Excellent. Now to sync your Bank Account (so it takes another decade to recover).We are syncing or agendas
Last edited:
My digital journey
- Thread starter Roby79
-
Start date
- Views 24,299
Chemman just left
We had a great time
So I try to compare what’s comparable
I mean there is no clue using the mind app as I don’t like it an will most likely not use it in the future
An even if I will sell the d280 it’s interesting comparing the 3 dacs
The d280 have actually a great dac good allrounder an consider you rule out the mind module we are talking about a 2k dac more less.
The spring was warmer more round way more bass ( maybe to much for me ) this was better after half an hour. There was still more bass but the end note got more controlled
This was really nice as we noticed after a while we were just listening we stopped comparing
The D2 wel that hase definitely more controle, more detail, mor crisp an a dryer bass little to dry ( this was close to perfect for my while adding the pulse. I really didn’t expect a transport could do that…. Still a bit to dry for my demo partner this was better for him using NOS mode that’s for him to explain)
It is more room filling voice is more in the room like close
The tracklist was
B Dylan: Man in the black coat
N Lofgren: Kieth don’t go
J James: ain’t no sunshine
G Porter: Hey Laura
D nauendorf: Gost town
A lot more but those we compared on the 3 dacs
My regrets if I can call it that way, is didn’t really listen to jazz an we didn’t test th 280D with the pulse
My conclusion
I like the detail the control and certainly the lively room filling of the D2 I mis some low-end although this is corrected by adding the pulse , this is an exceptional combination but at a cost
The hollo is a superb dac ass well very different warmer more roundy an les controlled depth this is better after let say an half an hour got more controlled
After that half hour I said I could easily live with that combo ( spring - pulse)
Only I suspect it’s not as good allrounder as the D2 on the other hand I’m kind of have that little voice “that roundy warmth was not that bad” while listening now…. But the pulse did a lot on the D2
On the end of the day I was thinking: Maybe get a pulse first an take more time to chose my final dac
I think I can say in the end we both agreed the dac of the 280D is actually very good
An getting a pulse first might be a good idea, have to think about that
Other thing if we had more time I would have tested some jazz like Miles or Chet or Diana and rock like Deep Purple, G&R, Led Zeppelin….
I had a great time hopefully more coming
I think the big question after today is I’m prepared to spend 11k on my digital endgame, but is the difference something around dubbel, worth it… from the superb combo I heard today
Yes for me an for my taste D2 - pulse is better but……..??????
Not that much an what is that difference worth … The real question how much is that worth for me
What I can say about the D2 yesterday I listened to P Gabriel: Don’t give up, the voice K Bush give me almost tears, this didn’t happen to me sinds a long time ( 10 y choosing amp & speakers)
We had a great time
So I try to compare what’s comparable
I mean there is no clue using the mind app as I don’t like it an will most likely not use it in the future
An even if I will sell the d280 it’s interesting comparing the 3 dacs
The d280 have actually a great dac good allrounder an consider you rule out the mind module we are talking about a 2k dac more less.
The spring was warmer more round way more bass ( maybe to much for me ) this was better after half an hour. There was still more bass but the end note got more controlled
This was really nice as we noticed after a while we were just listening we stopped comparing
The D2 wel that hase definitely more controle, more detail, mor crisp an a dryer bass little to dry ( this was close to perfect for my while adding the pulse. I really didn’t expect a transport could do that…. Still a bit to dry for my demo partner this was better for him using NOS mode that’s for him to explain)
It is more room filling voice is more in the room like close
The tracklist was
B Dylan: Man in the black coat
N Lofgren: Kieth don’t go
J James: ain’t no sunshine
G Porter: Hey Laura
D nauendorf: Gost town
A lot more but those we compared on the 3 dacs
My regrets if I can call it that way, is didn’t really listen to jazz an we didn’t test th 280D with the pulse
My conclusion
I like the detail the control and certainly the lively room filling of the D2 I mis some low-end although this is corrected by adding the pulse , this is an exceptional combination but at a cost
The hollo is a superb dac ass well very different warmer more roundy an les controlled depth this is better after let say an half an hour got more controlled
After that half hour I said I could easily live with that combo ( spring - pulse)
Only I suspect it’s not as good allrounder as the D2 on the other hand I’m kind of have that little voice “that roundy warmth was not that bad” while listening now…. But the pulse did a lot on the D2
On the end of the day I was thinking: Maybe get a pulse first an take more time to chose my final dac
I think I can say in the end we both agreed the dac of the 280D is actually very good
An getting a pulse first might be a good idea, have to think about that
Other thing if we had more time I would have tested some jazz like Miles or Chet or Diana and rock like Deep Purple, G&R, Led Zeppelin….
