MDAC First Listen (part 00011111)
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JohnW
pfm member
Yes, thats the idea
You can use with a conventional Phono Pre-amplifier - at a later date we will design a very high quality Phone "flat frequency response Gain Stage" which will amplify the low level MC /MM cartridge output, and the MDAC2's on-board DSP / FPGA will perform the RIAA equalization on the digital domain in real time.This Pre-amplifier will have selectable Internal / External RIAA equalization to allow "recording" onto your PC Pure unprocessed DSD data (where we could not apply DSP Equalization without processing the DSD data).
Yes - real time conversion, so its would work just like a conventional Analogue pre-amplifier, the MDAC2 will convert the Analogue input to the selected digital sampling rate... (14MHz in its Highest quality mode) - then perform Gain / EQ etc and convert back to analogue (all in real time), no PC required...
JohnW
pfm member
Hi Rob, Yes correct - but you would still need an external phone pre-amplifier if you wanted to use a turntable.
The ADC input level would be set to 2.2Vrms, but we can customise this level if required with a simple resistor change.
Hi John, sounds great!
Am I correct that the ADC will be using the analogue bypass inputs?
Just wondering if I'd be able to connect a turntable without having to disconnect my AV processor from the bypass.
If there's any way to leave them both connected, then this sounds like it will meet all my pre-amp requirements without any extra boxes, which will make it easily worth the extra £100 alone!
JohnW
pfm member
Sounds like a Karaoke application
But its should be possible, we can delay the "Digital input path" to compensate for the ADC path delay... so not a problem - we can even make the delay adjustable - this is the beauty of having DSP / FPGA onboard
JohnW
pfm member
JohnW
pfm member
Depends what your asking, with the ADC the MDAC2 can handle an analogue input - but it will be converted to digital at a 14MHz sampling rate - thus is much closer to "analogue" then say a CD source of 44.1KHz - its sampled at over x300 times faster then CD
No, the ADC is NOT required for room EQ, although you will need some way to measure the room response - with a Microphone input - most PC's support this Mic input.
You can buy simple USB Microphones (cheaply) - we will look into sourcing these so we can supply a ready to go package.
JohnW
pfm member
You can use with a conventional Phono Pre-amplifier - at a later date we will design a very high quality Phone "flat frequency response Gain Stage" which will amplify the low level MC /MM cartridge output, and the MDAC2's on-board DSP / FPGA will perform the RIAA equalization on the digital domain in real time.
This Pre-amplifier will have selectable Internal / External RIAA equalization to allow "recording" onto your PC Pure unprocessed DSD data (where we could not apply DSP Equalization without processing the DSD data).
JohnW
pfm member
There is already quite some delay in the digital input path (when using a PC). But I wouldn't like any delay in the analogue input either!
Would you like to make guitar/bass effects?
You know with the ADC / DAC + DSP & FPGA anything is possible with a simple software update
so long as theres enough "Pledged funding" for a feature to make it financially viable we (Dominik ) can write the software.... simple features can be added for free - others that require more development time can be added for a nominal fee 
uwe061
pfm Member
I'll try
That would be great!!!
I'd need to connect a turntable and a AV processor too...
Bigbobby666
pfm Member
Thanks John.
i would suggest that you test this with some loud recording singles and a high output MM cart. As i suspect that 2.2Vrms may not be a high enough ceiling for some powerful phono stages crossed with some loud 45rpm singles.
Paul R (a cleverer man than me in these matters) explained the goings on with my cart and phono stage here: http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2280512&postcount=15
You mentioned that the analogue in will have attenuation - would the attenuation sort the above issue?
Cheers
Rob.
jackbarron
Chelsea, London
Yes, thats the idea
This is a great idea.
Jack
stellablues
pfm Member
JohnW, I thought that the basic unit which I was purchasing already had DSD support? is this now a 100 upgrade bundled with bluetooth and analogue input?
http://mdac2.lakewestaudio.com/
http://mdac2.lakewestaudio.com/
JohnW
pfm member
Yes - no change, the "Basic Unit" offers DSD Replay ONLY (as it has no ADC's) while the +GBP200 option offers both DSD replay & recording. I believe your confusing DSP with DSD
BTW, while this does not apply to you, those on the "At Cost" Toy / Fusion list qualify for the Basic unit "At Cost" - while the DSP & ADC versions are at extra cost as we need to recoup the extra development work.
stellablues
pfm Member
thanks, i will reread the last few weeks of threads to see if I can get it straight.
Do you feel the ADC will sound better/same/worse than using the analogue bypass? other than having RIAA digitized which would give improvements if the analogue RIAA is calculated incorrectly?
I'm all in for the most advanced version as options are awesome, but like you said, I am always going for the best sound quality during replay of USB and occasionally my turntable.
Do you feel the ADC will sound better/same/worse than using the analogue bypass? other than having RIAA digitized which would give improvements if the analogue RIAA is calculated incorrectly?
I'm all in for the most advanced version as options are awesome, but like you said, I am always going for the best sound quality during replay of USB and occasionally my turntable.
JohnW
pfm member
The "Theoretical" 14V is a very high input level - its not surprising the MF is having issues - Our own designed Phone stage will be correctly gain matched for the MDAC2 ADC input - you can still use your Phono stage but with input attenuators (-18dB), but you could mostly likely get away with less, say -12dB.
The Dino was designed for MCs, and as such has too much gain for your MM and hence your poor MF is struggling - its not the fault of the MF - but rather the fact your using a MC phono pre-amplifier with a MM cartridge.
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