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Looking for Better Jitter Reduction in a DAC

I'm looking to improve the jitter control in my digital setup, which hopefully will create a more analogue presentation. I own a PS Audio PW Memory Transport, which sports a FPGA, and a Nuwave DSD DAC with a scaled-down version of the gate array.

   I have owned a Chord which uses this technology and it was like listening to analogue recordings. I sold it only because it's soundstage was very forward, like sitting in the front row of a concert hall. My current PS Audio setup has wide and deep imaging, as does my Atma-Sphere preamp.
   I have auditioned the Schiit Grundir and it was a bit too fast in the attack and transients, but had the dynamics and deep imaging that I like. So, I guess what I'm looking for is a unit with a laid-back, realistic musical presentation.

The Mytek Digital Stereo192 DSD and Blue Circle DAC are in my price range, but there is no way to audition them.
  So any recommendation and advice is appreciated. DSD preferred, budget is about $1200 used.


128x128lowrider57
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lowrider57 OP
5,417 posts
 
My experience with curing 'digititus' has been via multiple tweaks that addressed each of the various elements in the digital chain. It was cumulative. There was no one 'silver bullet'.   Most of the significant improvements were based on cleaning up the power supplies. Digital backwash was one of many contributing culprits.   Harshness/shrillness is most noticeable in the high frequencies - but, the entire musical spectrum is affected.
Thanks, Steakster, you speak the truth. When I combined the digital and analogue components into the same power strip (no filtering), the result was a higher level of harshness. Returning to separate dedicated lines was a relief to my ears even though I was back to the baseline issue of 'digititus.'

For the next test, I ripped a Bruckner symphony to CD-R using XLD and the copy has the same hard edge to the brass section as the original.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,417 posts
 
I still think you may have a gain mismatch (2.8V into a power amp with a 1.0V sensitivity). It does depend a bit on the design of the amplifier's gain control. Does it come after an input stage? If so, that input stage could still be driven into clipping.

willemj, it makes sense that the gain control comes after the input. The way the specs read is Input Sensitivity 1.0V. 
The variable gain is listed as one of the features of the amp, as well as variable feedback control.




rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
278 posts
 
The sensitivity of your speakers and power of your amp will also dictate how far you can set the volume.
I agree with Steakster 100%.  Cleaning up the AC power and DC power with conditioners and LPS's is where I got the most benefit of clarity and quietness and relaxation.  The cables to and from the DAC can contribute to hi frequency hardness.  Once the power is cleaned up the differences and effects of cables are much more obvious.  I have 2 DAC's and neither sounded good with COAX but that may have been the lower end Kimber Cable I was using.  I have invested a bit in USB cables and reclockers and LPS on the reclockers with good results.  But like Steakster says eveything in the chain is adding or subtracting the digititus and the results are cumulative.  Its probably not one thing.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

AC power and particularly DC power can have a huge effect.  I personally stay away from typical conditioners that have filtering in them because they can reduce dynamics.  I have found the Plasmatron from VHAudio to be the best AC regulator for digital.

DC power for digital is equally dicey.  If the regulators are not really fast responding, you get higher jitter and reduced dynamics.  This is why I design a version of regulator that is really fast for digital and a slower one for analog.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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