The KillerDAC Audio forum
KillerDac => General Information => Topic started by: bhobba on May 29, 2011, 12:52:40 PM
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Hi Guys
Now I have sorted out my source - a modified Hiface - I have to bite the bullet and get myself a Killer Dac to go along with my PDX. Those Phillips double crowns are simply amazing with the music I listen to. I was going to sell my WFS to check out another Saber based DAC - either the Andedio or the one John Kenny is working on - but really I am only kidding myself - it wont be up to the standard of the PDX or Killer. If I am going to get another DAC it really should be the Killer. So guys what's the best way to go about getting one. I have no doubt Clay (Mikes tech) can fit in the modified Hiface so getting a DAC without an input chip etc etc may be the go. Also with battery power available from the Hiface Steve Garland may like to run some other things off the battery. Steve may prefer to fit the Hiface himself - I am open to suggestions. A little birdy told me Steve may also be interested in checking one of these Hifaces out so this could be the perfect way of doing that.
Anyway guys what do you suggest is the best way to start this journey off?
Thanks
Bill
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Well Bill you started in the right place.
Steve will no doubt chime in and sort you out. As far as adding the hiface, I'm pretty sure that Steve can accomodate.
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Good stuff Bill.
Steven doesnt make many. Best bet is to give him a ring, pm him if you dont have his number.
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Well Bill you started in the right place. Steve will no doubt chime in and sort you out. As far as adding the hiface, I'm pretty sure that Steve can accomodate.
Good stuff Bill. Steven doesnt make many. Best bet is to give him a ring, pm him if you dont have his number.
Hi Hens and Osmillsy
Don't know his number. I am sure Mike does and either he can pass it onto me or give him a tingle himself. But like Hens said I think he will likely chime in now I have posted I want one so wont bug him with a phone call right now. But if say in a week or so he hasn't chimed in I will give him a tingle.
Thanks
Bill
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Well Bill you started in the right place. Steve will no doubt chime in and sort you out. As far as adding the hiface, I'm pretty sure that Steve can accomodate.
Good stuff Bill. Steven doesnt make many. Best bet is to give him a ring, pm him if you dont have his number.
Hi Hens and Osmillsy
Don't know his number. I am sure Mike does and either he can pass it onto me or give him a tingle himself. But like Hens said I think he will likely chime in now I have posted I want one so wont bug him with a phone call right now. But if say in a week or so he hasn't chimed in I will give him a tingle.
Thanks
Bill
It will be a long wait bill many others waiting for a demo,regarding the hiface not to sure about that one bill,however once you get one you can always put one in.I doubt it will make it as a kd standards transport imho
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It will be a long wait bill many others waiting for a demo,regarding the hiface not to sure about that one bill,however once you get one you can always put one in.I doubt it will make it as a kd standards transport imho
Hi Mario
Is that demo or being built? I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the modified Hiface driving a Killer. But don't take my word for it - there are a couple efforts underway to find out exactly how it does perform.
Thanks
Bill
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It will be a long wait bill many others waiting for a demo,regarding the hiface not to sure about that one bill,however once you get one you can always put one in.I doubt it will make it as a kd standards transport imho
Hi Mario
Is that demo or being built? I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the modified Hiface driving a Killer. But don't take my word for it - there are a couple efforts underway to find out exactly how it does perform.
Thanks
Bill
one is been built now but its not staying in australia its off on a holiday,regarding bill i know somebody that listened to it at mikes they are still keeping their cd94 ;D we are after body with no whiteness in the sound without digital glare
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one is been built now but its not staying in australia its off on a holiday,regarding bill i know somebody that listened to it at mikes they are still keeping their cd94 ;D we are after body with no whiteness in the sound without digital glare
I am pretty sure I know who you are speaking of. And they are not the only one. But others such as myself have a different view - to our ears it sounds very analogue without the slightest trace of digititis. Transports are flat and distorted by comparison. A very careful listening test of some piano in the Dianna Krall Live In Paris album demonstrated it clearly. That's why it needs to be checked out by others and on other DAC's as well. But even aside from that I listen exclusively to computer audio. Since this is the best digital source I know it more or less means it is what I will be using.
Thanks
Bill
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one is been built now but its not staying in australia its off on a holiday,regarding bill i know somebody that listened to it at mikes they are still keeping their cd94 ;D we are after body with no whiteness in the sound without digital glare
I am pretty sure I know who you are speaking of. And they are not the only one. But others such as myself have a different view - to our ears it sounds very analogue without the slightest trace of digititis. Transports are flat and distorted by comparison. A
Thanks
Bill
you have still to hear a great transport bill against the jkenny on a revealing system
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you have still to hear a great transport bill against the jkenny on a revealing system
I don't think the issue is the transport. I think the issue is some very experienced ears preferred the transport while other equally experienced ears preferred the Hiface. While not in the very experienced camp I vastly preferred the Hiface - there was clear distortion in piano and greater detail such as being able hear its foot pedals. After experiencing this I am mystified by the preference for the transport. I now have the Hiface equipped PDX in my system and have to tell you initially I and a friend had a problem with it - it seemed a bit 'bright'. But after more listening I realize it is not bright or glary or anything like that. It is simply letting more detail through in a way that gives it a lot more life and realism. I also have to say my friend does not agree with this - he thinks it is digital glare and brightness. Next time he is down my way we will resume our investigations - by that time I will have my ML3 References which may shed more light on what is going on. I am finding the more I listen to the JK equipped DAC the more I like it.
Thanks
Bill
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you have still to hear a great transport bill against the jkenny on a revealing system
It is simply letting more detail through in a way that gives it a lot more life and realism. I also have to say my friend does not agree with this - he thinks it is digital glare and brightness.
Thanks
Bill
your friend is spot on digital glare and brightness
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your friend is spot on digital glare and brightness
to be fair mario, you havent heard it yet.
I would like to try the JKhiface with i2s, and compare it to a hotrodded cd94. We'll see, I'm trying to keep an open mind.
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your friend is spot on digital glare and brightness
to be fair mario, you havent heard it yet. I would like to try the JKhiface with i2s, and compare it to a hotrodded cd94. We'll see, I'm trying to keep an open mind.
Exactly what is going on is unclear right now. My investigations indicate it is letting through more detail and 'life' with less distortion, but that others have a different view gives me pause. I am sure it will become clearer over time.
Thanks
Bill
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Hi All
Actually with regard to the Killer what the go probably is, is to get it with an I2S input and get the John Kenny in a separate box for connection to either the PDX or Killer. Do you know if Steve has any preferred I2S connection method? Mike likes three BNC connectors. Anyone else have any views on this?
Thanks
Bill
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Hi All
Actually with regard to the Killer what the go probably is, is to get it with an I2S input and get the John Kenny in a separate box for connection to either the PDX or Killer. Do you know if Steve has any preferred I2S connection method? Mike likes three BNC connectors. Anyone else have any views on this?
Thanks
Bill
We are currently looking at various USB -> I2S options.
Obviously it has to tick all the technical boxes, but more importantly it must not be a sonic step down compared to the best transports.
Terry
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We are currently looking at various USB -> I2S options. Obviously it has to tick all the technical boxes, but more importantly it must not be a sonic step down compared to the best transports.
Hi Terry
Just heard that from another source. Sounds like a good idea to postpone getting one until that is sorted out.
Thanks
Bill
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No Bill, if you really want to get one, order it (i.e. ask Steven nicely) as soon as possible, this is not something you can get at anytime, you can always install tbe USB to I2S transport when the R&D is done.
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No Bill, if you really want to get one, order it (i.e. ask Steven nicely) as soon as possible, this is not something you can get at anytime, you can always install tbe USB to I2S transport when the R&D is done.
Yes - very good points. However I after thinking about it, and chatting to some friends, they all think its best to wait until the USB issue is sorted out - especially considering that's the only input I use - I don't even have a transport.
Thanks
Bill
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Hey Bill,
Your considering antying up for a KD, an extra $1500 for a decent modded transport shouldn't hurt too much. Buy some blank CD's and start burning. In my opinion for what little it's worth, is this music computer stuff is still a long way away from being worth the effort. Do you think that with the rubbish standard of computer gear these days that any of the computer manufacturers can be bothered to develop some decent chip sets that can rival the best of the past? It's looking like that is a wishful thinking to me.
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Your considering antying up for a KD, an extra $1500 for a decent modded transport shouldn't hurt too much. Buy some blank CD's and start burning. In my opinion for what little it's worth, is this music computer stuff is still a long way away from being worth the effort. Do you think that with the rubbish standard of computer gear these days that any of the computer manufacturers can be bothered to develop some decent chip sets that can rival the best of the past? It's looking like that is a wishful thinking to me.
Hi Gamve
For me computer audio is now the only way to go. To my ears with the JK interface it blows away any transport we have access to up here by a margin so wide its a joke. Mike held your view and poo pooed me when I insisted my Level 2 PDX use a JK modified Hiface and basically said what you said. Well he has now turned 180% - computer audio is the new reference - and by a wide margin. Previous to hearing JK equipped PDX's the Killer DAC was the best DAC I had ever heard just pipping a Level 2 PDX. But with a JK any PDX bests a Killer. Caveat here - this is of course from memory. The real test will of course be in a direct comparison. There are efforts afoot to bring this about and once that has been done things will be a lot clearer - but I am quietly confident (well not so quietly actually). I now have my JK Level 2 PDX in my system. The combination of that, my Leben, and ML3 Reference, blows me away every time I hear it.
Thanks
Bill
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Has Craig C heard this JKenny PDX? Does he support the wide margin view?
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"But with a JK any PDX bests a Killer"
Jeez Bill thats a big statement. I'm not here to bait you, I was just sharing my thoughts on PC based audio at this current point in time. I have not heard a PDX and I have not ever heard a PC interface that makes music. I tried all the obvious stuff quite a while back...load the play list and the playback software into a RAM virtual drive (so there are no moving parts and no hard drive access needed) and use a sound card that interferes as little as possible getting the sound out to a external DAC (think I was using a full blown BYOB Altmann DAC back then). Put the PC in another room and another power circuit.....it all still sounded very digital to me......pissed me off so much I only played records and tapes for months after that exercise.... :D
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Has Craig C heard this JKenny PDX? Does he support the wide margin view?
I am pretty sure I mentioned previously some disagree with this and while I didn't mention names before I don't think Craig minds his name being mentioned as one that didn't agree with it. But I can assure you they are in the minority and some of that majority include people who many would say have golden ears. Who is right? We will find out. But from my viewpoint, since I can hear a significant difference that's good enough for me.
Thanks
Bill
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Your considering antying up for a KD, an extra $1500 for a decent modded transport shouldn't hurt too much. Buy some blank CD's and start burning. In my opinion for what little it's worth, is this music computer stuff is still a long way away from being worth the effort. Do you think that with the rubbish standard of computer gear these days that any of the computer manufacturers can be bothered to develop some decent chip sets that can rival the best of the past? It's looking like that is a wishful thinking to me.
Hi Gamve
But with a JK any PDX bests a Killer. Caveat here - this is of course from memory. The real test will of course be in a direct comparison.
Thanks
Bill
Hey bill take your pdx hiface jump on a plane and go to wentworthfalls or come to perth rockingham then you will understand what the killer dac does on a real system which people spent years tuning not of the shelf bought hifi crap.
while your in wentworthfalls visit ozmillsy and run against his killer tuned by ear and months of it on some sgr goodness.Caveat here is people that are valve lovers adimired what andrew done with his sgr's (well done oz ;) )
if your pdx wins then we will all buy one we are after music afterall
ps:i wont buy one i will just make one
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Jeez Bill thats a big statement. I'm not here to bait you, I was just sharing my thoughts on PC based audio at this current point in time. I have not heard a PDX and I have not ever heard a PC interface that makes music. I tried all the obvious stuff quite a while back...load the play list and the playback software into a RAM virtual drive (so there are no moving parts and no hard drive access needed) and use a sound card that interferes as little as possible getting the sound out to a external DAC (think I was using a full blown BYOB Altmann DAC back then). Put the PC in another room and another power circuit.....it all still sounded very digital to me......pissed me off so much I only played records and tapes for months after that exercise.... :D
Yes it is a big statement and not one I make lightly. Until the JK and Audiophello, to be blunt about it, your appraisal was correct - the better transports simply blew away computer audio. As I said Mike Lenehan was just as skeptical as you - maybe even more so. He openly scoffed at me for going the computer route - and on a sound quality basis he was right. But with the JK and Adiophello to many ears things are now different. I know that things are in train to try and get one of these battery modified Hiface infused PDX out there so people can check it out for themselves.
Thanks
Bill
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Hey bill take your pdx hiface jump on a plane and go to wentworthfalls or come to perth rockingham then you will understand what the killer dac does on a real system which people spent years tuning not of the shelf bought hifi crap.while your in wentworthfalls visit ozmillsy and run against his killer tuned by ear and months of it on some sgr goodness.Caveat here is people that are valve lovers adimired what andrew done with his sgr's (well done oz ;) )if your pdx wins then we will all buy one we are after music afterall ps:i wont buy one i will just make one
I think I have also mentioned once the Killer gets infused with a JK or something similar then my gut tells me it will best the PDX. Things are in train to do something similar to what you suggest and things will be a lot clearer in time. BTW are you suggesting the PDX is off the shelf bought Hi Fi crap - its not tuned to an individuals system - and I have already stated my gut feeling that when fed with the same JK source the Killer will pip the PDX - but off the shelf crap it most certainly is not eg it contains Ribbontek cables internally - off the shelf stuff contains nothing like that.
Thanks
Bill
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pdx is built to a price the kd is not.your leben is built to a price my amp or steves is not.the laben is of the shelf hifi crap built to a price have a look inside it.
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All right, I have read this whole thread and it somehow doesn't seem to make sense to me.
If I had the finances to have a KDAC made for me, I cannot imagine I would start a thread on the KDAC forum expecting "the man" to come looking for me.
I most certainly would not use it as a vehicle to tout the superiority of a competitive product, which seems to be happening here.
I find it difficult to imagine why, when firmly convinced (seemingly) that a JKmodHiface equipped PDX bests any KDAC, one might want to order/commission a KDAC.
