Cereal Killer
432
You're imagining it. The hugo tt has the best spec usb input out there. Jitter is -170db.
I don't quite get the logic either; you have predicted the only issue with the Auralic Mini is jitter, It could be many things surely?
You're imagining it. The hugo tt has the best spec usb input out there. Jitter is -170db.
Ifi SMPS now in the bin also. Thanks again for the help.
You don’t even need those really.
Owned both the CA Dacmagic and 100. Listened to more expensive DACs. With each, wasn’t worth the price increase.
Definitely a curved ball. I do now think there is very little difference between a range of Dacs and certainly never night and day. I’ve listened to too many now through the same transport. I think I wasted an awful lot of good money in the early days. For me, speakers make the greatest difference, though not necessarily improvement.Here’s a curved ball, so do you think all CD transports sound identical?
Throwing this back from a slightly different PoV, I assert that (in my philosophy of audio reproduction, at least) all CD transports should sound identical.Here’s a curved ball, so do you think all CD transports sound identical?
Is it could or should sound different? I suggest “could”. There’s a relationship between the CD transport and the ability of the external DAC to correct jitter. A very good input section in the DAC will likely render CD transport differences pretty much irrelevant. DACs are much improved nowadays but many out there in the wild today are not perfect.Throwing this back from a slightly different PoV, I assert that (in my philosophy of audio reproduction, at least) all CD transports should sound identical.
That's because for any specific CD the record label's data stream is a complete reference against which to compare the output data stream. The job of the CD transport (IMHO) is to reproduce that data stream exactly.
And a CD transport can do this if free of design error, in good enough operating condition and reading a CD in good enough condition.
If anyone finds it pleasing for a CD transport (or DAC) to behave differently then fair enough. But why, for valid engineering reasons, should one CD transport sound different from another?
- CD transport stream data errors do arise (including uncorrectable errors concealed by the drive). This is due to the disc being in poor condition and/or the transport being in poor condition. If this is excessive then either or both needs to be replaced.
- Amplitude noise and jitter (time domain noise) on the data stream are normal. If at reasonable levels they can be dealt with satisfactorily by a DAC that is designed well. If not the DAC needs replacing.
On "could" vs "should" my philosophy is definitely "should" (sound the same). WRT engineering I think the word is "can" - with good enough modern engineering (as you say). If I could hear a difference I would work out where the problem lay and replace that component. That simplifying philosophy leaves me just the loudspeaker to choose according to my taste. Some like tweaking and looking for differences. I prefer finding a sound I like and living with it until I can identify anything that displeases me - that's the basis of my philosophy of good digital transport.Is it could or should sound different? I suggest “could”. There’s a relationship between the CD transport and the ability of the external DAC to correct jitter. A very good input section in the DAC will likely render CD transport differences pretty much irrelevant. DACs are much improved nowadays but many out there in the wild today are not perfect.
A perfect data stream doesn’t require a top notch input at the DAC.
A top notch DAC input doesn’t require a perfect data stream.
A good standard is about -130dbThe fly in the ointment is that I don't think there is a specification for the maximum unwanted signals a DAC designer must deal with
I may upgrade from my 30 quid digital converter. It sounds pretty good through my Adam active monitors.
How much better does, eg a £2500 Naim streamer sound, please?
Hi Stack Audio. You say you believe “that a digital streamer set up does make a strong difference”. Since you actually make and sell a digital streamer, the Link II, can you actually back up this claim with any measurement at the output of any DAC that shows your streamer makes a measurable difference?Yes, I am of the strong belief that a digital streamer set up does make a significant difference.
It is especially more noticeable when playing your favourite music from a program (and server) that is processor hungry (can add far more interference to the output than anyone would want!).
Placing any half decent network bridge and DAC to the set up should provide you with a truly noticeable difference when enjoying your music. They are designed to remove unwanted audio interference generated at the source, be that electrical and physical.
I hope this of some help!