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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
truman
167 posts
 
I have 3 DP-777's I like them so much. Upgraded one to the SE version and found it worthwhile enough to upgrade the other two! (Better bass and more aire.) A friend with a high-end ($30k) turntable e/ Anna cartridge upgraded to SE and loves it, finds it very close to his analog rig. Just as good as my Metrum Hex but the AMR has the aforementioned preamp ability, phase, dedicated high rez dac. Mini Mac/Pro helps, ifi USB 3.0 helps, and switching out the one center chassis tube, 6922, for an nice NOS Amperex made a big improvement (switching the two 5670 tubes, one on either side of the chassis, made little difference). I do understand there is another DSD upgrade coming which I probably won't do, feeling it is "good 'nuf" right now.


maxboy00's avatar
maxboy00
276 posts
 
I just purchased this DAC, I am still waiting for it to be shipped, it is the SE version. The dealer let me do an in - home demo, non SE, and I found the DAC, to be exceptional.... especially on RB, which it will be use 99% of the time when paired with the Aurender N-100H server. My CDP, will now be used as a transport.


essrand OP
297 posts
 
@knownothing I just use a generic USB cable for now.

I tested a 200$ USB cable (audioquest) I think, against a generic one and couldn't tell the difference (or it wasn't enough for me to spend $200). I didn't investigate into other USB cables that people rave about.

@truman do you know if the SE version is also a 2-chip version, one for redbook and another for high-res? Also thanks for the tip on the tube rolling, think I will be shopping for 6922 tubes soon. BTW How do you compare the improvement of using iFi USB vs the NOS 6922, if I were to do only one of them, which one would you pick?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
maxboy00 I found the DAC, to be exceptional.... especially on RB, which it will be use 99% of the time


I'm not surprised, as I read that Thorsten Losech the designer of AMR gave the 777 a dsd chip only as a token gesture to keep the dsd crowd happy, but it's main forte is with Redbook replay converting through the R2R Multibit d/a chip.

Cheers George  

truman
167 posts
 
Essrand, in response to your question, the SE version does indeed also have 2 dacs. I will add that there is an optimizing feature (for both SE and Non-SE versions) which chooses the better dac for the sampling rate, the better jitter management & the best filter choice - very nice. 
The 6922 type tube* change made a bigger difference vs ifi USB 3.0 to me, but be sure to unplug unit well before, not just place in standby mode, and inquire from distributor as to how best to access.

*See: Joe's Tube Lore
for counsel about best 6922 tube choices.





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