arcman Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Is it a complete MQA unfold. "Handling MQA files" is something any Dac can do to a certain extent. I am considering this as a preamp. Nevermind. Looks like it does fully unfold MQA. Link to comment
arcman Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 I would only be interested if it betters my Bluesound node2 MQA capabilities. I says it will probably we a lateral move. The bluesond analog outs sound slightly better than my older Nova Pre dac on non mqa hi rez sources Link to comment
arcman Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Here's another one that, at least, looks like it may be cheaper than the Mytek http://lnx.m2tech.biz/products/rockstars/young-mkiii/ Probably in the $1200-$1400 range if pricing matches previous products Link to comment
arcman Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 When using as a dac only, can the volume be switched to fixed? Link to comment
arcman Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 2 hours ago, left channel said: Thank you for the review! I just ordered one from an eBay seller in Germany. It will take two weeks to get here. The same seller has a few more units available, in black and silver. So you would need to add a us power cord? Link to comment
arcman Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I just ordered mine from Analog Seduction in UK Link to comment
arcman Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 Im going to sell my current peachtree nova pre and use the Pro-ject as a preamp until my Primaluna Prolog pre comes in. Link to comment
arcman Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 I'll actually be curious to a/b MQA and NON dsd high rez between the Bluesound Node2 and the Pro-Ject Dac. The Bluesound barely sounds better than my Peachtree Nova-pre (regualr hi rez). I find it interesting that the above reviewer heard no major sonic difference between the Benchmark and the Pro-ject. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I wonder where one would download the firmware Link to comment
arcman Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 How is the Pro-Ject as a Preamp? Just curious since it will be filling in temporary as I just sold my Peachtree and will be getting a new pre around mid october. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 I just plugged mine in ( no usb) as a dac. Vlume set a 0db. So far so good. The correct resolution values come up for roon, tidal and Qobuz. I have not changed any filters yet. Set up as “pro-ject best”. I did enable distortion compensation. Sounds just a tad smoother imo. To be honest, with no break in, i think the bluesound node internal dac very slightly edges it out. The clicking has to get solved. I’ll keep it since i need a dac for my Apple Tv as well. Plus, my next pre will have multiple analog inputs. I can run both digital and analog outs of the blusound Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Looking thru the Pinkfish thread, i say the firmware update is weeks away. Westlake stepped back a bit toward the end ( we have lots of work, etc). I think its great he is paying attention. Plus, Westlake stated a “ fixed” volume option in menu is in the works. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 18 minutes ago, left channel said: Audio Quality has two options, "Test" and "Best". The manual says Test "gives the best value when tested on measuring device (lowest distortion etc)", while Best is "the designers' preferred sound setting". If you change any other setting, Audio Quality becomes "User". "Best" sets Distortion Compensation to disabled and the filter to Optimal Transient. "Test" sets Distortion Compensation to enabled and the filter to Brickwall. Adjust distortion compensation or filters yourself, and Audio Quality will display "User". John Westlake's MDAC designs contain a similar set of filters, but with more than one than one type of Optimal Transient. On other forums most users prefer one of the Optimal Transient filters, so I guess for now I'll leave it there for now. I may play with Distortion Compensation some though. This thing has so many options it distracts from any attempt at a quick test and comparison — though I mean that in a good way. I have to agree. To be honest, I prefer lest setting options (filters, etc). I always start thinking "what if I tried this filter with that track, etc). I'd rather just plug and play. This evening, I'm removing the Peachtree out of the system and just using the Pro-Ject as a pre. I'll be curious to how it sounds for such a small footprint Link to comment
Popular Post arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted October 3, 2017 Purchase it here. I got mine in 6 days. Less than $300 with shipping (no Vat is $250 british pounds). http://www.analogueseduction.net/pro-ject/pro-ject-pre-box-s2-digital.html Samuel T Cogley and left channel 2 Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 I hooked the Pro-Ject up as a preamp and removed my Peachtree Nova Pre. I'm living without my Oppo player due to lack of inputs. Anyway, I have the Bluesound Node 2 into the Coax and Apple TV into the Toslink. As a preamp, there seems to be a little wider soundstage over the peachtree. I would say the S2 is just a smidge on the bright side compared to the Peachtree (or the peachtree is on the warm side of neutral). I did feel I was getting very slight ear fatigue, however, that happens sometimes if I'm not rested. I switch the filter to slow rolloff and the fatigue seemed to vanish. I am quite sensitive to high frequencies. I can always tell if a TV is on in the house (no sound or picture) and have a hard time listening to music thru phone or computer speakers. Of course the unit has only played a couple of hours, so things may change a bit. Out of the box, I could say I am quite happy and could live with it as a Preamp if the inputs were there. Even if I purchase a higher end dac in the future ($2000 +) I would still keep this one ion my system. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 sometimes its a pop or a little fade out back in jerk. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Im a bit stressed trying to narrow my preamps down ( not stressed in a real world sense..just hard to make a choice). I was thinking of one of these as a go between. http://www.analogueseduction.net/pro-ject/pro-ject-pre-box-ds2-analogue.html Link to comment
arcman Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I am very pleased with this dac more and more. I would say this is the DAC bargain of the year. Plus, the pre amp section, driving m Nuforce STA200 and zu omen def speakers sounds fantastic. Plus, my zus are 101db efficient, its quiet as a mouse. I’ll be curious when the dac hits the US, how many comparisons ( brooklyn, schiit, etc) we will see. MQA will be the big selling point on this one. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 So, from what I gather, the channel swap issue only effects DSD. PCM is fine if you have outpur cables ( left -right) hooked up according to back panel labels. Is this correct? Link to comment
arcman Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Good to know. I do not run DSD into the S2. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Any word yet on A firmware update? Link to comment
arcman Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Thats good to hear. Hopefully, it will pass and get posted soon. The S2 really is a nice component. I’d be surprised if TAS or SP does a review. It will be interesting when someone compares the S2 MQA sound quality to a Mytek mqa Dac. I believe John mentioned a “fixed” volume option in the menu as well. I believe most would use the S2 as a dac instead of a preamp Link to comment
arcman Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Does the mqa logo light up on the s2 or is what im seeing online just for marketing purposes? I have my bluesound node set up for outboard mqa dac. Link to comment
arcman Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 2 hours ago, MagnusH said: Sure, when it plays MQA it shows the symbol and the sample rate of the fully unfolded music. Remember to remove all DSP though before the DAC, or the MQA information is lost (this includes volume leveling). This has nothing to do with the S2 DAC though, just the way MQA works, it needs data to be bit-perfect. What other dsp? I turned off tone controls in bluesound app, set for external MQA in bluesound app. I’m on fixed volume in bluesound. Is there something I’m missing? Link to comment
arcman Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I think theres an issue with s2 and bluesound mqa pass thru. I cant mqa light to come on oh well Link to comment
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