Popular Post jabbr 3068 Posted February 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2019 1 hour ago, Miska said: By the way, are you both using S2D same way? Well folks, I've tracked this down. Turns out that when I bus powered the S2D directly from the Espressobin, I got the same static (like an LP record with crackling) on the S2D as on the DX7s (the DX7s has an AC connection) but when I bus power the S2 using an Uptone ISO Regen, itself supplied by an LPS1.2, the S2 sounds great! This is the biggest improvement I've heard with an ISO Regen ... ever ... hands down bar none. Its weird that they both have the same issue, perhaps the ESS chips are very power supply sensitive (the iDSD Micro doesn't have this same sensitivity for me). The S2D is sounding pretty great through the Regen/LPS. Miska, Jud and Superdad 1 1 1 Custom room treatments for headphone users. Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf11 4329 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 7 minutes ago, jabbr said: Well folks, I've tracked this down. Turns out that when I bus powered the S2D directly from the Espressobin, I got the same static (like an LP record with crackling) on the S2D as on the DX7s (the DX7s has an AC connection) but when I bus power the S2 using an Uptone ISO Regen, itself supplied by an LPS1.2, the S2 sounds great! This is the biggest improvement I've heard with an ISO Regen ... ever ... hands down bar none. Its weird that they both have the same issue, perhaps the ESS chips are very power supply sensitive (the iDSD Micro doesn't have this same sensitivity for me). The S2D is sounding pretty great through the Regen/LPS. I'm not clear on what configurations you have compared... S2 w/Regen vs. S2 w/o ?? S2 (how?) vs. the BL version ?? (which is a battery operated DAC, right?) Link to post Share on other sites
jabbr 3068 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 7 minutes ago, Ralf11 said: I'm not clear on what configurations you have compared... S2 w/Regen vs. S2 w/o ?? S2D with Regen -> great S2D w/o Regen -> background static like the DX7s Quote S2 (how?) vs. the BL version ?? (which is a battery operated DAC, right?) Will do some more careful listening (the BL doesn't seem Regen dependent at least with the Espressobin) -- I'm not going to use the S2D w/o the Regen/LPS in the future because its unpleasant -- possible that using power isolation etc could fix that but this is supposed to be a semi portable system. Custom room treatments for headphone users. Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf11 4329 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Thx - seems the S2D is very susceptible to noise... but that the more expensive Blk Label is not... Link to post Share on other sites
asdf1000 645 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 5 minutes ago, Ralf11 said: Thx - seems the S2D is very susceptible to noise... Maybe with that particular USB source... I've never had any pops or crackles with my S2D, so I wouldn't generalise... Link to post Share on other sites
Veri 2 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 23 hours ago, Miska said: And I cannot switch to newer firmware than 5.20 because they ruined the functionality when they added MQA since they needed to remove bunch of other stuff from XMOS firmware to make space for the MQA. At one point they half-promised to make a non-MQA update for it, but so far nothing... Wait, really? What functionality did they ruin? Admittedly I used the micro BL for 44/48Khz, not DSD256/DSD512... Link to post Share on other sites
asdf1000 645 Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 41 minutes ago, Veri said: Wait, really? What functionality did they ruin? Admittedly I used the micro BL for 44/48Khz, not DSD256/DSD512... Explained here: https://ifi-audio.com/mqa-firmware/ One firmware for MQA and a separate firmware for DSD512 support. Can't have both supported with one firmware with the iDSD BL. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Miska 3507 Posted February 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2019 Yeah, 705.6/768k PCM and DSD512 support is gone with the MQA. And so is S/PDIF output functionality. Not good for people who wish to use the device with HQPlayer. And I occasionally also use the S/PDIF output feature, especially on Nano iDSD which is not so great as a DAC. Unfortunately for example the corresponding product pages don't mention this... asdf1000 and Veri 1 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Shangri-La 3 Posted March 15, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 15, 2019 https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition-digital-processors The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is just listed as Stereophile's Class A DAC. Quite an achievement for a $400 DAC! Miska and asdf1000 1 1 Setup #1: GoldenEar Triton Reference --> Parasound Halo Integrated --> Allo DigiOne Signature Setup #2: ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 --> Akitika GT-102 --> ??? Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post left channel 494 Posted March 15, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, Shangri-La said: https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition-digital-processors The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is just listed as Stereophile's Class A DAC. Quite an achievement for a $400 DAC! Indeed. This is mostly based on their measurements, published with this month's review of the S2D. The review itself is rather basic. asdf1000 and Miska 1 1 Everyone wants to date my avatar. Link to post Share on other sites
Shangri-La 3 Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, left channel said: Indeed. This is mostly based on their measurements, published with this month's review of the S2D. The review itself is rather basic. Okay, no wonder I can't find the review on their website. Used to have subscription but not any more. Setup #1: GoldenEar Triton Reference --> Parasound Halo Integrated --> Allo DigiOne Signature Setup #2: ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 --> Akitika GT-102 --> ??? Link to post Share on other sites
Ottoa62 2 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 That is fantastic news on the S2D. Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf11 4329 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 I call for a DAC-off vs. the RME and Yggy Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Miska 3507 Posted March 15, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Shangri-La said: https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition-digital-processors The Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital is just listed as Stereophile's Class A DAC. Quite an achievement for a $400 DAC! It is a really good device and value for the money! asdf1000 and Shangri-La 2 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to post Share on other sites
Miska 3507 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Ralf11 said: I call for a DAC-off vs. the RME and Yggy RME wins before the start-line. 4est 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to post Share on other sites
