I am very much a bits is bits believer; it should all just be the same until it hits decoding and analogue.
I didn’t exactly say that I believe all bits are equal. Notwithstanding, I did say (which I think you understood), that the sound of dacs don’t bring a large change to the sound on the basis your dac measures well. Pitting well measured dacs against one another on that basis will only bring about subtle changes.
Those subtle changes may be exactly what you’re looking for and of course, that’s a personal choice. I just think well measured dacs are very similar, whereas some seem to think they make massive jumps in sound, akin to getting new speakers.
I’m a firm believer that the input path is very important. So much so, in recent times I’ve come to think start with an amp, then speakers and so on. (That’s an entirely different discussion )
As for your Techniques and Ortofon Black, I know that rig well and the 2M Back is a big jump from the standard fitted red and of course blue. Glad to hear you’re loving the vinyl rig, I’ve been a vinyl enthusiast for a long time, this digital domain is far newer to me, with lots to learn setting up Roon.
I am currently operating with a KORG (DAC-DS-10R) with USB Attachment with my Nucleus. Sound Parameters allow “enhancement” (Blue light) and DSD128 (with DoP).
Sound Quality is very musical, Large and deep Image. Natural instruments and voices, no coloration.
But, I recently got a second hand Emm Labs DAC2X, and ordered a Emm Labs NS1, A big step forward I Guess.
In my system I use the ultra cheap Behringher UCA202 dac.
I’ve tried everything up to a Chord Mojo, including Allo Boss 1.2, Khadas Tone Board, Ifi Pro DSD, Dragonflys and most of the popular sub £400 dac’s.
These dac’s all sound great with tons of detail and I think that’s where they lose my interest. I get easily fatigued with all this detail, highs, whatever people describe it as.
With the behringher it just sounds right to me, with enough detail, bass and a relaxed presentation.
I’m pretty much the same with my turntable cartridges. I run a lowly AT3600L conical on my Technics SL1210 Mk2 which sounds lovely and has a great reputation on vinyl engine, audio karma and other vinyl forums. I prefer this to AT-VM95ML, AT440 and other numerous carts which I have in my collection.
Running all this through a Denon PMA 350 amp and Kef LS50 speakers and a Raspberry Pi 3B.
Fatigue is a very important consideration when assessing a music replay system and is the reason I have liked all my Meridian systems over the years. They have never been tiring to listen to over long periods. Very satisfying…
What type of headphone amp? The HD800 and HD800S are excellent headphones. They really sing with both tubed or solid state amps. Try some Dekonis with them and it gets even better.
Well stated Chris! I feel the same way about my Vandersteen 3A Signatures - I can liste to them for hours, which is good thing in these dark days of sheltering at home.
I bought a second hand pair of HD800’s a few years ago and the ear pads were absolutely shot. I replaced the ear pads with the leather Dekoni pads and it was like getting a new set of headphones. Dekoni
Yep…just got back my Yggy from Valencia where it was updated to Analog 2 and Unison USB though I like the AES input better. I take an USB input from my Audiobyte Hydra DDC that gives the AES output to my Yggy.
I also have the Oppo HA-1…feel lucky to have one since they have stopped their involvement with Audio gear…I use the Yggy for the DAC where for to me sounds way better the the D/S DAC that comes in the Headphone Amp.
I have a Japanese Sparkler Audio S512U DAC which sound absolutely gorgeous. Wonderful soundstage, detailed yet ‘natural’ sound. It’s connected via USB directly to my Roon Server (HDPLEX H3V3 fanless) and feeds an Elekit TU-8500 Preamp and from there an Elekit TU-8800 amplifier. That’s a fun kit for tube rolling…
I have an HA-1 but unfortunately it sits awaiting a use. I really loved it’s functionality and the gorgeous display but the ess dac was a bit thin sounding.
I too agree the ESS Sabre 9018 DAC was way thin sounding but I really like the quality amp driven with balanced inputs. You are right that the display is gorgeous and multiple screens makes it nice to see from across the room! I’m glad to have gotten a new one with zero issues after maybe 3 + years of usage.
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