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PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER

Hi All,
I just auditioned the Wavelength Audio Cosecant DAC on a very nice system at the local dealer. It was run through a Hovland 200 preamp , a Plinius amp and Avalon Eidolon Diamond speakers. This is all in a very well treated, good-sounding room.
It was, in a word spectacular. Beautiful tone, excellent bass, imaging soundstaging, etc. What was really amazing was a sense of space, or ambience that was imparted. We then compared the same CD's (Diana Krall, Jennifer warnes, some jazz), on a Levinson CDP. I'm not saying that the levinson is the last word in players, but it was what he had on the shelf.While it sounded good, it was much more bright, and "constricted".
Control was through an Imac using I-tunes, and the CD's had been nurned using Apple Lossless.
I ordered my Crimson on the spot.

David
deshapiro
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drubin
3,275 posts
 
Thanks to both of you. I have the non-USB version of the DAC1 at the moment and have ordered the cable you mention, Kana. AT the Benchmark Web site, I see Mac setup instructions for the USB implementation, but not for the toslink. Can you provide a pointer?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Kana813 - I didn't say it was better, just different. The DAC-gives you more options and lower jitter. The DAC-1 USB gives you the better output op-amps. Some may like one better than the other.... I prefer both modded, not stock.

Steve N.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
I tried this once before and it looks like the post feel victim to the mysterious Audiogon-moderator-random-post-delete.

I was musing about using a Crimson as a DAC/linestage combo. IOW, with the optional VC and no preamp.

My experience has led me to regard an active preamp as essential for the best sound - best body, especially (I've found you can get great dynamic without an active pre despite what some say).

However, this little beast, with its big power supply and transformer-coupled DHT output stage is basically a single-input tube pre along with the DAC - no?

So, is anybody doing that? Anybody that used to be sold on (active) preamps as necessary?
sammie
220 posts
 
I'm using the Crimson with volume direct to amps. It sounds excellent. Gordon will tell you -at least he told me- that the built in volume control will sound better as it eliminates the linestage from the signal path. I didn't do any major comparing to confirm, but I am impressed with the sound. The volume control is implemented prior to the tube stage...for what it's worth. Gordon will have a Crimson with volume control @ CES if you can go.
dennis_the_menace's avatar
dennis_the_menace
467 posts
 
To me, a transport (CDSD) sounded better than a hard drive using the same DAC (DCC2)... and oddly enough, I feel it's more convenient to just pop a CD in the transport vs. using a computer. Different strokes I guess.
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