NOS DAC and PC Audio - Audio Marriage in Heaven?

BrassEar · « **on:** 5 May 2006, 10:41 pm »

Am I the only one who believes that the combination of a NOS DAC and PC Audio is an audio marriage in heaven?

For years I have tried upgrades like tubes, DACs, cables, caps, resistors, speakers, etc. in an effort to lose the digital edge of CDs. Now suddenly with the NOS and PC audio combo, I don't hear this problem any more. AT ALL. I feel like I can retire from the audio upgrade merry-go-round and just relax and enjoy more music.

No other combination of technologies seemed to fix this problem for me. Am I unique in this regard?

Jon L · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 May 2006, 10:57 pm »

Congratulations on your enjoyment of music. However, "PC and NOS DAC" doesn't really describe much of anything specific, so do you mind sharing the exact setup you are talking about, i.e. what platform (PC vs. Mac), which playback software, the method of getting digital signal out of PC to the DAC, and which DAC?

miklorsmith · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 May 2006, 11:25 pm »

The promise of this is tremendous and is the way I'm going.

BrassEar · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 May 2006, 11:40 pm »

Quote from: Jon L

Congratulations on your enjoyment of music. However, "PC and NOS DAC" doesn't really describe much of anything specific, so do you mind sharing the exact setup you are talking about, i.e. what platform (PC vs. Mac), which playback software, the method of getting digital signal out of PC to the DAC, and which DAC?

Details, details. Sure.

Windows XP box running iTunes. All tracks converted to Apple Lossless with error checking ON. Wireless network running over 802.11G to a wireless Squeezebox 3. Digital out on the Squeezebox driving a Lite Audio DAC-AH modified with OPA604 opamps and Black Gate output caps. All this drives biamped Magnepan 1.6QRs.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 May 2006, 03:51 pm »

Could I ask what was your previous source? Was it a specific CDP or an oversampling DAC? I'm currently using a regular CDP, a hybrid integrated amp and soft dome tweater speakers. I don't find I have digital edge problems with CDs but I'm always very curious when I read all those threads about NOS DACs removing the digital edge. I'm currently trying to decide which one I'm going to buy because I certainly want to hear what all you guys are talking about! hahaha

Mathew_M · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 May 2006, 05:10 pm »

I would say take it one step further: pure digital source (Squeezebox) fed into a pure digital amplifier (Panny receivers). I have found that by avoiding the transport and the D/A conversion that I'm hearing the best digital playback. When I say 'best' I mean that it's good enough that even low rez internet radio stations are listenable. You might not get that ultra-velvety and full sound that tubes give but you also avoid all the trappings of trying to find the right tube and amp. I recommend it to anyone who is tired of riding the audiophile merry-go-round and just wants to enjoy digital music playback.

EchiDna · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 May 2006, 12:14 am »

Brassear, you aint alone!

pop over to the 'square circle'

it's where most things computer audio (including squeezeboxes and the like) get discussed around here

cheers,

rajacat · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 May 2006, 12:37 am »

Quote from: Mathew_M

I would say take it one step further: pure digital source (Squeezebox) fed into a pure digital amplifier (Panny receivers). I have found that by avoiding the transport and the D/A conversion that I'm hearing the best digital playback. When I say 'best' I mean that it's good enough that even low rez internet radio stations are listenable. You might not get that ultra-velvety and full sound that tubes give but you also avoid all the trappings of trying to find the right tube and amp. I recommend it to an ...

I had the same setup (SB3>Panny xr55) and found that there was some digital sheen especialy at the higher frequencies that annoyed me to the extent that I sold the Panny and bought a tubed preamp and I'm still looking for an amp. Presently, I'm just using the pre with my old Pioneer AVR .I do wish that I had kept the xr55 and had tried it with the tubed preamp. I might try the Gainclone option now or even try one of the variations on the T amp or go all tube.

