tiktokape Posted February 18, 2013 Posted February 18, 2013 Hi Guys, Audition MDAC, MF M1DAC & Teac 501. Prefers the 1st in the end, so I bought MDAC from store, hooked up to the chain. No differences to me in term of details or punch, for either CDP or SB as source. Anyone having similar setup? Appreciate your inputs. I yet to run in fully though, just my initial impression. My setup CDP 1) CDP->(coaxial)MDAC->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 2) CDP->(analog)A88T-> MA RX6 Logitech SB CDP 1) SB->(coaxial)MDAC->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 2) SB->(analog)A88T->MA RX6
cstanxpl Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Do not have the Cayin yet. You can try to connect to the power in input (think it is labelled as pre in) of the Cayin direct as the MDAC has a pre-amp built in (make sure it is in pre-amp mode, if you can adjust the vol it is in pre-amp mode). And test it if sounds better. Not sure if you can still select the ultralinear or triode mode this way though. And connect your RX6 to the 8ohm speaker output.
unholyman Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Connect the SB via USB with Triode EDO plugin - sounds much, much better than coaxial
travelfotografer Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 I did a similar test at CE: I brought my SB Touch down to CE and switched between using the SB Touch as source into one of their integrated amp versus using SB Touch as digital source into MDAC and into the same integrated amp. The difference, even in that noisy listening area at CE, was very apparent. The MDAC was clearly superior. I bought the MDAC after that single listening session. A fresh out of the box MDAC will need about a few days to burn in, after which its analogue outs will be much better. This has been confirmed by the MDAC's designer, the burn in is for the capacitors used in the MDAC. You don't have to play music for the burn in process, just leave the MDAC on. Leon Logitech SB CDP 1) SB->(coaxial)MDAC->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 2) SB->(analog)A88T->MA RX6
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 Do not have the Cayin yet. You can try to connect to the power in input (think it is labelled as pre in) of the Cayin direct as the MDAC has a pre-amp built in (make sure it is in pre-amp mode, if you can adjust the vol it is in pre-amp mode). And test it if sounds better. Not sure if you can still select the ultralinear or triode mode this way though. And connect your RX6 to the 8ohm speaker output. Ok, will try pre-in on Cayin if it will sounds better. Yes, can select ultralinear or triode mode be it on CD/Pre-In Input. Had connected RX6 via 8ohm. Connect the SB via USB with Triode EDO plugin - sounds much, much better than coaxial Can the SB connect to MDAC via USB? ??? I did a similar test at CE: I brought my SB Touch down to CE and switched between using the SB Touch as source into one of their integrated amp versus using SB Touch as digital source into MDAC and into the same integrated amp. The difference, even in that noisy listening area at CE, was very apparent. The MDAC was clearly superior. I bought the MDAC after that single listening session. A fresh out of the box MDAC will need about a few days to burn in, after which its analogue outs will be much better. This has been confirmed by the MDAC's designer, the burn in is for the capacitors used in the MDAC. You don't have to play music for the burn in process, just leave the MDAC on. Leon Got it, I need to run-in my MDAC further then. Thanks Guys
travelfotografer Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Here: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?94512-Announce-Enhanced-Digital-Output-app-USB-Dac-and-192k-Digital-Ouput This is how I currently have my SBT connected to my M-DAC. The above enables Asynchronous USB connection between the SBT and M-DAC, which is highly recommended by the M-DAC designer. I further added a USB isolator (https://www.olimex.com/Products/Modules/Interface/USB-ISO/) between the two, which is also recommended by the M-DAC designer. Can the SB connect to MDAC via USB? ???
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 Here: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?94512-Announce-Enhanced-Digital-Output-app-USB-Dac-and-192k-Digital-Ouput This is how I currently have my SBT connected to my M-DAC. The above enables Asynchronous USB connection between the SBT and M-DAC, which is highly recommended by the M-DAC designer. I further added a USB isolator (https://www.olimex.com/Products/Modules/Interface/USB-ISO/) between the two, which is also recommended by the M-DAC designer. Thanks, will read further and digest accordingly.
