I was not being specific - hoping that each one would address his own country. Considering that SACDs have intrinsic ways of preventing the data to be extracted, I would be astonished if the manufacturers did not also try to protect the content legally.
Tour of USB DAC & USB Converter
- Thread starter jkeny
- Start date
I was not being specific - hoping that each one would address his own country. Considering that SACDs have intrinsic ways of preventing the data to be extracted, I would be astonished if the manufacturers did not also try to protect the content legally.
Right. I think it is pretty much only the US (and maybe UK) that currently have "it's illegal to circumvent copy protection" laws, but seems the US is trying to get more countries to adopt that model.
It looks very likely that Canada will go that route. Some changes have already been implemented, but I'd have to check on exactly what. I'll see what I can dig up.
The digital *genie* is out of the bottle and there is no stuffing her back in now. I often wonder if the record companies rue the day they ever jumped on the digital bandwagon. Once the public was able to make one-for-one perfect digital copies of albums, the record companies lost control over the distribution of their music. Back in the glory days for record companies when music was basically available only on LPs and cassette tapes, piracy was in the noise level of their business compared to what is going on today. Back then, if you wanted to buy and play the best sounding version of your favorite album, you purchased it from your local music store which served as a distribution point for the record labels. That business model no longer exists. The record labels sold their souls to the digital devil and they are no longer in control of the distribution of their music as they once were.
I have had some time to listen to John's dac and have to say it is wonderful. Setup was easy with Jriver. I just needed to download the kernel streaming driver and select it in Jriver's settings. MQn was a little more difficult but was not too bad once John sent a link to a dropbox with all the files I needed to get it working.
The sound quality is among the best digital I have had in my system. I prefer it to some recent digital sources I had which were a Modwright OPPO 105 and before that a first generation Linn Akurate DS. I did not bond with the Modwright for some reason. Might of been a synergy thing. I had the Linn Akurate DS for a few years and enjoyed it but it was kind of sterile at times and I usually preferred to listen to my vinyl.
More recently I got in two dac's on trial after selling the Modwright OPPO 105. The newest Benchmark DAC 2 L (version without headphone amp) and an Exasound e20. These were similar in sound quality but I found the Exasound to be slightly more dynamic and a touch better in reproducing cymbals. I found the Exasound's software and features to be better than the Benchmark as well. I sent the Benchmark back even though it was very close in sound and was cheaper in price. I did not care for it's display and the blinking lights.
Enter the Ciúnas DAC. I received it after I got home from RMAF. It is small and unassuming but really performs like a heavy weight. At first listen it was very similar to my Exasound which I had found to be the best digital I've had so far. With time I heard small differences. I found the Exasound to be slightly more resolving in the highs. The Ciúnas was slightly smoother and maybe slightly more relaxing to listen to. I found that I could be happy with either one with PCM files.
If I had not just bought the Exasound and not had need of a dac with DSD capability I would be putting in an order for the Ciúnas. When I received the Ciúnas I was not aware of the price. After listening to it for awhile I got curious. I was surprised to learn it was only $750 US (depending on the exchange rate). I think John has done a heck of a job and at that price it's a no brainer!
I also have John's USB converter but have not tried it yet. I would be surprised if it could improve upon the USB input of my Exasound but you never know until you try. I'm just waiting for a BNC adapter to show up so I can give it a go.
I will be handing the dac and converter over to Gary Koh shortly.
The sound quality is among the best digital I have had in my system. I prefer it to some recent digital sources I had which were a Modwright OPPO 105 and before that a first generation Linn Akurate DS. I did not bond with the Modwright for some reason. Might of been a synergy thing. I had the Linn Akurate DS for a few years and enjoyed it but it was kind of sterile at times and I usually preferred to listen to my vinyl.
More recently I got in two dac's on trial after selling the Modwright OPPO 105. The newest Benchmark DAC 2 L (version without headphone amp) and an Exasound e20. These were similar in sound quality but I found the Exasound to be slightly more dynamic and a touch better in reproducing cymbals. I found the Exasound's software and features to be better than the Benchmark as well. I sent the Benchmark back even though it was very close in sound and was cheaper in price. I did not care for it's display and the blinking lights.
Enter the Ciúnas DAC. I received it after I got home from RMAF. It is small and unassuming but really performs like a heavy weight. At first listen it was very similar to my Exasound which I had found to be the best digital I've had so far. With time I heard small differences. I found the Exasound to be slightly more resolving in the highs. The Ciúnas was slightly smoother and maybe slightly more relaxing to listen to. I found that I could be happy with either one with PCM files.
If I had not just bought the Exasound and not had need of a dac with DSD capability I would be putting in an order for the Ciúnas. When I received the Ciúnas I was not aware of the price. After listening to it for awhile I got curious. I was surprised to learn it was only $750 US (depending on the exchange rate). I think John has done a heck of a job and at that price it's a no brainer!
I also have John's USB converter but have not tried it yet. I would be surprised if it could improve upon the USB input of my Exasound but you never know until you try. I'm just waiting for a BNC adapter to show up so I can give it a go.
I will be handing the dac and converter over to Gary Koh shortly.
Saying DSD is the flavor of the month certainly does not instill confidence in the readers here when it comes to your knowledge.
You are forgetting about DSD downloads. superhirez.com just launched a few weeks ago and the selection is terrific and increasing weekly.
True. DSD is really the flavor of the limitations of the technology of the late 90's.
Just an observation based on what I see on various forums. I haven't compared great PCM playback to great DSD playback yet to come to a firm conclusion about the formats.
Is this what you were referring to Jtinn?
I believe the recent upsurge in interest in DSD is because of it's storage & delivery via USB DOP, rather than disc-based SACD system. The format may be around since SACD days but not computer based playback.
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Still a miniscule amount of titles..now all corresponding to Chad's SACDs. I know that will change soon. But I am still holding you to
your grand proclamation that there will be thousands upon thousands of DSD downloads by year end of major, historical title across all genres.
I don't believe DSD is the flavor of the month. But is an extreme niche. Not a SINGLE current major label artist is recording natively in DSD. Recent reissues of MAJOR rock and pop artists have bypassed it completely..The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Rush Van Morrison, U2, The Beatles, King Crimson, etc which were all recently remastered in PCM.
Even many major Sony artists chose not to use DSD...Pearl Jam..the Miles Davis Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, and Bootleg Series box sets. etc
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BTW for those that still care about great PCM playback, have a look at Andre's review of the Ciunas DAC http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-preamplifiers/stereo-preamps/john-kenny-ciunas-usb-dac-review.html
garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Anybody else in the Seattle area interested in listening to John's DAC? It's good, but I just don't have time to give it a critical listen and review. I'm designing a new speaker for CES, and don't have the system to give it a fair shake.
I'll bring it to Madrona next Thursday (Nov 14th) for the PNWAS meeting if anyone's interested.
I'll bring it to Madrona next Thursday (Nov 14th) for the PNWAS meeting if anyone's interested.
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