AudioSector-chip amp kits, dacs, chassis - Page 40

jleaman · 11th November 2005, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
I'm still not into using computer as a music source ( I have 3 decent transports: ML31.5, ML37 and Technics ZL-1000, all of them modified), but on suggestion from a forum member, I decided to give it a shot. USB interface will be based on PCM2707, but I'm still not into details here yet.

I have left ony 3 of the gold plated all-in-one boards, so I will be ordering new batch pretty soon. There won't be much difference, mostly fine tuning of some traces.

You were talking to Brent Welke..

ozone_stink · 11th November 2005, 07:52 PM

*insert self-depricating noob comment here*

Whew, now that's over with, I almost sent you Paypal staight away last night for one of your premium DACs. However, I would like somebody to help me with the following question:

I've got a Marantz 2285b Receiver/Amp & Rotel RCD-02. -Am I just wasting money or should I be able to realize an improvement given that I don't have any ML or other Über kit.

My speakers are homemade with Solen X-overs and Scan Speak drivers, though. (when in Montreal...)

Thanks for your help!!

Peter Daniel · 11th November 2005, 08:40 PM

The DAC plays well (and brings improvement) with any transport.

The better the transport, however, the better overall results. I also have Marantz CD-94 and use it with a DAC.

jleaman · 11th November 2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
The DAC plays well (and brings improvement) with any transport.

The better the transport, however, the better overall results. I also have Marantz CD-94 and use it with a DAC.

Well i use a external dac too. Froma lg dvd-player to athe dac .. ihave on many ocasions connected one channel back to the dvd player to hear the diference between each channels and TOTAL diference. the dac wins hands down. NOW to get a better transport/ cdplaywer with digital out..

Thomas B · 12th November 2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
I'm still not into using computer as a music source ( I have 3 decent transports: ML31.5, ML37 and Technics ZL-1000, all of them modified), but on suggestion from a forum member, I decided to give it a shot. USB interface will be based on PCM2707, but I'm still not into details here yet.

Hi Peter,

Go for it! Biggest problem with current computer audio is that the initiative mostly comes from the computer community itself - them being mainly non audiophiles. Sign of hope is although at the horizon; cpu:s need to be dead quiet: passive cooling is underway with heatpipes connected to large heatsinks; graphics cards also need to be dead silent: same progression as with cpu's; hard drives need to be dead silent: they need to be exchanged with silent solid state drives. One barrier left though - D/A conversion. Peter, please make a high quality USB DAC that's up to the task of unleashing the promising sound quality waiting upstream...

Best Regards,
Thomas B (who once purhased your very first gainclone)

planet10 · 12th November 2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas B
cpu:s need to be dead quiet

The MacMini satisfies most of your requirements....

dave

Thomas B · 12th November 2005, 06:01 PM

Yes, Dave, you're right. So why don't I get excited? Mainly because the Mac Mini is a closed architecture. I want a modular design approach. I want to be able to change the motherboard, add some hard disks or SSD drives, etc; yes I know there are add on boxes to the Mac Mini. But being a diy-fanatic means you want to try it out for yourself, right? The uniqueness of Peter Daniel IMHO is that he actually has been listening to all the things he create, he's altering any component based on listening experiences only. Sound quality rules. I like that. The open modular approach, I think, is the way to go. Scrutinize every detail regardless of what the crowd says. Way to go, especially in dire straits like computer audio.

Best Regards,
Thomas B

karma · 12th November 2005, 06:32 PM

i allready have somthing in the works that im sure you will like

but its a winter project, it will fill my pc to dac gap and still look like just another piece of audio.

it will built around the asus a1 series a8v mainboard

cheers.

planet10 · 12th November 2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas B
Mainly because the Mac Mini is a closed architecture. I want a modular design approach.

You are only looking at half the equation. The hardware may be closed but the software is open (Darwin kernal is open-source) as opposed to PC where (if you use windows) it is the opposite. Besides what more is needed in terms of expansion than a USB & Firewire port?

And i haven't seen anything better than iTunes (admittedly available for Windows too) for a UI (i used Brent's choice of best for windows and it was VERY dissapointing....)

dave

Thomas B · 12th November 2005, 07:05 PM

Hi Karma, you're saying A but not B. Please elaborate. You got me really curious.

Hi Dave, right, software is wide open. But I am mostly talking about physical components. Mobo, cpu, storage, casework. Mac Mini is wide shut. You have to break it open with a knife. Make no mistake, I own Quicksilver Mac, Cinema Display, PowerBook. iBook, iPod, iShuffle, etc, I love Macs. But for computer audio I think the PC camp is leading the way right now. People who's been comparing Mac to PC's agree, PC's are holding an edge in terms of sound quality. That can rapidly change, of course. Mac software still need to be more adapted to high end audio applications though.

/Thomas B

11th November 2005, 08:40 PM	#393
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	The DAC plays well (and brings improvement) with any transport. The better the transport, however, the better overall results. I also have Marantz CD-94 and use it with a DAC. __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

12th November 2005, 06:32 PM	#398
karma diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: hamilton,ontario	i allready have somthing in the works that im sure you will like but its a winter project, it will fill my pc to dac gap and still look like just another piece of audio. it will built around the asus a1 series a8v mainboard cheers. __________________ http://www.karmaelectronics.info

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11th November 2005, 07:52 PM	#392
ozone_stink diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montreal	insert self-depricating noob comment here Whew, now that's over with, I almost sent you Paypal staight away last night for one of your premium DACs. However, I would like somebody to help me with the following question: I've got a Marantz 2285b Receiver/Amp & Rotel RCD-02. -Am I just wasting money or should I be able to realize an improvement given that I don't have any ML or other Über kit. My speakers are homemade with Solen X-overs and Scan Speak drivers, though. (when in Montreal...) Thanks for your help!!

12th November 2005, 06:01 PM	#397
Thomas B diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Stockholm, Sweden	Yes, Dave, you're right. So why don't I get excited? Mainly because the Mac Mini is a closed architecture. I want a modular design approach. I want to be able to change the motherboard, add some hard disks or SSD drives, etc; yes I know there are add on boxes to the Mac Mini. But being a diy-fanatic means you want to try it out for yourself, right? The uniqueness of Peter Daniel IMHO is that he actually has been listening to all the things he create, he's altering any component based on listening experiences only. Sound quality rules. I like that. The open modular approach, I think, is the way to go. Scrutinize every detail regardless of what the crowd says. Way to go, especially in dire straits like computer audio. Best Regards, Thomas B

12th November 2005, 07:05 PM	#400
Thomas B diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Stockholm, Sweden	Hi Karma, you're saying A but not B. Please elaborate. You got me really curious. Hi Dave, right, software is wide open. But I am mostly talking about physical components. Mobo, cpu, storage, casework. Mac Mini is wide shut. You have to break it open with a knife. Make no mistake, I own Quicksilver Mac, Cinema Display, PowerBook. iBook, iPod, iShuffle, etc, I love Macs. But for computer audio I think the PC camp is leading the way right now. People who's been comparing Mac to PC's agree, PC's are holding an edge in terms of sound quality. That can rapidly change, of course. Mac software still need to be more adapted to high end audio applications though. /Thomas B