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MDAC first listen (part XVII)

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mcoteca said:
First listening impressions with my external PSU (refer to this page for start of discussion: http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=132049&page=9) :
The difference with the wall wart is not subtle, yet I would *not* say that the M-DAC sounds fundamentally different (as could be expected). There is better separation between the instruments and the dynamics are more pronounced; spatially, there seems to be more depth to the sound, to each note ; strangely though, it seems harder to pinpoint the location left to right and top to bottom. The overall listening experience is more intense as if a fog had disappeared.
It sounds perhaps almost too dry, but not to the point where it sounds fatiguing; dunno, maybe I'm getting the wrong impression here. Please take it with a grain of salt. I should probably increase the gauge of the DIN cable wires; I really don't like the thought of the +/-15V Analog external rails travelling over two feet on a tinny 26AWG wire. I plan to remedy to this.
So, overall, a more realistic and dynamic presentation with greater clarity and resolution. I'm sure my impressions will develop further. Still waiting for my enclosure to arrive.

Cheers,
Martin
Click to expand...

Hi Martin,

Try increasing your voltage to 16V if you can...

You can always just reduce the length of your cable - for MPAX we intend to remove the cable issue by making the MPAX a current source and the replacement PSU PCB in the MDAC an I to V converter - thus removing the "cable" and connector restance as an issue - in fact any cable resistance will help reduce RF
John
 
hluga said:
As confirmation, running 10.8.2 here and no more click issue whatever is the dac firmware version and the playing software.

br/
Click to expand...

Hi Hluga,

Thank you for filling in the missing versions number - I was not sure which patch apple had resolved the issue.

John
 
papiya said:
So why were published prices of different options if they still do not know what will sell.
Click to expand...

John didn't 'publish' prices, he answered someone who asked him what sort of price they might be, he gave an 'estimate'. When he finalizes the design and publishes a price list then you'll know how much it will cost.

mcoteca, always use the thickest cable you can for connecting up a PSU, especially the gnd wire.
 
sq225917 said:
It's better to leave all semiconductor electronics on all the time, then there's no risk from thermal cycling.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the dumb question (my DIY skills are zero-to-minimal), but by this are you referring to the risk of dry joints on the pcb, or something internal to the semiconductor?
I've always left my hifi switched on too, but never been 100% clear on the benefits - I think I just started doing it as a result of something I read in a magazine about 20 years ago!
 
papiya said:
So why were published prices of different options if they still do not know what will sell.
Click to expand...

Discussed, not published. Nothing has been offered for sale. There is no invitation to contract. There is a discussion about an intended future product. Price is just one of the features/specifications of the item.
 
Anyone running their M-Dac witha Network media player?

I have mine hooked up to a Pioneer N50 & a Tagmclaren T32 Digital Tuner & a Belcanto Evo 200.2 Power Amp.

Still running M-dac in.
 
@home said:
Anyone running their M-Dac witha Network media player?

I have mine hooked up to a Pioneer N50 & a Tagmclaren T32 Digital Tuner & a Belcanto Evo 200.2 Power Amp.

Still running M-dac in.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have an N50 with the MDAC and Quad Elite pre/monos. The N50 is pretty good, except
(a) when there's a break in connection on internet radio it doesn't always re-connect automatically and I often have to do it manually by choosing the station again
(b) the Pioneer Android control app, which I use on a Nexus7, is not very good. It works, but it doesn't have all the controls, and because it seems to be designed for a phone it doesn't utilise the whole screen when displaying menus; you just get four items at a time. This is a pain when scrolling down sub-folders in the Music Folder
(c) it doesn't do gapless playback

The internal DAC is not bad, but I think it's better to use the MDAC.

Pioneer doesn't seem to be the kind of firm that responds well to user feedback.


- Richard.
 
Richard Kimber said:
Yes, I have an N50 with the MDAC and Quad Elite pre/monos. The N50 is pretty good, except
(a) when there's a break in connection on internet radio it doesn't always re-connect automatically and I often have to do it manually by choosing the station again
(b) the Pioneer Android control app, which I use on a Nexus7, is not very good. It works, but it doesn't have all the controls, and because it seems to be designed for a phone it doesn't utilise the whole screen when displaying menus; you just get four items at a time. This is a pain when scrolling down sub-folders in the Music Folder
(c) it doesn't do gapless playback

The internal DAC is not bad, but I think it's better to use the MDAC.

