T+a dac 8 dsd

[mevdinc]

I wonder if T+A DAC 8 DSD will see an upgrade soon using the latest DSD 1024 capabilities of the top-end T+A DACs. Even their latest HA 200 headphone amp does DSD 1024.
 

[mevdinc]

I'd say this is quite an impressive achievement for T+A DAC 8 DSD considering it's been around for a while. It does deserve an upgrade along with a better volume control/preamp section.
 

[mevdinc]

2 hours ago, fds said:

Just joined the party ... although rather late. Still I am enjoying the T+A DAC8DSD with DSD512 a lot. I believe that the unit is still improving as burn-in continues. Nevertheless, I am experiencing an amazing SQ when using it together with my OpticalModule/OpticalRendu (after flashing a recent Amanero firmware to the DAC8DSD without experiencing any problems). Also my high-end preamp (Ayre KX-5) seems no longer needed. I get better results when using the DAC8DSD set to fixed line level directly connected to my monos. Although I had tried software control and bypassing the preamp before, now it is for the first time here running extremely well. The DAC8DSD in this setting brings realism in my listening room to a completely new level. I have the feeling that I am listening directly to a live performance as opposed to listening to a good recording thereof. The tonality is spot on, performers have body, instruments the proper size, brass has punch and wonderful texture, ... really stunning. Many thanks to all the DAC8DSD users posting here on this wonderful page that motivated me to get this outstanding unit to my listening room!!!

 

PS For other potential late comers to the party, I strongly recommend to make sure that you will be testing either a well burned-in DAC8DSD or to be patient to give it sufficient time to burn in. Also the XLR outputs seem to be the recommended setting. Using its on-board volume control I found inferior to setting it to line level and to using software volume control. While DSD128 can be quite nice already, its full magic seems to appear for DSD512 as reported by many others. Oh, and as stressed many times before, its internal PCM DAC is quite good, but it is its DSD DAC that is exceptional when receiving DSD512 material obtained from PCM files upsampled via software inside the computer.

 

 

Software digital volume control has improved quite a lot recently. But I'm surprised the internal volume control isn't as good. Does DAC 8DSD also use a digital volume control?
I can't tell what active speakers you use but I always obtained best results going direct from DAC to my actives, thus doing away with a sperate pre altogether.
I am still waiting an updated version of this great DAC, hopefully with an analog volume and a  built-in streamer. :)

[mevdinc]

Thank you everyone for the input.

My DAC has a very good analog volume control and it's certainly better than the software one, although I use the excellent Audirvane player.
My next DAC has to have a very good volume control for starters.

[mevdinc]

4 hours ago, fds said:

 

That is exactly what I had thought and was fully convinced of ... even more surprised I was and still am at how well the HQP volume control is working when upsampling red book PCM to DSD512. I strongly recommend to give the DAC8DSD a try in this setting. Of course, when using software control, one has to be very careful, e.g., such that other computer generated sounds will not be played back at full volume and thereby fry your tweeters (and/or your ears).

 

The (analog) volume control of my Ayre KX-5 is of very high quality along with its other features such as output stage. I believe that anything of similar quality will be very hard to find in a DAC below say 5K. Not sure about the Bricasti M3 but the Mola Mola Makua preamp with inbuilt (basically Tambaqui) DAC upgrade will certainly be up to it ... now - in light of this - using the DAC8DSD direct to power amp with HQP volume control feels a bit like cheating. Looking at the posts of @Gavin1977 here comparing the DAC8DSD to the Mola Mola Tambaqui for example, I get the feeling that I get a performance very close to the Mola Mola at a fraction of the price ... or basically for free when considering that now I could basically sell my preamp along with the extra footers/power cord/XLR cable pair.

 

I'm in the 'less is more' camp when it comes to adding pre between DACs and power amps, especially since I only listen to digital.
A long time ago I did use software volume with both Audirvana and JPlay and results were satisfactory. Digital volume has improved even more recently.

But I am looking for an all-in-one DAC solution with a good analog volume, built-in streamer and preferably just one analog input (for home cinema use).
There are some decent all-in-one solutions from COS and others including Lindemann Source (which is an upgrade to my existing DAC).



 

[mevdinc]

21 hours ago, fds said:

Experiencing the wonderful DAC8DSD right now, I am wondering whether it can get substantially better than this? Hard to imagine ... but I had been at this point several times before of course. Indeed, it would be very interesting to hear about listening experiences from comparing the DAC8DSD with the SCV3100HV, although the latter would be far outside of my budget.

 

The main aspect that I am missing with the DAC8DSD it that it is not an 8-channel DAC (or 6-channel at least). In my books, a multi-channel version of the DSD DAC inside of the DAC8DSD allowing for 8-channel DSD512 playback would be the ultimate endgame DAC. Ideally, with fully symmetrical design, normal XLR outputs (i.e. no adapters required), and with onboard HQPlayer NAA endpoint ... needed since multi-channel DSD512 bandwidth size will require one to go beyond USB class compliant input ... It would be terrific to have the SQ of the DSD DAC of the DAC8DSD with additional capabilities to play multichannel DSD files, to integrate subs optimally, to do digital room correction with active crossovers, to set up multiple-sub arrays, etc.

exaSound S88 deos 8 channels and up to DSD 256 I think with XLR connections too.

[mevdinc]

22 hours ago, Miska said:

 

T+A SDV 3100 HV? Also contains HQPlayer NAA endpoint capable of up to DSD1024...

 

I did consider this DAC but it is way too expensive to be honest, I cannot justify paying that much.

[mevdinc]

2 hours ago, fds said:

 

The S88 does look very, very interesting. Indeed I find that it is one of the most interesting DAC offerings available today including even HQPlayer NAA capabilities and working even up to DSD512 in its stereo setting. Would be very interesting to hear about first listening impressions ... ideally including a comparison of the S88 to the DAC8DSD with DSD512 files. The S88 seems to be based on the ESS 9038Pro, whereas the realism offered by the DAC8DSD seems to result from its propriatery 1-bit converter. If the S88 is able to match or even exceed the latter, that will be a striking archievement.

I agree, exaSound's new multichannel and stereo DACs look very promisng. I am also waiting for reviews. They offer everything and the previous versions were very well received. I think the implementation is more important than the DAC chip used. Not all AKM based DACs sound the same and I am sure the same must be true for the ESS based DACs.

[mevdinc]

On 1/19/2021 at 7:47 AM, musicbuff said:

mevdinc, I agree, $37,000 is steep and I'm sure the T + A SDV 3100 HV is worth it, but I'll stick with the DAC8DSD (and be super satisfied). I had to replace my original desktop to be able to play DSD 512 files through HQ Player. I can only wonder what kind of monster computer you'd have to buy to utilize DSD 1024. One thing I've experienced with most upgrades...I'd wonder "how can it get better than this?" Then I'd put the upgrade in and most of the time, SQ improved to some degree. Sometimes a lot sometimes minimally. I'd like to hear a 1024 file someday, but if it's not affordable, I won't, neither will I care.

Diminishing returns kick in at some point :)

Mytek is bringing out cost no object Empire DAC/Preamp/.. for around $20,000. 



 

[mevdinc]

TBH, I've been waiting for a replacement all-in-one DAC to DAC 8 with a quality preamp and at least one analog input, all of which DAC200 seems to offer. I assume it sounds better than DAC 8 too.
I'll  be watching out for early impressions, comments and reviews.