Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Awesome Steve. Thanks!! That’s a great report.

I don’t think anyone doubts that Ethernet is the ideal way to transfer those magic bits, but most dacs (other than yours, the Ayre and a very few others) don’t have an Ethernet music input. Also, the ONLY proper way to utilize “Ethernet music out” from a server is having a dedicated Ethernet output (in addition to the normal Ethernet jack connected to the switch/router) that can be directly connected to the Ethernet DAC (avoiding the noise in a switch/router, and allowing a direct connection between server and DAC), like the Melco server offers (the only one I know of that does). Of course, a PC based server like the Memory Player, Baetis, SGM, Music Vault, etc could always be built/modified to have that option.

My issue with your Ethernet input when I had it was that my Mac Mini with Ethernet was still an inferior source to my N10 via spdif, and the N10 couldn’t use its better usb output since I didn’t have the usb input on my ODSX. My ODSX is now at my office where it is still sourced by my N10; so no matter how we slice it, the usb input is the best and only solution for that system. Once I can get the $$$ together I’d  like to do the usb upgrade you told me about!

At my house, I’ve got my LH Davinci 2 which has usb and spdif/aes inputs; no Ethernet input. And my Memory Player which currently only has a single Ethernet port which would obligate me to go through a noisy switch even if I did have an Ethernet equipped DAC like yours.....

To me, it’s simply that the audio industry hasn’t caught up with you and your cutting edge thinking! ;)

Hey Matt, thanks again, for the demo and the video it was totally fun.

Reverendo, there is no update to the 20G as it is a much more sophiticated product, and it is really mind blowing, probably the most advanced and best sounding usb cable on the market and considering that some high end cables are $4k and above the 20G is a bargain.

If you think about it the concept of jitter elimination/reclocking in one continous cable without having to use all sorts of multiple devices and the cost of having to purchase  two high end usb cables makes a lot of sense.

Please PM if you want to work on a trade in.

The combination of the Baetis and the Davinci was spectacular the Baetis was brought over was using a less powerful less advanced external power supply with the bigger supply the sound should be even better.

Considering this is the rig I run at the shop it wasn't a surprise. 

The battle of the server titans and usb cables was totally illuminating, and anyone who thinks that all severs or a stock computer sounds the same would have his mind blown.

As Matt said the difference between the Wireworld USB which we sell and it is really good vs the Enklein and then the Light Harmonic 20G with the active circuitry was mind blowing. 

The LH 20G is probably one of the biggest improvements you can make in a system for the least amount of money if you have a $10k dac or so in a high resolution system then this little $2k cable addition is going to make a rather large improvement in your systems overall clarity and soundstaging.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Steve,
I posted on the topic you referenced, but will ask here, too - my DAC has an ethernet input and sound was great, but upnp was not user-friendly at that time and would freeze up the DAC more often than not. With the regen the USB was back to the same level, but it has always been interesting to think of eliminating the transport. Do you know what the similarities and/or differences of your implementation of ethernet re my Resolution Audio Cantata?

Audio Doctor NJ, you have a PM.
Best
Andre

So sorry I haven’t posted any videos yesterday or today; I have like 20 in my head. I was supposed to have a full house today with Sam from Memory Player and Al from SGM visiting, along with my good friend CTSooner. Sam and Al both fell ill and poor CTSooner lost his ride with Sam. So it will have to wait for another week or two. Sigh.

I took advantage of the time to educate myself on HQPlayer, computer cases, how to fine tune a computer server (with the help from a too short phone call with Wisnon), Roon implementation, etc.

And then dove head first into my collection of footers I’ve been amassing to audition.

So let’s take a diversion shall we???
What footers do I have to play with you ask?

2 sets of 4 : StillPoints Ultra 5
2 sets of 4 : Ariamateria large
1 set of 4 : Ariamateria medium
1 set of 4 : Ariamateria small
1 set of 4 : IsoAcoustic Gaia 3
2 sets of 4 : Hardpoint Trinia

Want to hear the Shun Mook footers.

The StillPoints are mine. The rest are loaners.

The Trinia are damn cool looking. And they make the gear sort of float and glide around a central axis. Functionally, picture a Symposium ball in a track on a platform and then another one on top in a track 90 degrees off axis. They are made of aluminum. I tried the two sets from front end to amps. My system didn’t like the Trinia. I found I lost my deep bottom end and it softened and mushed up what was left. It smeared my image specificity and pushed everything towards treble while giving the sound a glassy sensation, making it overly analytical and clinical. Seriously. I was quite surprised. The Trinia were strongly suggested by Mike Lavorgna, who really enjoys them. He had literally the polar opposite experience with his Trinia in his system. He described their sound as ,” the Trinia improved image focus and reduced smear and blur......and tightened the bass and improved micro-dynamics. wherever I put them.” Mike’s a solid listener with a solid system. Go figure. Just proves that these things really are system and equipment dependent!!! PM me for more details if interested.

I had the large Ariamateria placed under the amps after the Trinia came out. I wanted to use the Ultra 5’s up front so I put the large Ariamateria under the amps. Deeper bass and sweater midrange. The soundstage deepened and the image came back into focus. I then placed the Ariamateria under the server (I keep 3 Ultra5’s under the DAC, and left the preamp un footed). Same affect as on the amps. Deeper bass, although a tad looser and a nice mellow midrange. Quick swap again and the Gaia replaced the medium Ariamateria. Tighter, cleaner, deeper. Fascinating! Ok, now for the Ultra 5’s under the server. Wow, deep crisp bass but a tad bright up top, overly clinical. I decided to keep the Gaia in for now.

HRS says that you should use soft, rubberized style footers under folded metal cased equipment and solid or bearing base footers under milled case equipment. They sell their own versions of each (yes, I will be checking them out). But my session today supported this theory. The computer server is a folded metal case and it sounded best to me with the rubberized metal cased IsoAcoustic Gaia 3.

When I have more help I will try the same product under the DAC, amps and preamp. I couldn’t do more then I did. I struggled changing from the Trinia to the Ariamateria with the amps and that was enough for me to do alone.

I also want other ears to compare the Gaia and Ariamateria. The differences where subtle. Both are VERY affordable and neat products. I do think the Ultra 5’s under the milled casing of the DAC and Burmester feat may be the best (and most expensive) choice. But we shall see.....