AudioCircle

Community => Regional Audiophiles => Carolina Audiophiles => Topic started by: richidoo on 25 May 2016, 10:24 pm

Title: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 25 May 2016, 10:24 pm
Let's G2G on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at my house in Cary to celebrate the summer solstice, the full moon and my birthday all happening on June 20! Father's day is June 19.

We'll start at 1PM, food and soft drinks will be served, don't park on the grass, bring music, bring gear.

All AudioCircle members are welcome, mais Répondez S'il Vous Plaît !!

Jason can you bring Aurelic Vega DAC?
Shane can you bring Tannoy Definition TC-8?
Rick do you have something new to bring?
Anyone else wish to show and tell?

My system is nominally:
Kairos stand mount 2 way DIY speakers
Audio Research Reference 1 tube preamp
Audio Research VT-100 mk3 tube power amp w/new Gold Lion KT-88s
Buffalo 2 DAC with experimental output stage by Sol
Clearaudio Concept/Maestro Wood/Vista Phono 1
NEC CD-730 CD player
Sansui TU-717 tuna
Sonos ZP-80
2Mbit DSL or 5Mbit 4G cellphone internet

Maybe some other things God willin and the crick don't rise.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 25 May 2016, 10:37 pm
I'll bring the Vega and Vinnie Rossi LIO.  My DHT Vinnie Rossi LIO isn't ready until the end of June so the Silver AVC/Tubestage will have to do.   :lol:


See you then!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: FullRangeMan on 25 May 2016, 10:40 pm
Congrats Richdoo, I cant travel to hug you but feel greeted by the birthday. :thumb:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 25 May 2016, 10:44 pm
Congrats Richdoo, I cant travel to hug you but feel greeted by the birthday. :thumb:

Thank you very much FRM! 

51 candles! Do I need pyrotechnics license?  :scratch:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 25 May 2016, 10:46 pm
I'll bring the Vega and Vinnie Rossi LIO.  My DHT Vinnie Rossi LIO isn't ready until the end of June so the Silver AVC/Tubestage will have to do.   :lol:

Aww, bugger! ;) That'll do fine. I look forward to finally hearing that beast in action.

Quote
See you then!   :thumb:

Excellent!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: johnvin01 on 26 May 2016, 01:11 am

We'll start at 1PM, food and soft drinks will be served, don't park on the grass, bring music, bring gear.

All AudioCircle members are welcome, mais Répondez S'il Vous Plaît !!
 

If by all you mean ALL, I would enjoy meeting other audiophiles.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 26 May 2016, 01:26 am
I should be able to make it as well...

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: mresseguie on 26 May 2016, 01:41 am
Sigh. I'd love to attend your GTG, but I will be in Albuquerque preparing to drive to Colorado Springs.

I have promised my dear wife that we will tour the east coast of the US next year. Perhaps there will be another GTG in June of 2017? (fingers crossed)

If you're ever in/near Taiwan,.... :thumb:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 26 May 2016, 02:08 am

If you're ever in/near Taiwan,.... :thumb:
That would be AWESOME! 
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 26 May 2016, 12:48 pm
Perhaps there will be another GTG in June of 2017? (fingers crossed)

If you're ever in/near Taiwan,.... :thumb:

There's always another G2G! Let me know when you're near Raleigh and we'll do it!

Thanks for the very tempting invite!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 26 May 2016, 12:50 pm
If by all you mean ALL, I would enjoy meeting other audiophiles.

Of course, all means all, but noobs must endure the initiation rites.  :icon_twisted:

Pagan rites this time.... should be extra entertaining!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Bob in St. Louis on 26 May 2016, 02:20 pm
Happy Birthday Rich!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 26 May 2016, 03:20 pm
Thanks Bob!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Rick Craig on 27 May 2016, 01:45 pm
I have a new 2-way design to bring. I'm also working on a CBT desktop / nearfield array but I don't think it will be ready in time for the meeting.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 27 May 2016, 02:31 pm
Great! Thanks Rick! Can't wait to hear it
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 1 Jun 2016, 06:14 pm
Bump!

