To be fair they still do a nice job with spotify/foobar and other players. Been playing Crysis 2 with it recently with very good results.Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
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To be fair they still do a nice job with spotify/foobar and other players. Been playing Crysis 2 with it recently with very good results.Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
Downloaded the free j play software....maybe its me but my spotify sounds better.It would be rude not to try the dacs on offer and share my findings with the troops. PM sent, let battle commence!!!!
Here a quick guide
Buffer set to direct link (a)
Engine River extreme (b)
Hibernation mode Fullscale (h)
Memory 500mb (m)
It really should be a huge upgrade in sound as it basically closing a lot of functions going on in the computer in my system and every system I tried it in,it makes a huge difference. The demo version is crap as keeps cutting out for 30 seconds every few mins
In my system no comparsion with spotify just in a different league
Thanks JohnQuote:
Originally Posted by John
Hi Tony,
could you do me a favour mate (sorry) and download a free program called "Fidelizer"?
http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/
It does similar as what JPlay does (shuts down windows background stuff) and I'm curious about how it compares.
Just wonder if you need Jplay to get the JK dacs to be their best?
Nothing sinister, just curious.
ps If you cant be arsed that totally fine :)
I don't think Jplay shuts down processes but it does reassign process priorities. I also believe that it handles memory in a different way using large page sizes - this is not the just allocating a slice of contiguous memory & loading the WAV file into it. So Fidelizer will bring you some of the way but not all the way to the sound of Jplay.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
In the sense that you asked the question, the answer is no, JK DACs do NOT NEED Jplay but Jplay is the best sounding playback software that I've heard on the PC & will improve all playback. I recommend it in my user guide & suggested it here so that when people audition & post impressions of a device of mine, there is one less variable to wonder about. By all means try with & without Jplay for comparison.Quote:
Just wonder if you need Jplay to get the JK dacs to be their best?
Nothing sinister, just curious.
Computer audio is now a serious contender for top drawer sound. I mean as good as your best CD or turntable playback, not just background music or games sound effects. But you will only get to this level of sound if you deal with the variables. My devices are a major step towards this goal & I'm suggesting Jplay as a software approach which deals with another variable & a further step towards this goal. I have a number of other recommendations in my user guide which I have found to be beneficial. Don't be fooled by the modest price of this DAC, it will compete against many top-flight DACs, just read the reviews.
Wee Tee
You won't be able to play spotify Premium with Jplay - it uses 320kbps MP3, I think. Jplay won't play MP3 files, it is designed to work with lossless files as it too is targeting best sound quality.
Try playing your locally stored FLAc or WAV files & compare the sound using iTunes Vs JplayMini - let us know if you hear any difference?
I agree John, Computer Audio is the way forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by jkeny
Happily gave up optical media for file based audio a while ago.
I've heard both dacs in my system btw, sounded good.
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Yes, they were good, be interested in what Tony makes of them.
Ali, they arrived in Harrow today, thanks for posting on.
before i instaled j play i was concious that the i player stuff at lossless was slightly better than the spotify stuff....cleaner more focussed/spacous...more hi fi. the difference is noticeable, whether j play has widened the gap i would be lying if i said yes.
My big bugbear is sibilance, female vocals are my staple diet to hear them contaminated with ssss breaks my heart. my current mf dac has a reputation for being a bit bright, having heard it in company with other dacs i can agree to this.just looking to make the best of what i have....
OK, Tony, sibilance indicates to me that you have issues with your system - could be your DAC, could be somewhere else in your system. Do you have other inputs & do they also have sibilance issues?
Do you use a laptop for playback? If you do, try unplugging the charger.
A pity it not work for you Tony but as John says I imagine something else causing this
Good stuff, thanks for the loan.Quote:
Originally Posted by jkeny
im just looking to improve my dac....sibilance rips my knitting on recordings, usually down to close mic ing. having heard numerous dacs i know there is room for improvement.....your wares appealed
As I said, there are many variables to address if you want to improve your system. if you know for sure that the sibilance results from your DAC then trying another DAC could work. If you have heard other DACs in your system & they had no sibilance then it most likely is your problemQuote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
I'm just asking if you are sure that is where your problem lies? Ground noise/loop issues can often give rise to sibilance which is why I asked you about laptop playback.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
Happy to bring the Rega Dac and the Vlink 192 over at some point Tony...a SMOOOTH combo, especially on female vocals...
Are you using JPlayMini, the standalone Jplay program or are you using the one that sits in the background & still playing through iTunes?Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
The Rega DAC does female vocal very well indeed :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Gaz,Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Let me know when you have a couple of hours, would appreciate hearing another quality dac in my set up.