I smell a trojan horse, a subterfuge to promote the PDX on the KDAC forum.
That, I consider very poor form.
My opinion solely, but based on the evidence in this thread.
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All right, I have read this whole thread and it somehow doesn't seem to make sense to me.
If I had the finances to have a KDAC made for me, I cannot imagine I would start a thread on the KDAC forum expecting "the man" to come looking for me.
I most certainly would not use it as a vehicle to tout the superiority of a competitive product, which seems to be happening here.
I find it difficult to imagine why, when firmly convinced (seemingly) that a JKmodHiface equipped PDX bests any KDAC, one might want to order/commission a KDAC.
I smell a trojan horse, a subterfuge to promote the PDX on the KDAC forum.
That, I consider very poor form.
My opinion solely, but based on the evidence in this thread.
KILLER POST
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well worded reply audiophool! i totally agree.. shame on you bill :-*
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Whew. This whole thing seems to have gone way off track. I was not using this as a trojan horse. My original post outlined exactly what was going on - no hidden agenda's - simply a desire to get a Killer DAC and asking the best way to go about it. Zenelectro responded investigations are underway to sort out the USB issue, which I had heard elsewhere, and I decided to delay getting one until it is sorted out. I am not touting the superiority of the PDX - I have specifically stated the Killer DAC is the best I have ever heard - it is only the JK infusion of the PDX that lifts it above the Killer - and once it gets something similar it will likely be top dog again. I think everyone involved should take a deep breath and stop trying read more into things than intended.
The only reason I even mentioned my view about the PDX with JK was in response to the comment computer audio is not up to scratch. I felt I had respond to that.
Thanks
Bill
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it is only the JK infusion of the PDX that lifts it above the Killer - and once it gets something similar it will likely be top dog again. I think everyone involved should take a deep breath and stop trying read more into things than intended.
The only reason I even mentioned my view about the PDX with JK was in response to the comment computer audio is not up to scratch. I felt I had respond to that.
Thanks
Bill
jk infusion suddenly makes the pdx 2 a super dac?
hey bill are you ready for a shootout between kd and pdx 2?
kdac and cd94 or wadia modded vs jkhiface and pdx2 in sydney on steven valves system
i will put money on the kdac
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jk infusion suddenly makes the pdx 2 a super dac? hey bill are you ready for a shootout between kd and pdx 2?kdac and cd94 or wadia modded vs jkhiface and pdx2 in sydney on steven valves system i will put money on the kdac
Hi Mario
Obviously a JK infusion doesn't make any change to the DAC - it does not make the PDX a 'super dac'. What it does is provide a better source. As I have mentioned previously I was there when a comparison was made to a Wadia and the JK. Piano's were distorted on the transport and detail like foot pedals were absent. That is what made the difference.
I think what you suggest or something similar will happen anyway without my involvement. Of course if anyone wants to come up here with any DAC at all and compare it to my DAC feel free. I am confident once a careful listen to the Dianna Krall In Paris track is done they will reach the same conclusion.
I think we are getting way off the purpose of my original post. I am happy to continue it but I think it should be in a different thread if anyone wants to start one.
Thanks
Bill
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jk infusion suddenly makes the pdx 2 a super dac? hey bill are you ready for a shootout between kd and pdx 2?kdac and cd94 or wadia modded vs jkhiface and pdx2 in sydney on steven valves system i will put money on the kdac
Hi Mario
As I have mentioned previously I was there when a comparison was made to a Wadia and the JK. Piano's were distorted on the transport and detail like foot pedals were absent. That is what made the difference.
I think what you suggest or something similar will happen anyway without my involvement. Of course if anyone wants to come up here with any DAC at all and compare it to my DAC feel free.
Thanks
Bill
dont worry about a different thread (i am a moderator)
the wadia you heard is stock nothing like steves wadia or my cd94,bill you have no idea how much difference their is between modded wadia/cd94 and stock units.
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I'm always ready to catch all the unwanted Wadia WT3200 and Marantz CD94 ;D
Bill, when you have time you might want to listen again to the kdac, it's been a while since you listened to one and I think not many people have an exceptional audio memory. After you listen and compare both dacs directly, then it's fair to say which one you like most ;)
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Has Craig C heard this JKenny PDX? Does he support the wide margin view?
I am pretty sure I mentioned previously some disagree with this and while I didn't mention names before I don't think Craig minds his name being mentioned as one that didn't agree with it.
Bill, trust in life is everything. And this is particularly true in hifi. There are some opinions I trust, and some I dont.
The opinions I trust, are from those people who I have listened to music with, and where they have articulated what they are hearing in a way that I concur with. ie: what I am hearing in the system that we are listening to, they are describing back to me along the same lines to what I am hearing. If someone can clearly describe the character of an audio system that is similar to what I hear aswell, then I have established a level of "trust" in their opinion.
Craig is 1 of these people whose opinion I trust, and why I asked the question. If his opinion is a polar opposite to your own, then that sets some context for me.
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I'm always ready to catch all the unwanted Wadia WT3200 and Marantz CD94 ;D Bill, when you have time you might want to listen again to the kdac, it's been a while since you listened to one and I think not many people have an exceptional audio memory. After you listen and compare both dacs directly, then it's fair to say which one you like most ;)
Now that is a very valid observation. But I think you and others are missing the point. It is not a DAC issue - it is a source issue. The reason the JK infused DAC sounded better had to do with the better signal it got as verified in the very careful listening and analysis of the Dianna Krall track we did. If the Killer DAC gets fed with a lesser source than another DAC is it really surprising the other DAC can sound better? That does not mean the other DAC is better - it simply shows the difference a source makes. Whenever people ask me the best DAC's I have heard the Killer always heads that list - all that has changed is I give a caveat that with the JK the PDX now sounds better to me but my gut tells me once the Killer gets a similar input things will likely change. Is that really too hard a thing to accept - at least to my ears anyway?
Thanks
Bill
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I'm always ready to catch all the unwanted Wadia WT3200 and Marantz CD94 ;D Bill, when you have time you might want to listen again to the kdac, it's been a while since you listened to one and I think not many people have an exceptional audio memory. After you listen and compare both dacs directly, then it's fair to say which one you like most ;)
The reason the JK infused DAC sounded better had to do with the better signal it got as verified in the very careful listening and analysis of the Dianna Krall track we did.
Thanks
Bill
And this carefull listening was done on what system? just so some of us can get an idea
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Bill, trust in life is everything. And this is particularly true in hifi. There are some opinions I trust, and some I dont. The opinions I trust, are from those people who I have listened to music with, and where they have articulated what they are hearing in a way that I concur with. ie: what I am hearing in the system that we are listening to, they are describing back to me along the same lines to what I am hearing. If someone can clearly describe the character of an audio system that is similar to what I hear aswell, then I have established a level of "trust" in their opinion. Craig is 1 of these people whose opinion I trust, and why I asked the question. If his opinion is a polar opposite to your own, then that sets some context for me.
Hi Ozmillsy.
Abso-friggen-lutely. And because I am pretty sure Craig won't mind I don't mind giving his name. The same however does not apply some of the others I heard of who expressed reservations - but what I can tell you is they are equally as experienced as Craig which for my money makes this even more interesting. However I still am confident if Craig or anyone else sits down and listens carefully to the Dianna Krall track they will be converted. If not then at least we can each understand the others position better. I know Craig thinks the JK has a digital edge to it. I can't hear it and when I mentioned it to Craig he said he was rather sensitive to that sort of stuff. It may simply be I and others are not. I am pretty sure exactly what is going on will be sorted out in time. You, and of course anyone else, are more than welcome to come up my way and check it out for yourself.
Thanks
Bill
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And this carefull listening was done on what system? just so some of us can get an idea
Mike's system with ML3 References. It was with a Level 1 PDX - not Level 2. I know you don't particularly like Mikes Mac's amps but many people think its pretty transparent. Interestingly that day we also tried my little Redgum Sonofagum and it readily showed the differences - which shocked a friend I had with me. I also remember that day we tried a Stello DAC and I2S transport. Suffice to say it was not even remotely in the race.
Thanks
Bill
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I know Craig thinks the JK has a digital edge to it. I can't hear it and when I mentioned it to Craig he said he was rather sensitive to that sort of stuff.
I am also sensitive to what they call "digital edge" in delivery. It's abit of a worry Bill.
But if you cant hear it, then dont go looking for it.
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And this carefull listening was done on what system? just so some of us can get an idea
Mike's system with ML3 References. It was with a Level 1 PDX - not Level 2. I know you don't particularly like Mikes Mac's amps but many people think its pretty transparent. Interestingly that day we also tried my little Redgum Sonofagum and it readily showed the differences - which shocked a friend I had with me. I also remember that day we tried a Stello DAC and I2S transport. Suffice to say it was not even remotely in the race.
Thanks
Bill
I know 5 people in QLD that dont like the macs at all
Bill i like quality amps not ordinary hifi amps
The people that think macs are transparent haven't heard a great amp yet,since i know what system has been used it holds no credibility to me at all.
Macs are only good for boat anchors
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I am also sensitive to what they call "digital edge" in delivery. It's abit of a worry Bill. But if you cant hear it, then dont go looking for it.
Trouble is, especially after Craig mentioned it, I went looking for it and sill couldn't find it. I asked others to listen for it as well and they couldn't hear it either. Its a worry.
Thanks
Bill
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Trouble is, especially after Craig mentioned it, I went looking for it and sill couldn't find it. I asked others to listen for it as well and they couldn't hear it either. Its a worry.
Not really a worry for you. But it is a worry for me, and the potential of the JKhiface.
As I said, I trust Craigs opinion for the reasons stated. I'd be shocked if he was hearing things, and that there was no digital edge (in comparison to a fully hotrodded cd94 running i2s in nos mode).
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dont worry about a different thread (i am a moderator) the wadia you heard is stock nothing like steves wadia or my cd94,bill you have no idea how much difference their is between modded wadia/cd94 and stock units
Hi Mario
Sorry I didn't reply to this last night - but I missed it for some reason. Old age and senility I guess.
It is indeed possible some very heavily tweaked transport may surpass the JK as source - no one can really say until a direct comparison is done - which I think will eventually happen as per what Zenelectro said. But the transports we were using were no slouches and John Kenny has compared it to some pretty expensive stuff as well (from a post John Kenny did in another forum):
'How about a Wadia 850 (highly modified) comparison? http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=11408#p11408
Or Lector CD7 comparison http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10564#p10564
Both of these are using the I2S Hiface integrated with a DAC'
To me though that is not the real issue - the real issue is some very experienced ears like Criag Conner don't like it. If you don't like it then you don't really need to go to more expensive transports.
Thanks
Bill
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And this carefull listening was done on what system? just so some of us can get an idea
Mike's system with ML3 References. It was with a Level 1 PDX - not Level 2. I know you don't particularly like Mikes Mac's amps but many people think its pretty transparent. Interestingly that day we also tried my little Redgum Sonofagum and it readily showed the differences - which shocked a friend I had with me. I also remember that day we tried a Stello DAC and I2S transport. Suffice to say it was not even remotely in the race.
Thanks
Bill
Hi Bill and all
Since my thoughts have been bandied about here with gay abandon, which Mario very kindly advised me I should have a read of, I figure I may as well clarify and add a few comments/observations.
The viewpoint I voiced that Bill alludes to here was from a 60-odd second listen when I was walking in to pick up//drop off/ something to Mike and Bill was in the listening chair as I walked in and asked me what I thought of the sound reproduction. It took me a 30 second ish period to form the view that I did not like what I heard. It sounded a little brittle and glary without the organic flow that is essential FOR ME to enjoy music.
He asked if I thought it was the cd player or the digital and I said I was pretty certain it was a digital item, which one I was not sure of ie Audiophileo vs JKeny as I had not done a back-to-back of the two.
He asked why and I responded that TO ME it sounded somewhat mechanical and brittle and that was the basis for my comment because I had never heard any of the transports sounding this way on Mikes system.
Bill commented back to me that he did not hear it which was when I responded, as he pointed out in an earlier post, that I am rather sensitive to that nature of brittleness or hardness and it really grates on me.
NOW, FOR SOME CONTEXT!!!
The speakers that were in the system were Brand New ML1 reference and as Mario will support me in, I cannot listen to them brand new in my rig. They suck! Actually, 'they suck' is pretty harsh and unfair. They sound great from the get-go. Sadly, from new they do not yet exhibit the brilliance that they are capable of. But put 450-500 hours on them and they SING GORGEOUSLY!!!
Add on top of that that the PDX was a brand new unit and we have a recipe for somewhat short of brilliance.
I have very little to no interest in listening to any audio item that does not have in the ballpark of 500 hours on it. IT IS NOT A FAIR JUDGEMENT.
So my view is that if you are auditioning anything you care about, make sure it has plenty of running time on it or you may just be missing out on a pearl because of lack of burn-in time.
Anybody that does not agree with burn-in, keep it to yourself. I am not interested in your view that it does not exist. I hear it, most if not all of the folks whose opinions I respect hear it ---- nuff said.
So the nuts and bolts is that what I heard is not in any way representative of what the JK does. Have I heard it apart from that experience? Yes I have and it does not float my boat. I may change that viewpoint in the future, I may not. Once I have heard one on my rig then I may have an opinion to share. Up until that point in time I have no solid opinion to share.
Some very preliminary observations: (ref to Live In Paris) The JK sounds much cleaner and less distorted than the stock wadia, the piano is more revealed and the background detail is more apparent. But my comment about a little mechanical still stands.
So my question then becomes: does the original recording contain some of the distortion that the JK is then removing or does the original recording have none of this distortion being talked about and the Wadia is then adding it. I don't know. Anybody got Diana Live in Paris on Vinyl Master Pressing???? That I would like to compare to find out for myself.
In terms of comparing the combination to a killer, that I feel is very dangerous turf without a back-to-back comparo on a good rig.
Millsy: Thanks for the vote of confidence --- Back at ya buddy
Bill, one of the golden eared ones I feel you refer to also commented quite some back that a particular component when added to a digital system improved dimension, resolution and 'realness' by a very significant margin over direct from the transport. I was the pariah and begged to disagree and felt that it added glare and hardness and lost all of the dimensional resolution and timbral balance/texture. I demonstrated this to quite anumber of folks on my rig and the all looked at me with stunned amazement at the change with ahd without (much better without). Interesting that that component got sidelined 6-12 months later as being detrimental. No more detail, that is all I am prepared to share.
