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First post ! Should I replace my musical Fidelity V 90 DAC

R

Russm535il

New Member
Hello all and thank you for allowing me to join I’ve been into audio for over 40 years and enjoy the hobby. Now retired and listening more we recently subscribed to Amazon prime music . My wife Esther and I have really been enjoying it for The incredible variety and sound quality although we still listen to our records . I noticed that higher Quality sound reproduction is available on Amazon ( 192ultra HD ) but due to my equipment I am limited to 92K . I wondered if I should upgrade my DAC for higher quality sound.
My system is comprised of a Rogue AudioCronus magnum 2 tube integrated amplifier a NAD 525BEE cd player Golden Ear Triton plus 2 tower speakers a Rega Planar one turntable with a replacement Otoform red cartridge .
I connect to Amazon music w my Apple 11 iPhone via USB cable to the musical fidelity V 90 DAC
Your comments / advice would be greatly appreciated thank you & best ! Russ
PS my local audio dealer advised me as an upgrade to buy a music server costing approximately 1K made by Cambridge I don’t remember the model # However I do not store music I only stream it via our Verizon 5G network so I didn’t see the advantage to a streamer?

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Russm535il said:
PS my local audio dealer advised me as an upgrade to buy a music server costing approximately 1K made by Cambridge
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I don't suppose your local audio dealer sells Cambridge streamers, by any chance...?

I view digital-only streamers as IT equipment. You might want to read a few of the threads here:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/pcs-music-servers.122/

Some will tell you the difference between 96k and 192k is 'night and day'. Others will tell you they can't tell any difference. Then, of course, there are DAC implementations to consider; a 192k DAC might sound nicer simply because its analogue processing is better than that of a particular a 96k DAC. Or better suited to your subjective tastes.

I think this is one you will have to decide for yourself, by listening. I would also ask you: is there anything you find lacking in the sound of your current setup & streaming quality? Why are you looking to go to 192k, other than 'upgraditis'?
 
cpt_paranoia said:
I don't suppose your local audio dealer sells Cambridge streamers, by any chance...?

I view digital-only streamers as IT equipment. You might want to read a few of the threads here:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/pcs-music-servers.122/

Some will tell you the difference between 96k and 192k is 'night and day'. Others will tell you they can't tell any difference. Then, of course, there are DAC implementations to consider; a 192k DAC might sound nicer simply because its analogue processing is better than that of a particular a 96k DAC. Or better suited to your subjective tastes.

I think this is one you will have to decide for yourself, by listening. I would also ask you: is there anything you find lacking in the sound of your current setup & streaming quality? Why are you looking to go to 192k, other than 'upgraditis'?
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Thank you I will read the info in the link that you sent ! YES my local audio dealer sells Cambridge Streamers and he told me it was time to upgrade for better sound . We are very happy w our system as is but just thought a newer DAC that processed more data might make it sound even better . I guess I ought to go to the same dealer and carefully listen to 92 vrs 192 and see if I can hear any difference of course at 65 plus my ears also aren’t what they used to be . Thank you again & Best ! Russ
 
The differences between CD quality and HD are subtle. Technically the most significant improvement is not due to the higher sampling rate ie 44.1 kHz vs 192 but resolution 16 vs. 24 bit due to lower noise floor of the latter. Now the unpleasant truth, tube gear noise level is usually higher than even that of 16 bit material, so any potential improvements from higher resolution 24 bit material will be erased by your amp, in other words it’s the weakest link in the chain not the DAC.

That said, the V90 will support up to 192kHz/24bit over coax, I’ve seen some good deals on used Schiit Eitr USB to SPDIF converters lately, perhaps get one of those it should let you play higher sampling rates through your DAC from iPhone. There are other similar options but most are cost prohibitive as you can just buy a new DAC for their cost. SMSL PO100 is worth checking out but you may need to add a powered USB hub in between as iPhones tend to restrict the amount of power they supply to external devices.
 
