They are all excellent DACs and at that level of performance, it's ultimately about system synergy, personal preferences and the limitations of our hearing. If you send me a dave i will happily be your 4th friend who also owns a dave. Blimey my RME ADI 2 DAC looks to have better performance at a fraction of the cost, /===============================================================/, DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface, Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers. Up to 8X DSD Its weighty, it feels perfect, its not overly ostentatious and its perfect! Over the air updates will ensure that your renderer always has the latest capabilities and ultimate convenience. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. The DACs are individually shielded and thermally-bonded and multiple units are used per channel, which MSB tells us increases performance and lowers output impedance. I expected a lot better. We await Phase 2 where all DACs are assessed using upsampled data via your Lumin U1 to establish ranking and the preferred format through each. Wherever I read I see unanimous praise for the MSB Select II. The Base module has two outputs (high and low) depending on whether you are outputting to a preamplifier or directly to a power amplifier. Its an interesting setup with everything from design through to milling the chassis to building the circuit boards being done in-house. I still did not found better audio source. First I want to say that I fully agree that the hobby is Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. I may need to reset expectations a bit lower: This is an update to some old DAVE vibration control posts. Euphony Summus, EtherRegen, MSB Discrete. And this level of detail the MSB Discrete brings to the listening experience was carried through everything I listened toand I listened to this DAC a lot, with it being the only thing I used to for a solid two weeks. Please specify coaxial S/PDiF or optical S/PDiF. Right now my favorite DACs in my system are the Pacific Microsonics Model 2 (for PCM), Phasure NOS1a (for PCM), Meridian Ultra (for MQA), and the Playback Designs MPS5 (for DSD128). My friend who owns the Diamond DAC IV prefers the MSB. Paired with performance increases, our modular design ethos increases flexibility for future updates and product support, guaranteeing a long-term product investment. For some folk, a highly resolving and accurate system may well be described as being over-analytical, and on the other side of the audio fence, some will suggest that some systems sound nice but flawed. $16K Signature DAC sound? but with digital things change quickly, and a month ago I got a new server, the SGM Extreme. Bespoke Audio Ultimate Silver TVC passive preamp, Totaldac xlr version D1-Drivers x2, Eisteddfod 340 & 840 amps, Magico S5 speaker, MSB Select DAC, MSB Select Transport, Nakamichi 700 XLE cassette deck, Taiko Audio Extreme Server, Tripoint Troy Signature NG groundbox, PLiXiR Elite 1500 isolation transformers. Actually the ChordHugo M Scaler and the Blu Mk. Directstream, Bricasti M1, Jeff Rowland Aeris, Chord Dave, and today I EAR FILLERS HiFi Pig Playlists on Qobuz, Transatlantic Dispatches: A New World Disorder, Astell&Kern Launch Three New Products At High End Munich 2022. By clicking links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission, but our editorial remains entirely independent and unbiased. This leaner and cleaner edge has the effect of adding a level of perceived detail to the listening experience. But if you don't, what is your reference point? November 11, 2020 in Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio. Can't beat the form factor of it though, great for off a desk top. Triangle Magellan Concerto 2< AQEverest< Vitus Audio SS-010 Mk2< AQDragon High Current< AQWELXLR< ChordQutestDAC w UpTone JS-2 & AQ Dragon Source < AQDiamond USB< InnuosPhoenix USBwAQ Dragon Source< AurenderN100H & AQ Dragon Source< NetGear GS105GESwitch w UpTone LPS1.2< Supra CAT8 Ethernet
Music PC w/JCAT XE nic, HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal / Qobuz | HDPlex HD100 PSU -> OCX clock + EtherRegen | Aqua Acoustic Quality LinQ streamer | Aqua Acoustic Quality Formula xHD Rev. - Meat Loaf. dac at a reasonable price. Best DACs comparison test result [[My Subjective Opinion]] Since the Topping D70s SINAD is ~120 dB and it costs ~$650, then given that "money is power" (as opposed to amplitude), I would expect the Chord DAVE SINAD to be at least 120 + 10*log($14,000 / $650) = 133.3 dB. