Hi Gary , I'm using a Laptop > USB cable > V-Link > coaxial cable > Caiman . V-Link is still
settling in but is beginning to sing . I was planning to drop you a text
in the next few days .
Brian.
Trade: 20/20 Audio
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 7,723
I'm Brian.
Hi Gary , I'm using a Laptop > USB cable > V-Link > coaxial cable > Caiman . V-Link is still
settling in but is beginning to sing . I was planning to drop you a text
in the next few days .
Brian.
Senior Member
Location: Glasgowshire
Posts: 9,663
I'm Gary.
yup, sounds like your gonna be a good "go-to" guy for PC audio too Brian!
AC POWER
Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
AMPS
Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
SPEAKERS
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
DAC
PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
PHONOSTAGE
Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
DIGITAL
OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
MUSIC PLAYBACK
Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
Ipad Roon Remote.
Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
SPEAKER CABLES
Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
INTERCONNECTS
All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables
Trade: 20/20 Audio
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 7,723
I'm Brian.
Fraid not mate . Just got into this 6 months ago . I think I'll be learning from
you and the other computer audio guys on this forum for a while yet .
Brian.
Spotify + Facebook Moderator / Chilled-Out Wino and only here for the shilling
Location: Sunny Suffolk, UK
Posts: 15,952
I'm WrappingALilacCurtainAroundMyBobby.
As Mark said - the Caiman doesn't do async natively (or hi-res) over usb - which is where the hiface (or v-link II) etc. comes in - I've been using the usb direct route for 2 years, but plan on going hiface in the New Year - the usb direct is still a great sound, but can be potentially improved converting to SPDIF.Originally Posted by Gazjam
Last edited by Alex_UK; 21-12-2011 at 22:15.
Alex
Main System: Digital: HP Laptop/M2Tech Hiface/Logitech Media Server/FLAC; Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD Player and other digital stuff into Gatorised Beresford Caiman DAC Vinyl: Garrard 401/SME 3009 SII Improved/Sumiko HS/Nagaoka MP-30
Amplifier: Rega Brio R. Speakers: Spendor SP1. Cables: Various, mainly Mark Grant. Please see "about me" for the rest of my cr@p! Gallery
A.o.S. on Facebook - A.o.S. on Spotify - A.o.S. on Twitter
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing Aristotle
Trade: 20/20 Audio
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 7,723
I'm Brian.
I had been using laptop to Caiman via USB cable with excellent results.
Since purchasing the V-Link last week there is no doubt in my mind
that this has provided a significant upgrade in sound .I don't know
why this should be , I can only tell what I hear.
Brian.
AV Room Forum Leader / Spaced Out
Location: North Cambs UK, Earth, Sol, Orion - Cygnus arm of galaxy
Posts: 11,166
I'm MadeOfDeadGiantStarsThatExplodedEonsAgo.
Hi Brian, so your PC output is still USB, but connected to the V-Link & then squirted out to the Caiman via S/PDIF coaxial cable?
Is that right?
Bests, Mark
"We must believe in free will. We have no choice"Isaac Bashevis Singer
Trade: 20/20 Audio
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 7,723
I'm Brian.
Correct mate . Laptop > QED USB cable > V-Link > Mark Grant G1000HD
coaxial cable > Caiman.
Brian.
Spotify + Facebook Moderator / Chilled-Out Wino and only here for the shilling
Location: Sunny Suffolk, UK
Posts: 15,952
I'm WrappingALilacCurtainAroundMyBobby.
If it is a V-Link II - then I believe that adds async output, which would probably go some way to explaining the improvement.
Alex
Main System: Digital: HP Laptop/M2Tech Hiface/Logitech Media Server/FLAC; Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD Player and other digital stuff into Gatorised Beresford Caiman DAC Vinyl: Garrard 401/SME 3009 SII Improved/Sumiko HS/Nagaoka MP-30
Amplifier: Rega Brio R. Speakers: Spendor SP1. Cables: Various, mainly Mark Grant. Please see "about me" for the rest of my cr@p! Gallery
A.o.S. on Facebook - A.o.S. on Spotify - A.o.S. on Twitter
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing Aristotle
AV Room Forum Leader / Spaced Out
Location: North Cambs UK, Earth, Sol, Orion - Cygnus arm of galaxy
Posts: 11,166
I'm MadeOfDeadGiantStarsThatExplodedEonsAgo.
Well you'd expect that more electronics in the way would mess things up, wouldn't you
In other words as far as I'm aware it's the V-Link that is calling the shots, rather than the PC just squirting it out
Bests, Mark
"We must believe in free will. We have no choice"
Trade: 20/20 Audio
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 7,723
I'm Brian.
Yes I believe that the V-Link takes over clocking duties from the computer.
The interesting thing is that these are not hi res files , they are basic
red book files (WAV) played through media player. My hearing isn't the
best , but I'm convinced that there is a significant improvement.
Brian.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote