Jump to content

sonq

Senior Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    195

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by sonq

  2. Posted · Report reply

    OK, will try out FLAC, does that mean I have to re-rip my CD? I currently ripped to WM files at max resolution. Using Foobar did unmasked many things that were hidden by Win's MP.

     

    I was listening to track 11 of the latest free Naim CD with amp all warmed up before I went to bed...music really flowed. However, badly recorded tracks sounded terrible thru Foobar - even ripped WM tracks that were previously quite OK on WMP isn't that great now.....

  5. Posted · Edited by laukinkon · Report reply

    Just tried out Foobar2k. Initaily sounded bright but switching over to Win MP, I realized MP is flat & slightly muffled by comparison.

     

    Didn't tied ASIO format though, just WM files.

     

    Did unmasked a touch of grain in the treble - may try to get a Mullard 4003 to tame it a little or new I/C.

  8. Posted · Edited by laukinkon · Report reply

    I've just looped the suppied power cord frpm Fubar 3 times around a piece of ferrite core for fun, surprised to hear a fair amt of grain removed.

     

    Heard some impact on the usb cord when looped twiced, but I only have 1 ferrite core, so can't try both cords at the same time. I've also sited the amp & fubar a meter from pc as suggested by fonglav.

     

    Just inserted 3 steel cones found somewhere in the drawers under the amp, but effect is pro/con - more spacious and in focus but treble is a touch steely, especially on female vocals.

     

    Almost want to remove the cones but tried some of those old rubber ball tweaks (non-bouncing type) under the DAC, which was sitting atop the amp. Toned down everything - less hard & less grain. In the end still removed the cones - seems clear but too vivid for comfort.

     

    Maybe the amp's transformer was transmitting fair amount of vibration to the DAC?

     

    Next to tweak will be the I/C. I suspect the connector is quite screwed. Remembered that my earlier reversal changed the sound drastically - that's an impossible directional effect as I've only burnt it for a day!

     

    ________

     

    I've been listening to this for the last 3 hrs now and I'm on the new Naim sample CD track 11 - damn, the sound is incredibly natural - didn't expect this level of sound quality when I bought it....

  9. Posted · Edited by laukinkon · Report reply

    Thanks for your tips on setup. I'll look into a few tweaks when I can find the time.

     

    May look at changing the interconnect, op amp on Fubar, Foobar2000, tube rolling and line conditioning. However, this is not a high resolution system, so the threshold is likely to be breached easily and will stop before diminishing return rears it's head.

     

    I've actually been an audiophile for around 20 yrs (but on & off with each burnout). I've some basics that served me well but still rather green on pc audio, cans, mods & tube rolling. Before this, only owned 1 tube hardware - a Quicksilver.

  10. Posted · Edited by laukinkon · Report reply

    Hi guys, thanks for the tips & links - will certainly explore them.

     

    BTW, sorry about the HA-1A. I'm sure there'll be more units coming on stream - audiophiles are always itchy for upgrades.

     

    Just a note; relocated the system and found the sound a touch bright & dirty - tranced the problem to accidentally reversing the RCA direction from 1st setup. Reversed back & fixed problem. Hooking up to the USB behind PC actually yielded cleaner signal too.

  13. Posted · Edited by laukinkon · Report reply

    Hi Topgun,

     

    Time to kill and visited Jaben to audition. Sounded thin and sterile in the shop but I know not burnt in so took a chance.

     

    Anyway, this guy Wilson is so helpful & went thru so much trouble to hookup...I don't have the heart to walk out without buying...furthermore less than $200 (somehow I mistakenly thought $400+ and red colour)

     

    Very smooth now, not much leading edge but good enough for me at this price - using the included RCA. Thanks for the recommendation. I did hide under desk ; )

     

     

    Hi Scanfiend,

     

    Thanks for your suggestions.

     

    Tried on an old Dell Precision workstation with USB 1.1 and clipping gone!

     

    Ironically, the T42 has a USB 2 and 1G ram....I'll rewire it to rear of PC tomorrow. Enjoying the free naim CD (from HifiChoice) now.

     

    Just a note, the sound is more crisp but thinner than thru the Dell - thought the signal is digital, should be the same.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Just bought a Fubar USB DAC to complete my 880 (2006) + HA-1A setup.

     

    Played both lossless and CD thru my T42, but keep getting clipping sound at peaks. Even at moderate volume. I've already burned in Fubar for at least 20 hrs - the rest are used, so already burnt-in.

     

    Has anyone encountered similar problem?

     

    By the way, I get clipping sound thru T42 in the past when listening with the AT clip phone direct, but thought this is irrelevant as I'm running from USB.

     

     

  19. Posted · Report reply

    I'm setting up a PC based system too and has been googling for days on this topic.

     

    Seems sound cards offer relatively low quality so I'm looking at good quality DAC - since I just bought a relatively good headset & amp.

     

    For USB DAC, I'm looking at the Stello DA100 - not available here, but well-made & great reviews. I know the Fubar gets mentioned alot here, but I don't fancy its cuty look.

     

    Wider coice for non-USB DAC, will need a convertor like M-Audion Transit. I'm looking at Benchmark DAC1, upcoming Zhaolu 2.5 and even the Lite DAC-Ah.

     

    Great to read lots of reviews, but many offers contrasting opinions - the DAC1 can range from highend reference quality in Stereophile to harsh & sterile compared to Zhaolu etc.

     

    Frankly quite confusing at times.

     

     

     

     

     

     

×
×
  • Create New...