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/, Check the true bit-depth of your files and audio engine, Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences, Know your limits (Sound Exposure Safety Chart), Topping DX7 Pro+ vs Chord DAVE measurements (Cosmos ADC) - DAVE is better in some areas (surprise! digital 149728-117859 MSB select II vs all dacs ? Chord Msb Dac Dave Vs Discrete [FZ8OTP] - amministrato.to.it Nothing was amiss. And differences at that level can be good. JavaScript is disabled. After reading that review, and remembering the reverence APL had back in the day, alongside the Stahl Tek and Trinity dacs that were the heavy hitters 10-15 yrs ago, I was just curious as to whether . This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. This is a dealers email comment to me about comparisons he did. To build a simple and good system). I hear the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty gives the DAVE a run for its money at $8950 but that is just hearsay. You might want to consider adding one of Chord's Upscalers, either Hugo M scaler , or the Blu Mk. It is an unassuming but very nicely put together component that has had a great deal of thought put into the architecture of the parts that make it up. Of course this DAC is super pricey and out of the reach of many (including me). Put simply, your DAC is ready for the future. I believe it comes down to DLNA Protocol. For sure with Hugo and Qutenot even debatable. The Pro USB is offered as a stand alone module for users who already have an MSB DAC that is equipped with a Pro ISL input as well as a starter kit with a Pro ISL input and everything you need to get up and running. Others might disagree but these are my findings. Cheers @Stereophilus The only other items in the chain were the Stack streamer and a pretty well-sorted network setup. Is it too hot to touch? Now to include the HMS. StereoNET (Australia) is part of an international network of publications owned wholly by Sound Media Group (Australia). Cs | Critical Mass CS2s -> components, Isoacoustics -> speakers + subs | Adona Eris II rack on Herbie's titanium footers | Fully treated and dedicated 2 channel room. It's just more financially viable to me for the performance and price ratio. The in-house discrete design is then constructed into its own shielded CNC pocket for optimal isolation. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates. Like others said, I'd try first an MScaler with DAVE. The Chord DAVE was also on my list, but I decided to pass (my Chord retailer was very 'pushy' and not helpful). It may not display this or other websites correctly. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount. I have heard a lot of top DACs at shows or other systems but not in my own. Not a bad idea Snoop! With two prime DACs, we yield an unprecedented level of detail, reproducing the musicality, soundstage, and texture of an original performance, bringing the artist to you. With a better matched preamp presence may be acceptable. sounds like a more transparent Chord Dave to my ears. There is no such thing as a "FPGA DAC"! It would be absolute suicide for an audio distributor to A Chord DAC converts to analog via Chord's "Pulse Array DAC" which is a discrete circuit, similar to the discrete circuit used in the MSB DACs (but not the same). Chord DAVE - DAC - Digital to Analog Conversion - Audiophile Style more might come to mind and I will add them. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary tells me that the definition of high-fidelity (HiFi) is the reproduction of an effect (such as sound or an image) that is very faithful to the original and it would seem to be reasonable to assume that this is the goal of audiophiles around the world. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. Like the rest of the DACs in the MSB range, the Select DAC is modular in its architecture with each of the modules being produced in house, as outlined above. If I had been responsible for coding that display I would never tell anyone. If you go reference you will never look back. Whats Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. Even at very low listening levels, it was clear that the MSB was delivering a clean analogue output to the ampand Im aware that sounds a bit vague. Strangely from this company is lack of any anti-aliasing on the text causing pixels to not be seen in the fonts chosen! The main reason we took on Rockna was because their I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? The Dave as a DAC actually sounds decent. that it is difficult to say you have the best in regard to dacs but Rockna is This latter recording gets played to death at shows, but that doesnt detract from it being a very good tune and a very good recording, though I have been known to take the piss a bit when it gets played for the tenth time in a day at audio events. For the most part, I used this input and for a quick comparison one of the optical inputs. My first serious audio system was Garrard turntable, Fisher Int(SS), ADS bookspeaker bought on 1978. Never say never, but I reckon 99.9% of folk would get to the Discretes level of performance and not be able to justify another 110K to achieve, what I am guessing would be marginal gains though I have not experienced the Select and so cannot say for sure that this would be the case and it may be a total revelation is sonic engineering. More sharing . I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive, I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against aMakua that I subsequently purchased. Very resolving, tone is on the cold side of neutral but otherwise pretty free of digital nasties compared to the cheaper Chords, and the stage is flatter than Keira Knightley. Im participating to both learn and make suggestions where I have experience that may help. Personally we have A/B 76 different digital front ends. What makes you want to upgrade from DAVE? I can see the problem with this unit. