Going Digital!

[slippers-on]

There you are..........., I was beginning to worry you were down and out about not having things figured out, but it's nice to hear from you as it has been a few days. And truth be told, I'm just glad it's not me going through that issue, as I'm lost enough with this stuff as it is. Other then that............, not one single complaint with the Apple devices at all.

Cabling wise............, I'm stunned by the whole OCC Copper/Silver thing all together and know not to ever doubt the use of Pure Silver in my system again, as it seems it merely comes down to its purity and/or grade that has caused its bad reputation in years past, but I see hope in its application after all........., whom wouldn't thunk it?, certainly not I.

I'm eager to see where the cats whom just got in their Micro or Nano iDSD stand on the overall SQ?, guys what are your ears telling you?, was it a worthwhile venture?.

Peace to you all,
h

Also mi Bro! Dont forget.....your Triode Lab PC are Deep Cryogenically Treated Conductors....thats OFC that has been Deep Cryogenically Treated which in effect will sound like OCC!

 

[slippers-on]

Still deciding...

Will have mine at SMAC this weekend and compare it to a Modwright one that costs 8K. This will be interesting

While the Ifi Nano is a great little device....why would you pit it against a $8k DAC? Makes no sense because the IfI Micro still best the Nano!

 

[Kt77]

Also mi Bro! Dont forget.....your Triode Lab PC are Deep Cryogenically Treated Conductors....thats OFC that has been Deep Cryogenically Treated which in effect will sound like OCC!

Mi Brotha,

That's a very valid point.........., as I've been rethinking on the matter of plating materials from ICs - Binding Post - RCA Jacks as well as IEC/AC Plugs, I've convinced it's when one takes the time to understand how to integrated the different choices of metal conductors within their systems to match the sonics of any given connector and then expand upon that by the use of say Copper on their AC Cord(s) and LS Cables used in tandem with some form of OCC Pure Silver or Silver plated Copper at their ICs nearest the Source or into their Preamp(s) or Integrated ( as is my case ) as it seems to in reality then become a Hybrid of sort, and brings about the best of both worlds.

While some might dislike the concept of mixing metal types, in my views we all have used them ( cables - cartridges - tubes ) as means of modern day tone controls whether or not one cares to admit it..........., so how then is this any different?.

Either way............., the iDSD/iUSB has my big behind smiling each and everyday I enter my room as soon as a single note escapes the drivers I'm reminded of why I'm so passionate about music, and especially when it's done so beautifully and within anyone's means............, now that's the joy of sharing, cost efficent, yet musically done correctly off the bat.

And with a sense of involvement that boggles the mind, source wise I'm done........., and once again couldn't be happier.

:tears:_o scar

 

[slippers-on]

All of this is maddening to my ears/eyes.........., where's the cost materials to prove these are worth these crazy ass prices, man give me the old days where one could get a very nice system for less then $4.000 out the door and simply build upon it as funds permitted.

Greed indeed.

And to my ears, while I adored the ARC Tube Amps during the stages of 1985/95, to my senses their tube gear after these periods began to mimic solid state signature to much for me to even remotely recommend them to my friends with means - I'd much rather lead them towards say something from Shindo Labs or Croft Acoustics where sonics far outweigh greed based upon past accomplishments or reputations.

Yet we as the consumers can change things, by not supporting the so-called Hi-End that only caters to the 1 or 2% that can afford this crap as it stands, yet find those gems in the $1.000 - $5.000 sector where great sounding as well as built products reside.

Logic is............, audio pricing in itself has gone crazy mad.

:thumbsdn:_oh

Bro...I have to admit. Levinson amps and preamps paired with those Revel Salon2 speakers I heard the other day that we did the DAC shoot out with sounded really really nice....especially the Bricasti DAC!

What we dont understand is........that high dollar stuff will always be with us. You see....this is just like anything else....its a status symbol for those with money. They want a reference sound with higher priced gear. In the right room that stuff does sound great! But here's the rub for me and what I've noticed....and was confirmed that weekend.. I'm not hearing the imaging at its best with the larger, more expensive gear. The timbre, depth and texture and everything else is all there, but the imaging seems to be a miss.

 

[slippers-on]

True - I love the look and sound of Dan D'Agostino's amps but since they were introduced last year, their prices have gone up 5-10K every time these amps gat a good review. When they were introduced, the monoblocks were 45K a pair, one year later, they are 65K a pair. The price is crazy, scary.......

The reason they go up....upgraded....and theres a demand for them.... the rich are buying them. The amps are stunning visually, and make a great status symbol for the rich!:yes:

 

[slippers-on]

A 20ft USB cable? Man USB cables aren't recommended over 5 meters. The reason ...dropouts. USB cables are known for dropouts.