Three weeks and counting.

Who else can come?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Zoonhollis on 9 Jun 2016, 01:17 pm
I'm new here at AC, and I live in the Raleigh area. Unfortunately, I have a bike race in Greensboro on the 18th, otherwise I'd love to attend and meet other audiophiles. Hopefully next time.

In the meantime: happy birthday, Rich.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: zybar on 9 Jun 2016, 02:38 pm
Happy Birthday Rich!  :thumb:

Happy Birthday Rich.

I am tempted to come down, as I am sure this will epic.

George
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Nick B on 9 Jun 2016, 02:55 pm
Hey Rich,
Congrats on aging gracefully and for all that you do for AC
Nick
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 9 Jun 2016, 06:02 pm
I'm new here at AC, and I live in the Raleigh area. Unfortunately, I have a bike race in Greensboro on the 18th, otherwise I'd love to attend and meet other audiophiles. Hopefully next time.

In the meantime: happy birthday, Rich.

Thanks! Hope to meet you soon Zoonhollis, good luck in your bike race!!

Happy Birthday Rich.

I am tempted to come down, as I am sure this will epic.

George

Thanks. Don't know about epic, but it's always fun, and you're always welcome, George.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 9 Jun 2016, 08:00 pm
Thanks! Hope to meet you soon Zoonhollis, good luck in your bike race!!

Thanks. Don't know about epic, but it's always fun, and you're always welcome, George.

It is EPIC, every year!

Happy Bday Rich! Thank you once again for having us come over  :thumb:

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 13 Jun 2016, 10:26 pm
5 days!   :hyper:

PM if you need my address.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 13 Jun 2016, 10:31 pm
Rich do you have room for one more. I have a long list of gear if you want to hear anything in particular.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 14 Jun 2016, 12:32 am
Yes, there is still room. Feel free to bring whatever you want.
Rich
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: sonicxtc on 16 Jun 2016, 07:58 pm
If anyone is interested in carpooling from the Charlotte vicinity, please let me know.
Thank you.

Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: sonicxtc on 17 Jun 2016, 05:24 pm
bump. Anyone care to drive there together?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: johnvin01 on 17 Jun 2016, 10:01 pm
Looks like the weather is going to be pretty good this weekend.
Wish I could skip work.
happy birthday and a great fathers day to all
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: ArthurDent on 17 Jun 2016, 11:33 pm
Have a Happy Birthday Rich.  :thumb:  I'm sure the rites for the noobs will be entertaining. As many are wont to say, pictures or it didn't happen.  :beer:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 18 Jun 2016, 12:08 am
Thanks Arthur. Already got my camera charged and memory emptied.

Jon we usually go late so drop by later if you feel like it, for the golden hour when we finally decide what gear to relax and listen to. :D
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: johnvin01 on 18 Jun 2016, 12:56 am
I just may.

PM me address

Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: groovybassist on 18 Jun 2016, 02:51 am
Rich:

I plan on swinging by tomorrow - may be late afternoon or early evening.

I pm'd you about something else - let me know what you think. Thanks.

-Mike
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 18 Jun 2016, 02:26 pm
I took a chance and tore apart my speakers yesterday. Luckily all went well and they are back together playing nicely now. whew!

I added reflex ports. Kairos was originally designed as a ported enclosure, but Jeff Bagby advised me to try them sealed first. Sealed was good, but there was a resonance in the mid/upper bass that I couldn't solve. A friend in Italy had the same problem. I suggested he port them as I was thinking that's what they needed and he said it worked great. So I finally got around to porting mine and they sound much better ported, imo. Jazz tenor players always sounded a little weird, but now they sound right, not just bass but midrange sounds more natural tone now too. The SB driver seems happier with the port, it's EBP is pretty high at 88.