Pioneer doesn't seem to be the kind of firm that responds well to user feedback.


- Richard.
Click to expand...

I was using the N50 internal dac & I was very impressed, had it with chord chameleon interconnects.

So after it's 'burn in' I am expecting very good things, using chord chameleon XLR, although I'm getting a slight hum/buzz from one of the speakers.
 
TimR said:
Sorry for the dumb question (my DIY skills are zero-to-minimal), but by this are you referring to the risk of dry joints on the pcb, or something internal to the semiconductor?
I've always left my hifi switched on too, but never been 100% clear on the benefits - I think I just started doing it as a result of something I read in a magazine about 20 years ago!
Click to expand...

Semiconductor expand and contract as they heat up and cool down so cycling them shortens their life. On the other hand capacitors are happiest switched off, so you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
 
It looks as if the display chip is bust. You could either send it back for repair or live with it and switch the display off.
 
Hi, hoping someone can help. My windows 8 64 pc has stopped recognising the m-dac. The HID drivers all still work but the audio doesn't. In device manager it appears in 'other devices' and says 'The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)'. I've tried uninstalling the drivers (that aren't there) and rebooting, then unplugging and plugging the dac back in. But not having any luck. Help! Thank. :)
 
sq225917 said:
Semiconductor expand and contract as they heat up and cool down so cycling them shortens their life. On the other hand capacitors are happiest switched off, so you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Click to expand...

Thanks SQ.
So,
For turning off: Happy capacitors; happy OLED; environmentally sound
For leaving on: Happy semiconductors; no MDAC warm up needed

Any more? I'm veering towards turning off now!
 
Mentt, you're in luck John is based in the Czech Republic.

Lynch, try a new USb cable and then USB port. Do your other USb devices function ok?
 
Mentt said:
I have this issue with m-dac
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=62A14508F63B0036!867&authkey=!ALf-GoeCx9Kogtg


Any idea how to resolve this?

I am from Czech Republic
Click to expand...

Hi Mentt,

IT LOOKS LIKE I'VE HAD THE SAME ISSUE !

To know more about, you can check it up :

here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #632
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897005&postcount=632

here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #642
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897212&postcount=642

and here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #706
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1899636&postcount=706

Please let us know were is located your MDAC.

Do you use to cover it with something when it's not powered ON ?!

In oder to understand if it's the same issue, do note hesitate to give more info...
 
VESSA said:
Hi Mentt,

IT LOOKS LIKE I'VE HAD THE SAME ISSUE !

To know more about, you can check it up :

here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #632
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897005&postcount=632

here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #642
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897212&postcount=642

and here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #706
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1899636&postcount=706

Please let us know were is located your MDAC.

Do you use to cover it with something when it's not powered ON ?!

In oder to understand if it's the same issue, do note hesitate to give more info...
Click to expand...

Hi Vessa,

My problem is similar to this link
here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #642
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897212&postcount=642

When M-dac is on for some time and I switch it on and off, display is ok again. Sound is ok even with display issue.

I do not use any cover. M-dac is situated on the table and nothig is on top of it.

Can you advise me were can I send it for repair(Czech Republic)?

Thank you
Michal
 
Mentt said:
Hi Vessa,

My problem is similar to this link
here => MDAC first listen (part XVI) #642
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1897212&postcount=642

When M-dac is on for some time and I switch it on and off, display is ok again. Sound is ok even with display issue.

I do not use any cover. M-dac is situated on the table and nothig is on top of it.

Can you advise me were can I send it for repair(Czech Republic)?

Thank you
Michal
Click to expand...


Well... you are a "lucky" guy as John W. is close to you !

Do you meet this issue every time you power ON the DAC ?
Or is it a glitch ?

My suggestion is to put it somewhere aillor and see if you've got the same situation ;)
 
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