SBAF DAC Talk II

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Maxx134, Jul 22, 2018.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    I have recently been looking for a pro interface to get music into my monitors and came across a retailer that stocks Crane Song but didn’t list Solaris. Apparently they haven’t been able to get stock for quite a while. In fact, they were pretty keen to offload their shop/demo unit on me.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I got a Crane Song Solaris incoming from the EU of all places. BTW, Convert-2 came in. Meets my expectations and is a welcome change of pace from the higher line Schiit DACs. More later. I would disagree with those who say these sound great cold from initial turn on. These Dangerous Music DACs still need an hour warmup, with rapidly diminishing returns after the hour.
     
  3. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Do any of you guys remember OG Gungir DS and how hard it slammed and hit so hard, almost to a fault? I seem to remember @SoupRKnowva saying how he missed that quality in the Gungnir Multibit.

    In a nutshell, the Convert-2 is like a massively improved OG Gungnir DS. Maintains its imaging precision, but expands that compact stage in all directions. Adds nuance that wasn't quite there with the Gungnir DS. Probably isn't quite as resolving as the A2 series of the Yggdrasil or Gungnir Multibit, but might not be noticeable on speakers or most headphone rigs for that matter.

    More later in a dedicated thread.
     
  5. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    It wasn’t just the slam, but the intensity of the sound in general. This thing does sound awesome though, I just wish it wasn’t over 2k. Is this from the built in usb?
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yeah. The Convert-2 is definitely intense. This is from the XMOS USB. Eitr muddied up the lows and killed dynamics. Will try CD transports later and report back.

    I know some people loved the Gungnir DS intensity, including myself. And that other people hated it. But what would happen if those lost nuances were restored?
     
  7. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Would you say you're a...Convert?

    Seriously though, I'll write more later but this DAC has changed my perspective on what a DAC can do. Sound stage seems limitless compared to other DACs where there are defined borders. Layering and imaging are excellent and the stage is more laid back compared to Schiit Multibit DACs. It has an organic quality to it like NOS DACs but without the muted treble. Transients are fantastic. I did notice a difference like @MrTeaRex said above about putting the clock into the "Master" mode (hold the clock button for ~6 seconds until it starts blinking). Imaging, layering and transients seemed to improve.
     
  8. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Did you have to use the step down transformers purrin?
     
  9. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    might be worth also trying the Solaris https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SolarisDAC--crane-song-solaris-quantum-d-a-converter
    many comparing the Solaris to the Convert there
    https://www.gearslutz.com/board/mas...erous-convert-2-vs-crane-song-solaris-38.html


    <<If you're new to this thread and don't want to dig through 35 pages of audiophile GAS to get insight relating to the post's title here are some general impressions:

    - You can't go wrong with either one as they both sound great. There isn't really anything negative said about either of them.

    - Some say the Convert sounds slightly "enhanced" or "colored" while others completely disagree, citing Dangerous' history of clean gear.

    - The Solaris apparently sounds more neutral and honest in comparison with many favoring it for monitoring duties.

    - Those who have tried both the Convert and Solaris have kept the Solaris.>>
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  10. MrTeaRex

    MrTeaRex His head's not fat, he's my brother!

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    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  11. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Solaris was a strong consideration for me as well but when people say sweeter mid range I'm like no f'ing way. That's just more color. There's nothing wrong with that but I'm looking for transparency in my DAC. Convert 2 has more of an analog quality to it's sound with great tone density. This is similar to Pavane from memory.
     
  12. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    hard to know what "sweeter" means. when I compare vinyl to digital, I could describe the sound of vinyl as "sweeter" treble and mids. Truer mids is much more juicy like vinyl portray that digital gloss over

    great to know sbaf will try the Solaris. exciting!
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  13. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Yeah that thread is a shitshow with tons of contradictory opinions and terms and descriptions. Some of the posters like veil or just slobber over any thing decent that they just bought, and now the biggest defender of the Solaris from it who drew all the staging diagrams recently posted that he also wants a Convert 2. Then there are guys I recognized from other threads as power supply rolling tweaker idiots, regular old tards who reroute toslink several times over, and tons of these guys are using Amphions.

    Gearslutz is the head-fi of progear. There are dozens of people on Gearslutz who think the Kii is the "best speaker evuh!" You must hear it yourself. I've got no interest as I've been burned by AK4490 Velvet Sound and bought the Source as I heard it before and knew it kicked ass.
     
  14. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    amphion are awesome ime, lots of fun, stunning imaging, but my ONE18 had like all 6.5 inch based 2 way extremely limited bass. im sure the sub + mains system from amphion is good.

    gearslutz is a mix bag, you get some of the most knowledgeably guys in the business talking about acoustics and some folks praising isoacoustic lol
     
  15. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    There's an audio fest near me next weekend. I will listen to Amphion again and report back on their CD4 count.
     
  16. Tristan Jones

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    While your logic makes perfect sense, I would argue that your mindset does not work in the real world.

    In fact after several years of building amps and other audio components, I have found that coloration and transparency very rarely (if at all) coincide.

    Transparency usually comes from proper and meticulous design of a circuit. And I also usually find that the simpler a circuit is, the more transparent it is. In other words, the less crap in the audio path, the more transparent the system is. However distortion is also fairly high as a result because there is no negative feedback or anything like that keeping it in check.

    So I end up with a system that is both very transparent AND colored.

    This dac in question could very well have a "sweeter" mid range and still be transparent. There really is no steadfast rule that says otherwise.
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Sins of omission vs sins of commision, and balancing that.
     
  18. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    I tried ordering a Solaris last year in December, they said they were back-ordered & had to wait until more were made. Had to cancel my order after nearly 3 months & nothing. Seems the wait times haven't really changed since.
     
  19. jowls

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    Solaris money shot.

    340FC9E3-6CE4-4DCC-B207-83B98F91D4FE.jpeg
     
  20. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Sure doesn't look like much in there, eh? My DSJr. is even more empty haha
     

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