridge and sat down... I used the same playlist..  Can't get enough of this brew from Cigar City in Tampa... easy to drink, flavorful... hits the spot... anyway, back to listening... No question, to my ears, NOS mode adds a warmer tone to male vocals with guitars sounding more natural with the same pleasant warm tone. Going back and forth between the two modes, I can't hear a difference between instrument placement within the soundstage; however, compared to OS mode, the soundstage shrinks a bit in NOS mode... not a huge difference, but it does collapse. OS mode with slow filter expands the soundstage... it's taller and wider. The sound difference... hard to explain, but OS mode kind of sounds more lively, not sharper nor harsh, but it does add or should I say, it provides more detail to the upper frequencies as compared to NOS mode. Overall kind of a toss up between either mode... I'll say this, if it didn't have multiple modes, I would be happy with either NOS or OS as both are enjoyable. Warmer tone vs wider / taller soundstage... I wish I could have both within 1 mode. I also spent a few mins listening to the internal DAC of the Node 2i... no question, the Ares is much better with instrument placement, refinement and details.... the Node's DAC seems flat, tonally and dimensionally in direct comparison to the Ares. I unplugged the Ares and plugged in the Bifrost... going to let it warm up for a while before I sit down to listen to the same tracks and take notes... more to come... |
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 3, 2021 9:57:15 GMT -5
Wow! this thread has some longevity, having started 9 months ago and I get where the OP is coming from.
That being said I dedicate one room to the most serious 2 channel listening I could get my “ears” 👂 on....(at least I think so).
Touch a few buttons and that very same room morphs into KILLER multichannel without having to run into another space....! Life’s GOOD.
Bill
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 3, 2021 10:38:45 GMT -5
Another fun track with deep bass... great separation and placement of the bass notes within the soundstage. @.18 seconds the room is energized with a strong reverberation presentation. The digital sound effects dance around the soundstage nicely. Strong center image that is slightly forward of the speakers plane... background vocals are placed behind Malia's vocals. Strong center image... her vocals are dead center with the electrical guitar just to her left. Lesser DACs would make her voice harsh sounding... she sounds natural. @2.25 or so, the electric guitar is right of center. Not as wide as other tracks, but it still achieves a good dimensional presentation. Guitars are natural sounding... great right and left placement of both guitars, with strong center image to highlight a particular place within the track. Sound stage is beyond the side of the speakers... bass line has good attack... quick... presentation is natural and not harsh. Opening through the first 45 seconds has strong center image with guitar slaps, percussion, etc floating around the soundstage. 41 seconds you can hear him fidget in place and then at 1:07 hear him say a faint... "yeah". Percussion, effects, etc. float around the soundstage between left and right... his vocals are dead center. You can hear a slight echo in his voice... either the studio or reverb in the recording. Soundstage isn't as tall as other tracks, but it above the height of the speakers. Right from the beginning... the organ fills the room with a ton of reverberation... adds a nice dimensionality to the track. Her vocals are dead center... strong bass notes... chorus has echo that you can hear throughout the room. After the 4min mark, the organist appears to be sitting in front of you and you can hear them striking the keys... very cool... Wide and deep soundstage... as he starts to sing, you hear an echo alternating between the left and right speaker... the high hats, percussion, etc. sound very natural. Tons of detail, yet not sharp nor harsh. Great separation between instruments. Extremely natural sounding... digital glare is gone. Very pleasing to the ears... nice and deep soundstage. Sounds like the drummer is in front of you and you can follow him across the drum set as he strikes the various drums... very cool... By the way that Robben Ford album you tracked....two of my favorite musicians on the planet 🌎 Vinnie C. And Jimmy H are on it! Bill |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 10:45:58 GMT -5
Wow! this thread has some longevity, having started 9 months ago and I get where the OP is coming from. That being said I dedicate one room to the most serious 2 channel listening I could get my “ears” 👂 on....(at least I think so). Touch a few buttons and that very same room morphs into KILLER multichannel without having to run into another space....! Life’s GOOD. Bill Thanks Bill... didn't realize it was 9 months, but yea, it's been a fun journey. Exactly my plan, eventually convert the room in a multi-channel man cave.  |
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Post by chops on Apr 3, 2021 10:48:12 GMT -5
After enjoying the Ares in NOS mode, I decided to try OS, so I grabbed another Florida Cracker from the fridge and sat down... I used the same playlist.. Can't get enough of this brew from Cigar City in Tampa... easy to drink, flavorful... hits the spot... anyway, back to listening... Never heard of Florida Cracker beer before. Then again, I'm not a beer drinker. But man, drinking that at 9:30 in the morning?! Sounds like you're planning on a fun weekend. LOL Looking forward to hearing your findings between the Ares II and Bifrost 2. I don't remember if I mentioned it or not, but in a few days I should be getting my brother's S.M.S.L M400 to try out in my system for a while, and do a comparison between it and my Bifrost 2. |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 10:52:28 GMT -5
