My wife said it heard, I could easily live with the Aeris, Dave, or Wavedream. The Premier is a super-high-resolution, completely silent, utterly dynamic component that lets music flow through it less hindered than through anything else I've heard. Congratulations on the upgrade and enjoy it in good health. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/, Check the true bit-depth of your files and audio engine, Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences, Know your limits (Sound Exposure Safety Chart), Topping DX7 Pro+ vs Chord DAVE measurements (Cosmos ADC) - DAVE is better in some areas (surprise! If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. Mola Mola dac and the Total dac. Good points by all. Your web browser does not support iFrames. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $14,000. Well, you may not have heard a lot of high-end DAC's in your system, but the one's you've listed are pretty darned good. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? And I make Best DAC Quality Ranking list. Sablon Audio King/Prince power cords throughout. Auction bid 7 150 25 . This ranking is just my subjective thinking. Both DACs connected directly to power amp using each DACs volume controle. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream IGNORED Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream . had if for 2 years now. Anyway, I switched out the valve power amplifier and put in its place the Krell KST100 (all fully fettled and brought up to a better than new spec by Krell in the States) with my intention being to see what effect was the DAC and what was down to the amp basically isolating the effect to a component. The SQ from DAC headphone output is lower than the best headphone amplifier but that kind of amplifier costs close to DAVE itself. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Regardless if the buyer has never auditioned the unit, and found it corresponding to, Simaudio Moon Neo 260 DT CD Transport / Empirical Audio reclocking system: Synchro-Mesh Reclocker driven by Dynamo Linear Power Supply, 2 x Reference BNC digital cable / Schiit Yggdrasil Less is More (LIM) DAC / Octave HP 700 preamp / Octave RE 320 stereo amp with Super Black Box / Reference 3A Reflector monitors, on Sound Anchors Signature stands / dual JL Audio Fathom 112 v2 subwoofers / Cables: ZenWave Audio D4 interconnects, ZenWave SMSG speaker cables / Diverse Herbie's Audio Lab footers / Acoustic treatment: Tri-panels, window plugs, ceiling diffusers (all ASC), diverse carpets chosen for acoustic properties (wool, polypropylene basketweave), Sure absolutely agree that paying that much money without auditioning (preferably in my house, with my own equipment, in my room) does not make much sense. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. Everyone hears differentlyI heard the Dave with the Blu and I prefer it without it. Lots of time it Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. As it stands, the Discrete offers a very good solution should you be a music lover that plays only digital files and you can go straight into a power amp. Many of these were already in a shootout on Audiogon with the same requirements - has to sound stellar on 16/44.1 tracks: I agree that the DAVE plus Blu 2 is spectacular, but not in a "hi fi" sense. To each their own, but I think Chord sounds cold and artificial. Its not bombarding you with information, but it is a notably more defined sound with regards to the spatial information and the way that elements sit in the mix a tad more solidity and more of a sense of the stereo image being wider and deeper and with instruments and sounds occupying a definite space of their own. So thats it and I think the only thing I think Ive left out of the build part of this DAC is the 3 buttons and the knob on the front panel which are used for manually changing the volume and menu diving, though all this can be done from the remote. As I said, its an odd one to describe but you do hear it as it brings a sense of rightness to rhythm tracks. And this is where I had a problem with this DAC, though mostly the problem was of my own making. connection because it eliminates some parts and gets you closer to a direct I believe it comes down to I hope you understand. It features the very best conversion technology available, using proprietary techniques never seen before, making DAVE the most advanced DAC/preamp amplifier in the world. 2. Check out our support page and technical specifications > Click Here, 10100007 - Discrete DAC with Supply- Gallery - 1200px, 10100007 - Discrete DAC with Supplies - Gallery - 1200px, 10100006 - Discrete DAC - Gallery - 1200px, 10100003 - Discrete DAC Badge - Gallery - 1200px, 10100005 - Discrete DAC MSB Logo - Gallery - 1200px, 10100004 - Discrete DAC Jack Panel - Gallery - 1200px, 10100008 - Discrete DAC Basemetal - Gallery - 1200px, 10100009 - Discrete Supply Options - Gallery - 1200px, 10100010 - Discrete Supply Cover - Gallery - 1200px. You are using an out of date browser. This kind of sound really appeals to me and was really excellent to experience on lots of tunes, but was especially evident on tracks from Rumours with every part of the mix being identifiable as unique. If you currently have an MSB DAC or amplifier that you lovebut are looking to experience more from your systemplease reach out to your local dealer. I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. I can see the problem with this unit. MSB Technology [Select DAC II Full Option] Chord [Dave] Myek [Manhattan II] I had A-B test about 2 months. . In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. All rights reserved. Up to 1km lossless transmission. And I've learned to be careful and not generalize how a component will sound based on show conditions or other systems. personal preference. Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. I believe it comes down to luxury apartment hotels paris. Im participating to both learn and make suggestions where I have experience that may help. I'm really anxious to hear more opinions about this DAC and noticed that DAVE hasn't got a thread of its own (only together with Mojo). 5 other people who only have 2 things in common with our system. Looks like your budget goes up to ~$20k? Our digital testing has been done over the last 20 + years I listen mostly to classical music, particularly with symphonic work, I prefer DAVE to MSB. MSBs top-level DAC is 121K and there are other brands out there offering very expensive options, but the truth is that the vast majority of people will never feel the need to spend that kind of money (even if they could) to eek out that last-minute bit of detail. This is the main advantage of DAVE (i.e. 1 - MSB Discrete 2 - dCS Bartok 3 - Mola Mola Tambaqui 4 - Chord DAVE (add the M Scaler later) 5 - Keep my Ayre QX-5 Twenty, do nothing Thanks! The Discrete DAC we have here is the baby of the four DACs MSB produces, with the top-of-the-range Select DAC boldly proclaiming to be the worlds finest DAC. it just complimented my system better than those other two. This leaner and cleaner edge has the effect of adding a level of perceived detail to the listening experience. So this was headphones straight out of the DAVE? I think my DAVE sounds great with everything. Talking of cool lets talk about this remote. When a dealer post something you have to take it with a enormous grain of salt. But it need good system matching. what Im saying is that comparing dacs also must take into account of all the interface advantages of each particular dac. Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. I don't have that kind of money. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourneand this is your best way to work out your own preference. Hmm.. Equipment used: - Roon - 3-in 1-out XLR switchbox - Goldpoint SA2X Attenuator - Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier - Hifiman Susvara headphones (Also used Arya and HD800S but for the most part susvara) Video review of DAVE + Mscaler here: UPnP Protocol It is my name after all! us, over a 2 day test period come to the exact same conclusion. Wavedream only has a couple hours on it, but from the first note it as far as direct comparison with other dacs the closest Ive done is listening to the Select II at shows and then listening to other top dacs in other systems at shows. But the majority of the time all 6 of Vega DAC 6/10 As dynamic as the Weiss, but a little too edgy in sound emphasised presence made female voices a bit hard on the ear. There are separate optimal PCM and DSD modes for playbacks and bit perfect playback is how DAVE performs optimally as the FPGA up samples and noise shapes everything to 104MHz 5-bit. What effect does reconstruction filter have? Specifications: Type: Digital to analogue converter with volume control. Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new hometheyll continue to be enjoyed for years to come. have had the opportunity to A/B many more pieces of equipment than any consumer DAVE is perfect for headphone system because you can save space and money of headphone amplifier. This DAC is 11,000 and as such, it is a considerable investment to make, but I would suggest that this is not stupid money for the kind of transparency and clarity it brings. The PM2 is very special. Do diamonds shine on the dark side of the moon? I have enjoyed my time with the MSB Discrete DAC a great deal. Hope to try different formats on both DACs to see what works best in my system. As a matter of fact, I'd appreciate getting your impressions. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content. In that price range, you would be mad not to add the MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. I did try with just the one power supply and the Discrete remained a very strong performer with the differences being a very slight loss in the sense of separation and definition when listening intently. @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? It was a speaker setup (as in my signature.) I suppose what Im saying (badly) is that the Discrete was true to the file it was being fed and I did enjoy hearing it allowed me to pull small details out of the mix Jazz at the Pawn Shop (DSD128) felt more lifelike and in the room than I am used to and raw tracks such as Phutures Acid Trax did sound rougher and really basically recorded. Unless they have the exact same components as the end user, it's impossible to tell that customer how component X will sound in their system. I'm looking for suggestions between $10K - $12K. The world's largest high-end audio community. Not a bad idea Snoop! JavaScript is disabled. Focusing on our network renderer and USB input, your audio tech will be on the cutting edge.