Rockna Wavedream DAC: Awesomesauce

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Nov 7, 2019.

  1. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    More than a Signature. 2x,xxx? 3x,xxx?

    The Wavedream lineup will supposedly expand to 3 variants. Edition -> Signature -> Ultra.
     

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    Last edited: May 23, 2022
  2. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    Any news of wavelight server?
     
  3. GoldenOne

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    I'm not sure how much Nicolae does/doesn't want shared until it's ready so I'll leave it to him to disclose that when he chooses.

    More than the current wavedream though that's kinda a given :p
     
  4. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Aiming for 25k USD. 6 to 12 months away.
     
  5. AdvanTech

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    After reading through this thread I triangulated that I wanted to eventually upgrade from a Wavelight to a Wavedream. I recently picked up a used Wavedream Signature XLR and only have a few things to add to the more comprehensive impressions posted in earlier pages.

    Setup:
    Pi2AES -> Wavedream Signature -> Goldpoint SA2X -> Pass XA30.8 -> Troels Faital 3WC-15

    I currently have the Goldpoint in the chain to do most of the attenuating, and I'm using the Wavedream remote to do smaller volume adjustments in the digital domain. The digital volume control uses quad 63-bit DSP, so I feel like I'll probably be fine if I keep attenuation under 10dB.

    Impressions:
    - The Wavedream Signature digs deeper into mixes than a Wavelight. There's an appreciable increase in resolving ability.
    - There is also an increase in focus/attack/bite which is probably part of why I think it digs deeper into mixes. It's not as laid back of a DAC. It's still smooth, just not as smoothed over as a Wavelight.
    - There seems to be more air, or maybe the more focused presentation of the DAC makes it more noticeable.
    - There is definitely more slam. Low-end grip and extension appears to be improved compared to the Wavelight.
    - I can't say too much about staging with the comically small listening room I have this setup in at the moment, but I'm sure it's good.

    In terms of synergy:
    I found the more smoothed out presentation from the Wavelight was great for the Focal Utopia and with the Beryllium tweeter'd speakers I'd had built for me, but I've since swapped out those tweeters for fabric ring radiators so this increase in focus from the Wavedream was what I'd wanted.

    The Wavedream might be the 'better' DAC than a Wavelight in many ways-but (if price wasn't a factor) driver materials, the rest of your chain, and personal preferences might make the Wavelight a better match. That extra softness, mellowness, and difference in attack from the Wavelight could be a feature.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2022
  6. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    With the current trends in mind, I was thinking about 35-40k, so it is quite a relief to know they are aiming for 25k usd haha.
    A matching Wavedream Ultra Net, in a chassis with the same looks and dimensions with a toslink input (so it's possible to connect the TV to it) would be a great addition IMO.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2022
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yup, Wavedream is a huge upgrade, even though we are in the arena of diminishing returns. Kind of the same sound, but also different.
     
  8. Miracle1980

    Miracle1980 Acquaintance

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    It's about 2 months that I'm using an Audiobyte HUB as streamer connected to my WD via i2s.
    The HUB is an amazing streamer and it was a huge improvement over my previous Auralic Aries with femto (USB). I'm really happy with the purchase and I cannot recommend it enough if you are looking for a streamer.

    After various tests I decided to stick with resampling (hybrid filter) on the HUB up to 352/384khz and Wavedream without filter (NOS). I find the filter on the HUB to be superior than the ones in WD.

    One question... the input on the WD is limited to 352/384khz (for i2s and usb).
    The HUB is capable to resample up to 768/705.6Khz... do you think that guys from Rockna could raise the limit on WD to support input up to 7xx Khz frequencies?
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2022
  9. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    If its receiving end allows it, it probably is doable via a firmware update, but it might not be.
     
  10. Bourne Perfect

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    Pulled the trigger on the Wavedream SE-should arrive next week. Pairing with the Studio B, and replacing (hopefully) my Eximus dp1, which has subjectively destroyed many higher priced dacs to my ears over a decade. Very much looking forward to this Rocka though.

    My main concern is how well it will serve as a digital pre for me, I'm definitely reading some conflicting opinions in that regard. Still waiting for Schiit to get their namesake together with their transport, but until then I plan on using optical from a cheap cd transport, and usb occasionally from a laptop.

    /shamelessthreadbump
     
  11. Clemmaster

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    The Wavedream does not have an optical input :p
     
  12. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    which was a pain in the ass in my rig, since I use optical out from my tv for all my tv audio, I ended up grabbing a random optical to spdif converter off amazon to use instead
     
  13. Clemmaster

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    I jumped on a Empirical SynchroMesh a couple months back, but never ended up moving my Wavedream in my TV/2ch setup so it's been feeding my Burl B2 instead :D
     
  14. Bourne Perfect

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    Doh! I knew that and forgot! Aes it is in then!
     
  15. Bourne Perfect

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    How does the Mesh fair vs the internal on the Rockna? Debating picking up a Denafrips Gaia to pair with the WD, but not sure if that would be redundant, beneficial, or worse...cost aside of course. More thinking of it as a digital hub/switcher more than a ddc per se.
     
  16. Clemmaster

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    I haven't tested the SynchoMesh on the WD at all.
    It has an excellent USB input* which served me well for many months. I just got an iFi NEO Stream to try the I2S input: it is an improvement, but is it worth the $1400 spent? Not sure.

    (*) Alas, it is not isolated so if you (like me) run your USB source from a different outlet or with AC isolation in-between, you will benefit from an isolator. I use the Intona 7055-C in my setup.
     
  17. AdvanTech

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    +1 for digital pre. As long as you’re not trying to get a specific type of color that a certain topology pre will bring, it’d be hard to beat it in terms of transparency.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2022
  18. GoldenOne

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    This really depends on the DAC.

    In the case of the Wavedream, the distortion profile changes quite drastically depending on output level, so digital attenuation actually will change things a fair bit
     
  19. AdvanTech

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    Yep, but as long as you're not digitally attenuating so much that you're audibly deteriorating your listening experience by removing so much dynamic range (Nicolae of Rockna has suggested from >40dB of attenuation), you're probably still committing less sins of omission than putting a preamp in the signal path. I've tried pres of various price-points and more information was lost than just using digital volume control, for sure (among other things like additional sins of commission).
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2022
  20. Bourne Perfect

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    Now wondering if I should just use the Studio B like a power amp, since I'd rather use the remote for volume. Not sure if that would run the tubes harder, or be a negative at all? I think I'm gonna start by maybe leaving the B at 12 o'clock as a starting point. The WD arrives Tuesday, and I'll post my ideal settings probably in a week.
     

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