DSD Battle Royale!

CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
3,053
3,172
1,410
Hong Kong
No external clocks. I have never used one that made the converter sound better.

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the info!
So the ADCs are on their own, without any significant confounding factors! Good!

BTW I remember some similar comparison performed on CD-ripping softwares one or two years ago. The PCM file ripped by different ripping softwares were checked by some checking/checksum softwares and were said to be identical. However some audiophile swaer by that sonic diffeeence exists on playback.
 
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PhilipAC

Well-Known Member
Nov 20, 2013
20
0
231
Hi Bruce

One question- since it is the same performance on all ADCs, presumably you sent the feed directly into all 5 ADCs during the performance. Presumably there was no possibility that the feeds were different in any way between the ADCs?

Incidentally, we thought that of the DSD64s 2 was best, followed by 3 and 5 (close together), then 4 and last was 1.

Philip

EDIT Don't bother with the Q- I know answer now!
 
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Robin Hood

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2011
33
0
311
I added 64 or 128 to the file names to avoid confusion. My preferences seem to be different from the previous posts and I was surprised that my preferences for the DSD128 files did not rank higher. Here are my preferences from best to worst:

1. 001_64
2. 004_128
3. 003_64
4. 001_128
5. 005_128
6. 004_64
7. 002_64
8. 005_64
 

1audio

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2010
31
2
353
SF Bay Area
The linked download directory seems to be empty. Did we overstay our welcome?

Were all the files encoded simultaneously or sequentially? Changes in the tape playback over repetition is pretty well known and at this level could be significant.
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
7,006
512
1,740
Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
The linked download directory seems to be empty. Did we overstay our welcome?
.

Seems the files were deleted by someone in Australia from IP 121.222.145.160
This is twice it has happened. Guess that's what happens when you give the world access to your User/PW information!
 
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gamve

Well-Known Member
Feb 9, 2013
50
1
236
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Had to check my IP address to make sure I did not accidentally delete your files Bruce. Nope wasn't me :)
Probably would have been safer to do a dropbox or yousendit link instead of a direct assess link?
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
7,006
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Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
Yeah, I was trying to keep it simple.

These downloads were advertised over 4 forums that I know of... probably many more. I didn't want to hassle with email links. Guess you'll have to bear with me if someone deletes them. I'll get them back up as soon as I can.

Thanks...!!
 

wisnon

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2011
3,525
635
1,200
Yeah, I was trying to keep it simple.

These downloads were advertised over 4 forums that I know of... probably many more. I didn't want to hassle with email links. Guess you'll have to bear with me if someone deletes them. I'll get them back up as soon as I can.

Thanks...!!

You could put them on a public Dropbox link and avoid email addy management, but you would still have the risk of inadvertent deletions.
 

Jud

New Member
Nov 23, 2013
1
0
0
Here you go...

001. Tascam DA-3000
002. EMM Labs ADC8 IV
003. Grimm AD1
004. Korg MR2000s
005. Merging Horus

Hope it's OK now that IDs are up to say I liked the Horus.

At some future point when the chance that you'll influence others' preferences has become minimal, Bruce, would you consider saying which of these most accurately captured the input in your opinion?
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
7,006
512
1,740
Snohomish, WA
www.pugetsoundstudios.com
Bruce, would you consider saying which of these most accurately captured the input in your opinion?

I would say it's a toss up between the Grimm and Horus. I like the Grimm better at 64fs and the Horus at 128fs. Most people pick the EMM/Meitner because it has a great coloration. It's not accurate, but it does sound good. For my listening enjoyment, I'd pick the Meitner. For mastering and knowing I depend on what goes in, comes out, would be the Horus. The Grimm is somewhere in between.
 

PhilipAC

Well-Known Member
Nov 20, 2013
20
0
231
Bruce

From your previous knowledge of the Ayre QA-09, where would you put it relative to these five?

Also, have you heard the PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter?

Thanks
 

Sauerball

Member Sponsor
Jul 30, 2013
156
0
0
New York, NY
I would say it's a toss up between the Grimm and Horus. I like the Grimm better at 64fs and the Horus at 128fs. Most people pick the EMM/Meitner because it has a great coloration. It's not accurate, but it does sound good. For my listening enjoyment, I'd pick the Meitner. For mastering and knowing I depend on what goes in, comes out, would be the Horus. The Grimm is somewhere in between.

At least I can rest knowing I still have expensive taste!
 

bmoura

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
417
3
248
Bruce

From your previous knowledge of the Ayre QA-09, where would you put it relative to these five?

Also, have you heard the PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter?

Thanks

I had the same question about the Playback Designs DSD DACs - where would they fit in the comparison if a PD ADC was available ?
 

bibo01

Member
Nov 26, 2013
201
1
16
Bruce,

Thanks.
For what it's worth my preference regarding DSD128 is:
1) 005
2) 004 - 001

I will be waiting for your announced DSD256 files :)
 

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