SACD Player vs SACD Transport to use the D. Bob a/k/a Digital Breakout Box

I just got the answer to the following D-1 questions from the designer.

 

Hi,

If you have the time can you answer the following questions about the D-1?

How to classify the 2nd HD filters

• It would be helpful to know what the intended sonic profile for the provided second order harmonic distortion filters. I am using Filter B at Level 2 but I do not know why I like that over A. I have only tried these 2 filters and A was only tried when the D-1 was brand new and was burning in.
  
  We don't yet have FFTs of the individual 2H plots. At some point, we hope to have them on the FAQ. Ultimately, it's all about ear-tuning -- what sounds best for the mix. But for home/audiophile use, I'm not sure you want to mess with it :-)
  
   

With a switchbox does calibrate need to be done more than once

• I am hoping to use Danny's passive preamp switchbox (it has a lot of promise for my setup). Now the idea is to connect the D-1 via XLR on the preamp and then have the other preamp XLR's go out to my 3 their systems. When I use a physical switch on the preamp to switch between systems do I need to calibrate the D-1 each time?

One initial calibration is all you need. The preamp input / buffer characteristics will not change when driving different destinations. Though, I would add, we suggest driving a power amplifier directly from the D-1 DAC, which itself acts as a preamp. This is the shortest, most ideal signal path, and will give you the most ideal sonic results.

 

Does USB cable quality affect the D-1

• I am not one to spend money on USB cables on a DAC. I use a Benchmark USB cable. Does the D-1 benefit from the audiophile USB cables?

D-1 USB input is asynchronous and galvanically isolated, meaning it isolates any incoming noise and re-establishes the signal based on its own ultra-low-jitter oscillator. That is to say, the cable won't make any sonic difference. 

We like those braided USB cables on Amazon, in the $5-10 range. 

The D-1 supports DoP only over USB.

Best,
JL

@yyzsantabarbara 

so I take it you are using the network card in the Meitner? How do files sound thru the USB media input? 
May be something I am interested in as the volume control looks pretty awesome. Bet it would sound great going to these Laiv Ganm mono blocks. 

@benzman I have not used the network card yet, I am streaming using my Sonore OpticalRendu. That is fibre optic into the USB input on the Meitner. I have about 10 hours on the unit now and wow is this thing good, no great. I am looking forward to getting this back in the house for a couple of weeks. I work from home and sometimes I have 18 hours of music playing so I will definitely know which DAC to get.

At this point the Meiter has blown up outside my speakers and is massive like the Imersiv. It is maybe a little less detailed than the Imersiv. The Imersiv is also incredible at placing instruments on the stage and also imaging. The Meitner has really improved in the past 10 hours. Definitely the second-best DAC I had had on my gear. The Imersiv D-1 is #1.

Saying all of this I would not be surprised if I went with the Meitner. A couple of reasons

- the RCA outputs can go into my Schiit Aegir v1 2-channel amp and drive my RAAL SR1a earphones. This is a super important system for me, especially late at night. I work late into the nights.

- the Meitner supports my D.BOB and I love my SACD’s and CD’s (somewhat). The RME DAC is all I have left that work with the D.BOB and the Meitner is a lot better

- the Meitner is plug and play, no filters, and it sounds great in the default setting. The Imersiv is incredible, but you sometimes need to think about it. That is what setting to use with my 3 systems

- the Imersiv cannot play the Schiit Aegir v1 directly since the RCA outputs are not usable. I need to use my friend Danny’s passive preamp, which did not restrict the Imersiv

I still like the sound of the Imersiv more, but it is still very early, and the Meitner has come a long way in 1 day. I will let it play all night and listen in the morning before I have to send it to Denver.

I have been listening to my office setup which consists of Magnepan Mini speakers, CODA #16 amp, and the Meitner. On Monday, I will listen to the better Yamaha NS5000 speakers, CODA #11 amp, and Meitner. 

I will also try both Ethernet (RJ45) streaming and fibre optic to USB on the Meitner.

To finish of the previous question asked of me.

I put the network streamer into play just now using an old Cat5 cable. It should up immediately as a ROON Endpoint, so that was very nice. I want to listen on my earphones now since the family is sleeping and I need to see if the MA3i is good with the RAAL SR1a as was the Imversiv. The Imersiv was so good that I sold a $7k headphone amp and now using my used $400 Schiit Aegir v1 amp. 

Using the network streamer, it was terrible and I had to stop after 15 seconds. My ears were hurting. I put my Sonore OpticalRendu back on USB and it was great without any ear issues. Now nothing can be this bad from a company as good as Meitner, so I am attributing this to the Ethernet (network) input needing some burn-in. I have no time for that since I am in a time crunch to return the DAC.

I have nothing else to add on this D,BOB compatible Meitner DAC.  Serious competition to the Imersiv for my needs. 

@yyzsantabarbara 

Thanks for the info  I know you cycle thru a lot of equipment and value your thoughts!!