Totaldac versus Rockna Wavedream?

xcowdoc

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Feb 19, 2020
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Congratulations Saleh84. As I stated earlier in this thread, I am getting my music from the Wavedream NET's ssd internal drive as the source of music going via I2S HDMI to my Wavedream Signature SE. The combo is absolutely superb in every way. If the Wavelight is anything like the NET, you will be in for a great treat when you put yours in the system. Enjoy!
 

Saleh84

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2019
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thanks xcowdoc!
well I agree with you that files on hard drive kind of isolate you from noise that could potentially be present when you stream, but trust me that if you replace your router to a wifi-less one like Ubiquity Edgerouter SFP, power it with a trusty IFI ipower 12v brick, use a decent rj45 cables, your Qobuz will be hardly distinguished from local files :) I just cant get past the idea of unlimited albums when I stream - finding ways to make the SQ of stream better is quite useful and very possible. you don't have to be an IT expert to make it happen, nor to spend much also.
 

johndoe21ro

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Oct 3, 2012
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xcowdoc, what DAC did you have before the Rockna?
 

xcowdoc

Well-Known Member
Feb 19, 2020
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I had the Denafrips Terminator before the Rockna. Another observation that I have made is that the volume control on the Rockna is absolutely superb. The Wavedream Signature when connected to the Rockna Wavedream NET server via I2S HDMI has 32 bit resolution. I have a Gryphon Diablo 120 integrated amp which I have been using close to a year. It is the best amp that I have had in my 50 years as an audiophile. I tried moving my interconnects to input 3 which bypasses the preamp of the Gryphon. So, now I am using the Rockna Wavedream Signature for volume control and have been doing so for several weeks. In my opinion, running the amplifier direct to the Rockna exceeds using the preamp section in the Diablo in most any parameter. The detail is considerably better as is tonality and musicality and imaging.
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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The Rockna Wavelight Server will be available soon :

wlnet1~2.jpg
142333k3513nkl33pihw3f~2.jpg
 
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CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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Originally the Autobyte streamer first, then Wavelight Server.
Now everything are uncertain bcos of the stupid virus. :rolleyes:
 

CKKeung

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Jun 17, 2011
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I will ask the HK Rockna dealer for more info.
 

Al M.

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Sep 10, 2013
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-its very true to the track. I couldn't put my fingers on a general color or a description of the DAC sound flavour. I read that somewhere earlier at another forum, now I can understand such statement.

Yes, a DAC should be a chameleon. It should show large differences in general tonal color between recordings, next to fleshing out with precision different colors within a given recording.

I chose my previous Berkeley Alpha DAC 2 over others partially based on that criterion, but my current Yggdrasil Analog 2 is even better at that, revealing a sameness in the Berkeley's sound that had not been obvious before. It is unbelievable how many shades of just piano sound, for example, are presented from recording to recording.

Glad to hear the Rockna is a champion in that department.
 
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Saleh84

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Jul 26, 2019
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Originally the Autobyte streamer first, then Wavelight Server.
Now everything are uncertain bcos of the stupid virus. :rolleyes:

I'm losing it Cckung, I think I will just order a wavedream NET soon :))

today I tried the wavedream signature in a friend's setup, he has a Chord tt2 / Mscaler, fed signal by an Auralic Aries g1 streamer.
rockna was not at an advantage, with coaxial input and using RCA out instead of XLR, yet, to my ears, with all respect to tt2/mscaler combo (very good sound overall), I preferred the rockna in a heart beat. one could argue that its my own DAC, naturally I would prefer it. but I think the Rockna sounded more organic, mature, just more real, while still being as fast, detailed, dynamic and lively as the chord stack. if I want to describe the Rockna sound in one word or two, I would say "real", or "very believable". no exaggerations, no lacking of any aspect - it ticks all boxes, to me at least.

when I manage to put it vs the AC kassandra, I will record with Zoom H6 for sure. that would be better than trying to describe differences. this has been delayed as there is still Coronavirus related curfew, it is not helping me to get to that friend with AC setup. I'm keen on that comparison, cause I started looking for a better converter than my Denafrips Terminator after I heard the kassandra. now, from memory (which can be deceiving, I'm not making a statement) even though Rockna sound might be considered "less emotional/romantic" vs kassandra with its tube output, but there are other aspects I prefer about the wavedream, and I think it might be better as an all-rounder for any kind of music, wither slow with vocals/few instruments, or very fast large orchestras, rock or music that shines with excellent timing. you can throw any recording at it, and just enjoy how it would get rendered! absolutely a superb DAC, a heavy hitter among the DACs I heard even its still without its "preferred" source yet (haven't heard all, esp DACs from big brands such as MSB or DCS, total dac etc, so, its a subjective opinion according to my limited experience... to be clear).