Just wanting to clarify the record you fellow psychotic nutjobs that all ought to get a life and leave the pursuit of audio Nirvana to those already in appropriate Asylums.
Rawl
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I have very little to no interest in listening to any audio item that does not have in the ballpark of 500 hours on it. IT IS NOT A FAIR JUDGEMENT. So my view is that if you are auditioning anything you care about, make sure it has plenty of running time on it or you may just be missing out on a pearl because of lack of burn-in time. Anybody that does not agree with burn-in, keep it to yourself. I am not interested in your view that it does not exist. I hear it, most if not all of the folks whose opinions I respect hear it ---- nuff said.
Hi Craig
No argument about burn in from me. I am giving my PDX plenty of burn in time. What I think would really help is if once I have about 500 or more hours on it is to bring it around and check it out on your system. Will drop you a line when it gets closer to having that sort of time on it and perhaps we can make a time to check it out. That will also help because my friend that the DAC was built for can hear that digital edge as well - but didn't hear it on the level 1 DAC that didn't have Duelunds in them. He would like to get to the bottom of it as well.
Thanks
Bill
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I have very little to no interest in listening to any audio item that does not have in the ballpark of 500 hours on it. IT IS NOT A FAIR JUDGEMENT. So my view is that if you are auditioning anything you care about, make sure it has plenty of running time on it or you may just be missing out on a pearl because of lack of burn-in time. Anybody that does not agree with burn-in, keep it to yourself. I am not interested in your view that it does not exist. I hear it, most if not all of the folks whose opinions I respect hear it ---- nuff said.
Hi Craig
No argument about burn in from me. I am giving my PDX plenty of burn in time. What I think would really help is if once I have about 500 or more hours on it is to bring it around and check it out on your system. Will drop you a line when it gets closer to having that sort of time on it and perhaps we can make a time to check it out. That will also help because my friend that the DAC was built for can hear that digital edge as well - but didn't hear it on the level 1 DAC that didn't have Duelunds in them. He would like to get to the bottom of it as well.
Thanks
Bill
Bill,
Good Morning Sire. Yes please. I would love to do that. Of huge benefit to both you and me as I have not heard the JK in my rig. Will also give us a common point of reference and flesh out each others' preferences in the world of audio. This will be of benefit in us understanding where the other is coming from in their writings.
Thanks for the response.
Craig
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So the nuts and bolts is that what I heard is not in any way representative of what the JK does. Have I heard it apart from that experience? Yes I have and it does not float my boat. I may change that viewpoint in the future, I may not. Once I have heard one on my rig then I may have an opinion to share. Up until that point in time I have no solid opinion to share.
Thanks for clarifying C, let us know if you ever get to try it on your rig.
JK has been offering a money back trial period on his unit. Which I have expressed an interest in, but he's gone silent on me, since learning that I will be comparing it to a modded CD94 that is already running I2S. Read into that what you will. At this stage I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, and am assumeing that he's just busy.....
Just wanting to clarify the record you fellow psychotic nutjobs that all ought to get a life and leave the pursuit of audio Nirvana to those already in appropriate Asylums.
LMAO ! Yes, the pursuit of audio nirvana is a very deeeeeep rabbit hole, that can seem like it has no end.
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JK has been offering a money back trial period on his unit. Which I have expressed an interest in, but he's gone silent on me, since learning that I will be comparing it to a modded CD94 that is already running I2S. Read into that what you will. At this stage I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, and am assumeing that he's just busy.....
Hi Ozmilllsy
John has resumed shipping the modified Hifaces. I am pretty sure if you drop him a line now an I2S version can be sent out. You can order one without contacting John:
https://sites.google.com/site/hifacemods/home/purchase
Evidently the shipping cost is for world wide delivery that includes Australia.
Thanks
Bill
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Hi Craig
Good Morning Sire. Yes please. I would love to do that. Of huge benefit to both you and me as I have not heard the JK in my rig. Will also give us a common point of reference and flesh out each others' preferences in the world of audio. This will be of benefit in us understanding where the other is coming from in their writings.
No problem at all. Only thing is the JK part is battery powered and only lasts about 12 hours before needing to be recharged which slows the break in a bit. Hopefully though it will have enough hours in a month or so. I would also like to bring my friend along that also has issues with the DAC - although we think his problems have to do with unbroken in Duelands which he does not like compared to some paper in oils he heard on a level 1 PDX. It would be great if you can help getting to the bottom of it.
Have I heard it apart from that experience? Yes I have and it does not float my boat. I may change that viewpoint in the future, I may not. Once I have heard one on my rig then I may have an opinion to share. Up until that point in time I have no solid opinion to share. Some very preliminary observations: (ref to Live In Paris) The JK sounds much cleaner and less distorted than the stock wadia, the piano is more revealed and the background detail is more apparent. But my comment about a little mechanical still stands. So my question then becomes: does the original recording contain some of the distortion that the JK is then removing or does the original recording have none of this distortion being talked about and the Wadia is then adding it. I don't know. Anybody got Diana Live in Paris on Vinyl Master Pressing???? That I would like to compare to find out for myself.
Glad you experienced the Diana Krall recording. To me it was chalk and cheese and why I am so positive towards it. Imagine how you would feel if you heard that kind of difference but is did not sound edgy but rather very analogue like.
Thanks
Bill
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dont worry about a different thread (i am a moderator) the wadia you heard is stock nothing like steves wadia or my cd94,bill you have no idea how much difference their is between modded wadia/cd94 and stock units
Hi Mario
Sorry I didn't reply to this last night - but I missed it for some reason. Old age and senility I guess.
It is indeed possible some very heavily tweaked transport may surpass the JK as source - no one can really say until a direct comparison is done - which I think will eventually happen as per what Zenelectro said. But the transports we were using were no slouches and John Kenny has compared it to some pretty expensive stuff as well (from a post John Kenny did in another forum):
'How about a Wadia 850 (highly modified) comparison? http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=11408#p11408
Or Lector CD7 comparison http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10564#p10564
Both of these are using the I2S Hiface integrated with a DAC'
To me though that is not the real issue - the real issue is some very experienced ears like Criag Conner don't like it. If you don't like it then you don't really need to go to more expensive transports.
Thanks
Bill
BILL The wadia 850 is nothing like steves it uses a sony laser mechanism and different chip sets in the digital domain.
i will write more later on too busy fixing other ppl's crap
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BILL The wadia 850 is nothing like steves it uses a sony laser mechanism and different chip sets in the digital domain. i will write more later on too busy fixing other ppl's crap
It is indeed possible Steve's transport exceeds the JK. But, just like Craig said, the distortion was appreciably less and the detail greater through the JK and, try as I might, I cant hear any digital edge. This and similar listening experiences is what has made me so positive towards JK infused DAC's. Its why I am so keen to get the John Kenny Saber DAC out there for people to hear. It will not be up to Killer DAC standards but I believe it could be the best Saber implementation out there and get rid of a lot of what I don't like about Saber DAC's - at least I hope so anyway.
