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    Levinson C Wave Technology

    It sounds like what they are doing is using a really short reverb to try and cover up the filter ringing artifacts, a bit like dither fixes digital artifacts in the amplitude domain, and maybe to add emphasis to note decay. I'm pretty skeptical that it will work in any true sense, but it might...
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    Emm labs DA2 v2 upgrade

    I'm trying to think why XMOS firmware would produce a noticeable improvement in sound, esp for those of us who are using the optilink input that might actually skip the processor. (don't know for sure, but XMOS is associated with USB, AES, and SPDIF. Then again, optilink input is right next to...
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    Hydra Typhon T2

    For amps, I would try both. It does seem like the Denali does limit current somewhat, but the sonic benefits are also big. For some amps the benefit is greater than the tradeoff, and vice versa. Definitely for lower power and source stuff, the Denali is way better and the adde Typhon T2 only...
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    Hydra Typhon T2

    WAY more noise reduction. Even on lower power amps I think I still prefer going through the Denali because it cleans up the sound so much.,
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    ADC recommendation?

    Why not 24 bit? The double edged sword of formats with metadata: It makes your library much easier to organize, but they add some digital noise.
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    Shunyata omega Ethernet cable

    The thing I like about this cable, that even the Omega USB did not do, is how much it relaxes the feel of the sound. Significantly more ease. I did not notice a huge improvement from stock to Sigma Ethernet, but with Omega it's hard to not notice how much better things sound and feel.
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    Emm labs DA2 v2 upgrade

    Andy, I appreciate you have an especially good/synergistic DV2 system, with out the drawbacks of network audio that I have to deal with! But, it does sound like they have improved on the things that I had hoped, and let the DA/DV2 off the leash. To my critical ears, the peeve was that is was a...
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    Emm labs DA2 v2 upgrade

    This is almost every audiophile qualitative. I trust it sounds better across the board! A while back I sent Amadeus a couple suggestions, and I'm curious if these changes somewhat correspond.
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    Does DSP belong in State of the Art Systems?

    Speaking from practice, if I use the same processing and settings with an analog compressor or EQ vs a digital one, there are generally artifacts added with the digital one and it doesn't sound as nice. Consider the group, with generally the same production style. Slight level and...
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    Choosing a DAC with a good VC - Lampizator Pacific vs EMM Labs DV2 vs MSB Premier

    I found that I like what the EMM Labs do moreso than MSB at comparable price. The general signature of DV2/DA2 is extremely detailed, fast, smooth, and emphasis on swirly micro dynamics and detail over macrodynamics, with zero hard edges. With Shunyata Omega cables it sounds pretty unreal. MSB...
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    Does DSP belong in State of the Art Systems?

    This comment cuts two ways, though. Modern music has generally poor audio quality, and plugin artifact signature is everywhere. Even a few years ago recordings were sounding much better with analog consoles, and even 2" tape. High end mastering still uses analog signal processors for this...
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Surprisingly, it seems to giving me some nice detail, holographic quality, and low noise despite being behind an Etherregen and having to divert my QSource and Sigma NR cable to the Etherregen (closest to the streamer). It does make a pretty good network moat, even if I'm losing something...
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Yes, this is most likely it.
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Well that did it. Thanks. I wish there had been some info out there from EMM Labs... I'm not really happy at the prospect of having to redo my entire streamer/connection/DAC thing to satisfy an ethernet switch, or having to run the Taiko Switch through an Etherregen.
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Good suggestions. Thanks! I can probably do a diagnostic. The previous Etherregen Switch was 1 Gps.
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    My router is definitely above 100Mps. There are no network specs on the NS1 streamer, but it is compatible with the router. The odd thing is that neither device recognizes any type of device/connection to or from the Switch. I tried re-seating the adaptors. Hmm. Would be nice to have an LED...
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    Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème

    Is there any reason why an Extreme Switch inserted between a gigabit WiFi router and EMM Labs streamer via RJ45 adaptors would show no connection from either the router side or to the streamer?
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    The Digital Director - A new MSB product improving everything from the source to the output

    The problem is that as far as we can tell, the DD is not changing the sample rate, and ultra-long, high-tap filters are a Chord thing and not every manufacturer or listener likes them. There are other things that could incur latency such as buffering and re-clocking and more DSP intensive filter...
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    Our Move From Sigma to Omega on the Shunyata Everest

    Nice system! I'm a sucker for tube/SS hybrid amps and always wanted to try the Pathos amp but my DAC output is too hot. You will love the Everest+Omega. Paradoxically, the Omega is smoother more relaxed, but also opens up the high end more. Though, it's a different character from Nordost. I...
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    Our Move From Sigma to Omega on the Shunyata Everest

    My other power cables are all Sigma NR v2, but now I'm seriously looking into replacing at least a couple with Omega QR-s. Digital interconnects are Sigma (until Omegas arrive), and analog interconnects are Omega. I have an unconventionally small headphone based system, built around an EMM Labs...
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    Our Move From Sigma to Omega on the Shunyata Everest

    Having given the XC a little more time, I think it's fair to say that with an Everest 8000 or Denali+Typhon T2 stack, go hard or go home. The sound is so much better. I'm hearing/feeling things I haven't since when I was last plugged into the wall. The Sigma had it a bit underpowered IMO, but at...
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    Our Move From Sigma to Omega on the Shunyata Everest

    I finally installed an Omega XC into my system, replacing the Sigma XC feeding Typhon T2+Denali. Wow! I also have Omega XLR cables in my system, so part of the effect could be cumulative but the XC is the best upgrade I've done this year, and maybe last. It sounds fantastic, even out of the...
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    Can digital get to vinyl sound and at what price?

    All things being equal, a digital transfer of a technically inferior analog source should be transparent. The fact this is not, and is not in repeatable and predictable ways demonstrate artifacts inherent in digital capture and playback, that do not exist in analog ones. This is just as true if...
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    Can digital get to vinyl sound and at what price?

    The answers you get will be a lot of qualitative language like "less depth," "less 3D," "smaller images," "less fluidity," etc. But the most effective way to understand the problem is to start with a true analog source, convert it to digital and then compare the two. Without a doubt they will...
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    Can digital get to vinyl sound and at what price?

    I'm both impressed with how much better SOTA digital systems sound these days, and also disappointed that they still seem unable to do some things the analog formats can. Vinyl as a sound is not close to my heart, but I worked for some time in Studer-based analog recording studios and have heard...
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    DSD to PCM Conversion A/B Test Results

    A friend of mine keeps talking about acquiring one that isn't spoken for. As far ADC there still isn't anything better, at least for PCM. It's not as well known as Pacific Microsonics Model 2, but should be held in at least as high regard. What is interesting though, is that the design...
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    DAC comparison and recommendation request

    The most cost effective thing is to get used to mConnect! It sounds better than Roon, and at least for my own listening habits is not difficult to work with at all. The interface is a little different, yeah. If you like the MA3, it's not a huge drawback. My thoughts are that the least fatiguing...
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    DSD to PCM Conversion A/B Test Results

    Vaporware, I think. Was going to be a workstation called "Clarity" .
  29. I

    DSD to PCM Conversion A/B Test Results

    There are definitely some who have, through repetition, created a widespread notion that DSD can't be edited, but the claim has always been dishonest. This is because of how they define what "editing" is. DSD definitely can be edited in the conventional sense, it can have volume changes, and...
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    DSD to PCM Conversion A/B Test Results

    I very much believe that.

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