Bill K, the LaScala is here and making beautiful music. Very early impressions are;
1. Good drive, throughout most of the frequency range and particularly in the mid-bass,
2. The treble is clear, smooth, and is just to the good side of "reticent,"
3. Absolutely beautiful midrange with spot-on tonality, not just because it is smooth sounding but because it sounds real, like you are at a show, or like the singer is in your room, and
4. A touch of softness and maybe a slight lack of focus/definition in the bass...
This is a DAC that will be killer for those who value midrange warmth and bloom....sounding a bit like analogue. This DAC will be a friend to those many less than stellar quality recordings out there.
These are first impressions after only a few hours of warm-up, although the "demo" unit came to me already burned in. I am listening through the SMc Signature DNA-2 LAE amp and associated (almost-VRE) preamp, and will switch to the AI Atsah amps this weekend. I can certainly understand why Srajan and Darko liked this DAC so much. More to come. |
Thank you Hifial. I am certainly not opposed to trying something that only costs me $175, especially if it is made for USB connections, which is how I connect my server to my DAC. I will look into this further. |
Mitch2, here is another link to check out about the Regen.
Post #389
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/uptone-audio-regen-22803/index16.html#post417237 |
Mitch2, yes I am talking about the Regen by Uptone Audio.
No, it is not "just a reclocker". I am trying to see if one of the designers would be willing to answer your question by posting on this thread.
Yes, I have one in my system and I am very impressed by the improvement in the quality of the sound vs the price of the Regen. That is why I HIGHLY recommended it for everyone to check it out. My understanding is if you try it and are not satisfied you can return it for a refund of your money (though please confirm that with Alex at Uptone). As far as I know no one has returned one yet.
Here is a link were John Swenson explains some of his work behind the Regen. Post #481
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/uptone-audio-regen-22803/index20.html
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Mitch2, the Aqua LaScala MkII DAC is a very unique design which I've been unable to audition. Your comments on its performance would be very much appreciated. Good listening! |
Hifial, are you talking about the USB REGEN by UpTone Audio? Is this not just a reclocker? Sounds interesting but it seems all this add-on stuff like converters, ifi galvanic isolation, filters, etc. are always supposed to be the next best thing. Do you have one in your system?
Regarding DACs, I will have the Aqua LaScala MkII here to try this weekend. I am very interested in how it will sound, particularly since there are tubes in the gain stage. I was not a fan of the tubed Lampi L4G4 when that was here, but that was a different design so hopefully this LaScala is a different sound. Metrum's Pavane is supposed to be here in a few more weeks so I will have a chance to hear a couple of pretty good DACs in the near future. |
I agree Metrella. They HAVE done a fair deal recently, but not as prolific as before. I heard that James was not well at one point. Lets see what they do for Axpona. |
05-01-15: Wisnon writes ....I have to agree with Stereomojo there A bit off topic - but I wonder what's happening at Stereomojo. They haven't done anything for ages. James Darby's RMAF report was half-baked and hasn't been finished. I hope they can get back in the saddle. Regards, |
Hey AL, fab seeing you at this exotic watering hole... I am doing quite well, enjoying my Rowland Aeris DAC feeding directly the spectacular NCore-based Rowland M925 monos.... And a pair of wonderful Vienna Die Muzik, just like Matt's own.
Saluti, Guido
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You all MUST check this out. It does wonders for the sound and at a relative bargain price.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/uptone-audio-regen-22803/
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/uptone-audio-regen-listening-impressions-24078/
It is not an OMG right away but a WOW as you listen to more and more different albums (quality, resolutions) and what it does for the sound as you play them.
You will not be sorry.
PS Hi Guido, I hope all is well. |
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Yep... I am your friend no longer Matt... In conscience I just can't... I mean.... I mean.... Having spent all this time corrupting -- oops... I meant converting -- you to the True Truth... And now you are Up-*Chokes!*-grading from the divine Viennese DIe Muzik to some ginormous whipper-snapper... This constitutes grand audiophilic apostasy *grins!*
G. |
The MM3 speakers are awesome. I have heard them driven by the Dartzeel 468 monoblocs at full tilt.
