When I first purchased LIO, it came with DAC version 1.0 and its Filters functions are differently with DAC 2.0. I did not realize it does the oversampling by selecting filter 1, until I read a post here.
I am currently using either Audiravana + to oversampling to DSD 256 or PCM 764, or Roon + HQ player oversampling to DSD256, and sometimes my MacBook pro crashed during the play.
The LIO Dac 2.0 with this oversampling may not be as good as compared with software, but to me it is already good enough.
Hi Mitch751,
Yes - the filters for LIO DAC 1.0 and DAC 2.0 are very different. Only LIO DAC 2.0 has the "non-oversampling, digital-filterless mode" (my personal favorite, and to me it sounds the most natural and effortless).
If you want to do sample-rate conversion to DSD256, try doing it in Roon (without HQ Player). It works very well and seems to be stable.
This is what I have been doing for a while (I haven't really noticed much difference between converting to DSD512 vs DSD256, so I use DSD256 because it is easier on the computer - as Oleg mentioned above).
The LIO Dac 2.0 with this oversampling may not be as good as compared with software, but to me it is already good enough.
I find for best results, use LIO DAC 2.0 in Filter2 (which is default when you turn ON LIO). This is the non-oversampling, digital-filterless filter mode, and then either play your files at their native resolution, or try Roon sample-rate conversion of all files to DSD256.
Anyone care to venture an opinion on this - which would you think would offer the best overall (by the usual hi-fi parameters) performance?
Assumptions - good USB transport, LIO amp module
1. LIO Dac 1.0 with DHT stage
OR
2. LIO Dac 2.0 with AVC/Tube stage
Hi dspringham,
Number (1) above would be my pick of the two, but if you can do LIO DAC 2.0 + LIO DHT PRE, then you are taking the performance of the current LIO platform to the max.
Thank you for your replies (seems pretty quiet on the Vinnie circles these days).
Hey Vinnie, what say you!
Sorry for not posting here nearly as much as I would like to - I have been as busy as ever. Very exciting things are in the works for 2019!
With the DAC 2.0 upgrade, the Sony would be used as a digital server only (USB output). Just wondering if I would gain enough sound quality improvement to justify the upgrade cost.
The LIO DAC 2.0 leaves the Level 3 modded Sony Z1ES's dac and analog output stage in the dust, especially with its default non-oversampling, digital filterless mode and dual Class A JFET outptu stages. I never tested the USB output of the Z1ES because back then when I was modding them, Sony didn't have the firmware update for this. At that time, the USB jack was only for connecting an external drive.
Have you tried the USB output of the Z1E into the LIO DAC 1.0? How does it sound?
Regarding LIO with DHT, in some ways I miss the flexibility of being able to go pure passive (AVC only) in the LIO since the Sony-RWA 3 already has Vinnie's high quality battery powered tube output stage (using the same tube variants as the LIO).
If you are already using LIO DHT PRE, I would not bother with the Sony's modded 6922 tube output stage.
Hmmmm... DAC 2.0 upgrade versus Tak 300b tube upgrade. Arrrgh... never ends.
LIO DAC 2.0 first (substantial improved over DAC 1.0) - use your Z1ES as a transport, or consider using a computer with Roon instead, and then later try to get a pair of TAK TA300B with a return policy (not sure if partsconnexion offers this), just to make sure they win you over compared to the KR PX4.
BTW - This fall is LIO's 5th year anniversary!
Vinnie
