Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 27, 2022 10:05:05 GMT
Thanks for your views, I think the Holo Spring would have been the most expensive at new prices, still good to hear it was the 'winner' on the day though. That Didit DAC Isn't cheap new? Think they cost more tbh. |
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Post by ijrussell on Jun 27, 2022 10:54:12 GMT
Thanks for your views, I think the Holo Spring would have been the most expensive at new prices, still good to hear it was the 'winner' on the day though. That Didit DAC I'd t cheap new? Think they cost more tbh. The DiDiT DAC212SE was EUR4000 new in 2016. |
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Post by ijrussell on Jun 27, 2022 10:56:23 GMT
Next time I do one of these, I'll organise it so that each DAC has time to warm up while the current DAC is playing. I was very impressed with the Holo Spring, even from cold.
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Post by macca on Jun 27, 2022 11:53:03 GMT
at the AA meet-up my gut instinct favoured the Holo so that's interesting that it was the same at this bake-off. Not that I think the differences in DACs is enough to be worth bothering about but I seem to be in a minority of one there.  The best thing you could do if you have another comparison is to do it blind and match levels. All the DACs tested seem to have different output levels, just a small increase in level over another DAC can make it sound 'better.' Warm up really isn't a factor unless it is using valves. Knowing which DAC you are listening to can also affect perception of the sound. I think this is why in sighted comparison the more expensive DACs often tend to be favoured, removing that variable will result in a more reliable appraisal. |
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Post by antonio on Jun 27, 2022 13:44:52 GMT
macca "Not that I think the differences in DACs is enough to be worth bothering about but I seem to be in a minority of one there" There's always one, why not change your avatar to a black sheep 
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 27, 2022 14:01:38 GMT
That Didit DAC I'd t cheap new? Think they cost more tbh. The DiDiT DAC212SE was EUR4000 new in 2016. So about EUR900 more than the Spring. I thought so. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 27, 2022 14:03:20 GMT
at the AA meet-up my gut instinct favoured the Holo so that's interesting that it was the same at this bake-off. Not that I think the differences in DACs is enough to be worth bothering about but I seem to be in a minority of one there. The best thing you could do if you have another comparison is to do it blind and match levels. All the DACs tested seem to have different output levels, just a small increase in level over another DAC can make it sound 'better.' Warm up really isn't a factor unless it is using valves. Knowing which DAC you are listening to can also affect perception of the sound. I think this is why in sighted comparison the more expensive DACs often tend to be favoured, removing that variable will result in a more reliable appraisal. You need to listen to your gut more often Macca. |
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Post by macca on Jun 27, 2022 14:08:55 GMT
at the AA meet-up my gut instinct favoured the Holo so that's interesting that it was the same at this bake-off. Not that I think the differences in DACs is enough to be worth bothering about but I seem to be in a minority of one there.  The best thing you could do if you have another comparison is to do it blind and match levels. All the DACs tested seem to have different output levels, just a small increase in level over another DAC can make it sound 'better.' Warm up really isn't a factor unless it is using valves. Knowing which DAC you are listening to can also affect perception of the sound. I think this is why in sighted comparison the more expensive DACs often tend to be favoured, removing that variable will result in a more reliable appraisal. You need to listen to your gut more often Macca. sometimes it has been right but it's been wrong many more times. Going with gut instinct is what our brain favours but in pretty much any field of endeavour it's usually a mistake. Better to go with hard data and metrics every time. Yes it's soul-less I know, but it's demonstrably far more effective. of course we are supposed to be having fun, it's a hobby after all and I enjoy reading people's subjective evaluations as much as the next man. But when it comes to spending money.... |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 28, 2022 14:53:11 GMT
Just for info, i have moved the musings to a separate thread so as not to distract too far from Ian's bakeoff thread.
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