 

[enginedr]

Hi enginedr,

Would you please take a moment to describe the sound of your dual head Auchtung USB Silver Cable for me?, as it looks interesting, and I'd love to investigate it further, but still would like to hear your impression on its sonics, is it balanced?, bright?, even keeled so on.

Thanks in advance,
scar

Hi Oscar it would be hard to give you a proper evaluation of these cables as I have no other to compare them with . I liked the I design of the dual head and dual lead . The price was affordable around $ 200.00 for both . I was using them with my IFI power into my IFI USB to SPDIF via optical to my
DSPeaker . My system had a balanced sound . My amps have Mullard el34
reissue power tubes . my driver tubes were Psvane 12at7 . I made up a pair of short DIY power cords for the amps using Furutech FP314ag cable silver plated copper . My system took on a bright sound . I rolled back in my Mullard 6201 British tubes and regained a more balanced sound .
After following your thread I ordered the IFI Micro DSD . At first with the Mullard 6201 it was a bit lively . After it settled down it sounded too warm for my taste . I am using DH lab silver plated IC cables to my pre . I rolled back in the Psvane 12at7 and it went back to a more neutral sound .
I am enjoying this DAC . The fun in this is finding the right balance for your
own system and taste . I want to try some more tubes and cables
Thank You .

 

[Kt77]

Bro...I have to admit. Levinson amps and preamps paired with those Revel Salon2 speakers I heard the other day that we did the DAC shoot out with sounded really really nice....especially the Bricasti DAC!

What we dont understand is........that high dollar stuff will always be with us. You see....this is just like anything else....its a status symbol for those with money. They want a reference sound with higher priced gear. In the right room that stuff does sound great! But here's the rub for me and what I've noticed....and was confirmed that weekend.. I'm not hearing the imaging at its best with the larger, more expensive gear. The timbre, depth and texture and everything else is all there, but the imaging seems to be a miss.

Bro..........., I'm with you on the Levinson gear, as I've always liked their earlier stuff like say their ML-2 Mono-blocks and No 28 Preamp from back in the day, I simply forgot the name of that DAC you had mentioned ( Bricasti ) but knowing your ears, I believe you.

But not actually being rich, nor well to do, but an actual music lover I tend to place an emphasis upon components average people can afford, while I've a few rich friends/associates whom ask my opinions on the more costly items I've heard and can easily buy such things within say 2 minutes and have them shipped overnight, naw............, I think that even if I had dough like that laying around, I'd much rather feed an entire city block for a year, or send 50 worthy children onto college, after all that's giving back in my mind, and besides its a tax write off to begin with, status quo my behind, it seems to me the guys with money make even more mistakes by buying and selling stuff then we do, as it seems that many simply buy blind instead of getting out to hear components that work synergistically - when in fact they can afford to have the dealers bring their best matched systems to their mansions and hear each piece as it should be heard.

But..........., oh no, they'd rather buy this or that brand for there Source, then try as they may to match it up with some unknown brand of amplification and speakers based purely on $$$$$$$$ signs, and then look stupid as hell when it doesn't vibe.

_.!€~,?***g Clowns!. All coin, no logic.

Give me the music collection, and keep the expensive mistakes for the blind I'd say.

 

[Kt77]

Hi Oscar it would be hard to give you a proper evaluation of these cables as I have no other to compare them with . I liked the I design of the dual head and dual lead . The price was affordable around $ 200.00 for both . I was using them with my IFI power into my IFI USB to SPDIF via optical to my
DSPeaker . My system had a balanced sound . My amps have Mullard el34
reissue power tubes . my driver tubes were Psvane 12at7 . I made up a pair of short DIY power cords for the amps using Furutech FP314ag cable silver plated copper . My system took on a bright sound . I rolled back in my Mullard 6201 British tubes and regained a more balanced sound .
After following your thread I ordered the IFI Micro DSD . At first with the Mullard 6201 it was a bit lively . After it settled down it sounded too warm for my taste . I am using DH lab silver plated IC cables to my pre . I rolled back in the Psvane 12at7 and it went back to a more neutral sound .
I am enjoying this DAC . The fun in this is finding the right balance for your
own system and taste . I want to try some more tubes and cables
Thank You .

Hi enginedr,

I'm sorry for the late response, as it seems I forgot to click onto the notification tab to acknowledge me of someone's response to said thread ( Byron's by the way ), thanks for sharing " your sound " as well as those of the dual head cables as I read upon them more yesterday and came away more impressed with the fact they are UPOCC based designs, so more then likely will be ordering one as well.

And I should add, that while I'm more into music first and foremost, I do believe in having a decent enough system as a means of enjoying it, and along the ways have actually studied my share of tubes based upon their factory sounds more so then brands placed upon their boxes or the tubes themselves, and could certainly assist you in finding some combinations that should've you smiling for years ( just as Byron ) never ever go by the brand names, as they'd be relabeled at best, it's better to know the internal structure of any given brand only then will you know what you've in hand is legit.