I had a great time hopefully more coming
I think the big question after today is I’m prepared to spend 11k on my digital endgame, but is the difference something around dubbel, worth it… from the superb combo I heard today
Yes for me an for my taste D2 - pulse is better but……..??????
Not that much an what is that difference worth … The real question how much is that worth for me
What I can say about the D2 yesterday I listened to P Gabriel: Don’t give up, the voice K Bush give me almost tears, this didn’t happen to me sinds a long time ( 10 y choosing amp & speakers)
Last edited:
Great to get your view - and it very much matches that of @ChemMan
My initial thoughts would be:
- I would not commit to a Source until the work has been done on your Amp. It "could" effect your decision.
- The Pulse will improve any DAC that is plugged into it - so could well be the first thing to get.
- Make sure the more detailed sound of the D2 doesn't become tiring after some time, on some recordings. Listen to some of your worst recordings
- Put the Avalons on their proper spikes (as noted by @liongate ) before making any decision
- Another course of action would be to get the Holo May (Level 2 or KTE) to try - then you could switch between genuine NOS and Oversampling (boosted by HQ Player if necessary), depending on mood and music. If keeping the TT, this could be a happy medium between the Spring and the D2.
Holo May L2........€5319 (with the Pulse is €580 cheaper than D2 alone)
Holo May KTE.....€6349 (with the Pulse is €450 more than the D2 alone)
Nb. You are right to worry about overloading your room with bass - and the upgraded 35i could affect this either way....Also, getting those Apex spikes fitted could have a marked effect on the Bass (probably making it tighter and deeper - which could help the Spring DAC).
My initial thoughts would be:
- I would not commit to a Source until the work has been done on your Amp. It "could" effect your decision.
- The Pulse will improve any DAC that is plugged into it - so could well be the first thing to get.
- Make sure the more detailed sound of the D2 doesn't become tiring after some time, on some recordings. Listen to some of your worst recordings
- Put the Avalons on their proper spikes (as noted by @liongate ) before making any decision
- Another course of action would be to get the Holo May (Level 2 or KTE) to try - then you could switch between genuine NOS and Oversampling (boosted by HQ Player if necessary), depending on mood and music. If keeping the TT, this could be a happy medium between the Spring and the D2.
Holo May L2........€5319 (with the Pulse is €580 cheaper than D2 alone)
Holo May KTE.....€6349 (with the Pulse is €450 more than the D2 alone)
Nb. You are right to worry about overloading your room with bass - and the upgraded 35i could affect this either way....Also, getting those Apex spikes fitted could have a marked effect on the Bass (probably making it tighter and deeper - which could help the Spring DAC).
Last edited:
You’re right
The work on the AMS is for the weekend of August 15
Hope it will not mess my amp sound
Because sinds I took it out of the rack, it’s back. I guess it just needed more breeding room
I looked in to Holo May as well more precisely the level 3 an the Katsunune edition (5700€ +- with pc an upgraded fuses)
The same version of the Spring is 3300€+-
One of my Next action will be take a trip to Heilo 230km Magna hifi stock both
Other thing that make me hesitate is I’m pretty sure I get a nice discount on the D2 not sur about Holo
This of course influence my decision process
Just talked to Alex an he suggest Spring - Pulse. He thinks the D2 is way to expensive
He is provably right…. He make me come back to reality for a sec will depend also on discount I get of course
@ChemMan I think I should pay you a visit see what the pulse could do on the Moon
If that good it really will give me some time to chose my dac
Last edited:
I would be completely amazed if the sound of your amp is messed up. It will sound the same, only much better (that sounds a bit Irish - but you know what I mean).
I think the May KTE has Silver wiring - and with the upgraded components - will keep the organic smoothness of the Spring, while getting closer to the the control and detail of the D2. IMV. Getting to hear one is essential if spending D2 money.
I think Alex makes sense re Pulse + Spring (it is very easy to get carried away)....Doing this would leave some spare cash for room treatment and speaker isolation....which could bring the biggest benefit of all, provided it's done by measuring what going on in your room acoustically and then correcting it.
Last edited:
For those who are interested ( use Google translate ) found this quite interesting on my journey
https://www.hifistudio79.nl/musician-r2r-multi-bit-ladder-dacs-vs-delta-sigma-dacs/
https://www.hifistudio79.nl/musician-r2r-multi-bit-ladder-dacs-vs-delta-sigma-dacs/
Nicely summed up at the end of the article:
"The sound of the Ladder DAC is more natural and musical in a sense, according to many, the Delta sigma is more direct and honest, which one is the best? Fortunately we do not have to make that choice, the best is the dac that you as a customer like best."
Yesterday at a moment I said if we could mix both dacs we would have a perfect dac
Based on what I read and of course taking it with some serious questions the May might just ad the controle an detail I was m slightly missing than again that miss disappeared after 30min an I was just enjoying the music
So this could be an option
Any way for now I keep all options open
What changed?
