State-of-the-Art Digital

matthias

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2019
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Germany
I am changing my digital 100%.
APL dac and APL streamer connected by IS2 cable. I want to keep it simple, however in a high end level.

João,
may I ask what you then do with your SGM Evo?
Thanks

Matt
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
João,
may I ask what you then do with your SGM Evo?
Thanks

Matt

Matt it is for sale on audio-markt.com.
There is a gentleman from Spain very interested and I am waiting his decision.
 

matthias

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2019
1,226
545
213
Germany
Matt it is for sale on audio-markt.com.
There is a gentleman from Spain very interested and I am waiting his decision.

Just curios how your network up to the APL streamer is configured. The APL streamer is based on Auralic technology.
If the WiFi is good Auralic prefers WiFi over wired ethernet for SQ reasons.
Do you go WiFi to your APL streamer?
And did you compare SQ of the APL streamer to the SGM?
Thanks

Matt
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
Just curios how your network up to the APL streamer is configured. The APL streamer is based on Auralic technology.
If the WiFi is good Auralic prefers WiFi over wired ethernet for SQ reasons.
Do you go WiFi to your APL streamer?
And did you compare SQ of the APL streamer to the SGM?
Thanks

Matt

Matt I will try both Wi-Fi and ethernet. And choose what is best.

I never listen to an APL device. Here in Brazil there is no dealer.

I just have read a lot about it and talked to Alex Peychev about his concepts and bet on it.
He voices his dac and steamer based on his Kuzma TT. I like that approach.
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
Anyway, he is preparing a Synology NAS form me with special LPS and this will probably define I will use Ethernet.
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
Just curios how your network up to the APL streamer is configured. The APL streamer is based on Auralic technology.
If the WiFi is good Auralic prefers WiFi over wired ethernet for SQ reasons.
Do you go WiFi to your APL streamer?
And did you compare SQ of the APL streamer to the SGM?
Thanks

Matt
Matt, I just talked to Alex of APL and he told me that the DNP-SR streamer works better with ethernet cable.
I will still receive my units. I will post here my impressions after burn in

here you can find more information about it.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/apl-hi-fi-dsd-mr-dac-and-dnp-sr-streamer-full-review-r787/

my unit of the DAC will be the MK2 version (DSD 512). The review is about the first MK1 version.
 
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matthias

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Mar 14, 2019
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Matt, I just talked to Alex of APL and he told me that the DNP-SR streamer works better with ethernet cable.
I will still receive my units. I will post here my impressions after burn in

here you can find more information about it.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/apl-hi-fi-dsd-mr-dac-and-dnp-sr-streamer-full-review-r787/

my unit of the DAC will be the MK2 version (DSD 512). The review is about the first MK1 version.

This is for sure an excellent sounding combo.
However at 60k for both I would not buy without listening first and would listening as well to a Taiko Extreme with a DAC up to the same price range combined.
IMO, the server is more important than the DAC.

Matt
 
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Alrainbow

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Dec 11, 2013
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Let me say this. All the dacs on the list are SOTA and I feel all dacs need a great server. There is much more to each dac on any given server and add to this how the dac is used in your system. Servers alone have many sounds yes sounds. no maker wants to a server does have a house sound they say it’s just the music.
It’s just not true a good server paired with a great dac can get you closer to great analog but getting there is very complex.
servers can use many Types of OS this is one reason for sound changes
Window versions alone showed me this many times over. Then there is many versions of Linux as well.
Even if you choose a windows versions server and use any kind of network Attachments it’s Linux. No matter who says what you can hear the Linux.
I’m not saying it’s not good but I’m holding to my first comment all severs have a house sound period.
Next up is the way we connect to the dac. Many claims of usb being bad and AES or spidif being better. Well aes or spidif do have an advantage it bypasses usb in most cases uses less steps to feed the digital boards used. if we choose a network input being the dac has one internally they all make things more complex. That being said many do sound very good.