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (in part or in full) without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE | Page 934 - Head-Fi.org The clock can be seen as being the heart of the DAC and once again the clocks are made in-house. auditioned the Rockna Wavedream Edition DAC. The Discrete Power Supply feeds the DAC with dual low-noise power streams that are linear and independent. We feel All in all the Discrete DAC is beautiful looking, minimal, easy to set up (its all but plug and play if you turn both the PSUs on) and it feels like a proper bit of audio engineering. The DAC has two modes; multi-bit PCM and single-bit discrete DSD mode. They both use FPGA for their decoding. I wanted to know for anyone who has heard it have you also heard a DAC that approached it in sonic performance? But digital, potentially, can change things. As you pursue higher levels of playback, an MSB upgrade path is always available to help drive your own desire for innovation. You could try some of the newer dacs that has gotten good reviews. Chord states "DAVE is the most advanced DAC we have ever made. Equipped with high-visibility and a wide viewing angle, the display is both easy-to-read and stunning, exhibiting our love for intuitive features. In terms of sound quality, it's the best digital front end I . @shkong78 how good is the dave + mscaler vs msb? Can I ask how you procured all those DACs? I've also learned that a DAC's performance will depend heavily on the music player. But dont take our word for it. Msb Discrete Dac Vs Dave Chord [YKHGV1] of the 5 systems are completely different, our rooms are completely different Sonically it is very much as its name suggests and converts files faithfully and without loss or (importantly) embellishment. I hate to repeat myself, but there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences. So, essentially, around the back of this DAC we have XLR output modules, dual power inputs (more on this in a moment) the digital input module (XLR, RCA, and two optical), and the USB input. The Premier DAC Features - MSB Technology list the Rockna Wavedream Edition sounds this good, how good does their - Up to 32 bit - 768kHz. I haven't heard MSB or theDenafrips DAC. and this is borne out in the sound that this DAC brings to the party. It is my name after all! Australian Business Number 38 650 151 296, Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio, Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna Wavedream. In that time, weve pushed the industry forward with each product weve built, redefining whats possible. Thirdly, having suggested that the brightness issue may lay elsewhere, I will shortly post a suggested tweak directly to both HMS and DAVE - that I have found to increase the "weight", "solidity" and "analogueness" of the resulting sound. I'm looking for suggestions on DACs I should listen to as possible replacement of my Chord Dave. JavaScript is disabled. You are using an out of date browser. This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests of CHORD DAVE combination DAC and headphone amplifier. MSB Discrete Dac with one additional basic power supply. had if for 2 years now. It's better than the MSB Analog I listened to. I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). Less experience with Dave on DSD, plus Rob claims to no longer decimate. This ranking is just my subjective thinking. This is because one PSU is supplying juice to modules including the screen and USB input etc but not to the output module. No matter what ice cream you prefer, I prefer something else. Who knows ?! Ok, I looked a prat but it proves that the separate PSUs are actually doing something rather than being there for show, though they do look rather cool in themselves. Chord Dave vs Mola Mola Makua/Tambaqui vs Emm Labs Dac2x vs Rockna The reasoning behind the two clocks dealing with different frequency families is that music is mostly recorded within multiples of the 44.1kHz family or the 48kHz family and having a clock dealing with each family minimises loss. The LED display, slaved to the audio clock, is refreshed between data processing to drastically reduce electrical interference. I havent heard the Rockna. Chord DAVE DAC Preamp Amplifier - Moon Audio In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. Well build a personalized offer for your existing MSB products that count towards a new DAC or amplifier. If I want to build a complicated system, I won't consider DAVE because for the position of DAC, I can choose from other brands (Totaldac, NADAC, Rockna, Prismsound 8XR etc) at the