What I also feel, its not the honey moon type of fascination. its not the type of sound that you get bored with, but rather stay satisfied with its purity and truthfulness. lets see how this goes :) I'm sick of yearning to upgrade every once on a while, so fingers crossed it ends here, for digital side at least.
 

CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
3,053
3,172
1,410
Hong Kong
I'm losing it Cckung, I think I will just order a wavedream NET soon :))

today I tried the wavedream signature in a friend's setup, he has a Chord tt2 / Mscaler, fed signal by an Auralic Aries g1 streamer.
rockna was not at an advantage, with coaxial input and using RCA out instead of XLR, yet, to my ears, with all respect to tt2/mscaler combo (very good sound overall), I preferred the rockna in a heart beat. one could argue that its my own DAC, naturally I would prefer it. but I think the Rockna sounded more organic, mature, just more real, while still being as fast, detailed, dynamic and lively as the chord stack. if I want to describe the Rockna sound in one word or two, I would say "real", or "very believable". no exaggerations, no lacking of any aspect - it ticks all boxes, to me at least.

when I manage to put it vs the AC kassandra, I will record with Zoom H6 for sure. that would be better than trying to describe differences. this has been delayed as there is still Coronavirus related curfew, it is not helping me to get to that friend with AC setup. I'm keen on that comparison, cause I started looking for a better converter than my Denafrips Terminator after I heard the kassandra. now, from memory (which can be deceiving, I'm not making a statement) even though Rockna sound might be considered "less emotional/romantic" vs kassandra with its tube output, but there are other aspects I prefer about the wavedream, and I think it might be better as an all-rounder for any kind of music, wither slow with vocals/few instruments, or very fast large orchestras, rock or music that shines with excellent timing. you can throw any recording at it, and just enjoy how it would get rendered! absolutely a superb DAC, a heavy hitter among the DACs I heard even its still without its "preferred" source yet (haven't heard all, esp DACs from big brands such as MSB or DCS, total dac etc, so, its a subjective opinion according to my limited experience... to be clear).

What I also feel, its not the honey moon type of fascination. its not the type of sound that you get bored with, but rather stay satisfied with its purity and truthfulness. lets see how this goes :) I'm sick of yearning to upgrade every once on a while, so fingers crossed it ends here, for digital side at least.
The Rockna Wavedream NET and Sinature DAC , connected with their proprietary I2S are perfect partners.

BTW Chord Dave+Mscaler is a great combo but I personally prefer Rockna too.
 

Skanda

Well-Known Member
May 2, 2020
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The Rockna Wavedream NET and Sinature DAC , connected with their proprietary I2S are perfect partners.

BTW Chord Dave+Mscaler is a great combo but I personally prefer Rockna too.

Hey CKKeung, I have been closely following your comments on the taiko extreme thread. As a current rockna signature se + wavedream net owner, I am interested to get your thoughts on what you think of the rockna stack vs. rockna dac with taiko extreme. I don't want to derail this thread so feel free to dm me. If you think others might be interested in this comparison then all the better!
 
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Skanda

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May 2, 2020
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Anyone with experience with both wavedream single ended and yggdrasil?

Unfortunately, I don't have direct experience with the yggy but I know its a very popular and high quality dac. However, superbestaudifriends has quite an extensive discussion on the rockna. if you are not already aware of that forum, don't let the name fool you. it used to be another forum that was rebranded to superbestaudiofriends a few years back but is a go-to forum for the head-fi world (which was my entry into hifi).

i will say, the rockna really is a world class dac and i have no hesitation in reccomending it BUT if you have the budget to buy the rockna and run it with laptop+usb for example. there is a very compelling argument to be made for going the route of the yggy and using the spare funds for a solid server. also with the yggy, it's worth emailing schiit to ask if they have b-stock. you won't be able to return it but sometimes their b-stock pricing is a no brainer.

hope this helps and, of course, if you have more questions about the rockna certainly feel free to reach out either here or over dm.
 

matthias

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2019
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Wavedream is a bit more than I want to spend but I have the Wavelight on order. Cheers!

Did someone directly compare Wavedream vs Wavelight DAC?

Thanks

Matt
 
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