The Altman Attraction DAC

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ted_b

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Re: The Altmann Attraction DAC
« Reply #120 on: 13 May 2007, 04:13 pm »
I have been reading this and other threads/forums about the Attraction, and am very interested.  Thanks for all the comments.  I use a Modwright highly modded Denon 3910 Platinum Signature tubed analog section for my serious redbook (and of course SACD and DVD-A) listening, and have about 600 cd's ripped to FLAC for my wireless RWA-modded SB3 (Vinnie modded it uniquely for me to use a special linear PS cuz I kept forgetting to turn off the battery).  I have tried the SB3 with A Ram-modded Dac AH, and my curent DAC is a Ack Dack 1.3 (also off the grid).   I like the sound (and LOVE the convenience) of the SB3/Ack combo, but it surely ain't the incredible realism of the tubed Modwright analog stage.  I'd love to get there.  I'm thinking the Altmann is my next step........stupid question alert:
how does one get a 192k (or 176k for that matter) signal to the DAC?  I mean, I love DVD-A but listen to my 50-75 DVD-A disc collection via analog outs.  I'm not sure how to get a native 192k PCM signal from the Modwright via coax.....or any DVD-A player for that matter.  I thought that level of ppcm or pcm was verboten at the digital outs.  Probably a moot point cuz i'd still use the Modwright tube stage for anything but redbook, but wondered why the capability even exists in the Altmann DAC.

audiotone

Re: The Altmann Attraction DAC
« Reply #121 on: 13 May 2007, 07:42 pm »
I have been reading this and other threads/forums about the Attraction, and am very interested.  Thanks for all the comments.  I use a Modwright highly modded Denon 3910 Platinum Signature tubed analog section for my serious redbook (and of course SACD and DVD-A) listening, and have about 600 cd's ripped to FLAC for my wireless RWA-modded SB3 (Vinnie modded it uniquely for me to use a special linear PS cuz I kept forgetting to turn off the battery).  I have tried the SB3 with A Ram-modded Dac AH, and my curent DAC is a Ack Dack 1.3 (also off the grid).   I like the sound (and LOVE the convenience) of the SB3/Ack combo, but it surely ain't the incredible realism of the tubed Modwright analog stage.  I'd love to get there.  I'm thinking the Altmann is my next step........stupid question alert:
how does one get a 192k (or 176k for that matter) signal to the DAC?  I mean, I love DVD-A but listen to my 50-75 DVD-A disc collection via analog outs.  I'm not sure how to get a native 192k PCM signal from the Modwright via coax.....or any DVD-A player for that matter.  I thought that level of ppcm or pcm was verboten at the digital outs.  Probably a moot point cuz i'd still use the Modwright tube stage for anything but redbook, but wondered why the capability even exists in the Altmann DAC.

Hi Ted_b,

you could use this:

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3939

or this:
http://audiopraise.com/vanity/overview.php

or this:

https://www.dvdupgrades.ch/digital_audio.html

or some remastering software:
http://www.dvd2one.com/

But I do not know if any of this is really legal...
« Last Edit: 13 May 2007, 11:25 pm by audiotone »

ferenc_k

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #122 on: 13 May 2007, 09:31 pm »
what is the output impedance of altmann attraction DAC?

i am wondering are there are any issues driving passive preamps?

I am using the Altmann Attraction DAC with Promitheus TVC (and BYOB amp) and no issue at all. I think the Altmann puts out some 4V and has less than 100 ohm output impedance.

pardales

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #123 on: 13 May 2007, 11:20 pm »
This has to do with the comments on the last page about using one battery for each of the Altmann components. I asked Charles Altmann about this several months ago and he did not recommend it. I have had both the BYOB amp and Attraction DAC for a year now.

Here's the thing though, I do not understand the technical stuff about this and so cannot answer "why" he said this. You folks talking the technical stuff about power supplies on this thread might want to ask him why he does not recommend this.

I tried a one year old Promethius TVC between my Altmann gear and did not find it an improvement. I don't like volume controls that have clicking steps though--I know there are good reasons for them to work this way--just not for me. That said, it did not really degrade the sound, and if you need multiple inputs or outputs, its probably a good way to go.


Best,

ferenc_k

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #124 on: 14 May 2007, 08:19 am »
Charles Altmann suggests just one battery because of the possibility of swapping the plus and minus side of the battery supply on an accidental way, can be dangerous. The other reason is the ground loop is made by the battery supply wires. It's not a big loop however. So I now drive my Altmann ADC, DAC and BYOB from one battery instead of two earlier. I needed a new battery cable from Charles, it has a plus 40A fuse built on it.


anubisgrau

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Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #125 on: 14 May 2007, 05:36 pm »
Would anyone have an idea what is an OK price to pay for a s/h Attraction DAC with JISCO and TOSLINK? I assume it is 1090E new.

jaspal kallar

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #126 on: 15 May 2007, 03:57 pm »
I tried a one year old Promethius TVC between my Altmann gear and did not find it an improvement. I don't like volume controls that have clicking steps though--I know there are good reasons for them to work this way--just not for me. That said, it did not really degrade the sound, and if you need multiple inputs or outputs, its probably a good way to go.


Best,
My understanding, reading the long Promethius TVC thread, is that the version you tried has the rev 2 trannies and the latest tannie is ver 3 (late 2006).  Also it appears the reference series Promethius TVC's are in some cases quite a bit bettter than the standard series judging from people's comments in the thread who have bought both the standard and reference versions.



anubisgrau

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Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #127 on: 15 May 2007, 06:18 pm »
what toslink cable is recommended for altmann with jisco.

charles altmann told me that he uses the toshiba toslink and that he never tried a glass toslink.

i found toshiba toslink in the online store, it costs 3E.

http://www.dcskabel.de/toshiba-toslink/toshiba-optisches-toslink-digital-kabel-p-32-1.html?shop_ID=18&sessID=29d8395b064cd2441fa0991d6bfd9a9e

could it be that this thing is completely insensitive to a digital cable?

audiotone

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #128 on: 15 May 2007, 09:06 pm »
what toslink cable is recommended for altmann with jisco.

charles altmann told me that he uses the toshiba toslink and that he never tried a glass toslink.

i found toshiba toslink in the online store, it costs 3E.

http://www.dcskabel.de/toshiba-toslink/toshiba-optisches-toslink-digital-kabel-p-32-1.html?shop_ID=18&sessID=29d8395b064cd2441fa0991d6bfd9a9e

could it be that this thing is completely insensitive to a digital cable?

I have my cec connected to the behringer src2496 via RCA, AES/EBU and toslink...
The src is connected to the altmann via toslink and rca...
i can not hear any differences between AES/RCA or toslink...

So I can confirm that the altmann is insensitive to any cable...
I guess that is what the jisco is all about.

denjo

Re: The Altman Attraction DAC
« Reply #129 on: 16 May 2007, 01:35 am »
Yes, that has been my experience with the Altmann Attraction DAC (with JISCO activated)! It apparently seems to be impartial to TOSLINK or RCA, whatever the type or quality. So, don't spend good money for exotic, expensive types. The Belden 75 ohm "Brilliance" cable with Canare connectors will do just fine. I think the benefits of JISCO has much to contribute for the Altmann's indifference to cable types and barnds.