Thanks
Bill
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BILL The wadia 850 is nothing like steves it uses a sony laser mechanism and different chip sets in the digital domain. i will write more later on too busy fixing other ppl's crap
It is indeed possible Steve's transport exceeds the JK. But, just like Craig said, the distortion was appreciably less and the detail greater through the JK and, try as I might, I cant hear any digital edge. This and similar listening experiences is what has made me so positive towards JK infused DAC's. Its why I am so keen to get the John Kenny Saber DAC out there for people to hear. It will not be up to Killer DAC standards but I believe it could be the best Saber implementation out there and get rid of a lot of what I don't like about Saber DAC's - at least I hope so anyway.
Thanks
Bill
Bill the modded marantz cd94/wadia has got more resolution then stock more on this later too busy i could really blow your mind if i mentioned what i am working on :D
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Bill the modded marantz cd94/wadia has got more resolution then stock more on this later too busy i could really blow your mind if i mentioned what i am working on :D
I can see you're stoked - which is great to see. Very interesting to see how it compares. I know Mike did mention he thought a really tricked out transport running on batteries and probably other stuff as well may do it.
Thanks
Bill
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BILL The wadia 850 is nothing like steves it uses a sony laser mechanism and different chip sets in the digital domain. i will write more later on too busy fixing other ppl's crap
It is indeed possible Steve's transport exceeds the JK. But, just like Craig said, the distortion was appreciably less and the detail greater through the JK and, try as I might, I cant hear any digital edge. This and similar listening experiences is what has made me so positive towards JK infused DAC's. Its why I am so keen to get the John Kenny Saber DAC out there for people to hear. It will not be up to Killer DAC standards but I believe it could be the best Saber implementation out there and get rid of a lot of what I don't like about Saber DAC's - at least I hope so anyway.
Thanks
Bill
Bill,
Yes, however, the question still remains as to whether the distortion is in the original recording and the JK washes it out. I shall pursue a vinyl copy for comparison.
There are other system synergy issues afoot which we can discuss further when we get together
Cheers
Craig
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Hi All, I just joined as I saw some mention of my products & wondered if I can clarify anything or help in any way? Usual Noob refrain - go easy on me :)
I'm not able to answer questions such as which will be better CD94 or I2S Hiface - I would imagine some of this is going to be system & listener dependent. All I can say is that I've tried both the I2S Hiface & the JKDAC version of it (which uses a ESS Sabre DAC) in comparisons against some CD players that the users (& other listeners) rated highly (Lector CDP7 & a highly modified Wadia 850) & the JKDAC it showed no sign of digital glare. Bearing in mind that the ESS Sabre DACs are considered bright & overly detailed, I would have thought that if there was any digital glare on the I2S Hiface feeding this DAC then it would have been ruthlessly exposed.
What I have noticed when comparing the I2S Hiface to SPIF sources is more solid sound stage with a more pin-point placement of players in that sound stage i.e less fuzziness to the sound stage. I don't know if this is because of extra clarity, lower noise floor or what but that is my impression of the sonic differences so far.
I'm hoping in the next while to compare it against a dCs front end comprising of a dCs Verdi La Scala CD/SACD player; dCs Scarlatti DAC; dCs Verona Master clock. I will report back if it ever happens.
Anyway, hope some of this helps but the real test is comparing one element against another in a system which is as neutral as possible. Some systems I've come across, & I'm not saying this is the case here, have been tuned to compensate for a certain shortcoming in a device i.e if a source was dullish sounding or didn't have enough life in it, using a cable that gave a certain edge or kick might give a balanced sound. However, once a new source is introduced it can then sound too bright because it is revealing the brightness in the cable! This has been reported to me a couple of times in the past with my Hiface where it wasn't liked & returned to me, only later to find that when a cable was changed the customer then repurchased the Hiface.
I hope nobody takes this the wrong way - I'm not saying anything about any system being discussed here, I'm just saying what I've experienced in the past that might have a bearing on listening to any new element introduced into any system.
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What I have noticed when comparing the I2S Hiface to SPIF sources is more solid sound stage with a more pin-point placement of players in that sound stage i.e less fuzziness to the sound stage. I don't know if this is because of extra clarity, lower noise floor or what but that is my impression of the sonic differences so far.
Hi John, the modded CD94 running i2s is similar. Well implemented I2S is literally like removing a veil from the music, I've found when running this transport. The clarity is amazing. We run NOS mode into TDA1541A chips, and these dacs are very smooth and analog like when fed with a top class digital source - but they are also unforgiving and will reveal any anomalies or edge that is coming in, when directly compared to the existing transport.
I'm looking forward to trying your unit.
Thanks for posting. Hope to see you around on this local DIY forum, when time permits.
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Hi John, the modded CD94 running i2s is similar. Well implemented I2S is literally like removing a veil from the music, I've found when running this transport. The clarity is amazing. We run NOS mode into TDA1541A chips, and these dacs are very smooth and analog like when fed with a top class digital source - but they are also unforgiving and will reveal any anomalies or edge that is coming in, when directly compared to the existing transport.
Excellent, I'm sure NOS is the way to go & probably the most direct way to hear the quality of the source.
I'm looking forward to trying your unit.
Thanks for posting. Hope to see you around on this local DIY forum, when time permits.
Great, Oz!
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Yes, however, the question still remains as to whether the distortion is in the original recording and the JK washes it out. I shall pursue a vinyl copy for comparison. There are other system synergy issues afoot which we can discuss further when we get together
Abso-friggen-lutely
In the fullness of time all will be revealed.
All that I can say right now is to my ears and in the system I have listened to I can not detect any trace of digitius and the distortion and detail retrieval were better - appreciably better in fact.
Thanks
Bill
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dont worry about a different thread (i am a moderator) the wadia you heard is stock nothing like steves wadia or my cd94,bill you have no idea how much difference their is between modded wadia/cd94 and stock units
Hi Mario
Sorry I didn't reply to this last night - but I missed it for some reason. Old age and senility I guess.
It is indeed possible some very heavily tweaked transport may surpass the JK as source - no one can really say until a direct comparison is done - which I think will eventually happen as per what Zenelectro said. But the transports we were using were no slouches and John Kenny has compared it to some pretty expensive stuff as well (from a post John Kenny did in another forum):
'How about a Wadia 850 (highly modified) comparison? http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=11408#p11408
Or Lector CD7 comparison http://www.tirnahifi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10564#p10564
Both of these are using the I2S Hiface integrated with a DAC'
To me though that is not the real issue - the real issue is some very experienced ears like Criag Conner don't like it. If you don't like it then you don't really need to go to more expensive transports.
Thanks
Bill
Bill i have read the comparison between jkdac and lector cd player one uses valve output the other opamps.And they both sound similar?raises a lot of questions about the system they are played on
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Bill i have read the comparison between jkdac and lector cd player one uses valve output the other opamps.And they both sound similar?raises a lot of questions about the system they are played on
That's one way of interpreting it, I guess but this is the equipment:
Lector CDP7 http://www.lector-audio.com/010.htm (http://www.lector-audio.com/010.htm)
Airtight ATM1s http://www.axissaudio.com/amplifiers/ATM1S.htm (http://www.axissaudio.com/amplifiers/ATM1S.htm)
Quad 989 speakers. http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/720/ (http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/720/)
The system sounds very good using digital or analogue source (can't remember the turntable - it might have bee a Roksan?) so I'm not sure if your analysis is correct!