And in regards to ECC81s/12AT7s, I can share 3 very strong recommendations worthy of your attention, but I won't list them here as that would only lead to their supplies becoming extinct that much faster, no............., this is one that you'll have to PM or write me on, I can be contacted directly through

Ei6ca7@yahoo.com

And trust me..........., you can thank me publicly at a later date.

Thanks again for chiming in, as everyone has a voice worthy of being heard, and it seems that collective many of us are agreeing the iFi stuff is indeed working some form of magic in our systems.

Be thee well,
scar

 

[Kt77]

IT is all about synergy - I think my below system is just right (using the old Denon PA-2200 amp).

It shall always remain about Synergy.........., lest one doesn't understand the importance of how it all works?.

h ( no he didn't ).

 

[slippers-on]

The one thing about the iFi is the output is not as high as my 192/24 soundcard so I do have to turn up the volume somewhat more. But, still has a little better sound than the soundcard, even with generic cables used.

In all actuality, you should send the Nano back and get the Micro with the iPSU! IF you're able.

 

[slippers-on]

Since this was money I got for selling a piece on AK, well , I just don't have the coin right now.

It happens when you are dealing with a geriatric in law, living with you (she has dementia) so we needed to spend some coin to make sure she doesn't wander off or fall down.

Priorities man!!

Cheers!

Trust me man....I know how it is. Like the song says...."Money to tight to mention!"

 

[Kt77]

Since this was money I got for selling a piece on AK, well , I just don't have the coin right now.

It happens when you are dealing with a geriatric in law, living with you (she has dementia) so we needed to spend some coin to make sure she doesn't wander off or fall down.

Priorities man!!

Cheers!

And a wonderful reason for doing so........., it's the loving human thing to do by providing for her, and it touches me dearly to say I do consider you and your wife friends, and things like this shows why.

:tears:

 

[Kt77]

Well, it was the only choice for her. She basically was living on her SS payments (which are abysmal - 700 USD a month). Her house was falling down around her ears, and she had a medical snafu where basically she can't remember 30 yrs of her life. Well, she really can't remember much any more (her childhood, yes).

That and my brother in law, who is a real tool BTW, only cared about himself and his stuff, not his mother.

Dave,

That's truthfully a very sad tale, and once again........, I commend you for being the person you are. And while we're indeed Brotha from different Mothers, I respect you just the same.

 

[slippers-on]

Well, it was the only choice for her. She basically was living on her SS payments (which are abysmal - 700 USD a month). Her house was falling down around her ears, and she had a medical snafu where basically she can't remember 30 yrs of her life. Well, she really can't remember much any more (her childhood, yes).

That and my brother in law, who is a real tool BTW, only cared about himself and his stuff, not his mother.

Wow! Thats to bad man,sorry about that.....and the Lord knows...., that brother in law will get his in the end. I mean, that's his own flesh and blood....as the saying goes....God don't like ugly, especially when it comes to ones parents.

 

[slippers-on]

Well, it was interesting - people likes the 8500 one or they liked the iFi. I felt (and a few others) the iFi had less background noise, compared to the modwirght and the modwright's output was 2 volt!! I think that was why it had more noise in the background (I felt you could hear the tubes).

All in all the iFi did well and has nothing to be ashamed of - I prefer it

Wow! That's great! And just think...that's a $200 DAC! Just think....the Micro is much better...but wow! They said it's a giant killer! That Modwright coat how much!?? Is this the one?

http://www.modwright.com/sources/elyse-dac.php

 

[keithpgdrb]

My Nano should come tomorrow. looking forward to running it through some paces in the eve.

 

[SoNic67]

That is the one - I wasn't crazy about it.

When I read on products that they have "zero feedback" I know that they cannot sound good.

 

[keithpgdrb]

ok, this is a pain the ass. I can't figure out how to get the dsd files to play in foobar. I've followed the instructions on how to do this found online. Not working. the tunes are playing, but the nano just keeps the green light on. so I'm not getting dsd here. I'm going to need to search out people using this combo and get some help. anyone?

 

[keithpgdrb]

Make sure you have the right plugins - http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_input_dsdiff

or

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/

These instructions?

http://www.audiostream.com/content/how-play-dsd-file-using-foobar2000

Should be the same no matter what DAC

I honestly don't know what i've done wrong here. I followed all the links and installed what I believe is the appropriate files. but as I follow the instructions, this step does not exist.

13. You will see a list of your ASIO drivers. Double click foo_dsd_asio.

I do not see foo dsd asio. although I see it in the components. anyone up for some phone support in the next day or so? this is very irritating.

this is what I get for repurposing a PC when I'm an apple guy.