If it's anything like the CDQ it'll be a bargain indeed. As it is, JW reckons the sound should be similar to the Mdac so an excellent front end and pre.
A pair of decent actives and a splendid system may well be had for comparatively tiny outlay.
MDAC first listen (part VI)
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If it's anything like the CDQ it'll be a bargain indeed. As it is, JW reckons the sound should be similar to the Mdac so an excellent front end and pre.
A pair of decent actives and a splendid system may well be had for comparatively tiny outlay.
fusion5
on the dark side of hifi...
JohnW
pfm member
Hi Moog,
Just got back for the Munich show and meetings.
The MAMP & MPAX will be available in both Silver & Black - with the finish a close match to the MDAC. I say "Close" as there is a degree of variance in the MDAC finish over is production cycle (there's a tolerance range).
We are targeting around July / August.
Designs not completed so the final pricing has not been confirmed, but we are looking at around GBP300 to GBP350 for the MPAX, and GBP600 to GBP700 for the MAMP's (maybe less).
John
JohnW
pfm member
The Creek CD/PRE/DAC should be first with the Integrated Amplifier - there will also be a Matching Stereo Power Amplifier.
Creek DAC/Pre (with AV Bypass) & Digital AM / FM Tuner (software defined digital radio) will follow.
John
JohnW
pfm member
First issue is a software bug that's been reported since day one, but we have not been able to reproduce on our own units so we cannot understand whats going on... Once we are able to reproduce it, then we can resolve with a software update...
Second issue is normal - you can select "Nominal Frequency" in the Menu to disable the real time Frequency count.
John
JohnW
pfm member
Do not use XLR to RCA adapters, Depending how they are wired, you could endup "Shorting" the MDAC's outputs.
The Positive Phase and Ground could be connected to the RCA lead BUT NOT Positive / Negative Phase. The MDAC's XLR outputs are NOT FLOATING.
Frank Hardly
Member
Hi Excuse my ignorance, but I've studied this thread pre and post purchase of the MDAC and I can't seem to decipher what the MPAX is supposed to do. Any clues would be appreciated.
Thanks
Frank
Thanks
Frank
mikebirtill
pfm Member
hi,
im confused, whats a b=dac , ive lost the thread a little. Im interested in your m=dac, but is the b=dac going to be better or different?
Also thinking about your amps are they stereo, monoblock, bridgeable, balanced?
Cheers
Mike
im confused, whats a b=dac , ive lost the thread a little. Im interested in your m=dac, but is the b=dac going to be better or different?
Also thinking about your amps are they stereo, monoblock, bridgeable, balanced?
Cheers
Mike
bdac is a cheaper (b for budget!) dac for an as yet unknown uk firm with a list price of c. £200. I think
External PS with AV bypass.
Stunsworth
pfm Member
bdac is a cheaper (b for budget!) dac for an as yet unknown uk firm with a list price of c. £200. I think
Isn't that the recently announced Creek DAC, cost £500?
JohnW
pfm member
Hi Frank,
The MPAX is an upgrade PSU with AV Bypass (Balanced and Unbalanced), 12V Trigger interface, course Stepped attenuators to limit MDAC Digital domain attenuation levels.
There's also an option for "Full Range" balanced stepped attenuator to allow the MPAX to function as a simple high quality Pre-amplifier.
The MPAX project is on hold until we completed the BDAC - as the BDAC might surpass the MDAC + MPAX combination in Sound quality, and will be closer in price to just the MPAX alone at around GBP350...
John
JohnW
pfm member
The Creek CD/DAC/PRE will be around GBP500 to GBP600...
BDAC (not sure what Creek will name it) will be around GBP350... but recall the history of the MDAC pricing...
JohnW
pfm member
There's a decent chance that the BDAC might sound better then the MDAC - but we really don't know ATM as we have not completed the design.
The MAMP is all:-
Selectable Stereo, Bi-Amped or Bridged Mode with XLR inputs.
John
Ah, I stand corrected. Haven't been following this thread as I started it simply to discuss the MDAC which has seemingly become impossible.
Anyone playing HDCD's from Foobar with the HDCD plugin ?
Most of the time, the MDAC will display 17bits/44.1kHz with HDCD encoded material.
I'm guessing a MSB = 0 is added, which results in a 6dB reduction.
At low volume stages and at high volume stages, the display shortly switches to 24bits/44.1kHz, I'm guessing this is the dynamic range switching taking place ?
Most of the time, the MDAC will display 17bits/44.1kHz with HDCD encoded material.
I'm guessing a MSB = 0 is added, which results in a 6dB reduction.
At low volume stages and at high volume stages, the display shortly switches to 24bits/44.1kHz, I'm guessing this is the dynamic range switching taking place ?
Thanks John for the reply. It seems to work well if I off the CDQ and did the change. If the CDQ is on, it does not work everytime. I will need to re-confirm this again once I get back from China.
By the way, using the RCA connection now and the left channel is subtlety louder than the right. I know there is a balance adjustment. But would like to check if the XLR output (no chance to try yet as no XLR amp) will have the same effect as the RCA output in the same unit?
Will the BDAC sound better than the Creek CD/DAC/pre like the M-DAC and CDQ?
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