emcdade

Responses from emcdade

The Border Patrol DAC - Maybe linearity in a DAC is bad ... Spitballing
One album I remember distinctly with the Border Patrol was the Daft Punk RAM album.  It has several tracks with beautifully recorded drums and cymbals.The cymbals with the BP Dac sounded dark and with very little decay, no sparkle and air.  This i... 
The Border Patrol DAC - Maybe linearity in a DAC is bad ... Spitballing
Subjectivist chiming in who bought the Border Patrol SE Dac and returned it....Apparently I like the decay and transparency of a typical DAC because I felt the Border Patrol sucked the life right out of my system.  It was coloring the sound but de... 
Why so many used focals?
I have Sopra 2’s and to me what really stands out is how balanced they are, a true “all rounder”.  They don’t throw the largest soundstage but they’re still spacious.  They have tons of air in the treble but never get harsh.  They have good drive ... 
Magicos are chesty
More like Diana “Balls” right? 
Curious what people think is the best "value" high end speaker (~5K to 15K)
Definitely (insert speaker you currently own) the Sopra 2’s. 
The Future of Audio Amplification
Had the NAD M22 with the ncore modules, measured like an absolute champ.Then we auditioned it in the dealer room next to all the Class AB amps and it just fell on its face.  Dry, sterile, and uninvolving when you really go head to head with Class ... 
Are Pass Labs amps probably the best ever you can buy ?
To pile on with the T+A love fest, since owning the T+A DAC8 DSD I’m looking to jump on their bandwagon anywhere I can.  Their electronics kick ass. 
Are Pass Labs amps probably the best ever you can buy ?
Pass is great.I have a Perla Audio integrated that sounds similar to the Pass .8 amps.  The big difference is that the Perla uses 5W at standby vs like 250W for the Pass.  It’s also not covered in giant heat sinks, and is Class AB.i know some don’... 
PS Direct Stream latest firmware, "Snowmass"
Hate to be a party pooper, but this is same old story as every firmware release.I upgraded from Redcloud to the T+A Dac 8 DSD, a DAC with a $2,000 less msrp, and it eats the Directstreams lunch in every way imaginable. 
Focal Sopra No 2 vs Magico A3
Hearing music “the way it was recorded” is an absolute rubbish argument.  The entire recording chain is “colored” right down to the microphone, let alone the act of capturing a live event on a mic.  If the holy grail as described by you is just an... 
The big DAC decision
Best I’ve heard is T+A DAC8 DSD and at $4k it’s a relative bargain.  I upsample to DSD512 through Roon.  I had the DirectStream Dac in house as well and sorry to PS Audio but in my system it wasn’t nearly as good as T+A.  It really is an exception... 
Best Rocking Speakers 15K and Under
Definitely hear the Sopra 2’s.  Unlike many higher end speakers I heard, they are equally adept at rocking pretty hard with great body and presence but can also get out of the way and throw a nice deep soundstage.  They’re very faithful to the rec... 
Schiit not shipping
Really not a fan of Schiit. A lot of their gear measures like actual crap. And I assume the people who think the name is funny are the same ones who would, say, laugh at beer commercials. Then there’s the group of sycophants from various other for... 
PS Audio DirectStream DAC or Aqua Formula xHD
The Directstream Dac in my system was no better than my current Fostex HP-A8C.  The only real difference was that it’s presentation was slightly more rear-hall.  Great if that’s your taste but less presence and immediacy in vocals.  The noise floo... 
Borderpatrol Dac SE
I ended up returning it thanks to Gary's generous return policy.  No complaints about the DAC in general, it just didn't work in my setup.  My amp is a little sweet on top to begin with and the BP sweetness pushed it over the edge.I'm starting to ...