Pkay
pfm Member
I thought about the black box but his silver is really impressive and the black is more of a special order.Black looks great and matches my other gear
Audial Model S DAC
- Thread starter Naim2
- Start date
Pkay
pfm Member
I ran the S4 with a Linux system running Volumio. It did work after a few reboots of the server.
Pkay
pfm Member
Likewise, mine is paid for and in the queue. I had the luxury of having the S4 in my house for 11/2 hours which was as a fabulous experience.
Heckyman
pfm Member
Which Mac mini and which Innuos? Curious.
Hi,
A bit more info on my purchase and context. I build DACs on a small scale and have specialised in DACs with custom choke power supplies and valve output stages. These have been based on TDA1541, AD1862, BB1794 in NOS mode, and ESS9038pro.
Of these, the TDA1541 and AD1862 sound closest in sound. THE bb1794 in NOS mode seems to dig a bit more detail (but my build includes a built in streamer coupled via very short i2s along with expensive transformer output stage so I'm not comparing like with like). Of all, I personally prefer the tda1541 with valve output stage for its sheer dynamics, gusto and musicality no matter what you throw at it. All of the above DACs do a great job of playing low res streams and making them very enjoyable. To my ears, the NOS DACs are less tiring than the ESS pro over lengthy listening.
So, why did I buy an Audial s5? In short because Pedja has done things with the tda1541 that are beyond the reasonable reach of a cottage producer such as a DEM clock and his own version of a USB interface that has had high praise.
Two days in to my purchase with maybe 7 hours clocked up I am very happy with my purchase. Pedja's magic with the DEM clock does give me more bass articulation than the standard oscillator execution and treble is better-defined too. It has slightly more dynamics using USB than my version allied to the same overall musicality and ability with lower bit rate streams. 7 hours in there's still a slight glassiness on some recordings but that has reduced since first switch on and I'm sure it will disappear with more running in.
I've only been able to use the USB input with my Mac MIni (last version before M1 chip was introduced) and this is better than using the Mac with my version, so I'm convinced Pedja's USB interface is better than the Wave IO or Amanero interfaces I've been using.
My only issue remains with my Innuos Zen Mini Mk 3 which will not work via the USB output. Elite Audio say this is a known issue with a setting fix but there's no appropriate setting I can find and of course the Innuos works fine with all the other DACs I've tried. As the Innuos USB sounds better than the Mac one into my other DACs I'm hopeful that the Innuos will give another SQ lift too. But three days for a known issue? Come on guys!
The SPDIF out from the Innuos is noticeably inferior to the Mac Mini via USB so not an alternative option.
A bit more info on my purchase and context. I build DACs on a small scale and have specialised in DACs with custom choke power supplies and valve output stages. These have been based on TDA1541, AD1862, BB1794 in NOS mode, and ESS9038pro.
Of these, the TDA1541 and AD1862 sound closest in sound. THE bb1794 in NOS mode seems to dig a bit more detail (but my build includes a built in streamer coupled via very short i2s along with expensive transformer output stage so I'm not comparing like with like). Of all, I personally prefer the tda1541 with valve output stage for its sheer dynamics, gusto and musicality no matter what you throw at it. All of the above DACs do a great job of playing low res streams and making them very enjoyable. To my ears, the NOS DACs are less tiring than the ESS pro over lengthy listening.
So, why did I buy an Audial s5? In short because Pedja has done things with the tda1541 that are beyond the reasonable reach of a cottage producer such as a DEM clock and his own version of a USB interface that has had high praise.
Two days in to my purchase with maybe 7 hours clocked up I am very happy with my purchase. Pedja's magic with the DEM clock does give me more bass articulation than the standard oscillator execution and treble is better-defined too. It has slightly more dynamics using USB than my version allied to the same overall musicality and ability with lower bit rate streams. 7 hours in there's still a slight glassiness on some recordings but that has reduced since first switch on and I'm sure it will disappear with more running in.
I've only been able to use the USB input with my Mac MIni (last version before M1 chip was introduced) and this is better than using the Mac with my version, so I'm convinced Pedja's USB interface is better than the Wave IO or Amanero interfaces I've been using.
My only issue remains with my Innuos Zen Mini Mk 3 which will not work via the USB output. Elite Audio say this is a known issue with a setting fix but there's no appropriate setting I can find and of course the Innuos works fine with all the other DACs I've tried. As the Innuos USB sounds better than the Mac one into my other DACs I'm hopeful that the Innuos will give another SQ lift too. But three days for a known issue? Come on guys!
The SPDIF out from the Innuos is noticeably inferior to the Mac Mini via USB so not an alternative option.
As an innuos Zen user on the lookout for a dac, this is a concern.
I have the mk1, so it’s 2x SPDIF inputs only, and responds well to an ultra-low jitter transport, where the USB is much more tolerant.
Also @Juancho I was a little underwhelmed at first compared to the rich and beefy Theta DAC I was using before, it took me a little while to fully appreciate the Audial DAC’s qualities, hope you get the settings required to get your streamer working!
PS guys, my DAC unit also runs cool, but I still turn it off when not in use.
Pkay
pfm Member
Any progress on the Zen connection?
Unfortunately not. I'm very under-whelmed by Elite Audio who I've had to chase three times. They keep saying it's a simple fix but don't come back with any info. As a week's gone by I've now written and said as it was purchased for use with Innuos server it's unfit for purpose to get that on the record.
Now sounding gorgeous so it's just this issue to sort.
What does "gorgeous" sound like?
Per dictionary: giving great pleasure
update re Innuos issue. Elite Audio are picking up the DAC and Innuos to sort and send back once done. I'm getting an RME Server/ DAC to play with meanwhile. Great service apart from my nerves when anything goes near a Courier!
Elite Audio has now written back saying they have tested the Audial s5 and as well as not working with my Innuos (which they have) it didn't work with another streamer and they are waiting for Pedja to get back to them. That means the problem is more widespread than just Innuos and weird given it worked perfectly with my Mac Mini......
I can't remember has anyone here got an S5 or S4 working with a streamer over USB?
I can't remember has anyone here got an S5 or S4 working with a streamer over USB?
s1h1
performing within expectations
I have. See my earlier post. The reason it works with the Mac mini is the OS mixer is converting 2 channel audio to 4 ch for the usb input. This is what the plughw: device does on a Linux based streamer.
If your not going to use the a-link output then ask Pedja for 2 ch firmware for the USB
Hi,
what streamer are you using it with over USB? And did you make such a firmware change? When I use the Mac I don't change any settings. The problem's been with Pedja for around a week now and if it was as simple as a firmware change surely he'd have suggested it? According to the Website 2 channel should work correctly, with four channel the extra two channels being passed through as digital data
what streamer are you using it with over USB? And did you make such a firmware change? When I use the Mac I don't change any settings. The problem's been with Pedja for around a week now and if it was as simple as a firmware change surely he'd have suggested it? According to the Website 2 channel should work correctly, with four channel the extra two channels being passed through as digital data