I also replaced the polyfill stuffing with 1/2" stick-on foam from PE. I like it, it applies easily. I had a lot of corner braces and cross braces in the sealed box, so there was a fair amount of surgery to fit the port in the right place. I also put the crossovers back inside the box. I know, I know - way too fancy for me. Those of you accustomed to the "DIY look," with wires all over the place, will just have to adjust.

Mother Nature was messing with me yesterday afternoon as one after another tiny thunderstorms rolled through all afternoon while I was trying to cut and route the ports. Every 15 minutes would change from calm and sunny to hard blowing thunderstorm all afternoon. I kept losing my piece of sandpaper sitting on my saw as it blew under the bushes. Rolling the saw/workbench in and out of the garage many times. But the ports came out great.

I was very excited last night to hear the one finished speaker playing to know that it would sound good, better than before. I was relieved this morning to finish the other speaker at 10AM and listen in stereo. Everything checks out. I'll put a tape measure on the speaker placements and switch over to the tube amps soon.

Kids are cleaning, food is cooked. Time to kick back and watch F1 qualifying before the circus arrives begins!

See you soon
Rich
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 18 Jun 2016, 03:20 pm
Leaving in a few with the Yggydrasil and Gustard X20 in hand. I didn't have time this week to sort out all my HQPlayer and Roon issues so I am leaving the laptop at home. 
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Rick Craig on 18 Jun 2016, 05:13 pm
I won't be able to make it as we are in the midst of moving to a new shop today. There might be some items for sale from Audio Artistry, including speakers and electronic parts. I will let everyone know when I have a list.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 19 Jun 2016, 03:03 pm
It really did happen.  Thanks again to our awesome host and family for allowing us!   :thumb:


 (http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145210)
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 19 Jun 2016, 03:46 pm
Rich thank you very much for your generous hospitality. It was great meeting fellow forum members and audiophiles from our area. I hope this will be the first of many gatherings for me. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 19 Jun 2016, 04:29 pm
Great party! Thanks to all who came, esp those who drove long distance to attend, and those who brought gear and victuals/booze.

Thanks to Marty for the loaner DACs, I look forward to checking them out.

Sol's new I-60 integrated amplifier blew me away.

I finally got to hear Vega DAC on speakers in my own room. Incredible! Thanks Jason for bringing all the cool "computer audio" gear and for playing IT tech to make the technology adapt to our swapping demands.

I took some pics, will post soon.

Thanks to my lovely wife Julie for cooking chili and bringing in pizza, to my lovely daughter Christina for baking delicious choco chip cookies, and to my son Henry for baking the cornbread and vacuuming the house. And to my oldest Richard for watching Le Mans for me. ;)  It is a Happy Father's Day today! I hope all the Dads are enjoying their special day!

Tentative Sept 17 for the next g2g (to be confirmed.) I'm hoping to have the 3 way version of the speakers running by then.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 19 Jun 2016, 11:24 pm
Pics
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145221)
The beginning:
front Aurelic Vega, Apple Airport, Vinnie Rossi LIO    back: NEC cdp, ARC Ref1 preamp, ARC VT100 amp, Concept TT


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145222)
Newly ported Kairos speakers, JPS SC3 cable


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145223)
shy jtwrace, poseidensvoice, stereofool, nc42acc


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145224)
still shy


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145225)
We had to call a plumber. At least the autofocus finally worked right for once!


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145226)
Crank it up! Is the LIO maxed out!?!  No, JRiver volume was turned down.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145227)
ATSAH N-Core 500 amps. Kicked ass and took names. Not your father's class D amp. Impressive and fun. Kairos likes big power like this.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145228)
The plumber Anand brought some nice wax. Branford Marsalis, Alice in Chains, Tull.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145229)
Our resident cable rat, IT tech, all around audio afficionado, jtwrace, did a splendid job all night keeping the digital audio fire blazing. Thanks for everything Jason.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145230)
Left to right: Samet I-60 integrated amp, PI digibuss, Kairos, ATSAH 500. Stack from top to bottom: Aurelic Aries Mini, Schitt Yggydrasil DAC, Gustard X20U DAC, NEC CD-730 NOS CDP, Aurelic Vega DAC.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145231)
Thelonious the jazz monkey/astronaut still waiting for his rocket to blast off. It almost did lift off with the ATSAH NCore amps.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145232)
stereofool in control: His USB drive > his laptop running Foobar > his iFi DAC > I-60 > Kairos, all JPS cables.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145233)
My pick for MVP of the night is tie between Aurelic Vega and the Samet I-60 integrated amp. Together, just wow!


