A little upcoming DAC comparison.

Danny Richie · « **on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:15 pm »

Hey Frank,

I noticed a little bit of a buzz about your DAC so thought I'd throw this offer out to you.

A hand full of the in crowd down here is going to be doing a little DAC comparison. If you want to throw one of yours into the ring with the others then you are welcome to send one down.

Comparisons will be blind. And will involve several locations using reference level systems.

We will be using a Mac Mini as a server, so a USB input or fiber optic input is needed. Unless you'd like for your DAC to be feed by a transport and coaxial input. Your choice.

Just to name a few in the mix is the Tranquility DAC. A new Wolfson evaluation DAC. The new 32 bit Buffalo DAC. And a sleeper low cost import DAC kit.

Let me know if you are interested.

HAL · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:28 pm »

Oh man I want to hear this!

avahifi · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 05:52 pm »

Please get back to me in about 2 months regarding this.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

turkey · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 06:16 pm »

Someone's hinting at something here....

MaxCast · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 06:25 pm »

Quote from: turkey on 27 Nov 2009, 06:16 pm

Someone's hinting at something here....

I sure hope the comparison is in February

Danny Richie · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 09:51 pm »

Sorry Frank, we'll have this thing put together and done by Christmas. I was under the impression that you already had a model available.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 09:29 pm »

Just an update...

Holidays, snow, etc, kept this from getting under way as soon as we wanted to.

We just had round one of comparisons this weekend and will be doing a couple of more at several locations.

So it is not to late to send something if you would like to get one of your new DAC's into the comparisons.

avahifi · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 10:09 pm »

The Vision EC with optical inputs won't be available for another six weeks or so.

Sorry,

Frank Van Alstine

kip_ · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:33 am »

Danny, just to clarify what Frank said the regular Vision is available now.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:41 am »

I don't know what the "regular" version is, but he has an open invitation to send anything that he feels good about it being compared to other DAC's.

kip_ · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:43 am »

The main difference is it only has a coax input, not optical and multiple switchable inputs. Different chassis as well.

avahifi · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 12:53 pm »

I had been told that the DAC comparison units must have optical inputs. The standard Vision DAC does not, only the Vision EC model, which is still about six weeks away from shipping.

Frank

Will2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 01:38 pm »

Might well not be my place to get involved, but I would love to hear impressions of the Vision DAC and I know the Tranquility (which is very much in the mix) only has USB so I don't think optical input is essential.

avahifi · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 02:28 pm »

They want DACs that can directly interface with a computer, either by USB or Optical connections.

We will need to wait until the Vision EC is available.

Frank

Danny Richie · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 02:42 pm »

Quote

They want DACs that can directly interface with a computer, either by USB or Optical connections.

Exactly correct.

And we wouldn't want to disadvantage one by having to feed it a signal from a spinning disc.

dB Cooper · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 02:44 pm »

Aren't there readily available coax-to-optical converters?

srb · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:08 pm »

Quote from: dB Cooper on 13 Jan 2010, 02:44 pm

Aren't there readily available coax-to-optical converters?

Yes, but that wouldn't be a direct connection to the computer. Depending on the device, the converter may add jitter or have some other effect, and wouldn't give a true comparison between the DACs.

Steve

kip_ · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:54 pm »

Quote from: Danny on 13 Jan 2010, 02:42 pm

Exactly correct.

And we wouldn't want to disadvantage one by having to feed it a signal from a spinning disc.

Buy a $50 sound card with coax outs?

trebejo · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 09:16 pm »

Quote from: srb on 13 Jan 2010, 03:08 pm

Yes, but that wouldn't be a direct connection to the computer. Depending on the device, the converter may add jitter or have some other effect, and wouldn't give a true comparison between the DACs.

Steve

If the ultradac sitting in my living room is anything to go by, an AVA dac can do just fine if it is fed by an outboard converter. Besides, it is the manufacturer's recommended method, so it seems fair to try it.

Here is a unit that has been recommended here,

http://www.inday.com/da4x/da4x.htm

and here is the one that I have been using,

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat%5fid=1007&sku=40429

btw if we are worried about the validity of the test, it is much more important to make sure that the computer end of things is taken care of! A soundcard as a source could very well be a problematic choice, for example.

avahifi · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 09:30 pm »

If I furnish a DAC for the shootout, I want it to be used without any unnecessary accessory equipment such as input switchboxes, etc. just to make sure the playing field is level, even though devices in theory should not have any sonic effect.

This will be available in about six weeks.

Frank