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TotalDAC D1 Driver-anyone using one yet?

I'm reading that TotalDAC has a product called the D1 Driver that can sit between the DAC and preamp, or between the DAC (with volume control) and the amp directly. It acts like the active part of the preamp. This D1 driver component does not have a volume control, but is said to enhance the SQ. It's said to address the "does the DAC sound better with or without a preamp" question. I have reviewed the TotalDAC website and read one of the professional reviews, but it seems like the translation to English might be a bit off.  Lots of exciting prose, but I am still looking for more information. Has anyone heard an implementation of the D1 driver?
128x128wokeuptobose
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
wokeuptobose
TotalDAC D1 Driver-anyone using one yet?



It’s obviously capacitor couple, looking at those two water tanks inside,
http://www.totaldac.com/fichiers/d1-driver-inside.jpg
http://www.totaldac.com/fichiers/d1-driver-rear-rca-xlr.jpg
Can’t see why anyone would want to do that with a solid state buffer, direct coupled would be so much easier and less costly even with dc servo if needed????

PS: Unless it’s a single ended solid state design, then it needs capacitor coupling this is probably why, could be very good, if those coupling caps are transparent enough?? A friend of mine could get one for review.

Cheers George

wokeuptobose's avatar
wokeuptobose OP
130 posts
 
your comment is above my head, but may answer why there is only an RCA in to the TotalDAC Driver. I think is has both RCA and "balanced" out, but only RCA in.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
These are maybe’s.

Maybe because the dac’s R2R output is really single ended only, and it’s balanced (xlr) outputs use converters (se to xlr) get it, and doesn’t sound quite as good from the xlr because of that converter?
And that it sits within a 1mt of of the dac means SE is only needed.

Why not flick Vincent Brient an email to come here and explain  totaldac@totaldac.com

Cheers George

mitch2
3,951 posts
 
@georgehifi - I believe you are correct. The information on the totaldac website says:
-one-box stereo version: RCA inputs, RCA outputs + unbalanced XLR outputs
-two-box monobloc version: RCA inputs + XLR inputs, RCA outputs + balanced XLR outputs
The XLR outputs on the stereo version appear to be "convenience" outputs for those using XLR cables but not really carrying two symmetrically balanced/inverted signals.  Sounds like a single-ended piece that must be doubled up (mono version) if you want a true balanced circuit.

Based of the huge input impedance and low output impedance, the d1-driver should work very well as a buffer.  You can get it as a unity (0dB) gain version or with 10dB gain.  I would really like to hear the unity gain version and compare the sound of it with my SMc unit.
From the website:
-very easy input impedance: 1MegaOhm
-natural low output impedance plus added 40ohm pure resitor for a perfect interconnect impedance matching
-can drive anything above 100ohm without distorsion
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
The XLR outputs on the stereo version appear to be "convenience" outputs for those using XLR cables but not really carrying two symmetrically balanced/inverted signals.
Which to me says the rca outputs should sound just a bit better than the xlr.
Because the signal doesn’t then have to go through a "rca to xlr conversion circuit" be it opamp or discrete based, most use opamps for this kind of pseudo xlr output.

Cheers George
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