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145234)
GiggityGiggityGiggityYggydrasil, Gustard X20U, NEC CD-730

Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 20 Jun 2016, 01:27 am
Lol! You hit all the highlights!  :lol:

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: zybar on 20 Jun 2016, 01:49 am
Looks like you guys had a great time.

Rich,

Can you say more about your speakers?

I think they were a kit?

George
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: groovybassist on 20 Jun 2016, 02:27 am
Thanks to Rich for hosting and his family for helping/putting up with us.

I'm not a tube or vinyl guy, but will say I thought the most realistic sound came compliments of Audio Research amp/preamp, with vinyl spinning on the Clearaudio TT.

I also liked the combo of Sol's amp and Vega. For me it tamed some of what I perceive to be the nasties in the Vega, and added back in some of the heft of the AR gear vs. playing the Vega through the LIO. For aficionados of simplicity, the LIO sounds great on its own. Choices, choices...

Look forward to seeing everyone again in a few months.

-Mike
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Folsom on 20 Jun 2016, 02:52 am
Looks like you guys had a great time.

Rich,

Can you say more about your speakers?

I think they were a kit?

George

These are the speakers. (http://meniscusaudio.com/kairos-pair-p-1380.html)
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 20 Jun 2016, 02:58 am
Our resident cable rat, IT tech, all around audio afficionado, jtwrace, did a splendid job all night keeping the digital audio fire blazing. Thanks for everything Jason.
Never have I worked so hard changing equipment around.   :o   I really didn't know one could be sore from changing cables, equipment and being IT guy.   :lol:


All worth it though!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 20 Jun 2016, 04:42 am
Mike, I love  the tubes and vinyl too, (listening to it right now, couldn't be happier) but the Vega did make a big impression on me, as everyone has always said it would, starting with mgalusha 3 years ago! It's the best ESS I've heard so far. Not heard exaSound or Moon yet.

George, it's the Kairos designed by Jeff Bagby.
http://www.diyspeakerforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16
http://meniscusaudio.com/kairos-pair-p-1380.html
Lots more Kairos threads on techtalk forum at parts express.

It's a 2 way stand mount. Uses premium "Satori" driver line from SB Acoustics. The woofer is very low loss, wide bandwidth, low distortion, low Q, low Fs, low Le, etc.  The Satori tweeter is a super hot rodded version of their venerable dimple dome tweeter. There is an old thread on AC praising it, but the Satori tweeter takes the dimple concept further. Plenty of detail, but more comfortable for long listening, and fuller tone than rigid domes or ribbon, a little warmth. The cones are papyrus reed, more rigid than paper, but still with that comfy carbon based sound, but no trace of "cone cry." Curvilinear cone shape prevents flexing. Very compliant rubber surround. Bagby's design is excellent, imo. It takes advantage of the very wide bandwidth and excellent behavior of the drivers to allow simple, shallow crossover filters and tilted baffle to make a very flat phase response from 200Hz up, right through the crossover to upper treble. That's very rare among traditional direct radiator voice coil speakers. I love flat phase response speakers like Danley, Quad, single drivers, etc. It's been very well received by those who have built them and heard them. They sound bigger than they look. Sensitivity is 85dB, 8 ohms nominal, stays above 7ohms.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Folsom on 20 Jun 2016, 05:46 am
It's an attractive speaker. I wanted to listen to it and other JB's at Axpona because they had a room full of them. Unfortunately the sound from the electronics was horrific I gave it a worst of show award (in a mini review). I have to imagine it sounded vastly better at this gathering!

