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Diablo 300 DAC Module - upgrade DAC or Streamer?

I have an Innuos Zenith Mk3 plus PhoenixUSB Reclocker feeding my Gryphon Diablo 300 DAC module.  

While the PhoenixUSB undeniably cleans up sound and adds more of a holographic “floating” effect, I do notice that on more abrasive recordings, the upper midrange becomes too harsh, and for these recordings, the sound is more enjoyable without the PhoenixUSB Reclocker in the mix. An example of such a recording would be U2’s Walk On. It’s not that the sound is bright or tonally off, but that the upper mid just do with a touch of finesse and less clobber.

I prioritize ensuring my system sounds good even for more abrasive recordings, but I also value transparency and a highly resolving system.  I do believe it’s possible to have both.  

My “problem” is either:

1) Entirely the recording’s fault, in which case my fix is to compensate for poor recordings with new components(s).  Or,

2) When adding the reclocker my system became more revealing and exposed a weakness of my Diablo 300 DAC module, whereby more abrasive recordings sound a bit harsh in the upper midrange.  In which case the solution is to upgrade to a standalone DAC.

Any thoughts on which direction to go?  So many options.  A super high end combined streamer/DAC (like a Bartok or Weiss) is intriguing to me as I’d need less high end cords and cables.  But not sure if that approach would be preferable to adding a standalone DAC for my Innuos streamer.

I exclusively stream music with Tidal.

I know there are so many options but any thoughts on which option to look first?

 

 

 

nyev
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

This sounds like Deja vu post. Maybe you need a different amp

nyev OP
1,026 posts
 

@thyname I did come across ONE post where someone switched from a Diablo 300 to a Vitus to get a more full sounding midrange.  I’ve not heard anyone else have this complaint however with this amp - have you? Not sure if that guy was using the Diablo 300 DAC module though, and maybe that was part of his issue.  I’ve read some posts where people upgraded to a standalone DAC from the Diablo 300 and they say they lost a “nervousness” and “edge”.  To me that sounds more likely?

I should stress that my issue only manifests on harsher recordings.  I have absolutely zero complaints with most music - 90% of what I play sounds fantastic.  But I’m willing to give up a small degree of performance for my system to be a bit less sensitive to more abrasive material where the midrange is rather hard in the recording itself.  That U2 song, Walk On, is a good example.  The next track on that album, Kite, is another great example, maybe even better.  Incredibly raw recording with intentional bluntness, that just becomes too blunt in the upper mids when my PhoenixUSB Reclocker is in the mix.  And I’m fairly certain it’s not the reclocker’s fault.

 

 

 

nyev OP
1,026 posts
 

Another option I’m seriously considering is actually to just be satisfied without the PhoenixUSB Reclocker. While 90% of what I listen to won’t sound quite as good, the fact that the other 10% can actually be played and enjoyed might be worth it to me…. My system still sounds fantastic without the reclocker and I could see myself being happy with that.

The other option is spending quite a bit, and solving the issue with either a standalone DAC fed by my Innuos gear or a high end streamer/DAC combo….

Just tried it again and upper-mid tones definitely pop out from the mix and seem nearer to me when I put the PhoenixUSB back in. I suspect it’s the Diablo300 doing that when the signal input is cleaned up by the PhoenixUSB but that’s just my theory. It’s a sublime effect when the recording is also sublime, or even just decent. Not so much on mid-abrasive recordings.

 

nyev OP
1,026 posts
 

OMG this hobby…. On a a whim I tried removing the vibration control I had recently installed under my Gryphon amp. Herbie’s Tenderfoot (firm) under a Butcher’s Block wood stand, with the amp on top. I was thinking that I hadn’t noticed this problem until recently and this was the only change I had made.

With vibration control removed, the abrasiveness on abrasive recordings is 100% gone. My system just got astoundingly better. Just a total sense of ease and “rightness” now.

Note that I have Herbie’s Tenderfeet under ALL other equipment, and Herbie’s sliding spike decouples under my speakers. They undoubtedly help my other components.  But for whatever reason, my amp did NOT like them. Could have been due to the fact that I had the butcher’s block on the Tenderfeet and the amp on top of the wood block.

Yet another revelatory moment on how massive of a difference vibration control can make. The first of these moments was how much better my system got with vibration control (without adding it to my amp). Second revelation was tonight - I now understand how you can TOTALLY mess up your sound if you get vibration control wrong.

My god I can’t believe I had forgotten my system sounds this good, and I can’t believe simply removing vibration control from my amp could do that. It was the only thing I had done since I started becoming a bit at odds with my system with some music. But I hadn’t done anything about it because 1) My amp is a beast and it is a chore, and 2) I didn’t think this could possibly be the issue. I’m so glad it was, and wow I’m happy now. No need to upgrade!! ..I know, crazy talk….

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