same price. . SoundLab A1Px's, ARC REF40, VTL Siegfired II, cj GAT2, cj ART, DCS Vivaldi 2.0 stack, Taiko Audio SGM Extreme, TechDas AF1+ , Graham Phamtom III, Sumiko Palo Santos, vdH Black Beauty, ARC Phono 3, Studer A80, Crystal Dreamline, Transparent Audio Ref XL digital and Ref Gen V power cables, CenterStage footers, Nordost Qkore6' s and QB8's! I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. Its not bombarding you with information, but it is a notably more defined sound with regards to the spatial information and the way that elements sit in the mix a tad more solidity and more of a sense of the stereo image being wider and deeper and with instruments and sounds occupying a definite space of their own. Theyre not limited by audio formats, sample rates, or even speed. Besides that the MSB looks so much better. Astrostar here, said it completely blew away any dac he had before, and mind you, he has the entry level AC model. Would love to hear your opinions of which was better and why? Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. Thats not allthe CNC unibody aluminum chassis provides the discrete power supply with optimal thermal performance and an elegant design aesthetic. At some point you have to be content in this hobby. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content. As I said, its an odd one to describe but you do hear it as it brings a sense of rightness to rhythm tracks. Im outputting directly to the LAB12 (and later a Krell KST100) power amp and so a digital volume algorithm is used where the digital volume control is left at a relatively high output so as not to encounter loss at lower volume levels. I can only comment on the Emm labs, if u can get a DA2 I think you will be happy "An audiophile is only done when they go to the great brick and mortar store in the sky" Ron Resnick I don't understand why Chord DACs have to be so damn ugly! Well this is going to set the cat amongst the pigeons for sure. there are others I know about but Ive not heard them recently. have had the opportunity to A/B many more pieces of equipment than any consumer Playing Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jacksons Your Daddy Loves You from the Winter in America album gave me the same impression of a reach-out-and-touch soundscape with incredibly well-defined positions in the mix and a whole load of detail the over-driven sound of the electric piano at around a minute forty really stood out as being faithful to the recording; a case of high-fidelity highlighting a low-fidelity artefact? And thinking more about it, the differences at the time could have been small because the noise level in my system at the time of the comparison were relatively higher than they are now. However, the extra PSU does add to the cost considerably! I've had some excellent preamps in my system (Dartzeel, Absolare, Robert Koda, Kondo). As you mentioned imaging better, incredible PRaT with MSB. personal preference. That's just too money for the performance. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. There is a real sense of spectacle and scale when the MSB is in the system. This is disabled if you are outputting to a preamplifier. Sounds shrill on my workstation and work laptop. One of the things I jotted down in my notes during this time was the sense of scale the Discrete brought to the music I was listening to big music sounded BIG and more intimate recordings had their own scale too. It's embarrassing. I could not so, after 2 years of trying, I bought it. The jump from Six to Seven is rather large. it just complimented my system better than those other two. Perhaps you should consider the Accuphase DC-37 currently for sale in the classifieds? Thanks. Will do. Up to 32 bit 768kHz I would,however, like to say we are highly selective over the brands we represent and believe they are excellent value. It seems to take in zeros and ones and then somehow make sense of these and just convert them into faithful reproductions of the recording though me not being at the recording of any of the records I listened to, thats my assumption coming into play. I have the Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC, waiting for an upgrade. Audiogon Discussion Forum Dealer's should be required to state they're a dealer every time they post or have a disclaimer in their username. The Discrete DAC, The Premier DAC, The Reference DAC, The Select DAC II, Theater Master. It's not just a matter of being polite, it's also about acknowledging that what we hear and what we prefer is uncertain and changes; that the comparisons were made at different points in time wherein my system had varying levels of resolution/ noise; the fact that making a change requires greater energy and usually more money than staying with what you have; and that sometimes the differences between components are not significant or actionable. There is the option to add a streaming module to the Discrete and if I was in the market for a digital streaming solution, then this is where I would be going.