(...) on every familiar recording there are passages where my previous reference is now revealed to have had distortion, and now it's removed. this part really blows my mind.
the noise floor is lower, I'm hearing so much more ambience and sense of dimensionality and feelings of openness and a direct connection to the event, and so much delicate life like detail and the feeling the air is alive.
I'm going to go back to enjoying the music for now. I will try my best to list some recordings and get into details about them. that is not an easy thing for me, but I will do my best.
It is really great that you are feeling that way - and in every recording. It is a great experience. Curiously we very soon adapt to it and consider it is natural. But the first time it can be even disturbing!
Really looking forward to read about the details of the recordings.
So the extra powerbase, is it a powerbase per channel or something else?
Two Mono Powerbases
Upgrade the standard Dual Powerbase to two independent higher quality Mono Powerbases. One Mono Powerbase will supply power to the digital side of the Select DAC and the other Mono Powerbase will provide power to the analog side. This is one of the most significant upgrades available for the Select DAC.
Going to a dual mono DAC configuration would create more problems than it solves. It is critical that the hybrid DAC modules are as close to the clock as possible.
Having one power supply dedicated to the analog processing and another for the digital represents the ultimate theoretical solution.
Mike, if I can humbly make a suggestion.
I've been running my Stacores passive CLD/air isolators/Rollerblock lateral isolating platforms under various bits of gear.
It comfortably exceeds the active Kuraka piezo electric sensor platform I directly a/b.d.
I've then gone on to try the Stacore under cdp, under pre, and then cdp and pre stacked vertically on the Stacore with a Svelte Shelf to semi isolate the topmost stacked component.
Isolating each component individually has been absolutely wonderful to the extent that I'm compelled to go Stacores on all my gear, 6-7 platforms.
However stacking gear was fine for the component directly on the Stacore but nowhere near as effective for the topmost component.
I put this down to the fact that the Stacore isolates from the environment as well as from the component itself, and so to maximise the latter, the component must sit directly on the Stacore.
And so I suspect Mike all your gear must be as well, except in yr case Herzans not Stacores.
And while you're there Mike,^ get that SGM off the floor. Surely another Herzan or a Stacore would further elevate sound quality and costs pennies compared to what you've invested in the MSB.
Don't know what Mike would think if I bother him with more suggestions like
- putting Select II directly on the Herzan
- putting the 2 mono bases on separate rack levels
- bypassing the Dartzeel pre altogether, driving 458 direct...(with -6db native dsd option)
Mike, if I can humbly make a suggestion.
I've been running my Stacores passive CLD/air isolators/Rollerblock lateral isolating platforms under various bits of gear.
It comfortably exceeds the active Kuraka piezo electric sensor platform I directly a/b.d.
I've then gone on to try the Stacore under cdp, under pre, and then cdp and pre stacked vertically on the Stacore with a Svelte Shelf to semi isolate the topmost stacked component.
Isolating each component individually has been absolutely wonderful to the extent that I'm compelled to go Stacores on all my gear, 6-7 platforms.
However stacking gear was fine for the component directly on the Stacore but nowhere near as effective for the topmost component.
I put this down to the fact that the Stacore isolates from the environment as well as from the component itself, and so to maximise the latter, the component must sit directly on the Stacore.
And so I suspect Mike all your gear must be as well, except in yr case Herzans not Stacores.
Congratulations Mike!
Delightful new toys!!
You mentioned the CH mono. Now CH has this X1 dedicated single-component power supply unit. 3 box dac + T1 clock + D1SE transport + 5 x X1 power supplies - that's a 10-headed monstrous hydra!!! Real fun isn't it...
and I get into all that system set-up stuff because I am absolutely stunned by what I've been hearing from the addition of the Mono Powerbases over these last 3 hours. and trying to wrap my head around it I have a hard time thinking it's all the power supplies. my sense is that while the new dual powerbases get most of the credit, it's likely not that simple. we are operating at such a high level of information that everything matters.
what am I hearing? this is a quantum leap. I'm going to avoid the whole vinyl question for now as I have to be careful until I actually A/B recordings, but I do think I'm now at a spot where it makes sense to do that.
that out of the way, I'd say this step up is much more wide ranging in it's implications than I ever would have expected. besides clearly (not subtly) better everywhere, I'd say 'commanding'.....'authoritative'....'grounded/sure-footed'......'bigger/bolder'. before I might say that some tubed dacs have more bloom and in some ways more tonal density. not anymore. the dual powerbases simply take things to a different dimension of performance in my system. listening to familiar tracks there is much more texture and micro-dynamics. the word real and life-like hit me everywhere. the amount of projected musical energy is just in a whole different place from any digital I have heard. the music floats above yet is grounded in power. super holographic.
the bass is better in every way, more articulation and texture, more tonally rich, goes deeper and with more slam and weight. the nuance and delicacy is a few degrees better which results in clearly more ease and flow. on every familiar recording there are passages where my previous reference is now revealed to have had distortion, and now it's removed. this part really blows my mind.
the noise floor is lower, I'm hearing so much more ambience and sense of dimensionality and feelings of openness and a direct connection to the event, and so much delicate life like detail and the feeling the air is alive.
I'm going to go back to enjoying the music for now. I will try my best to list some recordings and get into details about them. that is not an easy thing for me, but I will do my best.
You wonder if there would be any improvement if you use a piece like the Stromtank and use in in battery powered mode and not from the wall. Each step you are talking about is adding a little more but sounds like as a whole is making everything better. You never talked about Digital and tape in the same sentence but in the last post you did. This is saying a lot about the sound you are hearing. Remember when the new renderer comes out it could move up again and next software update can do it again. My guess the MSB and your turntable are now closer than ever. IS it to the point if no turntable is there for comparison, you would have no problem with full digital listen? To me your posts are hinting the differences are getting smaller and smaller.
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