The Mike Moffat (#2 at Schiit) Blog

Discussion in 'Schiit' started by baldr, Dec 15, 2016.

  1. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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    Thanks for the update, always love these teasers. A while back they would make my head spin. Can't wait to see what's coming up.
     
  2. kukur9

    kukur9 Acquaintance

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    ha ha ha, how about a fourth “flavor?”
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    An updated Gungnir D/S with a custom chip would be really exciting!
     
  4. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    Is this referring to the decision to go with DSP processors or something else?
    Also, will the design be single bit or the more common 5 bit hybrid?
     
  5. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
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    If you guys can get the Cirrus clarity without the bass and treble color and the ESS detail without the euphony and provide good drivers with adjustable buffer settings.... HOT DAMN
     
  6. schnesim

    schnesim New

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    IIRC Chord uses an FPGA in their Mojo DAC which sells for about Bifrost 2 money.
     
  7. baldr

    baldr Schiit-sterer

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    All due respect, let me clarify my assertion of expensive prices for FPGAs based D/A converters. For the purpose of implementing proper digital filters common in higher end D/A converters, very high gate density FPGAs are required, indeed 3-5x times the cost of a DSP processor. Now it is quite true that much smaller FPGAs are available for much smaller prices which could implement part of the required code at Bifrost 2 ricing.
     
  8. baldr

    baldr Schiit-sterer

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    Audio Listening vs. Measurements: Science or Scientism?

    Audio equipment choice is anything but objective. Further, there are no right answers. None. One likes what one likes just as some like classical, rock, Chinese opera, Sushi, tacos, tapas, etc., etc. True, occasional patterns of consensus emerge and some brands/models become more popular than others. There is science involved in audio design – necessary so that the units actually work at the right temperature. I know, for example, that if I put 30 volts on a 10 volt part I will blow it the f**k up. Science, right. Now I could put a lab coat on and pose as an expert and tell everyone not to put 30 volts on 10 volt parts, but no one would give a shit because it is common engineering knowledge. As long as I am now an expert and still have my lab coat on, I could now tell everyone which gear is the best based on various measurements. Who says gear measuring like a or b or c sounds like d or e or f? Where are the blind listening tests? Where is the control group? Over the last 45 or so years I have come to codify Moffat’s law: Any measurement below -70db has nothing to do with the sound of the unit unto itself. There are those lab coat wearers who obnoxiously declare that the better the measurements the better the sound. It’s like the guy with the half-million dollar car exclaiming “look at my tires!” This is on the road to scientism. What the f**k is scientism?

    Merriam Webster says it is “an exaggerated trust in the efficacy of the methods of natural science applied to all areas of investigation (as in philosophy, the social sciences, and the humanities)”. Karl Popper defines scientism as "the aping of what is widely mistaken for the method of science". F.A. Hayak, describes it as the "slavish imitation of the method and language of Science". The road to scientism requires a self appointed expert, an unprovable or bogus approved hypothesis, and a motive such as money or approval.

    Now I also have an unproven hypothesis. I suspect most sonic differences are transient and discontinuity related in the time domain. I do know what I like sonically, and offer seven different versions. Since I do it for a living, I certainly hope one of them may be pleasing enough for many. I do refuse to tell anyone which is best.
     
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    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 2
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  9. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    Sticky the above
     
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  10. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    @baldr,
    hope you don't mind if I quote your post today on Head-Fi. It would be intriguing for folks here.

    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/what-a-long-strange-trip-its-been-robert-hunter.784471/post-16995835

    Hey all,
    Once upon a time I used to post here....
    After dealing with:
    1. Dual delta sigma designs on all of our less expensive DACs to keep them in production.
    2. Dual DSP platforms on all of our higher end DACs to keep them in production (still in process, but getting better).
    3. Translating our digital filter to FPGAs to keep our higher end DACs in production if all DSP platforms leave the planet.
    I may actually post again!!
    Really - not just an empty threat.

    But what to talk about??
    Wellllll,
    1. The completion of our first ground-up custom programmed mega burrito delta sigma DAC. I used to think that ds designs sounded like a slapped ass. Turs out I was fulla Schiit, but completely? Stay tuned.
    2. What's the diff between the dsp platforms and the diff between the less expensive DACs. More coming.
    3. A whole new way of analog/digital coupling which is giving me a 35 year maxima in audio wood.

    Back to the fun!​
     

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