The only other such outright onslught that compares would be the new Goldmund Anattas with their Mimesis 32.5 processor with full Proteus DRC/DSP implementation.
Both setups had unrestrained dynamics. With the MM3, we did both Digital and vinyl, and with the Goldmund, just RBCD via Disc spinner.
Not sure you will find anything to beat the MM3 driven by the right electronics. The cheaper MMini 2 speakers are also outstanding....I have to agree with Stereomojo there. |
Agear. I am. I have my beautiful and spectacular Der Muzik's up for sale right now. With the new room, and the absolutely reference level Burnester mono amps and pre-amp I felt it was appropriate to most up to a pair of speakers that equal everything else's limitless capacity. The Der Muzik's perform well beyond their cost and are one step below true reference, which is incredible considering their affordable price pre-owned.
I bought a pair of Evolution Acoustic MM3's to try out. They are spectacular! I'm still playing with their placement, but I believe they will be hard to beat. I did hear a crazy expensive pair of Kharma Exquisite Midi Signatures that blew my mind and would perfectly fit my medium size room, but they are crazy expensive; like they make the MM3's look downright affordable. Lol.
I hope to hear a few other contenders at THE Newport show and I may need to fly elsewhere to hear the last of the contenders.... Not ready to report anything.
I will admit that my friend Guido Corona has partially disowned me as a result of my decision to sell Der Muzik's. They really are exceptional. Especially at a pre-owned asking price of $15,500- :)
Any interest guys? |
Matt, I was not there, but yes they are old school looking rubenesque monsters...(http://www.voltiaudio.com/vittora.shtml)
I see you are on the hunt for new speakers??? Upgrading? |
Grannyring - the vapor room was packed and very chatty (a chronic problem at these shows. I wish people would take the conversations into the hallway). What I heard I liked. I was in that room late day 1. I only had Friday to cram everything in. In rooms that I'm not interested in the speakers but have gear I'm interested in I onkybtry to get a general feel for like/dislike. If it sounds great then I guess everything just be doing something right. If it sounds not great it's hard to blame any particular part if I'm not familiar with all of the gear. Of cours if I know some of the gear and like it then I can blame what I dont know, or the room. :)
The Ginkgo room was maybe the second room i walked into at around 10am Friday morning. It had probably been on for about 12 minutes before I walked in. So I can't give it a solid eval. I'm just reporting what I heard.
Agear- was the Volti room the one on the lobby level with the gigundous beautiful speakers in that side hallway? If it was, I didn't hear it. I had so little time I skipped rooms I didn't have a direct interest in at least one component in the room. Sorry. |
Thanks Matt, good roundup. |
Matt, what did you think of the Volti room? The Sadurni horn system looks spectacular and I know that they paired with Merrill at another show and did well.
I too am still searching for a SOTA digital transport. I am interested to see what people have to say..... |
I found the second smaller room with the Lampi 7, Ginkgo speakers and Dana cables to be excellent sounding. In some ways better sounding than the Vapor room. The Vapor room was hot sounding to my ears on the first and second day. The third day was much better so I assume the speakers needed burn in time. I also noticed the Raal tweeter pads were placed on the driver and that helped. I have the same tweeters and they can be hot and problematic to deal with.
The room that most impressed me was the Triode of Japan and Accoustic Zen Cresendo room. That room placed beautiful music. All with a $3200 Triode of Japan CD player. That certainly garnered my attention. |
Hi Matt, I have been raving about the plasmatron component for a very long time, two years I believe, you are talking about the huge gas tube conditioner?, if so, Chris there at vh-audio sales them, they come in two different sizes, the big model is the one to get, these add color realism. |
Just read my last post. Auto correct changed DCS to DAC. Sorry. Maybe that will make more sense. Maybe not. Lol. |
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Cool. thanks for sharing Matt. |
Wisnon,
I saw 2 rooms with Lampy. The Big 7 room was very good, but I'm not a huge fan of those speakers. It's always hard to identify what, In a show room, is holding the room back but in that room I think the speakers were the limiting factor.
