Can’t think of anything that could cause it
Try changing sample rate to DSD256x44.1k and confirm it works?
Then DSD512 x 44.1k again
Can’t think of anything that could cause it
Try changing sample rate to DSD256x44.1k and confirm it works?
Then DSD512 x 44.1k again
I had that same thought while brainstorming… Didn’t work.
I think next approach is to try installing windows usb drivers and playing directly to the dac from windows and see if I get anywhere.
Last resort will be a firmware reflash, won’t be too worried about bricking it at that point since it isn’t working right as it is.
Yes someone please needs to charge me $3000 for a capable network DSD only Dac optimized or able to be optimized for HQplayer!!
Take my money!!! Lol
If enough people ask Jussi for a little AKM/TI based RPi DAC HAT, maybe he will design it
I recall he expressed being open in the past
If its just 5 people it will never happen lol
If 2000 people express interest, maybe he gets interested
Well, at least you’ve got built-in NAA!
But otherwise, you do get for example about 12 dB lower THD with A26.
Gustard has released the NOS/DSD direct firmware update for the AH90!
This could be a winner for a NAA Dac for $600
Unfortunately no opportunity for me to home demo this
Could be good, could be crap
@jussi_laako are you planning to get one of these?
Too many SMSLs?
Lol no demo as in proper home demo and full refund if I don’t like it
This DAC i can’t demo unfortunately
The one SMSL I have is one of the best measuring DSDD DACs I’ve seen
If I can’t return it I’ve got no interest in buying and ending up with crapola - just for the sake of replacing a little RPi NAA
Feel free to get an AH90 and a Cosmos ADC and share what you find ! Or even how it sounds
Reviewer (iiwi, youtube link below) is not overly enthusiastic about it (for the price it is an ‘OK’ streamer and DAC). If you don’t need a streamer there are (soundwise) better DACs (SMSL, Topping) in his opinion in the same price range. Take what you want from it:
Perhaps yes. Not right away, but maybe in relatively near future.
I’ve got too many SMSLs and Toppings…
I suspect he uses it in a different way than we would?
So it is just a ethernet-to-USB streamer inside the Gustard A26 and AH90. And one that when they stop supporting it (they wrote ~2 years), you are stuck with a Linux OS that you can’t update.
Indeed you have one less PSU in the chain to add noise - but For me, I’d prefer a little RPi4 box is the better way, running NAA OS.
Until Holo put a Pi inside their Spring 4 / May 2 (one dreams) - you can load whatever you want onto the Pi and you know it is supported many years
So, I’ve read through this quite a bit and learned that what I really want is a DAC where I can turn off the filtering so HQPlayer can work its magic. However, I’m not sure what’s best or where big jumps in performance are. I have a Topping DX9 which doesn’t seem to have the defeat option yet. However when it does will it be comparable to a Wandla? If I am considering the Wandla, May, or DAC200 and have a 3070 atm, what would be the DAC to go for? is there a big jump between any of these?
DAC 200 or May… These have some sonic differences, so if possible I would give both a listen first.
There are also other options such as Marantz SA-12SE/SA-10/SACD 30n, or TEAC UD-701N.
I owned the May and now own the DAC 200. With the caveat that the rest of the electronics were not exactly the same, the DAC 200 sounds much better to my ears. And this seems to be the consensus on most forums. Not sure under what conditions one would favor the May?
Please be more specific. Sounds better like how? I’ve read mixed comments and opinions seem to go almost 50/50. Too bad there’s no way to audition DAC200 in Finland, unless Jussi arranges a demo
More musical, better imaging, more holographic - almost like previously owned Lampizator DAC but without the negatives of tubes. I never got along with the May, found it somewhat flat. I like a live/palpable sound. Again, rest of the system was not identical so big caveat there.
I am a little surprised you think opinion goes 50/50 - a quick google of “t+a dac 200 vs holo may” seems to suggest otherwise? particularly with HQPlayer. Curious as to what @jussi_laako thinks the sound quality differences are between the two with same DSD input …
It’s a difficult topic. You should always know how people compare them. PCM or DSD, with HQP or some other way of oversampling etc. I appreciate Goldensound’s efforts and in his review of DAC200 he preferred May for PCM and found them quite identical sounding on DSD. But there are as many opinions out there than there are people comparing these DACs. I would definitely love to hear DAC200 in my own setup and I’ve even requested a demo unit from the Finnish importer but they don’t want to order one, so that’s that.
Yea it uses the same xmos chip that also processes usb. And yes I’ve found less in the chain and as well as not connected to usb and it’s 5v power cable, to be less noisy and subjectively better.
If one is familiar with sonic character of DAC chips, I would say:
Holo is somewhere between TI/BB and AKM, maybe at times closer or like AKM.
T+A is more like ESS or Cirrus Logic.
Not sure if this helps. Or if I want to over exaggerate, Holo is cozy and T+A kicks your ass around. While someone staring at DSD input SINAD figure would tell you they sound the same.
I would say a lot also depends on what you pair these with, and what are your personal preferences. I’m personally happy with both and use both all the time. With loudspeakers, I’ve paired T+A with Dynaudio and Holo with Elac. These are perfectly in balance - for me.