Nice DAC arrived today for my system

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Only 1 dilema. New DAC & new vinyl...

Matmos......nice.

Nice DAC arrived today for my system

Only 1 dilema. New DAC & new vinyl...

A nice looking unit

I’ll be interested in your impressions after you’ve had it for a while. I’m currently on the lookout for another DAC for streamed audio.

Ok a few weeks in and I will hazard an opinion on the TeraDak Chameleon DAC. My first impressions were while listening to John Grant's Queen of Denmark and I was immediately impressed. More detail than my old rDAC and perhaps a warmer more human sound. Guitars and piano cleaner and his voice more intimate. But then some disappoinment. Some track sounded empty, lacked body and seemed less engaging than with my old DAC even though I was hearing more detail and instrument clarity. I had no real reason to get rid of the rDAC as I enjoyed it's solid sounding virtues a lot but I really wanted to try something a little outside the square. The Chameleon was still good and demonstrated different virtues but nothing too much to get excited about.

Leading up to the change of DAC I had more frequently been listening to vinyl - it just felt more 'there' - so I was not so concerned about my DAC situation. Really, my digital end was a secondary side show to the dark prince.

But I got a copy of Massive Attack's Heglioland CD from the JB bargain bins. Impaitienly I played the CD on my laptop through the Chameleon and my god it was satisfying. Detail, nuance, feeling and velvety body. Wow. Ripped the CD, boxed it away and had another listen. Yuk. Thin, cluttered and boring. At this point I started a thread about CD Vs .WAV and I was given the heads up on alternative media players to iTunes. I duly downloaded Audirvana.

What a difference this has made. The detail of the Chameleon came through as well as some earthy, solid tonality that had been previously missing. And gradually over the past week I find myself gravitating back to the Chameleon and Audirvana away from my vinyl. Dare I say my digital end has become more analog sounding than my vinyl end. Mind you my vinyl rig is pretty entry level stuff but it still cost much more than the DAC.

I couldn't fairly say the Chameleon is better than the rDAC because I have changed media players in between. But I can safely say I am enjoying being digital more than ever.

Edited July 29, 201114 yr by houdinifangs

I didn't mean to buy this as I should be saving for my speakers. But the price was right (thanks Jasper) and I'm s sucker for shiny, glowing things. Replacing the Cambridge 540p (for now) and I'm hoping to do some tube rolling just for kicks (not really an option on my 4 X 300B's on my amp).

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nice photo houdini

have you noticed a big difference when compared with the 540p?

Nice system

What do you think of the Yaqin Phono?

I'm thinking of getting one when I can spare the $

nice work Matt you are really making some progress. Great picture i like the reflection of the chess set

Beautiful pictures, and a Beautiful system. As far as Chess goes........well it's just a Beautiful games as well.

Get those speakers built Matt

Its been to long

FR

Ha! FR you sound more impatient than me - you should see the sad state of my coffee machine as well!

The Yaqin is growing on me. It wasn't run in when I got it so the sound is only starting to open up now. It's mellowed out some of the brightness I was hearing in horn sections and fuzzy electric guitar sounds much warmer. Plenty of bass which tends towards the bloomy sound.Overall a less analytical sound than the 540p. Haven't done an A/B with 540p. Really looking forward to mucking around with the valves in a couple more weekends.

Are they 12ax7's .

Are they 12ax7's .

Yes indeed. Do you have a tip?

hi houdini, just bought an ms-22b myself, it was brand new so definitely not run in. i noticed a 'fuzz' myself, i agree its not as 'analytical' as the 640p it replaced (i assume the 640p would be very similar to the 540p). it only has about 2hrs on it so far, i have never really experienced a component change after burning in so this will be very interesting. how many hours on yours you think? am keen on changing tubes at some stage aswell so will keep an eye on this thread.

regards,

Matt.

One for the chess fans - chess w/music - great symboitic relationship - works well with Risk too

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hi houdini, just bought an ms-22b myself, it was brand new so definitely not run in. i noticed a 'fuzz' myself, i agree its not as 'analytical' as the 640p it replaced (i assume the 640p would be very similar to the 540p). it only has about 2hrs on it so far, i have never really experienced a component change after burning in so this will be very interesting. how many hours on yours you think? am keen on changing tubes at some stage aswell so will keep an eye on this thread.

regards,

Matt.

Matt, I've done 10-12 hours. The orginal owner said he didn't really use it at all. As I said it's opening up now - when I first got it certainly had a more compressed sound. I certainly enjoy it more than the 540p. It has tamed the ungodly squaks of saxaphones and given depth to my Mudhoney & blues records. The jury is still out on electronic music - perhaps needs a bit more bite...

There is a ms-22b thread in the TT section - should be quite fresh as I gave it a bump the other day.

Yes Matt, grand total play time of 1/2 hour at most. I have 7 phono stages at one stage so it did not get a run. With new tubes and caps, it will change with some use IMO.

Great pics!! Good to hear you are enjoying your carefully and wisely assembled system. Looking forward to see what you choose as your next speakers.

will play around for some hours before changing tubes, again will be interesting to hear it run in eventually. when i do change tubes i will probably try tung sol 12ax7's, around $40 for a matched pair

houdinifangs, Nice set-up and great pics too.

You mentioned in your opening post that the REGA P1 sounded much better than the previous TT, what was that please?

houdinifangs, Nice set-up and great pics too.

You mentioned in your opening post that the REGA P1 sounded much better than the previous TT, what was that please?

A Gemini XL-100. But my opinion has changed a little. The P1 came with an Ortofon Om 5e which I never used as I when straight for the 2m Red. I have mounted the 5e on the Gemini (my first time) and it now compares very well to P1. I'll hazard to say the Gemini is more dynamic though perhaps not as detailed - great for metal. Now that I have 2 Phono stages I could go with a dual TT system. Another advantage of the Gemini is that it has a speed switch which means I can listen to my old punk rock 45 e.p's without fussing with the P1. Don't have room for this yet - need a new cabinet...but speakers first!

What I've been playing with this week:

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I will write up my impressions elsewhere later...

And a cheap pair of RCA's ($39 Ugly Cables from Selby Acoustics). They sound better than the $20 ones they replaced...

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Even more excitement tommorow...

What I've been playing with this week:

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I will write up my impressions elsewhere later...

And a cheap pair of RCA's ($39 Ugly Cables from Selby Acoustics). They sound better than the $20 ones they replaced...

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Even more excitement tommorow...

Hmmmm, they look very familiar? I'll have to put my thinking cap on, but I'm sure it will come to me!

Cheers,

Keith

Hmmmm, they look very familiar? I'll have to put my thinking cap on, but I'm sure it will come to me!

Cheers,

Keith

I give you a clue: Thanks Dave

And a cheap pair of RCA's ($39 Ugly Cables from Selby Acoustics). They sound better than the $20 ones they replaced...

95% better? If so, you are beating the law of diminishing returns!

95% better? If so, you are beating the law of diminishing returns!

Easy - the other ones were C.R.A.P

Nice work there Matt.

A few people have told me the Selby stuff is great walla for the dollar.

I imagine the HBs sound divine, my only issue is that they are definitely a case of function over form and that Louis is not given to frivolous cosmetics in cabinetry:)

Enjoy mate.

Edit: congrats on the most excellent photos. I am in awe of your photographic sklll

Edited September 30, 201114 yr by rantan