RMAF 2011 Report - Digital Audio
For $1495 Wired4Sound’s M-INT delivers 100 watts per channel and has a DAC built around the 192.24 bit ESS Sabre chip. It uses the same asynchronous USB technology as W4S’s wonderful DAC-2, and is housed in a ½-width case.
Red Wine Audio’s Audez’e Edition DAC and headphone amplifier ($3950–$4900) was designed specifically to drive the Audez’e LCD-2 and LCD-3 planar headphones. With two unique digital converters on one board, you can change from 192/24 to 44.1 non-oversampling with the flip of a switch.
With a redesigned user interface, greater graphic and sonic flexibility, and changes “under the hood,” the Amarra 2.3 promises to be better-sounding than earlier versions. Amarra also unveiled a new bundling program with several manufacturers, including Bel Canto. With the purchase of a DAC the customer also gets a free copy of Amarra with 96/24 capabilities.
Can Jam Stand-Outs
Woo Audio went all out for this year’s Can Jam. Not only did it unveil a new $1099 WTP-1 CD transport and new $1099 WDS-1 D/A, but also $10,000 single-ended monoblock tube amplifiers. The WDS-1 DAC uses the PCM 1795 chip set, claims 115dB S/N, and supports 192/24 through its USB and S/PDIF inputs.
Write it; don’t say it. Schiit Audio showed its latest Mike Moffat-designed DAC, the $349 base-price Bifrost. It is unique due to its fully upgradeable design. For an extra $100 you can buy a user-installable USB input card that can be easily replaced when a newer implementation comes along. Even the main DAC processor board can be replaced when it gets long of tooth. Completely built in the USA with 192/24 capabilities and USB 2.0 compatibility, the Schiit Bifrost represents a super-value.
Steven Stone’s Best of Show
Best Large Room Sound.
My vote goes to the EMM/Kimber room on the lobby level. The combination of great source material from Ray Kimber’s Iso-Mike recordings, careful setup and implementation using Ed Meitner digital products and Pass Labs electronics, and well-controlled room acoustics made this the room that achieved the closest sound to live music.
Best Small Room Sound
This was tough. Best overall sound was a dead heat between Synergistic Research’s room 8030 with the YG Kipod II Signature speakers and Empirical Audio’s Iris room with the YG Kipod II Signature speakers.
Synergistic’s room included its new active FireWire 800 cable, “The Music Cable” DAC/cable all-in-one solution, SR’s Element Copper/Tungsten interconnect cable, Element copper/tungsten/silver speaker cables, PowerCell 10 SE Mk II AC device, and Enigma Mk II valve PowerCell AC device, Mach2 Music server, Esoteric C-03 Preamp, and full SR ART room treatment system.
The Empirical Audio system included the Empirical Audio Overdrive Ultra DAC, Balanced Power Technologies BPT CPC power conditioner, BPT PC-12NT and PC-9LNT power cords, BPT IC-SLT interconnects, BPT SC-6 signature PLUS speaker cables, GIK tri traps, Art Panels, and Q7D diffuser, and a Mach2 Music server.
Best Sound (for the money)
Again GR Research gets my vote. Its room featured the new GR-Research Super-V with granite finish, Dodd Audio Next Generation Battery Preamp, dB Audio Labs Next Generation 32-bit/192kHz Tranquility DAC, dB Audio Labs DAC Lithium ion battery supply, PI Audio Group UberBUSS, PI Audio Group BatteryBUSS, PI Audio Group ABB-2 Diffusers, PI Audio Group Room Treatments, PI Audio Group Mr. T Diffusers, Atomic Audio Manhattan Project Battery System, PI Audio Group Power Cables, Electra Speaker Cables, dB Audio Labs Next Generation bi-wire USB Cable, and again, a Mach2 Music server.
Greatest Bargain (individual product)
The Schitt BiFrost DAC with fully upgradeable/replaceable USB and DAC boards wins this category hands down. It’s the first budget USB DAC that won’t be obsolete in less than a year. For $349 w/o a USB card and $449 with, it makes you wonder why other manufacturers don’t offer obsolescence–proof DACs.
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Comments
Hello Steven,
To bad we missed eachother, we had the world premier of our new Multi Format Player at RMAF
Cheers
-Peder Beckman-
Electrocompaniet Inc.
I was in your room. And I'm sure I asked about new digital products...
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Also, this report, like any show report, written within 24 hours of the close of the show, is not going to include everything I saw and heard. The space requirement of the print version precludes this.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Hmmmm, perhaps I should have s/w you about writing that player up Peder!!!!
Michael Mercer
The Daily Swarm
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GREAT report as always Steven! You really have to hear and see (if you didn't catch it) Josh Heinser's Sonicweld Diverter (USB to SPDIF) as it's NO ordinary USB-SPDIF - it's a true work of art, both physically and sonically - I believe Josh is on the bleeding egde, and his craftmanship is second to none!! Was great seeing you too, even though it was brief!! My wife says you were very nice - thanX buddy...