Have you ever heard the revelator series tweeter to compare?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: dflee on 20 Jun 2016, 12:21 pm
Rich:
Looks like a good time was had by all. For me there's always next time. Swamped with work.
Is there enough room in front to slot port so you could get the Kairos closer to the front wall?
I think they'd look pretty good too.

Don
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 20 Jun 2016, 01:21 pm
Have you ever heard the revelator series tweeter to compare?

Hard to avoid hearing them over the years, but I've not had the opportunity to make a direct comparison.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 20 Jun 2016, 01:44 pm
Rich:
Looks like a good time was had by all. For me there's always next time. Swamped with work.
Is there enough room in front to slot port so you could get the Kairos closer to the front wall?
I think they'd look pretty good too.

Hi Don, sorry to miss you. I know you'll make it one of these times!

There is plenty of room on the front baffle below the driver to put the 2" round port, or a slot.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: sheadlee on 20 Jun 2016, 03:06 pm
Thanks to Rich, and family, for hosting/tolerating us...yet, again  :green:!

It was great to hang with a great bunch of fellow audiophiles/friends. I was really impressed with the latest iteration of Rich's speakers. Well done, Rich  :thumb:!

A lot of listening was done at volume levels too high for my 'tender' ears...so I don't have much to offer concerning different component swaps.

I can add that Sol's latest i60 was simply wonderful! It just lets you listen into the music/performance with no audio gremlins irritating or distracting you. Once again, well done, Sol  :thumb:!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: a.wayne on 20 Jun 2016, 05:44 pm
It's an attractive speaker. I wanted to listen to it and other JB's at Axpona because they had a room full of them. Unfortunately the sound from the electronics was horrific I gave it a worst of show award (in a mini review). I have to imagine it sounded vastly better at this gathering!

Have you ever heard the revelator series tweeter to compare?


How bad could the  electronics be to do so unless defective ... :scratch:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Folsom on 20 Jun 2016, 07:59 pm
If my ears were not in such pain maybe I could have found out... I found the 800w power demo by Dan D'Agostino & Wilson to be more tolerable, and my friend literally ran out of the room on that one. (I didn't like it either, and thought the guy showing it off was a Tool just trying to hurt us)
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: rajacat on 20 Jun 2016, 08:06 pm
Leaving in a few with the Yggydrasil and Gustard X20 in hand. I didn't have time this week to sort out all my HQPlayer and Roon issues so I am leaving the laptop at home.
Did you guys compare the Yiggy and Gustard?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 20 Jun 2016, 08:29 pm
I don't think anyone was interested in the Custard. Must be in its point of origin.......

Did you guys compare the Yiggy and Gustard?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 20 Jun 2016, 08:48 pm
I don't think anyone was interested in the Custard. Must be in its point of origin.......
I was very interested in it. I heard it...
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 20 Jun 2016, 08:56 pm
I like them both. The Custard is pretty laid back, ultra smooth. I usually like a bit more edge and texture, but that was just first impression. I've not spent any quality time with it yet, nor Yggy, other than a few tracks with everybody talking and judging. Vega got most of our attention at the meet.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 20 Jun 2016, 09:44 pm
I was being funny. i look forward to your further listening Rich.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: ACHiPo on 21 Jun 2016, 01:00 am
I was being funny. i look forward to your further listening Rich.  :D :D :D
I can't remember--have you tweaked your X20?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 21 Jun 2016, 02:48 am
I can't remember--have you tweaked your X20?
He did, he purchased a Giggity Giggity... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVFHkAzWAnc)
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 21 Jun 2016, 11:23 am
First version of the X20 with no modifications

First quote author=ACHiPo link=topic=143284.msg1536749#msg1536749 date=1466470859]
I can't remember--have you tweaked your X20?
[/quote]
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: ACHiPo on 21 Jun 2016, 12:28 pm
He did, he purchased a Giggity Giggity... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVFHkAzWAnc)
Think the giggity giggity was before the Custard?  :wink:
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 21 Jun 2016, 12:33 pm
Nope. Gustard first. Then Vega. Then Yggdrasil. Vega long gone.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 23 Jun 2016, 06:54 pm
I listened to Marty's DACs today. What fun!! Thanks Marty!