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Bill i have read the comparison between jkdac and lector cd player one uses valve output the other opamps.And they both sound similar?raises a lot of questions about the system they are played on
That's one way of interpreting it, I guess but this is the equipment:
Lector CDP7 http://www.lector-audio.com/010.htm (http://www.lector-audio.com/010.htm)
Airtight ATM1s http://www.axissaudio.com/amplifiers/ATM1S.htm (http://www.axissaudio.com/amplifiers/ATM1S.htm)
Quad 989 speakers. http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/720/ (http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/720/)
The system sounds very good using digital or analogue source (can't remember the turntable - it might have bee a Roksan?) so I'm not sure if your analysis is correct!
jkenny nice of you to join in but my system will show the difference between opamp and valve output stage listening in a different room.
photo attached of the airtight amp atm1 (very neat and tidy)
ps:yet to hear a opamp that sounds like music with timbre,tone heart and soul
ps:input selector switch on the amp is not helping it with sq
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Kajak12, as your sig says, I'm still learning the link between electronics & audio reproduction.
I try not to have preconceptions about anything - tubes, SS, opamps, Vout Dacs, Iout DACs, transformers, capacitors, resistors, etc.
All I can tell you is that the JKDAC & Lector CD7 sounded very similar
As did the JKDAC & modified Wadia 850 played back through another Air Tight tube amplifier (Airtight ATM2) & some high quality French Speakers.
I can't of course, extrapolate this to how it would sound on your system.
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Bill i have read the comparison between jkdac and lector cd player one uses valve output the other opamps.And they both sound similar?raises a lot of questions about the system they are played on
As far as I know the JK does not use an op amp output stage - the SABER has a voltage out output and it simply uses that. One is coming to you guys and you can compare it to your Killer etc etc. There is zero doubt it won't be up to Killer standard but from what John reports I think there is a good chance it could get rid of the digital glare and other stuff I have heard in Saber DAC's.
Thanks
Bill
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Bill i have read the comparison between jkdac and lector cd player one uses valve output the other opamps.And they both sound similar?raises a lot of questions about the system they are played on
As far as I know the JK does not use an op amp output stage - the SABER has a voltage out output and it simply uses that. One is coming to you guys and you can compare it to your Killer etc etc. There is zero doubt it won't be up to Killer standard but from what John reports I think there is a good chance it could get rid of the digital glare and other stuff I have heard in Saber DAC's.
Thanks
Bill
The dac chip has opamps built in bill so that is nfg for highend but good enough for computer audiophiles :P
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Kajak12, as your sig says, I'm still learning the link between electronics & audio reproduction.
I try not to have preconceptions about anything - tubes, SS, opamps, Vout Dacs, Iout DACs, transformers, capacitors, resistors, etc.
All I can tell you is that the JKDAC & Lector CD7 sounded very similar
As did the JKDAC & modified Wadia 850 played back through another Air Tight tube amplifier (Airtight ATM2) & some high quality French Speakers.
I can't of course, extrapolate this to how it would sound on your system.
Yes i am still learning the link between electronics and audio reproduction but i know one thing opamps are nfg for highend
however you should sell heaps it it priced at a market which is booming on sna
PS:behind every great system i have heard is a great spource its the begining of the chain (besides transport)
none had opamps in the chain
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Bill, Vout DACs use their own on-chip output stage but the details & implementation of this on the ES9022 Sabre DAC are not generally known. Who knows how they have implemented it - I have my guesses - but who cares? I have no issues with people experimenting with IV stages, resistors, power supply, caps, etc. - it's all part of the hobby. I'm also interested in listening to music at a level of reproduction that I'm happy with & enjoy. I can say that this implementation doesn't disappoint me.
I can tell Kajak has very set views about some things - CD players good, computer audio bad; current output DACs good, voltage out DACs bad (nfgf for high-end) but I would urge him to search DIY Audio for ES9022 where I introduced it & see what's being said about it. Like him I stated there that I was not expecting much from a test of this Vout DAC but once I ironed out a few noise issues (& implemented a couple of tricks), I was pleasantly surprised (as were some others who have followed in my footsteps). General consensus is that it sounds excellent. Obviously it's not going to be the best DAC ever but I don't have best amp ever or best speakers ever so .........
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Bill, Vout DACs use their own on-chip output stage but the details & implementation of this on the ES9022 Sabre DAC are not generally known. Who knows how they have implemented it - I have my guesses - but who cares? I have no issues with people experimenting with IV stages, resistors, power supply, caps, etc. - it's all part of the hobby. I'm also interested in listening to music at a level of reproduction that I'm happy with & enjoy. I can say that this implementation doesn't disappoint me.
I can tell Kajak has very set views about some things - CD players good, computer audio bad; current output DACs good, voltage out DACs bad (nfgf for high-end) but I would urge him to search DIY Audio for ES9022 where I introduced it & see what's being said about it. Like him I stated there that I was not expecting much from a test of this Vout DAC but once I ironed out a few noise issues (& implemented a couple of tricks), I was pleasantly surprised (as were some others who have followed in my footsteps). General consensus is that it sounds excellent. Obviously it's not going to be the best DAC ever but I don't have best amp ever or best speakers ever so .........
Search diy for what jkenny so i get reviews from diy audio mob?
Too many number crunches on that site been their with my wav player before waste of time imho
general consensus it sounds excellent so do mp3's for millions of people on our mislead planet
I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
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I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
Thanks Kajak, I can feel the warmth in your sentiment :D
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I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
Thanks Kajak, I can feel the warmth in your sentiment :D
When bill sends one to perth i will run it against a tda1543 dac i have here laying around,both the same price so $$$ is very even playing field.
Post your products here http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0
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I can tell Kajak has very set views about some things - CD players good, computer audio bad; current output DACs good, voltage out DACs bad (nfgf for high-end) but I would urge him to search DIY Audio for ES9022 where I introduced it & see what's being said about it. Like him I stated there that I was not expecting much from a test of this Vout DAC but once I ironed out a few noise issues (& implemented a couple of tricks), I was pleasantly surprised (as were some others who have followed in my footsteps). General consensus is that it sounds excellent. Obviously it's not going to be the best DAC ever but I don't have best amp ever or best speakers ever so .........
computer audio bad for my ears it has a artificial sound which pisses me off,its mechanical unnatural low in timbre heart and soul.
When i hear a great computer audio transport i will tell you until then cd spinning all the way for me.
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I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
Thanks Kajak, I can feel the warmth in your sentiment :D
When bill sends one to perth i will run it against a tda1543 dac i have here laying around,both the same price so $$$ is very even playing field.
Post your products here http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0
k12, is it a hot rodded TeraDak Chameleon? It should make an interesting comparison, next time perhaps you could compare it to tuyen's dddac?
Cheers,
William
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I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
Thanks Kajak, I can feel the warmth in your sentiment :D
When bill sends one to perth i will run it against a tda1543 dac i have here laying around,both the same price so $$$ is very even playing field.