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I know this going to sound stupid but hey I am almost age 69 so I can plead that I am IT challenged and our kids are not around to help me (they live in NYC Seattle and Richmond.) Here is my question So I connect my phone to the regular plug that goes into the bottom of my iPhone ( Which is currently going to the USB connection on the DAC ) go to Amazon and buy a converter so I can plug the connector from my iPhone into a coax cable and then plug the coax into the DAC ? That would allow 192 and see if it sounds better ? I really appreciate your help and patience in dealing with someone who is still confused by digital audio !!! Best ! Russ
 
Yes, the USB cable goes to this converter box, and the coax cable connects the converter box to your V90. It “should” work barring unexpected device incompatibilities up to 192kHz sampling rate. It is better if the converter has its own power supply. For the coax cable you can use one of those old school video composite cables with yellow RCA plugs that were bundled with VCRs or the like if you have one laying around.
 
gvl said:
Check in back here what you found before buying it.
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I could not find what we discussed I checked on Parts Express also with no luck I guess I will just leave things as is The system sounds excellent and at my age I likely could not hear a difference and then as you said I have a tube amp another factor . Thank you for your help and advice I look forward to being active with the site Best !! Russ
 
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help!! however after what you said in particular about my tube amp being the weak link I think that I am just going to leave things as they are . After all the info that you sent and from what I have read on the site it seems like any tweaking would have such a limited if any improvement that it’s not worth it . I hope I can assist someone on the site as much as you have helped me / pay it forward Best !! Russ
 
Well, this hobby is often about making small inconsequential tweaks and imagining big improvements, so maybe it’s ok :) But yes, realistically the gains would be minimal, if any.
 
The advantage to a streamer would be that you no longer must tether your iPhone to your DAC. Also, isn't your DAC's 24/96 limit due to the use of the USB input? I believe that DAC does 24/192 with coax input.

As others have pointed out, any difference in sound quality between 24/96 and 24/192 is going to be very subtle. I find such differences will be in the area of detail that will help with soundstage. And, don't take this as a criticism, but your right speaker is pretty close to the corner and probably compromises the soundstage a bit. I'm sure it sounds wonderful, but to tweak out the differences between 96 and 192, you probably need one of those systems you see in the audio mags, with speakers way out in the middle of the room and thousands of dollars of room treatments. Most of us don't live like that.

I have two audio systems where I can set up the speakers well away from walls, and I still maintain that some CDs or FLAC files at 16/44 sound better than some 24/192 streams. And, I strain to hear any differences between 24/96 and 24/192. The quality of production of the album is more important. In your case, I would look at the streamer more for convenience, or a streamer/DAC combo that might sound a little better than your MF DAC. A cheaper alternative to the Cambridge unit would be the Bluesound NODE for $600. You can use its internal DAC via RCA and simultaneously use its coax into your DAC and switch between the two to see which one you like better. The BluOS operating system is one of the best and gives you access to many services. However, I've heard that its integration with Amazon isn't as good as using the Amazon app. If you decide to go with the Cambridge, be sure to try out how its app works with Amazon.
 
Options galore, and here is one more:

https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Mini-Mu...cphy=9016883&hvtargid=pla-1560575934844&psc=1

This little device would plug into the optical input of your current dac. You then install the free Wiim Home app on your iPhone. Instead of tethering your phone to the dac, you use the app on your phone like a remote and access Amason Music via the app to select what you want to play. You can also use the app and the Wiim mini to stream other content. Internet music streams from Radio Paradise, for example, which stream in CD quality.

Best of all, instead of paying $1000 for a streamer, the Wiim is only $100, and using the optical output into my dac, it sounds excellent.

Note - the Wiim is limited current to streaming Amazon Music at 16/44.1. They expect to deploy an update next month increasing the bit rate of Amazon streaming to the full 24/192.
 
gvl said:
The Schiit Eitr has been discontinued, so you need to watch eBay for it or other used audio gear sites.

The SMSL unit is this: https://www.amazon.com/PO100-Digital-Interface-Optical-Converter/dp/B09W5R6Q2V

I suspect that iPhone will have problems powering it or even if not it will cause battery drain. So you will need a self-powered USB hub or perhaps a powered Lightning to Camera adapter such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Lightning-USB3-Camera-Adapter/dp/B01F7KJDIM
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This apple adaptor works well as you charge the phone while you stream music through the dac to the amp. Just a simple usb cable to the usb in on the dac.
 
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