Hi guys,
Here are some answers to your various inquiries;
As to the option of an AC powered Tranquility 32/192 DAC variant:Jonathon - We have the ability to offer an AC powered variant of the High-Rez Tranquility. But, to get similar sonic performance we achieved from our special battery solution would predicate a much higher cost variation using a very exotic power supply...adding perhaps 40% more to the price. Even then, the sonic performance would most likely be only equal in sonics. As Danny pointed out in his response to this thread, there would also be the expense of an Uber power cord and possible power conditioning too. Of course, if many audiophiles demand this sort of expensive AC powered DAC, I may offer that option.
Information about the High-Rez DAC on dB Audio Labs' website:Firedog - I will have a full description and many pictures of the DAC when we are closer to actual production. Personally I have a strong disdain for companies selling "vaporware" prior to the true availability of their product for actual sale. Honesty and integrity are something I hold very highly.
Playback capability and various supported platforms:Tom - The Tranquility's Asynchronous USB interface uses a special driver and is compatible with both OSX up to Lion, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Drivers are just a simple quick download with a singular web link (fast and easy). In terms of supporting DSD; a specialty audiophile company informed me that their Foobar2000 player software does support DSDIFF file playback so DSD files from SACD can be ripped to, or companies like Blue Coast Records offers file downloads. At this point in time thought, that is all I can say about DSD playback until I get some unique servers with DSD playback capabilities in house, to fully test.
USB design implementation and using the DAC without a pre-amp:Clayton - The prior Tranquility NOS DAC did not use an Asynchronous receiver implementation, just a very clever and unique input receiver design. Everything technically considered though, for us, the end sonic result is so much more important than just the technology. This is where dB Audio Labs products differs from many other DACs comparably. We actually develop our DACs based on listening tests, not just implementation of some "jitter elimination" scheme, Uber technology, etc.. Subsequently, we proved ourselves with the prior non-async Tranquility soundly winning sonic comparisons against award winning async DACs. Now we are offering a true Asynchronous solution but we still want to win the hearts of audiophiles via true sonic comparatives against "whatever tech". If it were only as easy as just the specs, the chipset and the jitter reduction circuit selections. Of course, that's where the "real research" separates the posers from the true sonic winners.
In terms of directly connecting the High-Rez Tranquility directly to your amp, your computer server could control the volume. In fact, many Tranquility NOS customers have moved their pre-amp out of the system chain and allow Pure Music's dithered volume capability to achieve the ultimate in transparency and detail.
Battery options:Jim - Very recently we discovered via listening tests some dramatic improvements in sonics with different battery technologies. Some are extremely exotic and expensive. The base battery inside the Tranquility 32/192 will sound amazing. With my goal to offer the best DAC designs possible, I will be configuring options for the most exotic batteries too. I cannot comment on the pricing or details as of yet. But I promise to make everything as affordable as possible with the battery options I may bring to market.
Sonic comparatives between the new High Rez DAC and the NOS Tranquility SE:Morgan - Recently we improved the sonics of the Tranquility SE and will be offering an upgrade for owners wishing to stay with their NOS Tranquility. This latest SE DAC served as the sonic benchmark for the new High-Rez DAC. On Redbook playback the sound is very similar with the revised Tranquility SE sounding slightly smoother (perhaps) and the High-Rez DAC sounding slightly deeper and more layered but very, very close. Dynamics, overtone structure, high frequency smoothness are hallmarks of both designs (read close to identical). Hence, I feel they both deserve the "Tranquility" name. In terms of High-Rez music file playback, that is where the High-Rez design will typically shine, as many High-Rez designs already do. First and foremost though, my goal was to get very close to the new revised version Tranquility SE NOS DAC's sonics
on Redbook files which typically represents 98% of most audiophile's music collections.
I am so proud of the new design team and how they managed to reach and even exceed my lofty goals for this new DAC design.
Thanks to all for your excellent questions!
Eric Hider - dB Audio Labs
Website:
www.dbaudiolabs.com
