musicalsound Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Anyone is using DAD AX24 http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm for playing back SACD or DXD or 24/192 music files? Any experience to share? How is it connected to your computer or SACD transport? Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Hi musicalsound - In know a couple people who've used one, but, I don't have the specifics for you. One of my contacts will be getting one of these pretty soon as a demo unit. I'll let you know once I can talk to him about the unit at length. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Purite Audio Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Chris Hi I am going to borrow one of these in the next week or so, they look interesting, capable of handling DSD and DXD! I think they have a tie-up with 'Merging' who make the Pyramix station. Link to comment
musicalsound Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 Hey Coops. Any updates on your experience with AX24? I've recently purchased the Korg MR-1000 to playback DSD or 24/192 files and having a lot of fun with it. Planning to do some recording to DSD with this portal device in the future. Link to comment
einaro Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Hi, I had some of the same questions as you a few weeks back and I got in touch with Digital Audio Denmark directly. I have added the communication I had with them regarding their DAD AX24 converter. Hope it helps. einaro: I'm only interested in the 2channel DA converter (192kHz) for my computer playback system, and I am wondering which kind of cards I need to attach my PC to connect the ax24. You have mentioned some cards on your web site, DAD I/O, but it doesn't say what kind of cards they are. PCI? PCI Express? DAD: I would recommend that you connect via AES/EBU. The AX24 has an AES/EBU DAD I/O module available. For your PC (windows or OSX ??) you also need an AES/EBU card. I assume you want to go all the way to 192 kHz. It you only need 96 kHz, S/PDIF is also an option. Our DAD I/O modules are not related to PCI or PCI express standard since the interface module is used in the AX24 Converter System. Which card you need in your PC depends on the type you have. I would however expect that PCI express would be most relevant. Various card are available from other manufacturers. I often recommend the Lynx AES-16 card. einaro: And you assumed right, I want to go all the way to 192kHz (and maybe even DSD/DXD in the future) and PCI express card is the most relevant since I have those slots in my PC (windows). So I guess the Lynx AES-16 is the most relevant for me and my purpose. If I choose to upgrade later to your DSD/DXD module, will I need to upgrade to a different PC card as well? Are there any cards and playback software available that will support DSD/DXD ? DAD: Regarding DXD Mergings Pyramix DAW is the only system that can handle this. This DAW works very fine, and is also available in a native version. No one else is supporting DXD, but the Lynx card and the DAD AES/EBU module will at some time be able to interface dual wire 354,8 and 384 kHz, using 172,4 and 192 kHz AES format. Link to comment
flat6 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hi einaro, do you know if DAD AX24 (when configured as a 2 channel DA converter) is able to upsample 16/44kHz or 24/96kHz files to DXD or DSD? Link to comment
einaro Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I believe there is no upsampler in the DAD ax24. If you want to upsample your files to DXD/DSD you can do that using dedicated software, e.g. Weiss Saracon. Link to comment
Voltron Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 First of all, Chris, thanks for this great site! I am trying to get a Mac-based music server going and this site has given me a lot of answers already. I have been interested in the Alpha DAC, some Weiss options, and the DAD AX24, and especially the AX24 because it combines AD + DA in one box. I want the AD capability to digitize vinyl in hi-rez. So, my question for the moment is whether you have managed to try out the AX24 yet and if so what you think of it for an audiophile computer setup compared to the Alpha and Weiss DACs? Thanks in advance for any input you or anyone else can offer! Link to comment
DSD_mastering Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 The AX24 is a great unit for AD/DA. We think it's the best A/D out there now for DXD/DSD. We also have the EMM Labs/Meitner converters. We did the "Jun Fukamachi - At the Steinway" CD for FIM, recording direct-cut vinyl using the AX24 in DXD mode. The turntable was the Rockport Siruis III and 2 different cartridges were used. There are a number of interface modules, but for DXD/DSD, the only modules that work are the MADI and SDIF. We connect the SDIF to the Tascam DV-RA1000HD to use as an outboard converter. Sounds awesome! Regards, Link to comment
Voltron Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Thanks Bruce. I have read your other posts about that experience and think it is very encouraging. I have not read the manual yet or the like, but do you think that the AX24 is workable for a computer-literate but not expert audiophile on a Mac system? It would seem that levels and the like are set through software, and I don't have pro tools or such so I assume I would just use the DADMan software with the RS232 interface to the Mac. Is that right? It seems complex to me compared to pushing some buttons and turning knobs, but maybe it is not all that involved. Link to comment
DSD_mastering Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 The DADMan software will only allow you to change samplerates, I/O configuration and a couple other things. The only levels that it will allow you to do are if you have the mic pre option. You'll need to change levels in the software you use. The AES/EBU is the most convenient option to get the signal in/out of your computer. Regards, Link to comment
Voltron Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I was not being precise because it is the mic preamp levels that I was thinking about. I plan to use Pure Vinyl software from Channel D, which allows you to go direct from your cartridge into the A/D so long as you can raise the gain on the signal enough using a mic preamp or other method. The software applies the RIAA curves in the digital realm so as to take out other variables and potential "errors" when doing the A/D on the other side of a standard phono stage. It also takes out the sound of the phono stage, and since I quite like mine I intend to compare and contrast the digital method with doing the A/D after the phono stage. I was just wondering about using the software to set the levels from record to record when using the AX24 with the mic preamp option, and ultimately my question is whether a non-pro audio guy like myself would be comfortable using that type of system. Thanks for your patience. Link to comment
Voltron Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I think I caught you when you were busy upgrading the site and doing other things, Chris, but I am still curious whether you ended up having any experience with the AX24 whether in your system or at your friend's. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. In other news, I am hoping to see Amarra in action because I happen to live near their offices! Thanks again for this great resource that already has given me exposure to some great options for computer audio upgrades! Cheers, Al Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Hi Al - The AX24 stuff got put on hold for a few reasons I won't mention here :~) I will let you know if I wind up spending any time with one of the DACs. I highly recommend checking out Amarra. The people at Sonic Studio are really cool as well! Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Voltron Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Thanks Chris, I will keep my eye out. I am hoping to audition the AX24, the Alpha DAC, and some Weiss gear at home soon. I definitely intend to stop by Sonic Studio and enjoyed speaking to John on the phone a great deal. Cheers, Al Link to comment
bigamp Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Is the DAD AX24 still available in the US??? I read that DAD was acquired last year. Both US suppliers named on the DAD web site no longer advertise for DAD products. Link to comment
bigamp Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Whoops! I see now that Vintage King does advertise for DAD products... Link to comment
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