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Changes in DAC Presentation - Need Advice

Hey all, I recently purchased a Denafrips Terminator II, and ever since I've noticed that some days the sound is sweet and natural, and other days it is forward and bright. I've even heard the sound change mid-song. Could this be due to fluctuations in my line voltage? Any other reason this may be happening?

System:

Mac Mini running Roon core

Sonore ultraRenu

Denafrips Terminator II

Pass XP-12 Preamp

Odyssey Audio Kismet Monoblocks

Focal Sopra 2

topside3
topside3's avatar
topside3 OP
34 posts
 

@audioman58 I've had it about 5 weeks. I left in on for 10 days straight as recommended by Denafrips, bit have since put it in standby. I'll try leaving it on for several more weeks. Not using any line conditioning. USB cable is Wireworld Platinum 8.

kingdeezie
94 posts
 

Did you just leave it on or play music through it for 10 days? I made the same mistake. I left it on but had no signal running through it. Sound was all over the place.

Ran it in for two weeks and things stabilized much better.

ghdprentice
7,866 posts
 

Well, this is very odd. So, sounds to me like your logic is good. I would add some serious power conditioning. Power is really important. All the great audio components I have had have put a big emphasis on power. A. nmber of them have been two box solutions, with the second dedicated to power.

If you can afford it, I would get an Everest… something that would put an end to the question. If you do power conditioning right the first time, you can forget about it for a long time. I have had my power conditioner for 25 years. Although I now have two direct lines… I tried a Cardas power strip a couple months ago… the test lasted 30 seconds, I went back to my power conditioner. Since the power conditioner effects all the components, it is pretty easy to justify a high level of investment. Additionally, it does not have the level of change of a DAC of streamer from a technology point of view.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,364 posts
 

Topside3.  Not true on 10 days that’s not even 250 hours try a month 

and other comments such as playing on repeat ,if you hav3 Roon it’s a must to keep playing it if not it’s like a car sitting on idle, you have to keep it playung

i bought the Isotek system demagnetizing cd ,burn that to hard drive ,not only does it tax capacitors,but track 3 you use3-4 x a week truly demagnetizes your whole audio system easy to hear improvement,play a song,before and after ,

email Alvin at Denafrips  1000 hoursto fully runin ,the 10 days is a old user ad ask for review mentioning over 650 hours of play time just to fully stabilize . And never put in stand by unless not home for days  you need in real time 1k in actual play time , I documented hours and  mentioned  issues once I was told hours and review then just puton repeat everyday to plsy 24-7;for 5 weeks straight !! 

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