Emerald_Metaphor Posted October 14, 2024 Posted October 14, 2024 Hi, I have a vintage active set up. Normally my Dynaco ST-70 runs the mids and highs of my Snell Type A's and an NAD C270 runs the bass, directly coupled with no filters at all (yummy!). The sound was obviously improved going active, especially with the tube amp running the mid's and highs, which improves the depth of the Snell's not very deep soundstage (I need to roll all new tubes, so using 2 NAD's right now) but my setup leaves info on the table because I am running my Marantz HDDAC-1 into the DSP's AD/DA, a Dayton DSP-408, not likely a hi-res DAC, Redbook probably. I have had none of the hiss issues with the Dayton, and other than my flakey USB, it sounds great, zero noise. I can still hear the DSD's standing out, but I need to fix this non-optimal chain (the dragons are flying away, catch the dragons!), and I can't afford anything hardware based over about $1500. I could also try and run 2 DAC's off a PC, HDDAC-1's are undervalued, about $400 used now, and filter and split HF and LF output off a PC 6 ways (2 active subs too, cheap Energy's) somehow???. I am very well versed in science and tech and software and OS's, but the PC based route seems a harder to set up, possibly will not work, and just as expensive way to go. I really need this thing: https://exasound.com/e28/Overview.aspx But, this is way too much for me new, all used ones have long been snapped up, a hard used find! So, any suggestions as to how to do what the e28 does, but for less than $1500, used or new, is greatly appreciated, quid pro quo, back scratching all around! I'd think 24 bit/96 KHz like output quality is more than enough, but keeping native DSD256 processing is the big hope! Nice to meet you all! Brian, otherwise Emerald Metaphor. Chasing budget audiophile sound (again) since 2018
Emerald_Metaphor Posted October 30, 2024 Author Posted October 30, 2024 OOOOOOO, that's it, thanks! I looked over and over, the internet sucks now. It took several searches to even find that Exasound e28, but it is not a DSP. I am surprised more people don't go this way. No sampling needed, as long as it does DSD128 and PCM192, that is all anyone really needs. I could sell all my DACs. The one drawback is you don't need other DACs. I was quite surprised by how the character of the DAC gets thru my DSP-408 with its CD grade Redbook sampling and output, but it does. If you want to go active with only digital files, though, this is the way. Too bad they are all XLR outs, I need RCA, my gear is vintage and on a budget, all used, my, newest thing is my DSP-408, everything else is 10-50 years old. GIANT KILLER for $5000 all in. I have decided to stay in the redundant DAC to AD/DA chain, as you can hear the DAC still, you get the gains, but I am leaving info under sampled, so there is sonic improvement lying right there. All I can find in RCA that does proper hi-res sampling is Helix, Burr-brown DACs (used in iFi's, good sound, prefer it to Cirrus Logic, etc. all but Chord's), i.e. the Helix DSP.3. There is a new one for $800 CDN on eBay right now, so after my Snell restore, I think this DSP will allow me to rotate other gear thru quite happily. Then I want paired active subs. I just have 2 cheapie Energy's but they allow you to bypass the filters. Bass drivers coupled directly to their amps are as good as you'll get, no phase issues, no energy loss. I might mono-block my NAD's and put 300 watts aside into my restored Snell Woofers. Overhead is key too. Thanks!
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