Dave Dac is a cracker

[Infiniteloop]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

Maybe the artist and recording engineers never intended you to hear 100%, or were never aware that you would ever be able to.

Doesn't that mean that the 'extra' you're getting is actually detrimental to the intended musical message?

I think you took me too liberally there - that was meant light hearted in jest.

But still I want to hear everything clearly and if my system brings stuff out that even the mastering engineer didnt hear then I have spent my money well

Apologies. - That's the problem with these forums, not much scope for nuance..*blush*

 

[Superaintit]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it 

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

Now that you mention that I suggest to have a listen to the Beolab 90. It's designed to be the best B&O could make, cost no object. Haven't heard it myself, but according to some reviews has imaging 2nd to none and easily adepts to your home acoustics. For me too expensive, but I'm sure the tech will trickle down in a few years.

 

[ellisdj]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

Maybe the artist and recording engineers never intended you to hear 100%, or were never aware that you would ever be able to.

Doesn't that mean that the 'extra' you're getting is actually detrimental to the intended musical message?

I think you took me too liberally there - that was meant light hearted in jest.

But still I want to hear everything clearly and if my system brings stuff out that even the mastering engineer didnt hear then I have spent my money well

Apologies. - That's the problem with these forums, not much scope for nuance..*blush*

No need to apologise for that dude - sorry myself if I made you feel you needed to.

All the best

 

[plastic penguin]

Was the DAVE range originally called RODNEY? *biggrin*

 

[Andrewjvt]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it 

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

 

[ellisdj]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it 

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

Now that you mention that I suggest to have a listen to the Beolab 90. It's designed to be the best B&O could make, cost no object. Haven't heard it myself, but according to some reviews has imaging 2nd to none and easily adepts to your home acoustics. For me too expensive, but I'm sure the tech will trickle down in a few years.

The tech is reliant on the speaker having about 20 drivers per speaker. I can't ever see that trickling down to being affordable to be honest

Amazingly over engineered solution to room acoustic problems but I bet it's great.
Love to hear them but too rich for me.

 

[Gazzip]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

I think a good well balanced system should, as you both say, reveal everything. However, the context in which that detail is presented is (IMHO) key to how "good" a system is. Detail retrieval, imaging, separation, dynamics etc. really is only half the package. Missing the right level of musicality, timbre and atmosphere to compliment that detail can render such an uber analytical hifi in to nothing more than a clever box which makes very clear, lifeless sounds, that I feel is territory in which a lot of Hifi can be located. Truly great hifi treads the middle ground...

 

[Native_bon]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

I think a good well balanced system should, as you both say, reveal everything. However, the context in which that detail is presented is (IMHO) key to how "good" a system is. Detail retrieval, imaging, separation, dynamics etc. really is only half the package. Missing the right level of musicality, timbre and atmosphere to compliment that detail can render such an uber analytical hifi in to nothing more than a clever box which makes very clear, lifeless sounds, that I feel is territory in which a lot of Hifi can be located. Truly great hifi treads the middle ground...

You could not have said it better. When detail is triumphant over everything else you loose realism. You only have to be in a recording studio & listen to unamplified instruments played together as whole to know some details are overemphasized in most hifi systems. A band in real life does not sound like that.

Having said that, everyone seeks different ways how music is presented to their ears.

 

[spiny norman]

DAVE DAC I like, but not so sure about Dazy, Barky, Mack and ’Tache.

 

[CnoEvil]

DAVE DAC I like, but not so sure about Dazy, Barky, Mack and ’Tache.

Showing your age there, Spiny.

 

[spiny norman]

Showing your age there, Spiny.

See, I did almost put "(One for the teenagers there)" on the end of that post, then thought better of it.

 

[Andrewjvt]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it 

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

I think a good well balanced system should, as you both say, reveal everything. However, the context in which that detail is presented is (IMHO) key to how "good" a system is. Detail retrieval, imaging, separation, dynamics etc. really is only half the package. Missing the right level of musicality, timbre and atmosphere to compliment that detail can render such an uber analytical hifi in to nothing more than a clever box which makes very clear, lifeless sounds, that I feel is territory in which a lot of Hifi can be located. Truly great hifi treads the middle ground...

You could not have said it better. When detail is triumphant over everything else you loose realism. You only have to be in a recording studio & listen to unamplified instruments played together as whole to know some details are overemphasized in most hifi systems. A band in real life does not sound like that.

Having said that, everyone seeks different ways how music is presented to their ears. 

I agree that poorly designed kit that puts detail above all else can do that but

Well designed kit will reveal all the hidden details without all the negitive sq you talk about it does not have to be one or the other. All it needs is just ulta low distortion.

Audition a hegel hd30 dac with similar electronics and see for your self. I get this even with the cheaper h360.

 

[plastic penguin]

DAVE DAC I like, but not so sure about Dazy, Barky, Mack and ’Tache.

You never heard of DAVE Dac & The Swinging hi-fis? Really good sixties group.*ROFL*

 

[chebby]

Terry DACtyl and the Dinosaurs.

 

[plastic penguin]

Terry DACtyl and the Dinosaurs.

Or if it has an input missing it could be called a DAVE ALLEN.

 

[spiny norman]

'I'm sorry, DAVE, I'm afraid I can't do that'

 

[nopiano]

'I'm sorry, DAVE, I'm afraid I can't do that'

Very good!!

 

[busb]

I can imagine plugging the Dave into a pair of Chord monoblocks - plugged into 2 Kef Reference 3's which I really really like, in a good room and being lit up witth the quality

I heard the Dave through a pair of Chord monoblocks at a dealers fairly recently. I can't recall the transport feeding it but it was into Dynaudio Confidence C4 speakers.

