Computer Audio

coops

I use a MBP with different dacs, I do prefer an async USB or FireWire data transfer , there are so many variables it is hard to keep track, Mac PC, sound card internal external storage , Squeezbox etc etc, it would be interesting to hear of interesting implementations.
Keith

uglymusic

Is that from the system building POV, or from the design one?

Docfoster

This the field I'm poised to move in on.
I was really impressed by Hugo's computer audio (off his laptop into his Lyngdorf DAC) at the Bake-off show.
I think I'm holding out for the Jason's (/NVA's) TFS as a possible start point.
The first time I heard the TFS at (at Whittlebury) I said if he stuck in a Bluray drive I'd be interested. By the bake-off show he had done so. "The customer is always right..."
What else should I be considering...? Jason has suggested to me that the Bluray equipped TFS will be one of the top of the range options (I think around £1.8k...).
Ben

Mervyn

Hi Ben

Having nabbed Jasons's TFS prototype (Nexus) I can definitely recommend it. It is a one box design with on board soundcard/dac but very flexible and well equipped. I am running it using both the on-board Xonar soundcard (for high res ) and external 'retro' Audiosynthesis DAX for redbook cd's. You can also connect it direct to power amps cutting out a pre-amp in the sound chain. I am running it remotely form a laptop which is actually very easy and user friendly once you get over the initial 'too-many' computers syndrome.

Good to see a few familiar faces again !

Mervyn

Jim

Hi Mervyn and welcome.

uglymusic

Hi Mervyn!

Good to see you.

uglymusic

This the field I'm poised to move in on.
I was really impressed by Hugo's computer audio (off his laptop into his Lyngdorf DAC) at the Bake-off show.
I think I'm holding out for the Jason's (/NVA's) TFS as a possible start point.
The first time I heard the TFS at (at Whittlebury) I said if he stuck in a Bluray drive I'd be interested. By the bake-off show he had done so. "The customer is always right..."
What else should I be considering...? Jason has suggested to me that the Bluray equipped TFS will be one of the top of the range options (I think around £1.8k...).
Ben

As far as I know, Jason and Richard are still planning a cheaper Black Box version, which may fit your pocket more comfortably. 

£2K for the TFS was mentioned at the show.

Alan

Hi Mervyn - glad to see you!

I keep hearing the Asus Xonar cards are better than most external DACs, so they must be truly superb. Is Jason using the recently released improved card yet?

uglymusic

Hi Mervyn - glad to see you!

I keep hearing the Asus Xonar cards are better than most external DACs, so they must be truly superb. Is Jason using the recently released improved card yet?

I don't know.

Mervyn

Hi Alan

The Xonar card is very good and at the Marriot bake-off it stood up very well against other external dacs including a £4k jobbie ! ( I think Dave preferred the latter for its more revealing and detailed nature)

It is very musical and engaging but for me lacks a little bit of refinement against more expensive dacs. I have compared it with my 'retro 90's' Audiosynthesis DAX in my system and there are subtle differences. The soundstage is slightly wider bit not as deep giving a more upfront presentation. The Xonar treble is a little more brash accounting for the boisterous sound which a naturally bright system will highlight. But these are subtle differences and like all components it works differently in different systems.

The Xonar does seem to work very well in a TFS one box format. Jason I believe is also experimenting with different opamps for the production version as well as powering the output stage separately which I am sure will improve it further.

I have not heard any of the new breed DACs ( Wyred for Sound/Benchmark etc) to see how they compare but would guess the Xonar would give them a very good run for their money. Especially as a TFS or cheaper black box version probably willl cost about the same as these dac only components.

Mervyn

 

 

uglymusic

Hi Alan

The Xonar card is very good and at the Marriot bake-off it stood up very well against other external dacs including a £4k jobbie ! ( I think Dave preferred the latter for its more revealing and detailed nature)

It is very musical and engaging but for me lacks a little bit of refinement against more expensive dacs. I have compared it with my 'retro 90's' Audiosynthesis DAX in my system and there are subtle differences. The soundstage is slightly wider bit not as deep giving a more upfront presentation. The Xonar treble is a little more brash accounting for the boisterous sound which a naturally bright system will highlight. But these are subtle differences and like all components it works differently in different systems.

The Xonar does seem to work very well in a TFS one box format. Jason I believe is also experimenting with different opamps for the production version as well as powering the output stage separately which I am sure will improve it further.

I have not heard any of the new breed DACs ( Wyred for Sound/Benchmark etc) to see how they compare but would guess the Xonar would give them a very good run for their money. Especially as a TFS or cheaper black box version probably willl cost about the same as these dac only components.

Mervyn

I did, indeed, prefer the £4k jobbie on my Paul Bley torture track  :-)

But the TFS was very good. I suspect that Jason has produced an environment (the TFS) that squeezes the most from an already good card.

The Wyred4Sound DAC 2 (the more expensive one) is around £1300, so if you already have a decent server, you can save some ackers against a TFS. The Young DAC will be a bit less when it arrives.

My instincts always point me towards separates - I've run separate CD transport/DACs for around 20 years - but if the TFS delivers and I have £2k, then I'll have to see if Richard Dunn will sell me one.