Michael Mercer
The Daily Swarm
Positive Feedback
Steven Stone:
When you, Robert Harley and others from other publications began writing about "the coming age of computer audio," it struck me as being the ideal evolution in audio for me. Having been involved in the audio hobby since 1950 (I'm 75 now), and having continually upgraded to maintain a top rank system, I am at that point in my life where I especially enjoy private headphone listening.
I sold some of my Burmester equipment and purchased the Weiss DAC 202 and WOO Audio WES Head Phones amplifier and appropriate cables. My Stax phones are the SR 009 and 007.
At the recent RMAF I joined a few sophisticated hobbysts with two engineers/designers of DAC and the like, over a snack and soda discussing the Aurender S-10. An exhibitor was touting that this device would remove the computer (MAC) from the audio chain because the computer contributes audible levels of RTF, interference and noise to the signal.
If I understood the experts correctly, it was their view that in a system where the downloaded FLAC files are stored on an external HDD, then fed to the MAC Book Pro having an SSD (as in the demo/exhibit), then fed into the DAC 202, and then to the WES: the MAC is not processing the audio stream acting merely as a pass-thru, actually operating iTunes as the directory. If that understanding is correct, the negative contribution of the MAC would be inaudible at best. I should add that I assume that all power lines carrying noise was addressed and likewise the best cables were in use.
If you have not had any experience with the Aurender S-10, I would like you to keep this question in mind when you do get to that audition.
ADR
With files on a NAS any rendering device that is network aware has access to the files. Personally I see no more use for FLAC than ALS - why use ANY form of compression? I just keep files in native uncompressed - WAV or AIFF.
As for "bypassing the computer" - Most systems use the computer as a server which passes or streams along files to the renderer, such as the Weiss DAC or a Logitech Squeezebox.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steve,
If the computer is used "as a server which passes or streams along files to the renderer," would I be correct to assume that, except in the worst case situation, the computer (MacBook Pro) contributes little if any audible noise or distortion?
Art
ADR
Perhaps, Art...
Jitter is the issue. Anything that effects timing is jitter and there are many points in the digital audio chain where timing errors can occur. The source is one, the renderer is another.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steve,
In running the Weiss DAC 202 "Transparency Test," if my system "passed" the test, would that be a confirmation of low jitter?
I am anxious to read your review of the Aurender S-10 which has been represented to me as the "wonderkind" which will make my simple headphones only system even better. Franly, I am very skeptical. My limited headphones system: Burmester 948 Power conditioner, Weiss DAC 202, Stax SR 009 and 007 MK2, WOO Audio WES with upgraded internals and tubes, and MAC Book Pro with SSD, 8mb memory plus two external 2TB HDD for storage and backup.... and, rarely used, Burmester 001 CD player and preamp.
Frankly, my system as it presently stands is unbelievably "live" and convincing. I "feel the presence" of the performers. Can it be audibly better?
ADR
Hello across,
The transparency test makes sure that the files are "bit-perfect,"but does nothing to insure or guarantee low jitter.
I haven't reviewed the Aurrender S-10, or even heard of it.
Your system sounds as if it would be hard to better, but we audiophiles HAVE to try....
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steve, Yes we audiophiles DO have to try. But I have gone that route so many times with "top-of-the-line stuff" that a few years ago I sold much of my "treasure" to some Japanese friends to focus only on headphone listening. I think that at this moment in time I am at "Mt. Olympus!" At least I think so! If you are ever near Westport, CT, call and stop by. I'll even offer dinner when we are through!
ADR
Steven Stone -- Wed, 10/26/2011 - 07:39
With files on a NAS any rendering device that is network aware has access to the files. Personally I see no more use for FLAC than ALS - why use ANY form of compression? I just keep files in native uncompressed - WAV or AIFF.
==
Sound quality apart the WHOLE THING about computer audio is the improved access to one's library -- via meta data, which for most of us means FLAC and a superior GUI to iTunes such as Songbird.
I also don't bother with any compression. Aiff and Wav files are all I use.
As for superior GUIs, I'm still waiting...for open and more complete meta-data...
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Waiting for something else as good as Sooloos -- aren't we all.
I'm ecumenical or is that eclectic and run both religions -- PC for enhanced library browsing, MAC for ultimate fidelity.
'iTunes (and Pure Music) don't play FLAC files.' Steven in TAS while recommending PM. A stop-me-dead killer in the tail -- if it were true. Literally true, as PM converts FLAC files first. But THEN it plays them beautifully and without further hindrance.
I often get sound that has been (or currently is as good as the Sooloos in my home, at a fraction of the cost (though my system changes often). As an example, I found this computer audio rig more musical overall in its presentation than the Sooloos):
Macbook/iTunes + Amarra 2.3.2 into the Locus Design Nucleus USB cable (or Nordost Blue Heaven USB) into the Sonicweld USB-S/PDIF Diverter into the Weiss DAC, or, the new E.A.R DAC!! Now - this rig isn't cheap - but its not as pricey at Sooloos! NOT knockin it, its a killer system,
but the rig I described above played back recordings I produced (which is my ultimate acid test, as I was there and wrote the tracks and mixed them as well) in a far more enjoyable way, and sounded closer to the master to my ears - just IMO
Michael Mercer
The Daily Swarm
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