Post your products here http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0
k12, is it a hot rodded TeraDak Chameleon? It should make an interesting comparison, next time perhaps you could compare it to tuyen's dddac?
Cheers,
William
Its actually a jlti tda1543 dac modded very lightly its my mates he uses a killer now so he doesn't care about this dac.
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I can tell Kajak has very set views about some things -
Blame all the manufactures that made my products for the last 24 years,which i sold at a loss reading great reviews with 5 star ratings and measurements claiming wonders only to be let down and they still do it.I have woken up now and smelt the roses if your after great sound get a soldering iron to it with some quality parts.
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I wish you all the luck with it jkenny
Thanks Kajak, I can feel the warmth in your sentiment :D
When bill sends one to perth i will run it against a tda1543 dac i have here laying around,both the same price so $$$ is very even playing field.
Post your products here http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0
k12, is it a hot rodded TeraDak Chameleon? It should make an interesting comparison, next time perhaps you could compare it to tuyen's dddac?
Cheers,
William
Its actually a jlti tda1543 dac modded very lightly its my mates he uses a killer now so he doesn't care about this dac.
I see, no worries then, nonetheless I look forward to the comparison as I trust your ears.
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Blame all the manufactures that made my products for the last 24 years,which i sold at a loss reading great reviews with 5 star ratings and measurements claiming wonders only to be let down and they still do it........
As I said - it'a all about implementation & focus on what's important to the final sound. Choosing the appropriate part for the role & implementing it correctly is more important than the tweaker's mantra of "quality parts".
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Blame all the manufactures that made my products for the last 24 years,which i sold at a loss reading great reviews with 5 star ratings and measurements claiming wonders only to be let down and they still do it........
As I said - it'a all about implementation & focus on what's important to the final sound. Choosing the appropriate part for the role & implementing it correctly is more important than the tweaker's mantra of "quality parts".
That is why i tweak with quality parts and implement them well so i can focus on the sound.I chose resistors and capacitors with a particular flavour to get the synergy in a given system.sum of all parts
ps:The resistor on the output of a clock (buffer) change it on your jkhiface i am really interested on your feed back.
i have used takman,metal oxide,duelund,allen bradely,kiwame,holco and shinkoh.
I do more then tweak jkenny i tune systems to what people like. I know my parts very well resistors,caps, and wires
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Blame all the manufactures that made my products for the last 24 years,which i sold at a loss reading great reviews with 5 star ratings and measurements claiming wonders only to be let down and they still do it........
As I said - it'a all about implementation & focus on what's important to the final sound. Choosing the appropriate part for the role & implementing it correctly is more important than the tweaker's mantra of "quality parts".
That is why i tweak with quality parts and implement them well so i can focus on the sound.I chose resistors and capacitors with a particular flavour to get the synergy in a given system.sum of all parts
ps:The resistor on the output of a clock (buffer) change it on your jkhiface i am really interested on your feed back.
i have used takman,metal oxide,duelund,allen bradely,kiwame,holco and shinkoh.
I do more then tweak jkenny i tune systems to what people like. I know my parts very well resistors,caps, and wires
I'm sure you do but I stay away from the "synergy" thing as in all cases that I have encountered it - it means that you are using a component or modification in one part of a system to compensate for a performance problem or shortfall in another part of the system.
I prefer to focus on getting each device itself operating optimally & with as little "flavour" as possible (flavour can be added after, if desired). A neutral system doesn't mean boring, in fact quite the opposite. For instance I have said that digital now sounded like high-end analogue playback when I was documenting my Hiface modifications on DIY Audio-certainly not dull or soulless, in fact organic would be the term that has been used to describe it most often!
Anyway, I find that there fewer surprises when approaching it this way i.e. I can actually judge what a device sounds like in a neutral system rather than try to figure it out in a system modified to suit a particular & specific combination of devices. But if you never want to change your system or you don't mind going through the whole process of tweaking the new system all over again once a new element is introduced, then I guess it's not an issue. I can't be bothered with this - time is too precious!
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Blame all the manufactures that made my products for the last 24 years,which i sold at a loss reading great reviews with 5 star ratings and measurements claiming wonders only to be let down and they still do it........
As I said - it'a all about implementation & focus on what's important to the final sound. Choosing the appropriate part for the role & implementing it correctly is more important than the tweaker's mantra of "quality parts".
That is why i tweak with quality parts and implement them well so i can focus on the sound.I chose resistors and capacitors with a particular flavour to get the synergy in a given system.sum of all parts
ps:The resistor on the output of a clock (buffer) change it on your jkhiface i am really interested on your feed back.
i have used takman,metal oxide,duelund,allen bradely,kiwame,holco and shinkoh.
I do more then tweak jkenny i tune systems to what people like. I know my parts very well resistors,caps, and wires
I'm sure you do but I stay away from the "synergy" thing as in all cases that I have encountered it - it means that you are using a component or modification in one part of a system to compensate for a performance problem or shortfall in another part of the system.
I prefer to focus on getting each device itself operating optimally & with as little "flavour" as possible (flavour can be added after, if desired). A neutral system doesn't mean boring, in fact quite the opposite. For instance I have said that digital now sounded like high-end analogue playback when I was documenting my Hiface modifications on DIY Audio-certainly not dull or soulless, in fact organic would be the term that has been used to describe it most often!
Anyway, I find that there fewer surprises when approaching it this way i.e. I can actually judge what a device sounds like in a neutral system rather than try to figure it out in a system modified to suit a particular & specific combination of devices. But if you never want to change your system or you don't mind going through the whole process of tweaking the new system all over again once a new element is introduced, then I guess it's not an issue. I can't be bothered with this - time is too precious!
Mr.Kenny my system is made and tuned to sound life like on natural instruments with the limitations of recordings is the major problem we face
Highend analogue playback from jkhiface/jkdac?
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Ummm, if there is discussion about the new JKdac, then there is a dedicated thread where it can be openly discussed......
http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?topic=315.0 (http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?topic=315.0)
I'd also like to mention John, that you're welcome to post commercial offers and ad's on your products as they come to market, in our Commercial section here....
http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0 (http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0)
Lets keep this thread on topic, which I vaguely remember to be something about Bills desire for a Killerdac with USB input. ;D
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Ummm, if there is discussion about the new JKdac, then there is a dedicated thread where it can be openly discussed......
http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?topic=315.0 (http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?topic=315.0)
This is the direction that this thread seemed to meander!
I'd also like to mention John, that you're welcome to post commercial offers and ad's on your products as they come to market, in our Commercial section here....
http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0 (http://killerdac.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0)
Yes, Andrew, Kajak also told me this, thanks but I'm not here for commercial postings. I just got a google alert about this discussion & wanted to make myself available to clear up some points or answer any Qs!
Lets keep this thread on topic, which I vaguely remember to be something about Bills desire for a Killerdac with USB input. ;D
Sure!
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Yes, Andrew, Kajak also told me this, thanks but I'm not here for commercial postings. I just got a google alert about this discussion & wanted to make myself available to clear up some points or answer any Qs!
No worries at all. Just thought I'd mention it.