Is the 192 better than the Vlink 96 Gaz?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Its a different product all together Bernie..WAAY better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Canetoad
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1...comparison.jpg
Totally different circuit inside, apart from doing 192 uses a much better usb chip, better power regulation, has galvanic isolation on both inputs and separate crystals instead of "one size fits all" in the original Vlink.
it makes everything played through it sound better, even 16/44 redbook.
And I mean a lot better...
Sounds not so good out the box, needs a couple of weeks to burn in imo.
That was the same with the original Vlink though.
Great review of it here on ComputerAudiophile
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...verter-review/
The V-Link 192 costs roughly 20% as much as the best USB to S/PDIF converter I've used (BADA Alpha USB) yet it delivers near 90% of the sonic performance. I highly recommend the V-Link 192 for the vast majority of users who don't feel the urge to spend vast amounts of money squeezing the remaining few percentage points of performance from their systems. At $399 the V-Link 192 is a uncomplicated device that plays a critical role and is a tremendous overachiever.
Fantastic upgrade for not stupid money.
sure thing mate, think the troops wouldn't mind a listen to the Quads!Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
Just published review of my JKDAC32 on TNT http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/jk_dac32_e.html
And recently published TNT review of USB-SPDIF converter - a direct competitor to the MF V-link 192. http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/jk...nverter_e.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkeny
Sorry John,
forgot this was a sales thread mate.
No worries, Gaz, just wanted to ensure readers were aware of all the options! Would be interested to hear how the JKSPDIF fares Vs the MF Vlink192.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Care to do this comparison?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkeny
Yeah, that'd be interesting mate. :)
My dac doesn't have BNC inputs though?
It comes with a BNC/RCA adapter & another gizmo, an RF attenuator (read about it in the TNT review)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
What is your DAC?
The JKSPDIF MK3 USB-SPDIF converter is currently in Lockerbie. It will be a week before it is available!
ok dokie John,
gimme a holler when its available.
thanks for the chance to hear it.
Was just thinking that!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
You guys are always welcome...how does next weekend suit.If Gaz gets his paws on one of JK DAC/Convertor we could do a wee showdown (wouldn't mind hearing how the supra usb holds up in a crowd)
having heard the improvement of the v link mk2 over my own it would be interesting to hear the new one....
Dont know if ALI should be allowed to bring the valve dac....might end in tears and snotters for me!!!!!
Nothing that a £grand or so won't fix out mate . :eyebrows: I'm off Saturday next weekend BTW.:)
ali/gaz would that suit?
Can't do it, my daughter is coming up for the weekend.
Ali,Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
Would have been delighted to have had you over, not so sure about the giant slaying DAC mind!!!!
Gaz....how you fixed.....
The JK stuff has caught my interest for some time....regardless of my ineptitude with all things computer..... it would be great to hear something built near to home that gives the big boys a run for they're money
Count me in Tony.
I'll bring the Rega dac and the vlink 192
you ok for a wee showdown saturday...usb cables/dacs/jk thingies.....Quote:
Originally Posted by brian2957
Yup I'll be there mate .Thanks for the invitation.
Aye cheers mate, shame I can't make it. Have fun chaps.Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
It seems difficult to get people to send on these DACs after a week - sorry for the delay.
The two DACs will be posted to Wee Tee Cee on Monday. Does this suit? Let me know so that I can redirect elsewhere if not suitable.
Can I ask that it is auditioned next weekend & sent onward on Monday 12th. OK?
John,
Thanks for the offer but I will decline, please send them on to the next interested party.
Regards Tony.
:doh:Thought I was gonny get another listen to those Quads and get some more cake mate :eyebrows:
It's already been posted to you - tracking number AD432867067GBQuote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
If it doesn't suit, can anyone else take it or can you send it onto another person ?
John,
It would be rude not to give them a listen....I will post up my findings. PM me to let me know who gets them next....
OK, don't feel under obligation - if you're not ready for them or it's not a suitable time, then just pass them on, I won't mind. I'll PM you the next address in line.Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
John
John ,
They arrived today...There is no instructions or disk to load the driver. How do I go about getting the lap top to speak to them. Are they both usb powered or is it just the 32?
User manual is linked to from the product page http://www.johnkenny.biz/home-1/jkdac32Quote:
Originally Posted by wee tee cee
All instructions are in that, I believe!
Neither DAC is USB powered - they are battery powered :)
AOS tour is now over - I'm not taking any more names.
well ok then... :)