Wildrain Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 One more thing to add is, the coax on the touch sounds better with the Triode EDO plugin - not necessarily need to USB. Plus you get to stream upto 192k material. I'm not using the USB output.. was put off by the need to hookup a powered USB hub for the USB solution to work. Didn't want the switching PSU of the USB hub near my setup:)
travelfotografer Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 No need for powered USB Hub. A self-powered one will work just fine :) I'm not using the USB output.. was put off by the need to hookup a powered USB hub for the USB solution to work. Didn't want the switching PSU of the USB hub near my setup:)
jimi1624705950 Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Hi Guys, Audition MDAC, MF M1DAC & Teac 501. Prefers the 1st in the end, so I bought MDAC from store, hooked up to the chain. No differences to me in term of details or punch, for either CDP or SB as source. Anyone having similar setup? Appreciate your inputs. I yet to run in fully though, just my initial impression. My setup CDP 1) CDP->(coaxial)MDAC->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 2) CDP->(analog)A88T-> MA RX6 Logitech SB CDP 1) SB->(coaxial)MDAC->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 2) SB->(analog)A88T->MA RX6 Surprised you found no difference! Anyway, do try the SB with a dedicated power supply. Annapurna bought a $400 odd dollar one and I was shocked at the difference. It really elevates the humble SB to a very good level- maybe on par with 2-3k CDPs.
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 Surprised you found no difference! Anyway, do try the SB with a dedicated power supply. Annapurna bought a $400 odd dollar one and I was shocked at the difference. It really elevates the humble SB to a very good level- maybe on par with 2-3k CDPs. Oh my, more $$ on the roll. Let me run-in MDAC and see how it goes. Not sure if mt expectation too high from DAC, I did had a great lift when I added Cayin A88T into the chain.
travelfotografer Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Another thing. Your M-DAC should come with firmware 0.99 (for current production runs from AudioLab) The original firmware was 0.90 and version 0.90 continue to be preferred by many users including the M-DAC designer himself. A later firmware version 0.96 should sound identical to 0.90. There are also later firmware versions numbers with A.0x. All firmwares can be found here: http://wikkii.org/wiki/M-DAC As for 0.99, the verdict is mixed but the M-DAC designer himself felt it sounded the worst! You might want to consider the other firmware versions. Or you can wait a while because a new "final" firmware version is currently being developed and expected to be released soon.
Eric Teh Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Try running your RX6 off the 4 ohm taps instead. You may just prefer the sound. And yes, do consider a quality power supply for the SB Touch. It makes a significant different, even if the SB Touch is only used as a transport. Ex-CEO of Slim Devices explains why this should not be the case, but my ears tells me differently ! Are you using a quality coaxial cable ?
ballhead Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 My vote goes to replacing the SB power adapter with a linear power supply. The difference in SQ may astound you... ;) Price ranges from $200 upwards. Worth the investment.
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 The poison had thicken due to MDAC! @Watchdog: Will try 4ohm for an opinion :) Im using Nuforce coaxial cable loaned by a friend, Yes, I agreed that a quality coaxial cable makes a difference vs belden. Any suggestion on coaxial cable? @Ballhead: care to point me where to buy/read further on linear power supply?
cstanxpl Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 The poison had thicken due to MDAC! Have the PSU options (available and going to be available) for the MDAC been mentioned yet?
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 Have the PSU options (available and going to be available) for the MDAC been mentioned yet? Maybe I need to rephrase, due to MDAC, seems like I need to spend more on other stuffs. So far, never read on the PSU option for MDAC, if it happens, it will be great!
travelfotografer Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 I suspect the change you experience with the Cayin is noticeably significant because tubes versus solid state amps (I assume you were using SS amps previously) can sound very different. However, differences in DACs can be more subtle. Compared to the SBT, I found the M-DAC to give better definition to details, the edges (to highs, mids and lows) are more delineated. Overall, the sound is more refined. This was especially striking to me in plucked instruments like guitars. First, let the M-DAC burn in by leaving it switch on (no need to play music) for about a week. Next, try switching between the various "digital filters" in the M-DAC. If you cannot hear the differences when switching between these filters, then, your system might not have high enough resolution. If you can hear the differences, then you might want to try the various firmware versions (do try v0.90 or v0.96) Leon
jimi1624705950 Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 There's a forumer called Marshall on here. Has had good reviews for his power supplies, DIY friends also say they look good. For Annapurna's one its better you PM him.