Well D2 is still the one but not all the time wel technically yes but today I’m thinking om some tracks the spring better match my taste on others the spring was to much overwhelming for me
I guess I will take that trip hopefully I can compare spring an May
Even if it’s not in my system it will give me an idea of what to expect
An maybe I can get some kind of arrangement if I drive over there an talk to the guy
IMO. To spend the money on the D2, it needs to "wipe the floor" with the cheaper competition in all areas ie. Not have areas where the Spring sounds better.
Correctly spec'd Acoustic treatment, along with the set up of the speakers improved - will take care of the worst of your bass issues.
Hue have no bass issue with the D2 that’s the only part where it’s a little to dry
The rest is damn amazing
Btw the D280 is kind kind of the same on the bass part
Maybe it’s a carateristic of the saberdac…
I've found the ESS D/A chips ‘bright’ compared to the more neutral AKM and slightly’dark’ BB/TI but they were in DACs from different manufacturers. It would be interesting to compare the top AKM and ESS versions of the ADI-2 DAC and the D90 because both manufacturers were forced to replace chips after the AKM fire but made no other changes...
How does having the spikes in place affect the Bass?
Is the Aqua DAC still on your list to try?
Didn’t do that yet
Hope Alex come by later in the afternoon I plan to do that finally
Have no experience with AKM
But Prima Luna had a BB an I enjoyed a lot the musicality of that dac
The node hase a BBas wel but is less detailed an dynamic as the PL
Moon & my AQ Dragon fly cobalt both have saber
Last edited:
I needed a break this evening
Wasn’t enjoying the music anymore
The exceptional sound of the D2 wasn’t there anymore. I Was tired, to much thinking, analysis… the music was far away
A headache overthinking everything.
Hopefully a fresh mind tomorrow
Because it’s the last day, an this device might be overpriced, it is truly special in the way what it does in my room how it fill it
Wasn’t enjoying the music anymore
The exceptional sound of the D2 wasn’t there anymore. I Was tired, to much thinking, analysis… the music was far away
A headache overthinking everything.
Hopefully a fresh mind tomorrow
Because it’s the last day, an this device might be overpriced, it is truly special in the way what it does in my room how it fill it
It is all to easy to get caught up in the analysis, the decision, the second guessing yourself and the worry about the cost - that you become too stressed to enjoy the music. This even happens with one's own system if not in the right frame of mind.
The joy of it, is you haven't spent any money.....yet. As this is your last day, make a coffee, sit back, put on some of your favourite music and forget about everything other than whether you are moved by what you hear.
There is a lot to happen before any decision is made:
- Your Speakers need to be put on their spikes
- Your Amp is to be upgraded
- Other DACs are to be tried, like the May and the Aqua
- Acoustic treatment to be sorted if necessary
Both you and Alex went through similar emotions 10 years ago and came out the other side with good decisions made. Remember:
1. The reason we put ourselves through this torture is to ensure, as far as possible, the right decision is made.
2. Stress and worry are both normal and useful. It's what makes you think very hard about spending serious money and thus not rushing in head first and regretting it. Sometimes the nagging worry is the brain's way of telling you "This is mad, so have a rethink".
3. You are not alone when making this decision. You have support, which is invaluable. In Brussels, both Alex and @ChemMan have a lot of knowledge and a good head on their shoulders.....Then there is the resource here - where there is huge knowledge, experience and a willingness to help. Every one of us has been there and got the T shirt.
4. The decision will become ever clearer as you go through the various stages. At the moment you are only about a quarter of the way through the process.
Last edited:
There is something I just start to réalise, one of the questions I need to sort out.. is
1 the closer sound to vinyl (warm, natural & organic) is at cost of some crisp an forwardness
How did I come to this I just played the same Bob Dylan Album "oh Mercy" true Qobuz (HR 96k) an than from the file stored on my Nas (44.1k) the result
the second one is warmer mor bas but more backwards less room filling
1 the closer sound to vinyl (warm, natural & organic) is at cost of some crisp an forwardness
How did I come to this I just played the same Bob Dylan Album "oh Mercy" true Qobuz (HR 96k) an than from the file stored on my Nas (44.1k) the result
the second one is warmer mor bas but more backwards less room filling
Similar threads
Share this page
Forum statistics
Latest Articles
-
Review Synthesis Roma 69DC DACSynthesis Roma 69DC DAC (£2,499) Review by Martin Virgo Introduction...
- Mr Underhill
- Updated:
- 12 min read
-
Review Meze 109pro ReviewMeze 109pro Open Back Headphones (£769) Martin Virgo Introduction...
- Mr Underhill
- Updated:
- 6 min read
-
Review Sound Artist LS3/5aSound Artist LS3/5a or System Building Review by Martin Virgo Sound...
- Mr Underhill
- Updated:
- 7 min read