In the end it’s the entire chain we choose that lets us balance the sound.
It’s a ying and yang
Speed / tone
through it all timbre must be first and Foremost keeping it there is how you can get to best sound.
a Lampi dac is the only dac on that list here that allows for tubes to rolled. Without this it’s much more difficult to get where you need to go. Most All dacs have a house be it said it not. This means all the rest moves while it does not. We all have many carts in vinyl rigs , why. Honesty is needed here. a Lampi be it a pac , GG2 or the TRP all I have the ability to create the needed timbre to then build on. it should not be a just a debate of better always in specs alone. various dacs all can be made to best in a given setup. a Lampi to me makes it a faster arrival to get there.
I hope this post does not start a flaming war how much we spend on our stuff is not a sign of how good it can be if proper care is not taken on setting all of it up.
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
This is for sure an excellent sounding combo.
However at 60k for both I would not buy without listening first and would listening as well to a Taiko Extreme with a DAC up to the same price range combined.
IMO, the server is more important than the DAC.

Matt

If I expect to listen first and then buy, I wouldn’t buy. Or I would have to make a tour around the world to listen to dac and servers.

Extreme is the double price of the APL streamer. I am not even sure it will make me more happy, what about the double happier?

So I would give up of a better dac and buy something cheaper.
Would the combo Extreme/cheaper dac play better of the synergistic APL combo? I doubt.

I chose this path.
 

joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
390
270
970
Brazil
Let me say this. All the dacs on the list are SOTA and I feel all dacs need a great server. There is much more to each dac on any given server and add to this how the dac is used in your system. Servers alone have many sounds yes sounds. no maker wants to a server does have a house sound they say it’s just the music.
It’s just not true a good server paired with a great dac can get you closer to great analog but getting there is very complex.
servers can use many Types of OS this is one reason for sound changes
Window versions alone showed me this many times over. Then there is many versions of Linux as well.
Even if you choose a windows versions server and use any kind of network Attachments it’s Linux. No matter who says what you can hear the Linux.
I’m not saying it’s not good but I’m holding to my first comment all severs have a house sound period.
Next up is the way we connect to the dac. Many claims of usb being bad and AES or spidif being better. Well aes or spidif do have an advantage it bypasses usb in most cases uses less steps to feed the digital boards used. if we choose a network input being the dac has one internally they all make things more complex. That being said many do sound very good.

In the end it’s the entire chain we choose that lets us balance the sound.
It’s a ying and yang
Speed / tone
through it all timbre must be first and Foremost keeping it there is how you can get to best sound.
a Lampi dac is the only dac on that list here that allows for tubes to rolled. Without this it’s much more difficult to get where you need to go. Most All dacs have a house be it said it not. This means all the rest moves while it does not. We all have many carts in vinyl rigs , why. Honesty is needed here. a Lampi be it a pac , GG2 or the TRP all I have the ability to create the needed timbre to then build on. it should not be a just a debate of better always in specs alone. various dacs all can be made to best in a given setup. a Lampi to me makes it a faster arrival to get there.
I hope this post does not start a flaming war how much we spend on our stuff is not a sign of how good it can be if proper care is not taken on setting all of it up.

I had a Lampi Big 7. Didn’t like it. And I made tube rolling. I know Lampi has better models.
But I didn’t like the Big7. Wouldn’t risk to buy another one and don’t like it.

Preferences are such an individual thing.
To choose is very particular from each one.
Fortunately we have very different opinions here. It makes the WBF alive.
 

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
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Are you taking a punt on the APL combo because they're designed as a piece, of together, and you like the idea of voicing inspired by a reasonably neutral analog source like the Kuzma?
 
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joaovieira

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Feb 16, 2013
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Are you taking a punt on the APL combo because they're designed as a piece, of together, and you like the idea of voicing inspired by a reasonably neutral analog source like the Kuzma?

Yes. This is the main thing.

I also have the opinion of an English Audiophile that lives in Brazil and has the APL dac and Audiopax. He loves the sound.

That’s how I’ve been choosing what to buy for years, except of course the great Audiopax amps and preamp, those are made in Brazil and I tested at home before buying.
 
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spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
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The only thing I would say re voicing wrt Kuzma tt...I'd hate to have brought into this if Alex used a warm Koetsu or cool Lyra on his comparison rig Lol.
 