The main room downstairs with the Golden Gate was exceptional. Big big big speakers, but the music was there and very enjoyable. Interestingly, they were using an Antipodes DX as source along with some killer Lamm gear and the very intriguing Plasmatron power conditioner, which I will eventually have to pull the trigger on.
There were lots of Aurender W20's and lots of Lumin in various models at the show. Only one Antipodes. A few others as well. Startups as well as several well established one guy shows (ie. Music vault, Scaena music server, etc)
Overall a way better show then Montreal. I won't go back to Montreal. Axpona was WAY better and bigger.
Merrill Audio showed with their affiliate speaker, a massive horn system that was stunningly musical, fast and engaging. They also had a relatively unknown music server running their music, Blue Smoke Systems running through the brand new MSB V DAC. There was NOTHING holding this room back. Every step of the signal path was doing what it should. I have considered the MSB DAC before; now I will take a more serious look.
To me, the Lampy Golden Gate took the step that many have been waiting for Lukasz to make with his product, from gear looking like it was made by 4 guys in a basement to well manufactured top tier audiophile equipment. Congrats to him.
I also heard, In a few rooms, the Bricasti M1 DAC which sounded excellent. The current top tier DAC stuff is, I think considered by all, the premier digital rig to own. But it's multi unit system with interconnects and power cords and space and cost and all makes it insane for all but the most die hard of listeners.
I only had one day at the show. If any can get there, it's a good show and a lot of fun. |
Matt, I see that Lampi will be in several rooms at Axpona, so you can satisfy your curiosity there. There will be Big7s and the Golden Gate Dac flagship showing.
The rooms are detailed in the Lampi section at Audiocircle forum. Lukasz will be there too, in person. |
Matt,
I have heard good things about the Antipodes although I have not heard one personally. The Beast is very expensive, and for me personally, I would go with the Antipodes and give it a couple of years. I think there will be lots of better servers years down the road (and may be cheaper), And who knows, the Beast may be in its second or third generation with better performance. |
Any opinions on Request Audio's The Beast server? Has anyone heard it? Anyone compared it to the Burmester server?
Thoughts on whether to go with a CAD, Antipodes, Aurender type dedicated server from a relatively new/small,server only company or does anyone think those companies will fade as the mainstream companies like McIntosh, Audio Research and such come out with their own servers?
PS- we are over 530k views.
Sorry I've been quiet on the posts. Work has been insane and the new room has taken up quite a bit of my time. I'm getting closer and closer to where I want to be.
