Recent content by PieterG

That's a fair point. But what's the best point in the signal chain to apply corrections/changes? In my new setup there's only 1 option: the streaming device. If i wanted to fiddle with controls, maybe it would be nice to have that possibility in the DAC or the (pre)amp so i could evaluate the...

If you pick the Wiim Ultra, i suggest you connect it to your amp via RCA, not digital. The Ultra is supposed to have the better DAC. If by any chance you're connecting to a digital input on the amp, a cheaper Wiim (Mini, Pro) will do the same job just fine.

As an owner of Kef floorstanding speakers, i can't stress enough that you need to drive them with an amplifier that can deliver high current. It's not about the 120W output but the ability to control the bass drivers in particular. If the amp is underpowered you will get poorly defined low...

Hi -- i'm not sure you're comparing apples to apples here. The MXN10 has a good and widely used DAC chip, and Cambridge typically tunes the sound of their products very well around the DAC. It's not a flagship Sabre DAC but a very good one nonetheless. The Fiio is a R2R DAC. If you're...

Are you saying CD analog RCA into the Eversolo and then balanced to the Gustard amp? That obviously works, but if you have the optical input on your DAC (it seems unused from your description), wouldn't it be easier to send CD out digitally (optical) rather than converting to analog before...

@Witterings @TK421 I did a bit of research on jitter and clocking (because i like rabbit holes). TLDR; the USB transport into a DAC is the cleanest. USB is asynchronous, allowing the DAC to request data when it needs it. The DAC is the master clock, close to the D/A conversion processors...

Good point. I figured all digital outs would be passthrough as long as the frequency and bit rate are supported for the selected output. If what you say is correct - and i have no reason to contradict you - then usb is preferred. I think @TK421 confirmed that the SMSL only accepts usb input...

Indeed. Optical or coaxial. My understanding is that theoretically optical is supposed to be cleaner because it doesn't pick up interference from nearby electromagnetic sources, but i think it's only really a thing to consider if you have a coaxial cable in use and hear a hum or noise.

++ UPDATE ++ The online deals available leading up to Black Friday have convinced me to make up my mind and place an order. The last part arrived yesterday, and everything is now hooked up: Streamer: WiiM Pro >> optical out DAC: Audiolab D9 >> balanced out Amplifier: Hegel H120 >> KEF Q900...

That's why comparisons are good. You can stick with what sounds best, or vary input/output combinations as you like. However, i'm not sure you tried the optimal signal path. To use the SMSL you use a digital output from the Ultra - which you did. Personally, i would have chosen spdif over usb...

This is how i set things up. I got a (budget, discounted) Wiim Pro specifically for the streaming part, and send its optical out into a DAC, which then goes into the analog input of the amplifier. It sounds like you now have 3 DAC options: the Wiim, the SMSL and your amp. Have fun! If you...

The Ultra has a higher end chip, so you'll probably want to use that as your first DAC option. In this case you send its RCA out to your amp. I would do an A/B comparison with a digital out from the WiiM to the amp, then decide which sounds best and keep the setup you prefer. When you use the...

Do you need the 1TB capacity? Sandisk has that same design with the usb a and c connectors. I get good read and write speed out of them over a usb (3.2 i think) port directly on the pc board, i.e. not a hub. I also have Samsung (and Lexar) but not sure if they offer 1TB (512GB definitely). Yes...

I thnk you're looking at the mkII version of that. Here in Belgium the original 6000a is yours for 550 euros. I don't know if it's a better choice for you than the Marantz, but it's a very nice price.

Makes sense @nopiano. The watts in my table should be accurate - the current was calculated. I wanted to show real life sustained power at 4 Ohm because i think it matters more for speaker control and stability. My interpretation - which may be wrong - is that an amp with max current well above...