I like the Gustard X20 > Yggydrasil > NEC CD-730.

I'm only commenting on the SQ:

I like Yggy for separating instruments better, for more texture than Gustard, for clearer bass. It is clearly more detailed than Gustard. I don't like Yggy for the combination of slightly thinner midrange tone than Gustard and more aggressive treble, which together make it harder for me to focus on music. My thoughts easily wander while Yggy is playing. Maybe the treble would mellow a little and midrange fill in after warming up for a few days as they suggest, idk. 

I like Gustard for the big fat warm luscious tone top to bottom. Very easy to get lost in the music. It's NOT an "audiophile" DAC, imo, and it was not well appreciated by the audiophiles at the G2G who were previously listening to Vega. I changed the Gustard filter from Sharp to Slow which opened it up slightly for my very wide bandwidth tube amps. Listening in 'audiophile' mode it could be said that the bass can be a little too diffuse (with my small ported speakers already not well detailed in bass) and I noticed a slight lack of midrange tonal texture on string quartet recordings. I already have paper cones, silk tweeter, tube preamp and amp, so I got my 'warmth' quota covered elsewhere. But there is enough detail and texture to fully enjoy the music, hear the beauty of the instruments as they relate to the music, and easy to fall deep into music trance without non-musical distractions. Putting on a jazz trio there is plenty of cymbal and snare edginess, piano bite, background ambient noise, but the sound is never the 'star' on stage, it is always the players, the music. My tweeters are already tilted down a couple dB from flat to my preference, so the Gustard's more organic presentation augments that tendency a little too much for my speakers, probably the cause of my desire for a little more midrange texture on string quartet tracks. For the flat-voiced treble of modern commercial speakers, the Gustard voicing would be ideal to make music listening easier. My small speakers lose bass detail to port distortion and to low acoustic impedance of the small 6" driver, so I liked the Yggy clearer bass when listening as audiophile. But when I shut off my inner audiophile and just listen to music the Gustard bass is big, powerful, tuneful and really fun and well balanced with the good body and fullness overall. Vocals on Gustard seem crystal clear and very detailed, very good texture, so I'm not sure why I feel the slight lack of texture on classical string music.

I don't have Vega here now, Jason wanted to leave it, but I refused because I already liked it too much to be tempted with it in the house. But from what I remember of it, Vega brings the audiophile level of detail, texture and good bass control along with the bigness and full body tone. But I do worry if the extreme detail of any 'audiophile' style DAC would be too annoying after a while. I had similar worries in the past but got over them quickly as my brain gets used to the higher resolution. I started off thinking that the Vega was too detailed at the beginning of the g2g, but by the end of the night I was really digging the detail and could easily fall into the music despite the high detail. But I'd want to listen to it in solitude before purchasing a Vega.

The balanced outputs of Yggy and Gustard sounded better than their SE outputs. I did listen to each for a long time, then back and forth within the same song, then back to longer periods for each, with all different music.

Thusly impressed with the visiting big boy DACs, I am motivated to finish up yet another round of mods to my old Buffalo2 DAC and see how that compares at the next G2G. I'm replacing the old failing v1 Placid BP with Belleson regulators and replacing the old v1 Legato output stage with my favorite opamp and run the 9018 in voltage mode, no I/V. I'm also adding a USB input with the new XMOS xCORE-2 USB>I2S chip.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Folsom on 23 Jun 2016, 07:02 pm
I bet the PI Audio conditioner helped a lot. The Vega doesn't do well in a noisy environment from what I can tell.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: rajacat on 23 Jun 2016, 07:16 pm
richidoo,
Thanks for the thoughtful review. :thumb: It seems like system synergy is the main factor when comparing dacs that are in the same neighborhood SQ wise. 

