Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 5, 2022 9:35:23 GMT
The parts arrived yesterday, so I made up my phono cable. Although technically compatible, it was a little tricky to get the plugs to work well on te cable (9mm capacity plug, 8.5mm cable), somI had to strip a little of the outer sheath off for the strain relief to work properly. Anyway, the cable has been made, and it is fitted between my BB3 and Pre90 to “burn in.” I also made up my new balanced cables I needed to avoid stacking the DAC and Pre, using some Neotech XLR plugs I got cheap on EvilBay, and the Elecaudio cable that I prefer to the Neotech. I may need one more cable when I fit my RCA sockets on my SL1200, but time will tell. Sounds like you hhave been busy. I ordered some Monosaudio RCA plugs for the silver cable i bought. They have a sale on so 4x RCA plugs were £12...gold plated copper. Madness. Top marks to optical for the tip off
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Apr 5, 2022 17:50:01 GMT
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 5, 2022 18:25:21 GMT
No way either of those are copper mate. It seems the listing I used has gone....
|
|
optical
Moderator
BIG STAR
Be Excellent To Eachother
Posts: 1,616
|
Post by optical on Apr 5, 2022 18:49:07 GMT
No way either of those are copper mate. It seems the listing I used has gone.... I was going to post the link here this morning but it's completely gone, These are only a couple of quid more though so happy days. These are proper. Pure copper, low (ish) mass etc etc a.aliexpress.com/_uz2g9g
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2022 17:33:11 GMT
The RCA box arrived today, so I fitted the WBT RCA sockets. I removed the Mogami coax cable from the Technics PCB, and soldered some OCC cable between the PCB and the RCA sockets. Then the Neotech OCC was fitted between the SL1200 and the BB3. A Neotech OCC cable then feeds the pre amp. Sounds fine to these ears (on a quick test track), I would even say it sounds better, but 1 track is not enough….
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2022 19:56:20 GMT
Just recently I thought that my digital side of the system was sounding far better than my analaogue. This happened since I swapped the Kin for the Pre90 and ran balanced connections from the DAC through to the power amp. Today the analogue has fought back, and has closed the gap. I am happy with the result.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Apr 11, 2022 20:38:58 GMT
Just recently I thought that my digital side of the system was sounding far better than my analaogue. This happened since I swapped the Kin for the Pre90 and ran balanced connections from the DAC through to the power amp. Today the analogue has fought back, and has closed the gap. I am happy with the result. This is good news.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2022 16:57:29 GMT
It has been a while since I posted here, so time to update this with digital ponderings….
My digital system consists of my fanless/moving part free PC, with a good ATX power supply (low ripple voltage etc). This feeds a DI-2014, and then the RME ADI-2 DAC FS.
So, if I was going for an upgrade, which bit would be the most sensible to change first? I am assuming the DAC, but which one? Should I chase high bit rate conversions, or make do with slightly better than CD quality?
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Sept 16, 2022 17:14:04 GMT
Tony misterc likes the new Gustard R26 R2R dac, look on the net for comments and reviews, comes with a built in streamer as a bonus. Fancy a valve dac, I linked to this one the other day. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134218445670?hash=item1f400af366:g: I got an offer of £2k on ebay from the seller, but go through Studio A/V direct, they are helpful.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2022 17:21:25 GMT
Buying from the U.K. is a no go. Is it much different to this - www.leboncoin.fr/image_son/2127382939.htmI am not sure I want a valve DAC if I am honest. I am not sure more ChiFi would make me happy either, but a lot of stuff is assembled there now.
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Sept 16, 2022 17:42:25 GMT
The Lab 12 you've linked to is the older version, I'm sure it will still be very good, although I'm sure I read the newer version is better.
Gustard are a well known and reliable brand even if they are Chinese.