I wasn't there to audition anything as expensive, this kit was obviously the centre-piece of the listening room and so was playing while my audition was prepared. I disliked it to the point I'd turn it down everytime the salesman left the room. We all have our preferences so I'm not saying anything bad about any of the equipment, but that combo was too brittle a presentation for me.

I often do that but I'm nearly always left to my own devices so tend to adjust the volume to my taste (downwards). I personally wasn't hugely struck with the hugo TT that I borrowed for a few days - I just wasn't convinced it sounded natural to my ears.

On a more general note - if a system reveals detail without chromium plating it - it's simply doing its job in my book. I have a "revealing" setup compared to 6 months ago & am happy with my choices. Sometimes a less detailed system will sound better with certain recordings - that down to poor mastering.

I've owned systems where nothing sounded poor - it just made everything sound a wee bit bland. It's the quality of the recording that has the greatest effect, whether the medium be vinyl, CD, off iTunes, Tidal etc.

 

[expat_mike]

Spotted this review of the DAVE had been posted today http://www.head-fi.org/products/chord-dave/reviews/16526

It is worth reading and enjoying the style which allows this headphone enthusiast to let his passion for hifi filter through - reminds me somewhat of Andrew Everard. The most telling thing is how much it differs from a typical WHF review, with the buzzword bingo phrases.

 

[ID.]

I'm sure it sounds no better than my iPhone

(yes, trolling.)

 

[paulkebab]

to spend I'd probably invest that into some speakers...which is what ellisdj has recently done. When I last updated my system, my partner played, as a reference, Songbird by Fleetwood Mac from Rumours. She was mesmerised; I realised there was something about this track in the way it was recorded but didn't hit on it straight away. Another listen revealed all, but I'm not going to say what it is, I'd be interested to see if the WHF forum can figure it out. If a £450 Arcam DAC can reveal that, I'm not convinced a DAVE is the way to go.. and neither did ellisdj.

 

[ellisdj]

I can't incorporate a stand alone dac into my system because I run an av system for music so an av processor instead of a dac

Otherwise if I had the cash I would be home demoing one straight away

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

I think a good well balanced system should, as you both say, reveal everything. However, the context in which that detail is presented is (IMHO) key to how "good" a system is. Detail retrieval, imaging, separation, dynamics etc. really is only half the package. Missing the right level of musicality, timbre and atmosphere to compliment that detail can render such an uber analytical hifi in to nothing more than a clever box which makes very clear, lifeless sounds, that I feel is territory in which a lot of Hifi can be located. Truly great hifi treads the middle ground...

You could not have said it better. When detail is triumphant over everything else you loose realism. You only have to be in a recording studio & listen to unamplified instruments played together as whole to know some details are overemphasized in most hifi systems. A band in real life does not sound like that.

Having said that, everyone seeks different ways how music is presented to their ears.

I agree that poorly designed kit that puts detail above all else can do that but

Well designed kit will reveal all the hidden details without all the negitive sq you talk about it does not have to be one or the other. All it needs is just ulta low distortion.

Audition a hegel hd30 dac with similar electronics and see for your self. I get this even with the cheaper h360.

i agee with andrew's comments a well put togeather hifi would be my way of spending £8000 not on a dave dac .

the arcam irdac the first one not the irdac 2 would be just as good as the dave i think ? not that ive heard the dave dac so i could be wrong here .

 

[Philim]

I want it all - no ifs no butts that why spent so much money on all this stuff - I dont want any left behind otherwise its been a waste of money buying the disc to only hear 85% of it 

They dont offer me any discount for less than 100%

I dont think its about too much detail at all - if its in the recording we should hear it.

Why not? A good amp/dac/speaker etc with low distortion/jitter whatever will reveal all the hidden details missing from so many other systems without sounding edgy or harsh.

If your hifi equipment is hidding the detail somethings wrong surely?

I dont buy into this studio monitor sound v hifi speaker sound.

Can you imagine the recording engineers saying 'yes this sounds **** but once its being played on a hifi speaker it will balance out' or 'ok ok ive checked no mistakes on this recording... now please switch it off, i cant take it any more'

Id also recommend you compare the hegel hd30 dac also. From reading the reviews it looks like it could be right up your alley.

I think a good well balanced system should, as you both say, reveal everything. However, the context in which that detail is presented is (IMHO) key to how "good" a system is. Detail retrieval, imaging, separation, dynamics etc. really is only half the package. Missing the right level of musicality, timbre and atmosphere to compliment that detail can render such an uber analytical hifi in to nothing more than a clever box which makes very clear, lifeless sounds, that I feel is territory in which a lot of Hifi can be located. Truly great hifi treads the middle ground...

You could not have said it better. When detail is triumphant over everything else you loose realism. You only have to be in a recording studio & listen to unamplified instruments played together as whole to know some details are overemphasized in most hifi systems. A band in real life does not sound like that.

Having said that, everyone seeks different ways how music is presented to their ears. 

I agree that poorly designed kit that puts detail above all else can do that but

Well designed kit will reveal all the hidden details without all the negitive sq you talk about it does not have to be one or the other. All it needs is just ulta low distortion.

Audition a hegel hd30 dac with similar electronics and see for your self. I get this even with the cheaper h360.

i agee with andrew's comments a well put togeather hifi would be my way of spending £8000 not on a dave dac .

the arcam irdac the first one not the irdac 2 would be just as good as the dave i think ? not that ive heard the dave dac so i could be wrong here .

You are