mrmb 32 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Re. the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2A : Out of a small number of Amazon Verified Purchaser Reviews, several cite build quality issues. Especially those involving either power port's/USB port's "breaking"/"falling-off". I'm always wary about purchase reviews especially on Amazon. But there appears to be far too many of a limited sample, "verified" purchasers with the same issue. So, at the very least before purchasing, I would want to delve into this issue more to confirm that either the reviews on Amazon are abnormal, or Project has fixed the problem. -Mike Link to post Share on other sites
asdf1000 645 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Miska said: RME wins before the start-line. Even with the S2 DAC in the race? Or is that just RME vs Yggy? Link to post Share on other sites
left channel 494 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 1 hour ago, mrmb said: Re. the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2A : Out of a small number of Amazon Verified Purchaser Reviews, several cite build quality issues. Especially those involving either power port's/USB port's "breaking"/"falling-off". I'm always wary about purchase reviews especially on Amazon. But there appears to be far too many of a limited sample, "verified" purchasers with the same issue. So, at the very least before purchasing, I would want to delve into this issue more to confirm that either the reviews on Amazon are abnormal, or Project has fixed the problem. There have indeed been hardware and firmware issues galore, but it's still a very ambitious design for its price-point, and most owners seem very happy with it. There's a long thread on the product here, and more good info on head-fi, pinkfishmedia, and elsewhere. Everyone wants to date my avatar. Link to post Share on other sites
Miska 3507 Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 My unit is pretty early one. Maybe Pro-Ject has been trying different cost savings around the design over time, and not sure how consistent the QA has been. So with more expensive devices one would expect to get more consistent quality. Original design itself is very good though. Personally, I have generic dislike for micro-USB connectors after lot of experience from different devices. Problems are due to various mechanical design challenges. If you have a device with such, just avoid any physical stress to the connector. Doesn't affect electrical performance, but the mechanical durability is not so great. Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to post Share on other sites
Rinaldi 1 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 About iI audio products, the iDAC2 micro has the best performance as a desktop dac than the micro iDSD and the micro BL, some users of this forum and others and some friends have already compared and found the top idac2. Even ifi itself measures this by saying that it is desktop-oriented and the ones with a battery are portable for headphones. I have one in my system with Speakers Audio Monitor Silver 6 and integrated Sansui D11II with a great result, I had even considered buying the digital D50 or S2 but I am very satisfied with the idac2, now I am arranging an Uptone Regen because they say it is a perfect marriage with the dac of ifi. The SMSL SU-8 V2 looks very promising for the value it costs. Link to post Share on other sites
kelvinwsy 110 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I am testing out the SMSL VMV D1 dual ESS 9038Pro chip DAC. Really impressive so far. I would say beats my iFi iDSD BL overall. Still going through the comparision as the D1 is approaching 500 hours so should be burnt in. I have started a separate thread for the SMSL VMV D1 dac Kelvin Link to post Share on other sites
GeneZ 175 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 5:26 PM, Shangri-La said: I'm building a desktop system for computer and casual music listening (streaming and CD-ripped tracks). The speakers are ELAC Debut 2.0 bookshelf B6.2. Amp will be most likely the Akitika GT-102 which is a recent Stereophile Class B power amp at amamzingly $500. It's proabaly a bit overkill for the ELAC but it's too tempting to resist. Now I need a DAC. I was leaning towards the Musical Fidelity V-90, which was a Stereophile Class A DAC, which I assume will be enough for the new setup. But it's a 5-year old product and I'm hoping if there a are newer DACs around that perform nearly as well at a lower cost. Any sugguestions? Thanks. PS - I was also considering the PS audio Sprout 100 integrated amp, but believe the seperates will give me better sound. PPS - what about the Schiit Modi 3? It measures very well and gets a great review at audio science review. Just last night I got a newsletter from Stereophile. There was a link for 2019 recommended components ..... https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition I could not believe what I saw while reading through their Class A DAC list. There with some very expensive DACs listed. Then this name and price came up.. Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital: $399... Listed right before the Schiit Yggdrasil. It all depends upon in what dimension of life one finds themselves living in. For, one man's music is another man's noise. Link to post Share on other sites
asdf1000 645 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 3 hours ago, GeneZ said: Just last night I got a newsletter from Stereophile. There was a link for 2019 recommended components ..... https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition I could not believe what I saw while reading through their Class A DAC list. There with some very expensive DACs listed. Then this name and price came up.. Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital: $399... Listed right before the Schiit Yggdrasil. And JA commented in the measurements: Link to post Share on other sites
Shangri-La 3 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 17 hours ago, GeneZ said: Just last night I got a newsletter from Stereophile. There was a link for 2019 recommended components ..... https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition I could not believe what I saw while reading through their Class A DAC list. There with some very expensive DACs listed. Then this name and price came up.. Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital: $399... Listed right before the Schiit Yggdrasil. Yes, that is exactly my reactions when I first read it. Wonderful achievement for a 400 DAC. My desktop project in the original post is taking a back seat though, as I'm really enjoying the Akitika GT102 amp in my main system lol. Setup #1: GoldenEar Triton Reference --> Parasound Halo Integrated --> Allo DigiOne Signature Setup #2: ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 --> Akitika GT-102 --> ??? Link to post Share on other sites
Shangri-La 3 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 The full review is not posted on their website. Setup #1: GoldenEar Triton Reference --> Parasound Halo Integrated --> Allo DigiOne Signature Setup #2: ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 --> Akitika GT-102 --> ??? Link to post Share on other sites
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