edwardsean Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 This move to the SRC-DX has really been interesting. I used to use it with my DAVE (+SeanJacobs PS), but then I got an Innous Phoenix and switched to USB. I’ve really been pleased with the Phoenix. Sine the Phoenix is designed for USB, I never thought to try and go from server to Phoenix to SRC-DX to DAVE BNC. Does that make sense to even attempt? Link to comment
edwardsean Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 From the response, I'm moving to purchase the SRC-DX again. However, I remember that I wasn't too happy with the quality of the included BNC cables. So, I'm looking into better cables. Please let me know some suggestions. I don't think I want to spend more than the price of the SRC-DX for the pair, so around $500. Thanks! Link to comment
Popular Post edwardsean Posted July 9, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 9, 2021 The psychology of audiophiles is such an interesting thing. Sometimes, your system sounds so good you can’t imagine how an upgrade will improve it. Then you upgrade and you can’t imagine going back. Yeah… the SRC-DX into Dave’s dual BNC (bypassing the USB chipset) is for real. I wasn’t unhappy with my system a week ago. And, still, the combination of PGGB and SRC-DX made quite a sizeable jump in SQ in a short span of time. For the tests I used PGGB 16fs processed files, 32bit for USB and 24bit for BNC. I first tested the optical feed out of my server straight into Dave’s USB against straight SRC-DX into Dave’s BNC. The SRC-DX>BNC path immediately emerged as better, more clear and precise. Bringing my Innuos Phoenix back into the USB chain brought a smoother, more spacious and detailed sound, but still lacked the substance and definition of the SRC-DX>BNC. On the other hand, the SRC-DX>BNC seemed a bit raw and unrefined compared to the USB chain w/Phoenix. It would be tough to choose one over the other. Adding the Phoenix into the SRC-DX>BNC chain was just so—many—good—things. Like PGGB, the resulting image was larger, more precise and focused with better separation, while generating a smoother, denser, more analog render. After using PGGB the textures/timbres could never feel malnourished, but it is like they now went to the gym. The sound was even more muscular, and also disciplined, reflexive, and lithe. I thought maybe I could lose the Phoenix if I went into Dave’s BNC, but @Gavin1977and @Fourlegs were right. Whatever the Innuos does, in terms of better power and signal regeneration, benefits SQ, it seems, regardless of input protocol. Not that you need a Phoenix, but as we all learn, the quality of the upstream signal matters to the components you feed. PGGB files and a high quality signal feeding the SRC-DX into Dave’s BNC is transformative. So, I join my voice to the chorus of praise for PGGB > SRC-DX > BNC Dave+SJ PS (DC3 in my case). Among these units, the SJ power supplies and even Phoenix are spendy. However, PGGB and SRC-DX comprise an enormously outsized value proposition. I still haven’t upgraded my computer, so I’m producing PGGB files on a MacBook Pro (Bootcamp). It took 3-4 days of solid non-stop crunching for it to convert my library. I just wiped my external drive and all that work was erased in a second. It’s now busy repopulating the drive with 24bit versions for SRC-DX>BNC. My poor little Mac. I think you’re going to be pretty busy these days until we get you a big brother. So, fellas, what are we upgrading next? NoNaim, Fourlegs, EagleKent and 3 others 3 3 Link to comment
edwardsean Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 1 hour ago, MarkusBarkus said: The guys on Head-Fi will turn into Head-Explosion-Fi if you say it, but: Dave sounds better (to me) when you by-pass Amanero USB workflow into Dave. Even single BNC input via a converter. Better with DC-4 mod too, but...shhhh... I guess we’ll see soon enough. I’m originally from Headfi (hold for gasps) and I can’t not share all of this with the folks “back home.” 10 minutes ago, Middy said: The thing thats so nice is anything short of a BNC out like a world clock..all the upstream USB chain stays in place... feeding the DX... I know what you mean Markus..it seems that bit better Fields of gold by Eva that bit intimate sharp but smooth... Nancy Sinatra.. Janis Ian at 17... Lovely..another few millimetres in the right direction... Also, It’s so nice to be free of the squealing and loud bursts of white noise that came with 768 over USB. Eva… ahhh…. Such a loss. It makes that track so preternaturally poignant. Middy 1 Link to comment
Popular Post edwardsean Posted July 9, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 9, 2021 43 minutes ago, MarkusBarkus said: ...I know, I know, I'm over there too. And honestly, I should have written "some guys" will flip their lids. I like it over there too. Actually, no one nuked me when I described Dave as an excellent platform from which to tune a bit. I am a Chord supporter and owner of a few lusty objects of aural desire... Yeah, luckily, the guys on the Headfi Dave thread are super chill and don’t have strong opinions (huge grin). MarkusBarkus and Middy 2 Link to comment
Popular Post edwardsean Posted July 15, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2021 It seems like Audiowise and PGGB are partnering together in some ways, and I just think that's fantastic. The combination is incredibly strong. And, in the audiophile world, what a value they are. NoNaim and Middy 2 Link to comment
edwardsean Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 1 hour ago, NoNaim said: I’d imagine the USB cable is going to influence the outcome as well as BNC cables. More so the USB though. I have to say I think the SRC-DX is one of the best value for money upgrades, especially with dual BNC Chord DACs. Both USB and BNC cables make a large difference. It’s hard to estimate which makes the bigger difference, but both are worth the investment. I’m using a Sablon 2020 for the USB. However, if your configuration physically allows for you to use Uptone’s USPCB, it is a cheap way to get a very clean, high quality connection. That way you could concentrate on the BNC cables until you’re ready to upgrade the USB. The SRC-DX does represent a great value against other DDCs. If you need multiple I/Os then, of course, its not the solution for you. However, if you need dual BNC for Chord DACs, it is the only solution. Middy 1 Link to comment
edwardsean Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 3 hours ago, Music123 said: I like to thank everyone for sharing their experience with the SRC-DX. I was excited to find out about the SRC-DX because it made the dual-BNC connection of the Chord DAC accessible to those who did not buy an MScaler. I also felt that HQPlayer plus a powerful PC could be better than an MScaler, but we lacked the dual BNC connection until SRC-DX came into the picture. So, without hesitation, I purchased the SRC-DX. And later on, when I learned about the Opto-DX, I added that to the equipment chain. Have you tried PGGB? It's worth trying and see what you think compared to HQP. Link to comment
Popular Post edwardsean Posted December 18, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted December 18, 2021 In short, both HQP and PGGB attempt an algorithmic reconstruction of the original analog waveform. HQP focuses more DSD and PGGB on wav files. I really like HQP, but I have to say that I think PGGB does a better job of creating a more detailed and palpable experience of the music. I wrote up a mini-review of my experience if you're interested. https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/62699-a-toast-to-pggb-a-heady-brew-of-math-and-magic/page/28/#elControls_1144218_menu Of course any technical explanation is best left up to the designer. https://www.remastero.com/pggb.html NanoSword and Music123 1 1 Link to comment
edwardsean Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 I have my files on a 2TB SSD. It does require effort for the conversion, but for me, once I heard the results I knew it would be worth it. You should just give the free trial a spin, if even just for kicks. MoVa70 1 Link to comment
edwardsean Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 I've found PGGB on Win is significantly faster than on Mac. That might be due to the ability of Win to use large paging files. So, I'm using PGGB on a Bootcamp partition on my Mac and I've found it worth the effort. Don't know what I'm going to do when I upgrade my Mac to an M1 or M2 chip. Link to comment
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