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Chord Dave

It won't be for everyone. I'm not saying it's the best. I've owned several DACs and after owning the Dave for a couple of weeks all I can say is WOW! This is the closest to hearing a night and day difference between components that I've experienced. The Dave differentiates between recording venues better than anything I've owned. Detail, soundstage, air, vocals, attack and dynamics are truly outstanding. I'm saying all of this and I'm using the standard power cord. If you're looking for a new DAC, give the Dave a listen.  
ricred1
user140
35 posts
 
What amp and pre would you recommend to play with Dave? 
ricred1 OP
2,147 posts
 
user140,

I'm not sure if you're addressing your question to me, but I'll give my opinion?

What amp and pre would you recommend to play with Dave? The amp should be matched to the speakers they are driving. The preamp should be matched to the amplifier. Will you use a subwoofer, how many inputs and outputs, do you require HT bypass are other things to consider when choosing a preamp. 
user140
35 posts
 
Yes I was referring to you, sorry. My speakers are Dynaudio contour 60 and I always wanted Dave so now what is still open are pre and amp. I would like them to be from one company for warranty reasons, optics and so on. I tried bryston didn't like it, mcintosh was not bad but I don't think their non tube pre was good enough and I don't want tubes in my system. I want neutrality, precision and control. I still need to hear moon and spectral. Speakers are stereo only and will always be in my case. :) 
ricred1 OP
2,147 posts
 
I can't tell you what to purchase. I will provide some suggestions to listen to: Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amp, T+A PA 3100 HV integrated amp, Parasound JC5 amplifier(I don't like their preamps), Constellation Inspiration 1.0 amp and preamp, Jeff Rowland 625 S2 and Corus preamp. I've heard all of the aforementioned components.  
dvdboulet
78 posts
 
Hey guys,

sorry if this steer off-topic but folks here seem familiar with the sound of the DAVE DAC so I'd like some advice...

I've got a Hegel HD30 DAC now being fed by an Aurender N100H. The sound is *very* affected by the USB cable and power-cord and isolation (still points) I use under the N100H. I was thinking to upgrade to an N10 which sounds better (based on almost all other reports), but then I heard an owner of the DAVE dac say that this particular dac is remarkably jitter-resistant... he had compared the sound using multiple USB cables and servers (including Aurender n10 and macbook etc) and could hear virtually no difference.

So now I'm wondering what's a better way to go:

* Keep Hegel HD30 DAC and upgrade to Aurender N10
* Keep Aurender N100H and upgrade to CHORD DAVE DAC

Naturally, I would love to audition all of these options in my own system but this may not be possible. Any advice is welcome!

-Dave
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