Roy
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 23 Jun 2016, 11:35 pm
Great review Rich....It pretty much sums up my thoughts as well comparing the Yggy to the Custard. I think having the VR5 which are very revealing in the midrange makes the Custard great synergy. The new kid on the block, T&A DAC8 DSD is the winner winner chicken dinner right now. It is very impressive, I will surely bring it to the next GTG but it is coming back home with me...... Next step is a Bryston BDA-3 which is due this weekend. I have heard great things about the Bryston so l am excited.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 24 Jun 2016, 01:21 am
That's cool Marty!! You are the DAC MAN. 
What amps you using?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: nc42acc on 24 Jun 2016, 01:25 am
I am the DAC fool.....Most of my listening is with a Hattor passive and the ARC REF75 with KT150s. I also have the outstanding Nord NC500 monos. They both are amazing amps with a large contrast in the two.

That's cool Marty!! You are the DAC MAN. 
What amps you using?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 24 Jun 2016, 01:36 am
I am the DAC fool.....Most of my listening is with a Hattor passive and the ARC REF75 with KT150s. I also have the outstanding Nord NC500 monos. They both are amazing amps with a large contrast in the two.

Nice. The Hattor passive appears to be a very pretty application of the Khozmo attenuators available through PCx. The prices are not bad at all:

http://www.hattor.com

(http://www.hattor.com/se/4.jpg)

Both the Khozmo and Hattor are made in Poland. Great stuff and I have fond memories when I lived there :thumb:

I'll be happy to bring my TAPX at the next get together so you can compare them side by side.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: jtwrace on 24 Jun 2016, 02:19 am

I'll be happy to bring my TAPX at the next get together so you can compare them side by side.

Best,
Anand.
He can buy my TAP-X!   :D
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 24 Jun 2016, 02:24 am
Ooh, Ref 75 so sweet!  I'd love to hear that bad boy someday.

Anand, what brought you to Poland?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: mresseguie on 24 Jun 2016, 03:57 am
Ooh, Ref 75 so sweet!  I'd love to hear that bad boy someday.

Anand, what brought you to Poland?

You really get around, Anand.  :)
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 24 Jun 2016, 11:24 am
Met my wife there (and LOL, she is Indian, not Polish!), we met during our basic science years...

Mresseguie,

Yup, I lived in ~10 countries during my youth and visited over 30. My father, easily doubled those numbers. The longest I've ever stayed at 1 address is right here in NC. 8 years.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: RichardS on 24 Jun 2016, 04:56 pm
Interested in others' take on the DAC comparisons, and especially in what you thought about Jason's ARIES MINI going direct to the amps.  I'm looking for a streamer to use with Tidal as a secondary source to my Modwright / Sony HAP server (which doesn't decode Tidal).
Other recommendations requested as well...
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 24 Jun 2016, 05:37 pm
Hi Richard, we missed you!!!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 26 Jun 2016, 07:46 pm
With Yggy fully warmed up after 36 hours of playing, everything sounded much better. Treble smoother but still strong, midrange really nice, bass very strong and clean. Detail was not distracting. Very nice DAC!
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: Juventino on 20 Jul 2016, 11:55 am
Great review Rich....It pretty much sums up my thoughts as well comparing the Yggy to the Custard. I think having the VR5 which are very revealing in the midrange makes the Custard great synergy. The new kid on the block, T&A DAC8 DSD is the winner winner chicken dinner right now. It is very impressive, I will surely bring it to the next GTG but it is coming back home with me...... Next step is a Bryston BDA-3 which is due this weekend. I have heard great things about the Bryston so l am excited.

Is that the 1st T+A Dac 8 that you listened to or have you listened to the previous version of the Dac 8 as well?
Title: Re: Pagan G2G at Richidoo's
Post by: richidoo on 22 Jul 2016, 02:30 pm
I think it is the only version Marty has listened to.