DCS Vivaldi

[Al M.]

I still don't think you get the point. This is not about jriver vs HQP upsampling. We are not talking about upsampling. The problem was, jriver was set mistakenly in such a fashion, that it affected the bass going into the Lampi, which Ian realized when he put back the MSB.

Now, Lampi PCM is better than dCS PCM, and the reason for Lampi being good is the DHT valve technology, not the DSD. The fact that DSD is better than PCM is a moot point in this case.

What does DHT valve technology have to do with the resolution of the algorithm?

 

[sonrock]

I have no argument and totally agree with you about the importance of each equipment depends on individuals. Whatever way you choose, as long as you're satisfied with the sound then it's fine, nothing to comment more.

For me and many others, speakers are the most important component in the system which dictate the sound most compared to others such as amps or digitals. So I usually focus on speakers first then building my system around them.

Come back to the vivaldi 2.0, I will have an opportunity to listen to them in my system for several hours and I might be able to get them loaned for a week or more. By that time, I will be able to clearly identify if there is any differences in sound between the original and new software upgrade.

I am no longer mad/addicted to tubes so I stay away from them. I always try to find electronics which have tubes-like presentation but still keep the virtues of ss. The Vivaldi seems come very very close to this, similarly to some brands I use and know.

 

[Al M.]

For me and many others, speakers are the most important component in the system which dictate the sound most compared to others such as amps or digitals.

Are you sure about that? Let's take the sounds of baritone or tenor saxophone, for example. The dCS Rossini is the only DAC that I have heard that can convincingly represent the full body and breathiness of timbre from these instruments ((I didn't test the Vivaldi on this but I assume it will be at least as good). No speaker can substitute for the loss of timbral richness from a lesser source. If it tries to, the result will soon be obvious to the listener's ear as fake.

 

[sonrock]

For myself and many others, the answer is Yes Sir. We're all different so as I said, I have no problem with you or anyone who said digital or amps ect. is the most important component in your system and I respect the differences.

For me and my own experiences in this hobby, digital or amps dont make such massive differences compared to speakers. When keeping all the electronics in my system, simply swapping speakers can give me very different results in sound. Anyway, we're not the same Sir and I respect that fact .

 

[Audiophile Bill]

For myself and many others, the answer is Yes Sir. We're all different so as I said, I have no problem with you or anyone who said digital or amps ect. is the most important component in your system and I respect the differences.

For me and my own experiences in this hobby, digital or amps dont make such massive differences compared to speakers. When keeping all the electronics in my system, simply swapping speakers can give me very different results in sound. Anyway, we're not the same Sir and I respect that fact .

I agree with you Thanh. Differences between in particular ss dacs (and ss amps) are much less significant than differences in speakers ime. Valve amps, valve dacs, and TTs are different though.

 

[bonzo75]

Are you sure about that? Let's take the sounds of baritone or tenor saxophone, for example. The dCS Rossini is the only DAC that I have heard that can convincingly represent the full body and breathiness of timbre from these instruments ((I didn't test the Vivaldi on this but I assume it will be at least as good). No speaker can substitute for the loss of timbral richness from a lesser source. If it tries to, the result will soon be obvious to the listener's ear as fake.

To do a baritone you need good midbass in speakers - Substitute a Stat like Martin Logan for a ribbon magnetostat like Apogee or Analysis (modded) and the difference is evident. You can use an oppo instead of the vivaldi and you will still hear it, at a cheaper price. Even on the Analysis you will get different sounds from the Arion amp or substituting a NAt or LAMM m2.2

 

[Argonaut]

To do a baritone you need good midbass in speakers - Substitute a Stat like Martin Logan for a ribbon magnetostat like Apogee or Analysis (modded) and the difference is evident. You can use an oppo instead of the vivaldi and you will still hear it, at a cheaper price. Even on the Analysis you will get different sounds from the Arion amp or substituting a NAt or LAMM m2.2

However, considering the propensity for the aforementioned transducers inherent "hot ribbon zing" such an substitution may well prove to be to the detriment of Contralto through to Soprano, snakes and ladders N'est-ce pas.

Anyhow, I believe this thread to be about DCS and by the usual drift, other digital gear, not pet speakers.

I don't believe that you replied to post # 461 bonzo btw.

 

[Al M.]

