Note: Just got this DAC off Audiogon used today. I am gonna post stuff as I do stuff with it. I ask that folks refrain from using this thread for any marketing and keep questions and posts informational only. For now my Theta CB3 SSP and Six shooter is out of my system, as is my PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC (PWD) and Bridge. I am not doing this thread to necessarily AB compare the PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport (PWD) & PWT or Marantz UD9004 & PWD combos and how they sound to using the PWT or UD9004 with the Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC (Gen 8 V2). I know how my system sounds and if I am moved and really like how something sounds. My concern is long term happiness and enjoyment. Lets see if the Gen 8 V2 gives me this nirvana in two channel!
MY 2011 THETA DIGITAL LOG - Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC
1-30-2011
Took my components in my three Michael Green audio video racks out completely. Took out all cables and power cords. Unscrewed, adjusted shelves, and rescrewed to fit components on how I wanted to rearrange them. Put everything back up. My right hip and legs hurt a good two days doing this but is it worth it – YES!
Right Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: Marantz UD9004; PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport; Integra HD DVD player; DirecTV HD DVR #1; PS Audio Power Plant Premier.
Center Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: CB3 HD (will be placed there when comes back from Theta); HVC D-VHS VCR; DirecTV HD DVR #2.
Left Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: Lumagen Radiance XE (above top shelf); Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC (will be placed there when arrives, just purchased on Audiogon); Theta Six Shooter; APC S15 power conditioner.
I am not running anything using the Six Shooter for now.
.
2-3-2011
Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC arrived today!
I connected to the Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC:
1 – coaxial digital – Marantz UD9004
2 – balanced digital – PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport (PWT)
3 – toslink – DirecTV HD DVR (set to stereo PCM)
4 – pair of balanced analog cables – Marantz UD9004
I went into the DAC’s setup menu and changed what I needed to. I set the DAC to use jitter jail instead of the standard reclocking.
After maybe 2 hours of playing in stereo, I started to do some listenin’.
Listened to CD of Roseanne Cash “The List” initially via UD9004 digital coxial. Easily as good or better than I remember via long term memory when I used the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC (PWD). I noted that the volume seemed to go higher, cleaner, more effortless. Had to go out for a few hours. Came back, played same CD using PWT, also sounded great. Which one is better? Heck if I know. I am just enjoying and not worrying about comparing for now.
However, I tried a Reference Recordings HRX 176-24 disc via PS Audio PW Transport, connected by Cardas balanced digital cable, but no sound. Theta’s website says the Gen VIII V2 has 24 bit/192 KHz DA conversion. So why doesn’t it handle the HRX 176-24? This is not a deal breaker for me – I have 8 HRX discs. I found a Secrets of Home Theater review online in this regard:
"JVS: Can the Gen. VIII handle 24/176.4 and 24/192 files?
DR: No, only because it’s limited by a receiver chip that’s on its own little board. That’s one of the things we’re looking at changing, which would take it up to 176.4 and 192"
Theta’s website
does state “Digital Input Section (32KHz, 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz)”.
I played the Neil Young blu ray disc of his 1971 live concert, “Live at Massey Hall”, via UD9004, the PCM 2.0 track (the blu ray menu says they offer a 192-24 stereo and also a 96-24 stereo track if the blu ray player can’t play 192-24.) over coaxial digital cable. Sounds great! Certainly as good as when I did this analog out from the UD9004 into Six Shooter. I also tried this same blu ray disc, via UD9004, the stereo analog XLRs. But the Theta DAC is easily just better, more relaxed, cleaner. Wonderful! And the stereo analog XLRs is no slouch at all, and sound like I remember it pre Gen VIII V2 DAC.
Now for “Flute Mystery”, Norwegian 2L’s blu ray & SACD combo package. I put on the blu ray disc. UD9004’s menu shows LPCM 96-24. Sounds great! Again I briefly tried the UD9004 XLR analog out but
doesn’t sound as good to my ears! Though the analog sounded like it did via the Six Shooter when I had my CB3 Six Shooter combo. Can’t wait to get the CB3 HD back so I can play the DTS HD Master track!
Good night!
MY 2011 THETA DIGITAL LOG - Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC
1-30-2011
Took my components in my three Michael Green audio video racks out completely. Took out all cables and power cords. Unscrewed, adjusted shelves, and rescrewed to fit components on how I wanted to rearrange them. Put everything back up. My right hip and legs hurt a good two days doing this but is it worth it – YES!
Right Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: Marantz UD9004; PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport; Integra HD DVD player; DirecTV HD DVR #1; PS Audio Power Plant Premier.
Center Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: CB3 HD (will be placed there when comes back from Theta); HVC D-VHS VCR; DirecTV HD DVR #2.
Left Michael Green AV rack, top to bottom: Lumagen Radiance XE (above top shelf); Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC (will be placed there when arrives, just purchased on Audiogon); Theta Six Shooter; APC S15 power conditioner.
I am not running anything using the Six Shooter for now.
.
2-3-2011
Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC arrived today!
I connected to the Theta Generation VIII V2 DAC:
1 – coaxial digital – Marantz UD9004
2 – balanced digital – PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport (PWT)
3 – toslink – DirecTV HD DVR (set to stereo PCM)
4 – pair of balanced analog cables – Marantz UD9004
I went into the DAC’s setup menu and changed what I needed to. I set the DAC to use jitter jail instead of the standard reclocking.
After maybe 2 hours of playing in stereo, I started to do some listenin’.
Listened to CD of Roseanne Cash “The List” initially via UD9004 digital coxial. Easily as good or better than I remember via long term memory when I used the PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC (PWD). I noted that the volume seemed to go higher, cleaner, more effortless. Had to go out for a few hours. Came back, played same CD using PWT, also sounded great. Which one is better? Heck if I know. I am just enjoying and not worrying about comparing for now.
However, I tried a Reference Recordings HRX 176-24 disc via PS Audio PW Transport, connected by Cardas balanced digital cable, but no sound. Theta’s website says the Gen VIII V2 has 24 bit/192 KHz DA conversion. So why doesn’t it handle the HRX 176-24? This is not a deal breaker for me – I have 8 HRX discs. I found a Secrets of Home Theater review online in this regard:
"JVS: Can the Gen. VIII handle 24/176.4 and 24/192 files?
DR: No, only because it’s limited by a receiver chip that’s on its own little board. That’s one of the things we’re looking at changing, which would take it up to 176.4 and 192"
Theta’s website
does state “Digital Input Section (32KHz, 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz)”.
I played the Neil Young blu ray disc of his 1971 live concert, “Live at Massey Hall”, via UD9004, the PCM 2.0 track (the blu ray menu says they offer a 192-24 stereo and also a 96-24 stereo track if the blu ray player can’t play 192-24.) over coaxial digital cable. Sounds great! Certainly as good as when I did this analog out from the UD9004 into Six Shooter. I also tried this same blu ray disc, via UD9004, the stereo analog XLRs. But the Theta DAC is easily just better, more relaxed, cleaner. Wonderful! And the stereo analog XLRs is no slouch at all, and sound like I remember it pre Gen VIII V2 DAC.
Now for “Flute Mystery”, Norwegian 2L’s blu ray & SACD combo package. I put on the blu ray disc. UD9004’s menu shows LPCM 96-24. Sounds great! Again I briefly tried the UD9004 XLR analog out but
doesn’t sound as good to my ears! Though the analog sounded like it did via the Six Shooter when I had my CB3 Six Shooter combo. Can’t wait to get the CB3 HD back so I can play the DTS HD Master track!
Good night!
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