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joaovieira

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Feb 16, 2013
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Brazil
The only thing I would say re voicing wrt Kuzma tt...I'd hate to have brought into this if Alex used a warm Koetsu or cool Lyra on his comparison rig Lol.

the description is:
”Kuzma Stabi M table with his unique 4-point arm to which a Dynavector XV-1s cartridge...”
 

spiritofmusic

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Jun 13, 2013
14,605
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Dyna is good
Heard that cart on a pretty neutral GP Monaco based system.
I wonder if this is a double-edged sword...some digital guys won't particularly be sympathetic to Alex's analog-derived aims.
 
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joaovieira

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2013
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Brazil
Dyna is good
Heard that cart on a pretty neutral GP Monaco based system.
I wonder if this is a double-edged sword...some digital guys won't particularly be sympathetic to Alex's analog-derived aims.

I have not being sympathetic to some digital guys taste too.
 
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the sound of Tao

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boom... mic drop! :cool:
 

Gregm

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Mar 14, 2019
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(...)

What are some other state-of-the-art combinations of streamers and DACs?

How does one decide?

How did you decide?
What helped me decide to get into computer audio in the 1st place was to NOT have high expectations. Hence, I was pleasantly surprised with the sound coming from a tiny 'puter reading a hard-disk: the signal originated from a minix with optimising s/w (don't ask!) and Musichi player, fed into a 3R reclocker, and then into an Ideon Ayazi dac. Wowo_O
Maybe I was surprised because I was expecting the ubiquitous dry, shrill, and clinical "mac-audirvana" sound I had been treated to in shows and dealers'... who knows. Anyway, I was sold and that was 3-4yrs ago.
Since then, my little system has seen a few MK-2 / Mk-3-type upgrades as well as better USB cables, and I am happy to boast of excellent (IMO!) sound -- by which I mean "accurate and pleasant sounding".

(...)
What are some other state-of-the-art combinations of streamers and DACs?
After this W-E, I nominate the "Absolute Suite", a combo by a company called Ideon Audio (I have their affordable DAC). It consists of a streamer/server, a reclocking device, and a DAC. The system belongs to a seasoned audiophile (not me, unfortunately) and further comprises Boulder electronics & unknown to me speakers.
To say that the sound blew me away, along with my little system, is putting it mildly. And, remember, I have very respectable hi-end electronics & DACs!
Suffice it to say that on entering the room where I thought nothing was playing, I was surprised to suddenly hear shouting and applause from the street; I went to the window behind the speakers and, you guessed it, the shouting etc was behind me in the room coming from the system.
Sorry for the lengthy storytelling, it's not my style to wax prolific. But for the first time beyond the most exotic TT, I had the impression of really "being there" and where frequency response, bass, low-level details, etc etc audiophile considerations, were patently unimportant! Regards
 

rgmd11

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Mar 30, 2017
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Matt I will try both Wi-Fi and ethernet. And choose what is best.

I never listen to an APL device. Here in Brazil there is no dealer.

I just have read a lot about it and talked to Alex Peychev about his concepts and bet on it.
He voices his dac and steamer based on his Kuzma TT. I like that approach.

olá João

Back in May I heard the entry level APL DSD AR Dac at my local dealer Ultimate Audio (they just became dealers for APL) in Lisbon with a Wadax front end and boulder pre-amp and amp into a pair of Vimberg Tonda D speakers, the Dac sounded very good indeed, very natural and Musical and amazing value, and I can only imagine what the top of the range APL DSD MR Dac sounds like.

Hope you enjoy the APL set up when it arrives.

Aproveite Bastante

Best Regards
RGMD11
 
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joaovieira

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Feb 16, 2013
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Brazil
Olá RGMD11,

Nice to hear that! I know Ultimate Audio, I was there with Rui Calado and Miguel. Great dealer with amazing brands.

My APL dac and the streamer, with an special NAS with LPS did by APL, was collected yesterday and will ship to Brazil on the 30th from Amsterdam.

I am very happy with my purchase, and your report about the entry level dac made more confident on my decision.

Do you live in Lisbon? I love Portugal, the land of my family.

Abraços

João
 

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