Since you're asking about a new dac again, what thoughts have you had?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2022 19:13:33 GMT
Thoughts are to try an R2R to see what the fuss is about.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 16, 2022 21:45:57 GMT
Thoughts are to try an R2R to see what the fuss is about. The fuss is real, but then so is the multibits like the PCM63s...but no HiRes Valve DACs are good too ..... The Lampizator golden gate...wowsers. I liked that one. But then so was Tony's TAD DAC. I really liked that one. But at @ £9.5k? Joking aside, How good is your source? I genuinely have no idea if it's good, bad or average, but transports are important. If it's good, try some room treatment. I'm listening to a £4 Monica2 DAC ... It's hilariously listenable. Not quite a Parasound, but still....it was £4. The room treatment improved the sq dramatically, so I recommend doing that before you do anything else. Get some treatment in and then assess your DAC again.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2022 9:04:26 GMT
I have no idea how good my source is. I have nothing to compare with it.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2022 9:44:36 GMT
I have no idea how good my source is. I have nothing to compare with it. It's hard to know when you havent been able to compare. I'd still go room treatment first...recent revalation like, but easily overlookled.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2022 9:49:02 GMT
Room treatment is going to be difficult.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2022 9:59:21 GMT
Room treatment is going to be difficult. Anything is better than nothing, which i am finding out.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2022 10:10:35 GMT
I was thinking of some Gik panels behind my listening space, as the wall is directly behind me. Not ideal, but choices in my current space, with everything I want to fit in that space is challenging.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2022 10:26:05 GMT
I was thinking of some Gik panels behind my listening space, as the wall is directly behind me. Not ideal, but choices in my current space, with everything I want to fit in that space is challenging. They reckon first reflection points are the most bang for buck. I know it isnt easy, but it is making exceptional gains in my system.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2022 10:39:02 GMT
My room only really has 2 corners, so first reflection may be a good idea.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,358
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 18, 2022 19:49:10 GMT
DACs continued
Are you looking for an R-2R?
|
|
|
Post by macca on Sept 18, 2022 19:59:37 GMT
I was thinking of some Gik panels behind my listening space, as the wall is directly behind me. Not ideal, but choices in my current space, with everything I want to fit in that space is challenging. They reckon first reflection points are the most bang for buck. I know it isnt easy, but it is making exceptional gains in my system. In my room it was around the listening position. I treated first reflections later but that didn't actually make an appreciable difference. Very room and speaker dependant. I think my speakers have quite narrow directivity so early reflections no such an issue. But the area behind the listening position makes a big difference in my room. Just closing the curtain on the window behind is like a complete system upgrade, no exaggeration. I demonstrated that to Marco when he was last here. We started listening with the curtain open and after five minutes or so I said 'Have a listen to this' and drew the curtain over. He's a seasoned campaigner but even he was surprised at the difference it made. Anyway, back to R2 D2.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2022 20:17:16 GMT
DACs continued Are you looking for an R-2R? I would like to try one, against my Delta Sigma.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2022 7:53:13 GMT
The last two weeks were time spent on holiday. During this time I spent a lot of time listening to music, so I fitted my DV XX2 MkII. I really enjoy this cartridge. It may not be one for the Ortofon fan boys, but not being one, it suits me fine.
I also spent a lot of time listening to the digital side of my system. Unless a R2R DAC comes up at a good price at the right time, I am in no hurry to change it. I know my system is not perfect, but to get anything much better is going to cost some serious moolah.
|
|
|
Post by mikeyb on Nov 7, 2022 9:02:19 GMT
I've always been tempted by that DV cartridge as I'm not an Ortofan either. That's why I went the Hana ML then Koetsu route. Gosh you're at a point where it would be silly to spend more.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 7, 2022 9:34:27 GMT
Back in my vinyl days I was a big Dynavector fan, from the 10x5 to the XX1L, with quite a few in between. Yup, much more my sort of sound than Ortofon. Contrary to any common sense I think my favourite might have been the 10x5! Not the most natural or resolved, but it had such enthusiasm and fun factor.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 7, 2022 9:34:59 GMT
What's your digital setup? Still the RME?
|
|
|
Post by lurch on Nov 7, 2022 9:40:29 GMT
@mickeyb I'm also very much at that point especially as I reckon I'd need to spend minimum mid 4 figures to make any meaningful change. Like you I also went the ML to Koetsu route, first a BGL and now an RSP, however I'm seriously thinking about swapping in an EEI 555MCP inplace of the RSP to see if I really need to be at this level. The EEI was the same price as a Koetsu Rosewood when it came out in the 80s, but only cost me £80 last year. Considering vinyl currently only forms about 5% of my listening, do I really need such a spendy cart on my deck??
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2022 11:57:24 GMT
What's your digital setup? Still the RME? Yes. The RME, with appropriate settings in the menus. It is not exactly “plug and play” to get the best out of it.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 7, 2022 12:18:55 GMT
I had an RME for a short while. Maybe I should have persevered, but I found it a bit bland. Lots of folks like them, so probably down to setup/synergy/preference. Most things are!
What we're the settings that dialed it in for you?
|
|