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AMR DP-777, what am I missing ?

There are a lot of people here who love this DAC, I purchased one (used) based on the many glowing reviews, but feel like this DAC falls short.
To be sure it bested (by not a lot) my Wavelength Cosecant (better imaging and bass) but I still prefer my modest analog setup (Rega RP6, Shelter 500).

I am sure my digital front-end is not super tuned: IMac, audirvana, no-name USB cable to DAC. But before I spend more money I would love some advice from the good folks in this forum on how I can make this $5000 retail DAC at least come close to my modest analog setup that cost much less retail without spending too much coin.

Do I need to invest in a music server, or maybe a USB to SPDIF, or better USB cable or all of the above.

Rest of my system.
Coincident Line stage
Coincident Dragon mk2 monoblocks
Verity Parsifal Encore speakers.

Thanks.
essrand
samsca
32 posts
 
I forgot to mention that I am using a amr dp777se version. Most musical DAC I have heard. The 100% pure silver usb audioquest diamond makes a big difference. The aurender x100 is also a top quality streamer.

I still prefer my gyro se turntable with rondo red ortofon cartridge and Conrad Johnson premier fifteen tube phono stage (all siltech g7 cables) sonus faber Guarneri hommage with audio research ref210 monos (kt120's).

I use the amr dp777se as my new preamp for both analog and digital. It has replaced my arc ref5se preamp. Sounds just as good.

The versatility of tidal makes it a relaxed choice for music listening. Vinyl sounds a little better but sometimes you just don't feel like flipping records.
essrand OP
297 posts
 
An update.

I think my AMR needed more burn-in time. It really sounds fabulous now.
For Mingus in Bohemia record. The CD and LP versions are almost indistinguishable.

Williewonka,
Replacing my slowwww imac with a dedicated mac mini also really helped.

I love the pre-amp of the AMR, not as good as my coincident line stage, but close. Wonder if the pre-amp section also needs burn-in, since for all this time I have been bypassing it.

Samsca, how much did the SE upgrade cost you ?
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
557 posts
 
The preamp section definitely needs its own burn-in time and it is a long one, if memory serves. There are other long time or past owners on here that spoke of this a while back. Count on it needing more that 500 hours. Mine did and I remember someone saying another big tick in performance closer to 1000. Fills out with more body well after 500.
paul79
173 posts
 
The digital source is just as, if not more important than the DAC. Trash in, trash out. If your DAC is capable and relatively transparent, you are hearing the digital source.
samsca
32 posts
 
I believe the SE upgrade is around 1500$. I did not upgrade my unit. I purchased a SE unit. The SE is an impressive unit.
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