NVA 'TFS': 'The Future Statement' lands at Marco Towers...

[Ali Tait]

it handles 24bit 192khz files but if you are using your sony dac you will be limiting it to just 16bit 44.1/48khz.

have you tried it direct ino your pre with some hi rez stuff?

should sound really good

Thanks Duncan. Yes agree Marco, try it direct with some hi rez stuff.

[Marco]

Nope, Dunc. I certainly don't mind trying that, although as you know, I would miss the sonic effect of my valve preamp - and you know how good the Croft is...

I may indeed buy a seperate modern DAC, simply for hi-res duties, as your point is valid, however the Sony DAC did considerably outperform the built-in one in the TFS, and so for my main purpose of ripping my CD collection to a hard-drive (it'll need to be much bigger than the standard one in the TFS), and streaming the music that way, the Sony would take some beating!

Marco.

[Marco]

I think if someone makes such a statement then they should prove it !

looks interesting

Too bloody right, mate. Words on a screen are cheap!!

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Nope, Dunc. I certainly don't mind trying that, although as you know, I would miss the sonic effect of my valve preamp - and you know how good the Croft is...

I may indeed buy a seperate modern DAC, simply for hi-res duties, as your point is valid, however the Sony DAC did considerably outperform the built-in one in the TFS, and so for my main purpose of ripping my CD collection to a hard-drive (it'll need to be much bigger than the standard one in the TFS), and streaming the music that way, the Sony would take some beating!

Marco.

I assume it has analogue outs? just plug it into your pre mate.

[Marco]

BTW I agree with you mate, once you factor in the cost of manufacturing the acrylic case, (acrylic is not cheap) assembling the thing, setting it up and then allowing a profit margin for Richard and Jason, it's not that rediculous. They both have to make a living, and it's not as if they can benefit from the economy of scale by selling thousands coz they won't, it's a cottage industry like Croft or Stan's dacs. Consider the cost of Richard's other Statement products also, it's certainly in line with those.

Precisely, Ali. But those facts are almost NEVER taken into consideration by the 'I can build it better myself' brigade....!

Maybe Dave was just in a bad mood this morning? His rather inconsiderate comments were completely out of character. Who knows? We're all human...

Marco.

[Marco]

I assume it has analogue outs? just plug it into your pre mate.

Ah yes, sorry, I totally misunderstood that

Yup, I tried that briefly when Jason was here, and it did sound pretty good. I guess then I could use the in-built DAC in the TFS for streaming hi-res, and the Sony for playing my ripped files from CDs - sounds like a decent plan!

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Marco, if you want a good dac for hi rez, try this one -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-2...item19c90b8fe5

Don't let the low price put you off, it saw off a MF M dac in my system.

[bobbasrah]

A quick question,to any that can answer,is it possible to use a linear psu in a 'normal' pc?

You can use one but it is physically a larger beast than the standard SMPS. There are many qualities of PSU available these days, just are there are cleaner motherboards.

[Marco]

Hi Darren,

Congrats marco,welcome to the computer audio age.I think it looks ok,not sure about the clear tubiing though,having said that as long as it sounds good,who cares.

Precisely. I'm sure that if I were to see the results of some people's DIY efforts, they'd be, erm, equally as 'hideous' to my eyes!

There is definitely a market for something like this,for those who wouldn't want to take on such a project.

There most definitely is. People like me who have no interest or love whatsoever for computers or DIY, want a piss-easy user-interface that your granny could use, thus no hassle whatsoever, and a plug-in music streaming solution that sounds utterly sublime! And also who can afford to have the luxury of such convenience. I suspect that there are a few of us around

Is it worth the cost? i don't know,but i'm sure if you say it beats your sony transport,which you rate highly,then it must be doing something right.

Indeed. Trust me, the TFS is sonically quite special. When it comes to modern audio equipment, I don't say that lightly.

Marco.

[Clive]

There are a number of ways to get good file-based sound; the TFS is a perfectly valid approach aimed at a specific market. There are parallels with DIY amps, valves ones in particular.

There are those who can build a valve for let's say £600 but to buy an off-the-shelf equivalent item you might have to pay £3,000.

Then you have usability - quite possibly the TFS can be used by anyone, not just some hifi geeks who don't mind a few quirks in name of music.

Thinking about the main approaches for high quality file-based sound are there serious contenders I've missed?

1) specialty developed/assembled computer purchased as a product

2) diy version of 1)

3) media player with sexy GUI for mac or pc (easy but not the best sound)

4) in-memory player (restricted functionality but good sound) - best with a dedicated PC