I went to the Montreal show. Was anyIne else there? Any thoughts on good/bad rooms? Also, trying to go to Axpona. Anyone else? |
Thanks Mr. Paul. I have decided to try the CAD cable based on your comments and very positive reviews from several others. I too am awaiting construction of a new DAC so hope to have the cable arrive about the same time. |
Mitch2,
I decided on the CAD USB cable because Scott (Mr. CAD) also makes a high end DAC. To me that differentiated him from the other cable makers. He has skin in the game. A friend of mine is in the process of breaking in a CAD USB cable. He is going from a Mac mini to a pair of Devialet 400s to Vivid Audio G-2 speakers. I hope to hear his system in the next week or so. I did talk to him a few days ago and he was sounding very positive about the cable. I have a new DAC on order and hope to have it by the end of the month. I will share my findings once I have some runtime on the system. I did reinsert my original USB cable (Wywire Litespeed - no longer made) after I had 500 hours on the CAD. It was not a difficult decision to keep the CAD. |
Mr. Paul,
How did you decide on the CAD USB cable? I have been looking at that very cable for a short run from my Antipodes DX to the Metrum Pavane. Have you heard the CAD USB cable with other DACs? Any feedback on that cable and how it compares to others would be appreciated. |
It may be better, however I run an integrated so I can't go without the preamp. |
The ODSE is much better through Empirical Final drive transformers direct to the amp. The effect is not subtle. When compared to EMM Labs DAC2x with Allnic L3000, it is as if wool blankets wrapped three layers thick were removed from the speakers. The clarity was better, by a wide margin than using High Fidelity Ultimate Reference cables that cost $$$ used. In my experience, a preamp that cost 22K would provide added value but the value is not worth the price. |
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Still need to get that hard drive and drive to rip my CD;s, but listening to all the great music on my server through this OSDE is blowing my mind. I don't even have my Vandy Quatro's yet. This is all through the Treo and Ayre AX7e (waiting on my AX5/20 to get here in a few weeks) and WOW>.. This is nearly the best I've ever heard for a DAC. I recently heard the DCS stack and it was special and also the Bricasi DAC with all Tidal gear. I didn't know the other components, but I'd put my OSDE up against both of them and it won't embarrass itself. When I had the AX5 in my system it took it to levels beyond which means that I haven't heard the best from the DAC yet. It just keeps getting things right and I want to thank Steve for making this unit and supporting it like he does. I'm a convert guys. I never was going to buy from a small maker, but I'm glad I did and I hope that he is training someone to take over from him eventually. Genius is a word I'd use. I think I have auditioned nearly every DAC that's been talked about in this thread as well as others, so I think I have a decent reference. Thanks again to Matt who started this thread as I'd never have heard about Empirical otherwise. |
I was fortunate to hear the first GG Dac for several hours a month ago. You will be in for a treat!
DSD256 is da bomb. |
Mrpaul,
Excellent choice. Please share your impressions here when it settles in your system. |
I have been following this thread with great interest since it's inception. Today I finally pulled the trigger and ordered what will most likely be my last DAC. The final 3 candidates were DACs from Empirical Audio, Bricasti and Lampizator. Unfortunately there is no possible way to listen to any them here in the Middle East. The winner teams up with the Antipodes DX server and CAD USB cable. After reading everything I could find for each DAC I selected the Lampizator Golden Gate DAC. Now comes the 4 week wait while the DAC is built. It's going to be a long 4 weeks. |
Steve, not on a 1uf or smaller output cap...... |
Granny - .01uFd Duelunds are even too small for bypass. You need at least .2uFd.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Correction - New Duelund CAST silver .01uf caps. They are $89 and bypass with the CAST copper to see what you get. I have not tried these and have no idea what they sound like with a CAST copper cap? |
Or you can buy the new .001uf Duelund silver bypass caps from Parts Connextion for under $100 and...
Steve, let the Jupiter caps break in as they have never sounded the way you describe. They actually have a more airy top end compared to the CAST caps after proper break-in. This has been my experience in tube gear and speakers. Never tried them in a dac however. |
1k for a cap? WOW have things changed. I had NO CLUE. Thanks for sharing guys, learning an ton here. Keep it going. |
People familiar with the sound of the Dulund CAST silver foil say it is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately so is its price. I have used the copper version of CAST and it is truly superb!
Charles, |
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The Jupiters and the Duelunds are both copper that I am using. They both have OEM pricing, but the silvers are still really expensive, like $1K each.
If you wanted to get Silver Duelunds in your DAC, it needs 4 at 1.5uFd, lowest voltage available.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Thankyou steve-audioengr for your promt answer. |
I hear they both take many hours to break in. But I have not heard either myself. What do you like about the duelund? If I am able to source some silver duelund caps I may have you run those. What spec caps are required? I remember there are 4 total. I believe the Jupiter caps are silver, and if so ups wonder if they too will have a similar affect.
Does duelund offer discount to industry Manufacturers? |
"XMOS USB (which I find better than M2Tech) compared to your external ethernet to I2S converter compared to internal ethernet to I2S direct."
It will be about 3 months before I can do this comparison. I will be out of town starting March 20 for 4-5 weeks.
"What qualities do each brand of caps bring to the table in your SX design? Will you have a few units in possession and be able to directly compare simultaneously?"
I have two ODSX, one with Jupiter and one with Duelund caps that I am running currently. Either the Jupiters have really overblown bass and somewhat recessed highs, or they are not fully broken in yet. They sound great on older 70's tracks that have thin bass, but newer tracks are just over the top.
Ketcham - You are too kind with your kudos, but on the other hand I'm glad somebody finally gets what I'm about.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Charles and Bill,
I fully agree. I do my part already, low powered amplifiers. |
You go Charles! Mandate the cars we must drive? Come on, perhaps we better get back to audio folks. The wheels have come of the track here.
I let my car warm up here in Minnesota when it is below zero so I don't drive shivering and become a dangerous driver. Ok if I burn a little fuel.
I am proud to be an American and love my neighbors! |
Steve-
I believe your Diamond SX is something special and will quickly be noticed in the audio community.
Since these units are now in very limited supply, would you post your thoughts on the sonic qualities of for each build option? For those who have never been to Steve's auditioning system, his perception is spot on.
What I am curious to learn is the benefits and disadvantages of:
XMOS USB (which I find better than M2Tech) compared to your external ethernet to I2S converter compared to internal ethernet to I2S direct. For those unfamiliar with the overdrive, the internal USB input card can be replaced by Ethernet to I2S. No dac will have both USB and Ethernet due to the compact chassis design.
Currently on loan to me is a dac that has all these inputs and Ethernet direct is by far the best. But again, implementation is important. I have yet to see a dac better implemented and designed than Steve. There are so few dacs with direct Ethernet, that I am uncertain if the concept or implementation makes it better. Steve, what are your thoughts on Ethernet direct input? I have from two sources that in Asia that the majority of audiophiles do not use a server and dac design focus is more on Ethernet because 80, 90, 95% of the consumers solely use this input.
Second comparison:
What qualities do each brand of caps bring to the table in your SX design? Will you have a few units in possession and be able to directly compare simultaneously?
This insight will pay dividends for us who have specific needs tailored to our system. What I have learned is benefits do not translate to each system uniformly.
Steve, I commend you on your years of service both as an engineer continuously improving on already amazing products and creating a successful business. Rarely I find a one man show able to do both so well. You are genuine in your advice to your consumers and foremost genuine in your advice to your competitors. What most manufacturer would consider propriatary, you openly share for the good of the community. In this regard, I consider you a Professor. This is the highest respect I give anyone in my field. |
Ghosthouse,
You make very good points, this issue is more about political ideology than true science. That change from "global warming" to "climate change" did not go un noticed by astute observers. Once I moved away from the NPR and NY Times influence and overt selective bias I began to see how political this topic is(sadly). There are many in sciwnce who dispute the whole model/idea of climate change. The artic caps are expanding, the model incorrectly predicted/said they are diminishing at a raid rate(wrong) I realized you have to seek alternative viewpoints and do lots of reading. Otherwise there's the risk of buying in to agenda driven filtered information. There are numerous meteorologists who say the CO2 CAUSE/EFFECT CLAIMS ARE FLAWED. READ AND LISTEN TO "BOTH" SIDES AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND. This dedate is far from settled.Now we want to mandate what cars free citizens can drive? Many people feel the federal government has become to large and powerful(I agree). What next? what to wear and what to eat? how many children we can have? When is enough, enough? |
The ODSX diamond is in production. I am building 2 orders now. Some will be built with the Ethernet interface. I am ironing out the last issue with the XMOS interface. I have one built for a customer and testing with the older USB interface right now. Lead-time is around 75 days.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
audioengr, how is the diamond coming along?, do you have a proposed target for this to be available on the market yet? |
