SBAF DAC Talk II

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

  1. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Thr Bartok uses delta sigma chip, right? Any harshness in the upper mid or treble?
     
  2. taisserroots

    taisserroots Friend

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    afaik DCS have their special ring DAC which is their own take on FPGA DACs like ps-audio and chord
     
  3. bengo

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  4. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    They say the dac is made inside FPGA(s).
    A discrete FPGA would be something (also dumb). I really doubt that big enough would fit inside even chassis as big as theirs.
    These could be artzy way of doing output RC filter, or while fantasizing, why not a hybrid 'multibit dac' made of discrete string ladder + SD inside FPGA. Can't really make out shift registers, which should accompany the ladder.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2019
  5. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    So @Roman and I were talking about Metrum DACs and he mentioned that the former CEO Cees has started a new company Sonnet Audio. https://www.sonnet-audio.com/ Perhaps @Anjo De Heus can comment on this - not sure if it's the same person on this handle.

    Anyways, not knowing what I can say or not based on my brief emails with Cees, I will say that I'm pretty excited. It looks like there will be a (very) nice DAC coming out soon. Perhaps at a similar level to Yggdrasil and other similar level products at what I feel is a reasonable price. Per the website, it looks like the amps will be made modular as well.

    Anyone else know or hear anything? (I did read through some comments in the Pavane thread [page 28 and a few after], a dedicated Sonnet thread at HF, and this https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/sonnet-digital/)

    Lastly, has SBAF ever organized a group buy before? I would be willing to organize if I'm available when the product releases (and while I have faith, let's just say we are assuming there are no red flags popping up online in the first 2-3 weeks).
    EDIT: If anyone would be seriously interested in the group buy, please PM me and/or make an actual post here to help track interest.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2019
  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    @fp627 I know I would be very interested in checking out whatever Cees is working on.

    We might be able to arrange something, loaner or otherwise.

    Keep me/us posted, and let us know if there's another way we could get engaged.
     
  7. Pharmaboy

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    verrrry interesting.

    I was quite interested in several top Metrum Acoustics models: but they were simply too large physically & too expensive for me to seriously consider.

    Ended up upgrading my NOS DAC to the MHDT Labs Orchid, modded to have a 2nd RCA output pair (an essential convenience on my desktop)--very happy with it, so far.

    Then again, Cees & Metrum have a helluva track-record in recent years. If his new company did any NOS models that are more manageable size & price, "Attention must be paid."
     
  8. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Metrum Onyx has very desktop friendly footprint.
    It's 290x250X60mm and weighs 3kg.
    You will get it for good price in used market.
     
  9. Roman

    Roman Facebook Friend

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    The same footprint has a new promised DAC from Cees - Dimensions 290 x 250 x 60 mm
    Weight 3.2KG
    I would personally wait until the product is live. Not everyone liked Onyx.
     
  10. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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  11. EagleWings

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  12. Firegon

    Firegon New

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    Yep, the roon dac project is closed and will come back next year, first they're releasing some other stuff ... including the Morpheus DAC. By the way, the Morpheus DAC is supposed to be roughly on par with the Pavane/Adagio in terms of performance, but hopefully cheaper( very rough estimate given by Cees Ruijtenberg is 3800 Euro inc VAT for EU, but this can obviously change ).
    I must say - if it turns out to be true - I'm definitely getting one. But first I'll wait for some reviews, hopefully SBAF can pull some strings and get a unit
     
  13. Pharmaboy

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    I looked long & hard at both the Onyx & Jade. I cruised all F.S. listings for either/both for months. But my problem is both are borderline too large for my desktop. If I really crammed it, stacked them on something else that's already too high off the desktop, it would work, but barely--and other components would have to moved to inconvenient places.

    That, plus the fact I never found a reasonably priced Onyx or Jade in good condition during the months I looked, pushed me in other directions.

    I can't figure out how to post pictures on SABF. If I could, I'd post a picture of the portion of my desktop I'm talking about (that would really make my point).
     
  14. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Some DAC you can set vertically. The Gungnir has a very small footprint when vertical.
    I had my Yggdrasil set vertically behind my monitors at work, for that reason.
    Just make sure the transfos are at the bottom.
     
  15. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    [​IMG]
    Not even being sarcastic. How did I not think of this...


    And yes, what Roman said. Onyx / Jade are nice, but I think that it's the Pavane (and I assume Adagio) that really shines in the Metrum lineup.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2019
  16. bengo

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    Use Imgur or similar external hosting.
     
  17. Pharmaboy

    Pharmaboy Friend

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    Thanks!
     
  18. Pharmaboy

    Pharmaboy Friend

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    OK, below are 2 pix of my crowded desktop. There's no room for electronics on the actual desktop (where my ATC monitors, computer monitor & keyboard are). All the electronics are to the right of the desktop on a shallow shelf. Actually built 2 platforms to stack components. BTW, the big black box on top of the PC case is a Marchand electronic crossover. ..a necessity to wire in the sub (not shown).

    Since these pix were taken, the Audio GD DAC on the rightmost platform was replaced by a new MHDT Labs Orchid DAC. The Orchid is an inch wider than the AGD but much shallower, allowing me to place it face-first w/wires going out the back, as I did the AGD (a major space saver).

    If I attempted to put install any significantly larger DAC, things would get dicey. And endgame DACs like the TERMINATOR and PAVANNE (both >12" deep) are out of the question (1st world problems!).

    Note: The Orchid, like the NOS 19 DAC before it. has dual RCA outputs, allowing me to hear different headphones through 2 amps (in the picture they're the V281 and the Woo WA3...I have 3 other SS amps that I switch in & out); while also hearing the ATC monitors powered by the big class D amp show w/the V281 as preamp.

    https://imgur.com/a/7wPIFLy

    (tried inserting these images on Imgur.com...no can do)
     
  19. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    Use the "Upload a File" button (next to Post Reply).
     
  20. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    To do that, you need the direct url to the image. In imgur, right click on the image and select "Copy image address" (or something similar, depending on your browser).

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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