Eric Teh Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Good quality coaxial cable ? If you buy from LHS from Sim Lim Tower, Canare L-5CB. If you want ready made, I like the Oyaide DR-510 very much. Slightly warm balance and very detailed. Its available off the reel too, if you are handy with a soldering iron. The poison had thicken due to MDAC! @Watchdog: Will try 4ohm for an opinion :) Im using Nuforce coaxial cable loaned by a friend, Yes, I agreed that a quality coaxial cable makes a difference vs belden. Any suggestion on coaxial cable? @Ballhead: care to point me where to buy/read further on linear power supply?
cstanxpl Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Maybe I need to rephrase, due to MDAC, seems like I need to spend more on other stuffs. So far, never read on the PSU option for MDAC, if it happens, it will be great! When you feel that those add on improve the SBT etc, you will want to improve the MDAC as well. That's what I meant. ;) Oh, if your firmware is V0.90 or you flash to that, remember to switch to USB input first then load the filter you want. Otherwise, in other input, the correct filter may not be correctly loaded even if it is displayed.
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 I suspect the change you experience with the Cayin is noticeably significant because tubes versus solid state amps (I assume you were using SS amps previously) can sound very different. However, differences in DACs can be more subtle. Compared to the SBT, I found the M-DAC to give better definition to details, the edges (to highs, mids and lows) are more delineated. Overall, the sound is more refined. This was especially striking to me in plucked instruments like guitars. First, let the M-DAC burn in by leaving it switch on (no need to play music) for about a week. Next, try switching between the various "digital filters" in the M-DAC. If you cannot hear the differences when switching between these filters, then, your system might not have high enough resolution. If you can hear the differences, then you might want to try the various firmware versions (do try v0.90 or v0.96) Leon Yes, I'm on SS amp, so it is noticeable at the moment. Of cause, I yet to burn in mine, so I can't really hear the detailed & refined part yet, rather puzzled when I brought back. I do hear differences between when I switches between filters. So try your suggestion on fw v0.90 & v0.96 There's a forumer called Marshall on here. Has had good reviews for his power supplies, DIY friends also say they look good. For Annapurna's one its better you PM him. Cool, will check out with him. Thanks. Good quality coaxial cable ? If you buy from LHS from Sim Lim Tower, Canare L-5CB. If you want ready made, I like the Oyaide DR-510 very much. Slightly warm balance and very detailed. Its available off the reel too, if you are handy with a soldering iron. Is Canare L-5CB comparable against Oyaide DR-510? Nah, I'm bad on soldering, so go for me. Rather buy off the shelf etc. By the way, you using Cayin A88T? When you feel that those add on improve the SBT etc, you will want to improve the MDAC as well. That's what I meant. ;) Oh, if your firmware is V0.90 or you flash to that, remember to switch to USB input first then load the filter you want. Otherwise, in other input, the correct filter may not be correctly loaded even if it is displayed. Oic, I got it, yeah, that's the problem, the improvement never stops on 1 device, it is a chain effect virus :-\
tiktokape Posted February 19, 2013 Author Posted February 19, 2013 By the way, anyone using Cayin A88T? which brand of rca analog interconnect did you bought to pair with Cayin? Also, aside from watchdog, any suggestion on coaxial cable to pair with MDAC? Thanks in advance guys!
Eric Teh Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 I used to have an A-88T and would probably still be using it if it wasn't such a pain to bias. Good amp for the money. I think the Oyaide is better than the Canare, but this is just my subjective view in my setup.
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