To do a baritone you need good midbass in speakers - Substitute a Stat like Martin Logan for a ribbon magnetostat like Apogee or Analysis (modded) and the difference is evident. You can use an oppo instead of the vivaldi and you will still hear it, at a cheaper price. Even on the Analysis you will get different sounds from the Arion amp or substituting a NAt or LAMM m2.2

Obviously, until I can point out to you the differences that I mean in person, in an equipment comparison of different digital, we will be at odds over what we are even talking about. Until then, continuing this discussion is futile. See you on another topic.

 

[bonzo75]

Obviously, until I can point out to you the differences that I mean in person, in an equipment comparison of different digital, we will be at odds over what we are even talking about. Until then, continuing this discussion is futile. See you on another topic.

Ok, but comparison of digital needs to be done in the same system, not with the dCS at Goodwin's and a Lampi incorrectly set up at Madfloyd's. Quite happy to respect your opinion when you get round to comparing both in the same system.

 

[bonzo75]

I didn't see how the question was relevant. I just know the jump from Level 6 to Big 7 was incredible (on PCM), and that came from DHT.

 

[jfrech]

Come back to the vivaldi 2.0, I will have an opportunity to listen to them in my system for several hours and I might be able to get them loaned for a week or more. By that time, I will be able to clearly identify if there is any differences in sound between the original and new software upgrade.

Thanks for coming back on topic At home is always best and I can't imagine you're anything less than impressed with v2 in comparison to v1...

 

[number95]

I agree with you Thanh. Differences between in particular ss dacs (and ss amps) are much less significant than differences in speakers ime. Valve amps, valve dacs, and TTs are different though.

High resolution speakers will benefit from anything including front end, amps , cables over the sound chain. It is a personal thing to assess or give more weight to either speakers or front end but any audio system will sound as good as its weakest link. Saying front end or amps make less of a difference when you have a very transparent and hi res speaker does not make sense to me. Even a cable lifter will create a dramatic difference when there is a strong setup.

 

[ksalno]

Anyone get the Upsampler upgrade to 2.0 yet? It was supposed to be out this month.

 

[fas42]

High resolution speakers will benefit from anything including front end, amps , cables over the sound chain. It is a personal thing to assess or give more weight to either speakers or front end but any audio system will sound as good as its weakest link. Saying front end or amps make less of a difference when you have a very transparent and hi res speaker does not make sense to me. Even a cable lifter will create a dramatic difference when there is a strong setup.

What you hear in a superb system is the quality of the very worst part, no matter how tiny or trivial it may seem - you most certainly don't hear the quality of the best parts ...

 

[jfrech]

Anyone get the Upsampler upgrade to 2.0 yet? It was supposed to be out this month.

Not sure it's quite ready yet. I asked my dealer about it a few days ago...I'm looking forward to it !!

 

[number95]

Just ordered Vivaldi transport and DAC. Will post my impressions later on.

 

[LL21]

Just ordered Vivaldi transport and DAC. Will post my impressions later on.

congrats!!! Your system is ascending to some seriously serious heights!!!

 

[CKKeung]

Just ordered Vivaldi transport and DAC. Will post my impressions later on.

Big Congrats!

One of the first tweaks is a better bnc clock cable between the transport and dac.
My friends are using Backcat Digi75 or Nordost Vahalla2 happily.

 

[microstrip]

Just ordered Vivaldi transport and DAC. Will post my impressions later on.

IMHO you just picked the best sounding transport/DAC I have the pleasure to have listened to.

 

[number95]

congrats!!! Your system is ascending to some seriously serious heights!!!

Thanks! Spending some time with Rossini player and clock at my setup a while ago was quite an experiment. Compared to my EMM XDS1v2, Rossini -when its clock is also on- was a clear step above especially at redbook cd. It didn't have SACD playback but I tried usb input via usb memory to play some hirez downloads and when compared to SACD spin of XDS1, the difference was not as significant as redbook cd but still Rossini was better to my ears. Also trying Rossini at home erased any concerns related to DCS -if any- regarding musicality. I was not particularly impressed by older generation DCS and I had no chance to try Vivaldi at home (heard several Vivaldi performances at either audio shows or at some others systems) so could not have a strong opinion about it as digital source only. Being honest, as a person mostly listening to vinyl, a recent comparison of Vivaldi stack to Techdas AF1 -which AF1 is also at my wish list- at same setup was quite an experience and I was impressed with Vivaldi.