Hi, The Vivaldi Clock adds space, textures and resolution. Things unravel better, in it's own space so to speak and just the fineness of the resolution increases. All of this draws you into the music and a better emotional connection. It's one of those things you hear from the first note and just can't go back to no clock in a Vivaldi set up...
dCS vs. MSB
I had both the Rossini and Vivaldi stack and MSB SII
dCS sounds mechanical and contrived, nothing like music. Actually its really bad
MSB on the other hand is very, very musical....its the most realistic sounding digital source I have heard
I would like to compare it to the Total dac.....
Not to counter your observations, but don't you use DAC direct into power amp? If so, the MSB most likely would have a great advantage. It's preamp section is famed to be excellent and even has been reported to be preferred to any separate preamp, whereas Vivaldi direct into amp is really not so hot...
In fact, I now doubt that any DAC Direct option is really viable unless you go with MSB Select II or Reference DACs (the MSB Premier digital volume control isn't that hot either).
I now know what a really good preamp brings to a system. It's huge.
No. MSB Select 2 preamp is not that great. My CH L1 beats it hands down. L1 gives much more dynamics.
Wow, interesting! That's the first time that I have heard anything negative about the MSB Select 2 preamp (not that I've listened to it myself; I did listen to the Vivaldi internal pre).
Because I believe that with digital “technically advanced” is highly correlated with more analog-like sound quality.
I heard a direct comparison between the Vivaldi stack and the Yggy in a familiar system. I only very slightly preferred the Vivaldi, though two of my friends much preferred the Yggy in this same system. Perhaps the Yggy DAC should be on Ron's list. Don't ask me which version of each we compared, as these things change frequently and I can't keep up.
I really liked the dCS Rossini when I auditioned it at a local dealer.
I like dacs with tda1541 chips and valves
You are ruining the market sentiment here khun David. Here is a bunch of people with a lot of disposable income. We are trying to figure out where to put money to beside those investment funds. Think of this as a generous support to the audio industry. Only that when we buy we should buy from a friend so some money would still be in the circle instead of 100% to those suckers.Try an iPad with an Apple Airport in a direct comparison with any of the above and see how much you gain if any sonically by spending tens of thousands more and having to deal with constant complications and never ending upgrades that are simple to do inside the Apple eco system. Yes there are differences in hifi values but musically computer sources all share the same inherent qualities and short comings no matter what you spend, IMO.
david
Ron, are you referring to the digital audition at Mike's as the same visit during which you compared his three amplifiers? I recall that was a fairly lively discussion.
I have to say after all these years, it is nice to see the Zanden still being raised in such such august company. I have not heard any of the others...the only one i have heard from this current generation is the Vivaldi which i have heard on multiple systems over the years but drawn limited conclusions as there too many variables.Ron, there are a number of dacs that i would rate highly if you are looking for an organic, rich, analog sound (in no particular order):
1. Total Dac D1 Direct or D1 Twelve
2. Lampizator Pacific
3. Metronome C8+
4. Zanden 4 box dac
I am not a fan of DCS nor Esoteric but i have not heard them in a while. The Scarlatti was absolutely awful imo.
Weird thing about digital is that, contrary to engineering theory, the source is as important as the dac.
The digital source defines the character (soul) of the replay.
The best digital sources ive heard are early cd players.
I havent heard anything computer that id recommend.
I like dacs with tda1541 chips and valves and I love my abbas 2.1se dac. He does better models than mine though.
Jesper
You're not the only one, we like these exact things too
FWIW Ron , Joseph Cali recommends to me the Innuous Statement with MSB Reference. I currently have the low end of dCS in the Bartok, really like the sound and dCS is very well made. He is a dealer for both. However Comparing is not possible for me as The entire system is being replaced. Too many heavy boxes all at once, I will go with what he recommends.
Try an iPad with an Apple Airport in a direct comparison with any of the above and see how much you gain if any sonically by spending tens of thousands more and having to deal with constant complications and never ending upgrades that are simple to do inside the Apple eco system. Yes there are differences in hifi values but musically computer sources all share the same inherent qualities and short comings no matter what you spend, IMO.
david
Even better! But iPads do sound slightly better than iPhones, I think it has to do with the cellular electronics of the phones.Maybe I will find an old Radio Shack 1/8” stereo plug to RCAs wire and connect the iPhone to the line preamplifier and play Qobuz and just tell everyone it is a super expensive streamer going into a super expensive DAC?
Ron needs to finish his house first!You are ruining the market sentiment here khun David. Here is a bunch of people with a lot of disposable income. We are trying to figure out where to put money to beside those investment funds. Think of this as a generous support to the audio industry. Only that when we buy we should buy from a friend so some money would still be in the circle instead of 100% to those suckers.
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