dCS Network Bridge

[pam1975]

Can anyone be kind enough to let me know what the auralic G2 is supposed to bring more than what the dCS bridge provides from a functionality standpoint?

thank you

[pam1975]

Another question, has anyone tried to dCS network bridge with an external master clock?

[pam1975]

Thanks @kblundy

I am getting my dCS network bridge next week and was hesitating between their Rossini master clock and potentially another one in the dCS range but don't know what is the best match for the network bridge? Also what is the price point of the Scarlatti master clock?

 

[pam1975]

@kblundy I will use the dCS network bridge as standalone piece, meaning with no other dCS piece associated to it.

I bought myself Kii Three active speakers (which are absolutely stunning by the way) and they embed their own internal DAC as well. So I go straight from the dCS network bridge to my active Kii Three Speakers in AES.

As such, would the Rossini master clock be the best fit for purpose device? Or I can use any master clock that provides 44.1K and 48K?

[pam1975]

There is an upcoming publication I think in the UK that reviews it and puts it on par with Naim NDS/555PS DR

will try to find the link again

 

I'm getting it on Friday 

[pam1975]

NDS/555PS is one of the very best streamers on the market. Top 3. Worth 18-20k euro I think?

 

have not heard Aurender N10

[pam1975]

I'm nobody either to judge these devices, I just heard the NDS/555PS DR and compared it with other streamers but not Aurender. Anyways, seems you're really interested in direct comparison with Aurender, maybe you'll have to wait a bit until someone does this A/B comparison.

I took a leap of faith on the NB, we'll see.

[pam1975]

here is the link, maybe it brings you interesting insights.

http://www.moremusic.nl/reviews/dcs/Network-Bridge/review-dCS-network-bridge-HiFi News.pdf

 

[pam1975]

great summary @stevebythebay 

[pam1975]

Update: for two days, I compared my new dCS network bridge with a combo Naim NAC272 powered by XPS DR and felt that Tidal streamed music was slightly better, more detailed with the Naim. 2 audiophile friends agree with me on this.

I'd give the dCS network bridge 90% of the Naim combo performance.

 

Disclaimer: the dCS was brand new so I'd assume the comparison was maybe too early and I'd need to wait for sufficient burn-in time?

[pam1975]

I'm using the SPDIF digital out of the NAC272...

both are directly feeding Kii Three active speakers (with embedded DAC).

so I *think* I'm comparing apples to apples here

[pam1975]

that is not correct.

1st path: dCS going out in AES  directly into AES input in Kii Three.

2nd path: Naim goes out SPDIF to digital input of Kii Control driving the Kii Three

To me that's apples to apples?

[pam1975]

I added a Mutec MC3+ USB today as external masterclock and felt the SQ improvement was minor.

 

Interesting though about SPDIF beating AES, I assumed it would be the contrary!

[pam1975]

FWIW, I compared it to Naim's NAC272 with XPS DR and the dCS network bridge was very slightly better but a better deal and I didn't need a preamp anymore, only a network bridge so sold my Naim gear with 0 regret and 3K back in my pocket...

[pam1975]

Not wrong but I am comparing it to what I had. And the 272 is first and foremost a streamer.

[pam1975]

@stevebythebay can you please share which setting in Roon you are using to set the 1000ms delay? I would like to use it as well.

[pam1975]

28 minutes ago, stevebythebay said:

Just follow: Settings...Audio...Device (Networked)...(gears to right) Device Setup...Resync Delay...choose, for example, 1000ms (that equals a second).

thank you!

[pam1975]

On 10/11/2017 at 1:51 PM, Confused said:

there are some users that have reported good results when feeding the Network Bridge with a Mutec REF10/MC3+ generated word clock signal. 

who made this test here? is it on this thread or another one?

for me the MC3+USB doesn't change anything alone as external reclocker vs internal clock from dCS. Wondering about the addition of the Ref10 though...

thanks!