Any luck?
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Any luck?
Whenever you make a change to a PC, such as a new driver, make sure that you reboot it (not that I have ever updated my computer audio setup and sat swearing at it, only to realize that I hadn't rebooted yet :doh:). I am sure that you have tried that, but thought that I would mention it just in case....Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
BTW, I love your new avatar! What a cute little baby duck : )
Nah, I gave up. :whistle:Quote:
Originally Posted by Audio Advent
Although, curiously, I am currently using an Audiolab MDAC (which has digital-out) to convert USB to co-ax digital to feed into my (non-USB) DAC de jour.
That works just fine. :scratch:
I have no idea why I had insuperable problems with the stand-alone USB converter boxes.
Finally, have hooked the Black Tulip pre up into my main rig as phonostage / pre-amp for vinyl.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Works fine, sounds good.
A bit more neutral, dynamic and higher rez than the admittedly rose-tinted 'stage/pre in my vintage Marantz receiver.
I don't use a pre in my main streaming setup, so can't do a direct comparison there.
I've an Audiolab 8000PPA 'stage sitting on my shelves and good though it is, I feel no burning urge to return to it.
La Tulipe plays music enjoyably and is nice to use, the feel of the stepped volume control is very sexy indeed! :eyebrows: :thumbsup:
Ah.Quote:
Originally Posted by Parkie37
Whoops.
I know I did some re-boots along the way, but not as a matter of course. :doh:
I wonder if that was the problem? :o
:oops:
I'm a computer numpty who uses a file based audio system too Jerry , so I can understand where you're coming from . Gary ( gazjam ) gets a phone call or has to pay me a visit every so often to help me out .Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
TBH if it wasn't for him the old Marantz CD player would be coming down from the loft :)
I hear you, Bruv! :lol:
Computer numpties of the world unite. :grouphug:
Although, to be fair to me, by luck or (less likely) by judgement, I got my basic lappy/streaming system up and going on my own with but a word or 3 of encouragement from Justin / user211. :yay:
Luckily it just needed 1 cable to be plugged in, USB lappy to DAC with no driver downloading. Phew, I wouldn't have managed it otherwise. :)
So are all the DACs working in your system now . If so I'm looking forward to your feedback on what you have .
All DACs?Quote:
Originally Posted by brian2957
Ah well -- if you're curious ....
I have an Audiolab MDAC, Wyred4Sound DAC1, and a SMSL cheapo Chinese DAC.
A Rega DAC recently departed to its new owner.
I enjoyed the Rega for a week or so. Lovely rich midrange tonality and a very fast way with microdynamics. Excellent imaging - in width and depth. Lovely. But ultimately it felt restrained in the macro-dynamic department. There was a subtle 'glass ceiling' on how large scale dynamics could expand - it felt like it was being gently curtailed and made to sound too comfortable and easy going. It just got a bit frustrating in the end, I knew there was more excitement to be had. The new owner has had one before and it suits him down to the ground, so probably big doses of personal preference and system synergy are involved!
MDAC. Ah, hmm. So good in so many ways. Dynamic, rez, presence, bass control and definition - superdooper! But an emphasised top end makes it annoying in a reasonably neutral system and it then sounds a bit grainy. It works very well in my 2nd system with Maggie 1.6QR speakers which have a rather gentle top end.
W4S DAC1. A more sophisticated sound. Very nice - loadsa rez and very nice 3D imaging. You can hear why it costs more and was well thought of. DACs have come and gone over the last couple of years, but the W4S is always there ready to take over from the latest digital wondertoy! :) I've almost sold it a couple of times to a particular AOSer. He'll get it one day, if he strikes at the right moment. :eyebrows:
And currently plugged in is a SMSL DAC - £25 from a forum member. It sounds great - probably as simple a DAC as they come, and maybe it benefits from that.
I'm using the MDAC as a USB to co-ax converter as the SMSL doesn't have USB input, so I can still use it for streaming.
Yeah, OK, it is a bit uncouth, just a little bit raw at the top and imaging in depth isn't its strongest point - but the openness, rez and dynamics are all excellent. There's an honest simplicity to the sound that appeals at the moment - it just plays the music in a fun and communicative way. Think of it as an MDAC done right. :whistle: :)
YMMV to all of that lot. :lol:
Lol - I know exactly where you're coming from. I do the same thing with Duncan... Handy having friends like that when you need them (and they know you'd only too gladly return the favour if you could) ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by brian2957
Marco.