Raja

BrassEar · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 May 2006, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: Loftprojection

Could I ask what was your previous source? Was it a specific CDP or an oversampling DAC? I'm currently using a regular CDP, a hybrid integrated amp and soft dome tweater speakers. I don't find I have digital edge problems with CDs but I'm always very curious when I read all those threads about NOS DACs removing the digital edge. I'm currently trying to decide which one I'm going to buy because I certainly want to hear what all you guys are talking about! hahaha

I lost count of the number of CD players that I tried. I even tried a NOS Audionote player that was close but not quite there. I tried upsampling DACs too. Nope, nothing for my ears beats PC Audio and NOS dacs.

Loftprojection · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 May 2006, 01:28 am »

Quote from: BrassEar

I lost count of the number of CD players that I tried. I even tried a NOS Audionote player that was close but not quite there. I tried upsampling DACs too. Nope, nothing for my ears beats PC Audio and NOS dacs.

We could say you are sold on it! haha You've raised my interest with your damn post! I've been spending hours reading on options since you wrote it, it's your fault!

Ho, and my current flavor of the day is a Squeezbox with a NOS Monica 2 DAC...

Cheers.

BrassEar · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 May 2006, 05:17 pm »

The Squeezebox and Monica should make a fine combo. I have used them separately but not together. Monica just didn't have enough output for my setup but that setup is unusual.

joeling39 · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Jun 2006, 09:42 am »

Hi BrassEar,

Add me to your list. I am using PC & Nos DAC in my humble system with good results.

I have a total silent P4 (using zalman tnn500 pc case) using foobar with ASIO out. This is connected using USB to a Apogee Digital Big Ben clock conditioner modded by Steve Nugent (USB input using M-audio transit). DAC is a AN DAC 1.1 modded to near death (achieved the highest mod status of no sound then regressed a little to get the sound back). Shunt regulated HV supply, async reclocking, dac 1.2 output stage among other things . etc. etc.

This system was so good that I felt I have reached the end of my search & just concentrate on the music. Unfortunately, it also made me lose interest in audio as I felt I can't gain or achieve further improvement without throwing out everything & start all over in a totally different approach (like going to the upsampling route maybe ?).

Anyway, I'm back from the brink & starting to warm up to my system again after a period of intermittent lsitening over the last 1.5 years.

Regards,
Joe Ling

Folsom · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Jun 2006, 04:36 pm »

I suggest kicking the boot to Itunes with a PC and switching to Foobar2000. I can hear a difference on several computers, Foobar2000 is always better. It has something to do with Itunes using the K-mix kernal I believe.

Loose interest in music?! There is so much more music out there to listen too. You can always expermint with DAC's, cables, speakers, amplifiers, AC conditioning etc...

You just eliminated a transport was all you did.

woodsyi · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Jun 2006, 05:05 pm »

Quote from: joeling39

Hi BrassEar,

Add me to your list. I am using PC & Nos DAC in my humble system with good results.

I have a total silent P4 (using zalman tnn500 pc case) using foobar with ASIO out. This is connected using USB to a Apogee Digital Big Ben clock conditioner modded by Steve Nugent (USB input using M-audio transit). DAC is a AN DAC 1.1 modded to near death (achieved the highest mod status of no sound then regressed a little to get the sound back). Shunt regulated HV supply, async reclocking, dac 1.2 output ...

I want that TNN 500 case. I will buy it off you if you don't want it......

joeling39 · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jun 2006, 08:26 am »

Hi,

Haha sorry I'm not selling. I'm starting to get back into adio again.

Anyway, a recent friend of mine borrowed my DAC to mate with his Marantz CD11 (one of the first 1 bit designs) & was totally bowled over by it. I guess nos does have something going for it.

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jun 2006, 05:01 pm »

My setup: FLAC files on computer in home office > ethernet cable > Squeezebox 3 > digital coax output > Ack! dAck! 2.0 with high resolution option > integrated tube amp.

I really like the sound for about half of my music collection, and some of my music sounds absolutely stunning without any digital edge. But for the other half, I find the sound lacking. It could be that the CDs are just poorly recorded. I wish my system sounded great on everything but without too much coloration. My amp is an Onix SP3 with Telefunken ECC83(12AX7) input tubes, and Onix Reference 1 monitors connected with old and crappy M*nster cable. My goal is to work on the rest of my system at present, and leave the Squeezebox and Ack! dAck! alone for now, except that I might add a linear power supply to the Squeezebox.