Denafrips R2R DAC (plays 512 DSD) reviewed as giant killer

[elan120]

2 hours ago, Ricardo007 said:

@elan120

Did you compare i2s input with your highly modified su1 versus direct usb on terminator.

 

I did, briefly, and prefer USB input better.  USB input feels more dynamic, and more air around the instruments, where i2S feels a little restricted.

[Ricardo007]

Even with your su1 with sclk board clocked by 10mhz master clock???

That tells a lot about new board performance

[luisma]

17 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

 

Thank you 🍻

 

@matthias

The next one may get DSP-T V08 board. 😁

I have not made a comparison between NOS and OS yet. At the moment I only listen NOS with HQPlayer DSD 512. That is already an excellent sound.

Great, may I suggest you to try and compare dsd 512 which you are using vs PCM? I would very much appreciate your feedback. Your preferred filter, I use closed form and minring lp mostly. 

Thanks 

[matthias]

Similar upgrade for Ares:

 

Matt

[matthias]

On 7/17/2019 at 7:34 PM, butifull01 said:

New cheaper SGMs will be two models.

 

Please, can you share some more information?

I hope Taiko Audio will launch a model without internal storage for lovers of streaming only from Qobuz etc.

Thanks

 

Matt

[matthias]

@alvin1118

please can you shed some light on how DSD is handled by the DSP of the new Terminator in OS mode:

Up to which rate DSD64 is upsampled?

 

Thanks

 

Matt

 

 

[butifull01]

Here are two DACs movies with SGM Extreme.

 

Terminator and Formula xHD (Not Analogue rev. 2 upgrade) difference is big.

 

But if SGM Extreme is installed, Terminator sound quality is much better than Formula xHD.

 

My camcorder is very cheap model, so you have to increase system volume by 6 ~10.

 

Enjoy it~!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[StreamFidelity]

On 8/2/2019 at 2:00 PM, luisma said:

Great, may I suggest you to try and compare dsd 512 which you are using vs PCM? I would very much appreciate your feedback. Your preferred filter, I use closed form and minring lp mostly. 

 

At the moment I am still testing in NOS mode. The ratings correspond to my personal listening and the equipment used (look my Audio System). Other ears and systems can lead to other reviews. 😉

 

First, I tested PCM at the maximum level with one million taps.
closed-form-M + TPDF + 44.1 / 16 / 2 -> PCM 1.4112M / 32 / 2
Result: The processor utilization is minimal at 2%. The power consumption is low with 12W. The sound is very good.

 

Next, I tested my usual basic attitude.

poly-sinc-ext2 + AMSDM 512 + fs + 44.1 / 24 / 2 -> DSD 512 / 1 / 2
Result: The processor utilization is stable at 15%. The power consumption is acceptable with 33W. The sound is very analog and still with a lot of resolution and details. The stage is deep and wide. Great transients. PCM does not come with it.

 

The last test refers to my current favorite setting, which works only with Redbook files (44.1kHz).
closed-form + ASDM7EC + 44.1 / 24/2 -> DSD 256/1/2
Result: The processor utilization is high but stable at 27%. The power consumption is 48W high, but for my HDPLEX 200W LPS no problem. The problem is the temperature development. Therefore, operation is over max. 2-3h possible. The sound is still very analog and with even more resolution and details. The stage is sensational. Excellent transients.

 

In sum, for me, the Denafrips Terminator is a top DAC especially for DSD. The best DAC I've ever had. I hope this helps?

[StreamFidelity]

@butifull01 wonderful audio system 🍻

[rothosand]

Hello,

 

On the Denafrips website, I see there are 2 versions available of the Thesycon driver for the new DSP Board : V4.59.0 and V4.67.0 : does anyone know the difference between them ?

 

https://www.denafrips.com/terminator-download

[alvin1118]

Hi @rothosand,

 

Here you go, the changes log:

https://www.thesycon.de/usbaudio/TUSBAudio_history.txt

 

@butifull01, awesome setup you have there!

 

@StreamFidelity, impressive reports, much appreciated! Thank you for loving the Terminator DAC!

 

Enjoy the music!

 

Cheers,

Alvin

[rothosand]

Thanks @alvin1118

 

Another question : is it recommended to uninstall the Amanero driver before installing the Thesycon one, or is it OK to leave the Amanero installed (I mean, when upgrading to the new DSP board) ?

[matthias]

Hi @alvin1118,

would you please answer my question from post #481.

Thank you.

 

Matt

[alvin1118]

@rothosand, it's fine to keep the Amanero driver. I did that and it works even when both co-exists. 

 

@matthias, i'm waiting for DENAFRIPS to confirm

[luisma]

13 hours ago, StreamFidelity said:

I hope this helps?

It helps a lot thank you for going through the test and reporting. I can't do 7EC at the moment 😞

 

[elan120]

New DSP upgrade board review from Six Moons is here.

[matthias]

6 hours ago, elan120 said:

New DSP upgrade board review from Six Moons is here.

 

Thanks, but @alvin1118 was first with #470.

 

Matt

[matthias]

On ‎8‎/‎5‎/‎2019 at 6:51 PM, alvin1118 said:

 

@matthias, i'm waiting for DENAFRIPS to confirm

 

Hi Alvin,

no feedback from Denafrips?

 

Matt

[luisma]

Hi Alvin @alvin1118

 

I cannot use the Allo Bridge with the new DSP board, the Amanero board worked fine but the Allo Bridge Dietpi have the incorrect driver. While I already turned to Allo @Allo @ALLOsupport @Audio_Allo to figure out the driver issue I'm also asking you as you or Denafrips probably would know how to support the board on these devices. Do you know any Linux Dietpi etc. drivers that could be used?

 

Thanks

 

 

[alvin1118]

@matthias, i discussed briefly with DENAFRIPS. DSD will not be upsampled. 

 

@luisma, a customer reported similar issue. He has a Allo Bridge running dietpi roon, music playback was 2x the usual speed. The only way he can get it played back correctly is to use roon to upsample to DSD512. Can you try that too?

 

I use RPI dietpi (not allobridge), it works well with the new DSP. Could it be the Allo Bridge driver issue?

[luisma]

9 minutes ago, alvin1118 said:

i discussed briefly with DENAFRIPS. DSD will not be upsampled

Thank you Alvin, PCM neither or it will be upsampled?

[luisma]

9 minutes ago, alvin1118 said:

Can you try that too?

No, I wish I could but not with the filters / modulators I'm using, I am waiting on Allo @Audio_Allo but thought you / Denafrips with your resources could have a driver for Dietpi 

[matthias]

1 hour ago, alvin1118 said:

@matthias, i discussed briefly with DENAFRIPS. DSD will not be upsampled. 

 

Thanks @alvin1118

So in OS mode PCM gets upsampled to 1.536MHz according to your post #326 and DSD will be left untouched.

Correct?

 

Matt

[coach65]

Has anyone here paired the Denefrips pontes with any of the innuos servers? Or any of the Denefrips dac's

[Abyss Man]

9 hours ago, coach65 said:

Has anyone here paired the Denefrips pontes with any of the innuos servers? Or any of the Denefrips dac's

Hi,

I am using Zenith Mk2 with the Terminator, but I have the soTm Trifecta in the chain as well. I love it. My sms-200 is the end point. I find it gives a bit more body compared to just from the Zenith to the DAC. YMMV. happy listening.