By the way that Robben Ford album you tracked....two of my favorite musicians on the planet 🌎 Vinnie C. And Jimmy H are on it! Bill You know... I never tried the other songs on that album... I'll check them out over the weekend. |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 11:01:22 GMT -5
After enjoying the Ares in NOS mode, I decided to try OS, so I grabbed another Florida Cracker from the fridge and sat down... I used the same playlist.. Can't get enough of this brew from Cigar City in Tampa... easy to drink, flavorful... hits the spot... anyway, back to listening... Never heard of Florida Cracker beer before. Then again, I'm not a beer drinker. But man, drinking that at 9:30 in the morning?! Sounds like you're planning on a fun weekend. LOL Looking forward to hearing your findings between the Ares II and Bifrost 2. I don't remember if I mentioned it or not, but in a few days I should be getting my brother's S.M.S.L M400 to try out in my system for a while, and do a comparison between it and my Bifrost 2. Work has kicked the Schiit out of me lately... so yea... I decided to start early today. I used to drink Allagash White when I was up North, but can't find it down here; Florida Cracker is a great substitute. I don't recall you mentioning it... from what I've heard from @deleted, he really enjoys his M400, so I'm interested in your opinion between it and the Bifrost. |
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Post by chops on Apr 3, 2021 11:06:23 GMT -5
Work has kicked the Schiit out of me lately... so yea... I decided to start early today. Trust me, I know the feeling. Been dead tired all week too because of it. |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 11:44:11 GMT -5
Yea... I know the feeling, it was a bad week, very productive, but maddening busy.
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Germotiva
Minor Hero
Alter Mann über 50 aus Deutschland
Posts: 90
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Post by Germotiva on Apr 3, 2021 12:44:57 GMT -5
Another fun track with deep bass... great separation and placement of the bass notes within the soundstage. @.18 seconds the room is energized with a strong reverberation presentation. The digital sound effects dance around the soundstage nicely. Strong center image that is slightly forward of the speakers plane... background vocals are placed behind Malia's vocals. Strong center image... her vocals are dead center with the electrical guitar just to her left. Lesser DACs would make her voice harsh sounding... she sounds natural. @2.25 or so, the electric guitar is right of center. Not as wide as other tracks, but it still achieves a good dimensional presentation. Guitars are natural sounding... great right and left placement of both guitars, with strong center image to highlight a particular place within the track. Sound stage is beyond the side of the speakers... bass line has good attack... quick... presentation is natural and not harsh. Opening through the first 45 seconds has strong center image with guitar slaps, percussion, etc floating around the soundstage. 41 seconds you can hear him fidget in place and then at 1 :07 hear him say a faint... "yeah". Percussion, effects, etc. float around the soundstage between left and right... his vocals are dead center. You can hear a slight echo in his voice... either the studio or reverb in the recording. Soundstage isn't as tall as other tracks, but it above the height of the speakers. Right from the beginning... the organ fills the room with a ton of reverberation... adds a nice dimensionality to the track. Her vocals are dead center... strong bass notes... chorus has echo that you can hear throughout the room. After the 4min mark, the organist appears to be sitting in front of you and you can hear them striking the keys... very cool... Wide and deep soundstage... as he starts to sing, you hear an echo alternating between the left and right speaker... the high hats, percussion, etc. sound very natural. Tons of detail, yet not sharp nor harsh. Great separation between instruments. Extremely natural sounding... digital glare is gone. Very pleasing to the ears... nice and deep soundstage. Sounds like the drummer is in front of you and you can follow him across the drum set as he strikes the various drums... very cool... By the way that Robben Ford album you tracked....two of my favorite musicians on the planet 🌎 Vinnie C. And Jimmy H are on it! Bill Good music taste.🤘 I like it. that's addicting, more of it🤝 |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 16:18:03 GMT -5
By the way that Robben Ford album you tracked....two of my favorite musicians on the planet 🌎 Vinnie C. And Jimmy H are on it! Bill Good music taste.🤘 I like it. that's addicting, more of it🤝 Thanks... glad you like the choices I made! More to come... Bifrost is warmed up... I just need to hit Total Wine for more cerveza... |
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Post by LuisV on Apr 3, 2021 19:49:36 GMT -5
Forgot I ordered these... lmfao...  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2021 22:48:41 GMT -5
Forgot I ordered these... lmfao... Secret is not to order things when drinking  |
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