vgmbpty

Responses from vgmbpty

Upsampling PCM or DSD in 2022
Reviving an old thread, in case anyone is interested... I was 100% NOS camp, either using Roon or in my R2RDAC, Audio-GD R7 HEmk3. No matter what I did, oversampling brought noise and made the sound less organic. I am running ROCK from a NUC and ... 
Lush and Romantic Tube Amps
I found the lush, warmth and detail in an unexpected place.  The Absolare integrated beat my former MBL rig.  Sold everything to get it.  
Some observations from a former skeptic - and a question
I am lucky to be friends with dealers that do a lot of trade-ins, so I get to test more things than I would be able to experience normally. I am not in the USA, and I am not trying to sell anything. My personal experience is as follows: 1. Cables... 
Which USB Re Clocker
Using an Audio-GD DI20 HE + Mutec Ref 10 120 SE clock.  Match made in heaven.  Took the Audio-GD DDC to the super high end level of sound.  The Phoenix USB reclocker may be a one stop solution but I prefer to have separate components, not only for... 
Which USB Re Clocker
Old thread but if it helps, here is my experience.  My system is MBL.  My DaC is a Verity Monslavat Pre 2.  My streamer is a Melco N10.  Sounds great but wanted more.  Tried the Mutec USB3 and it sounded better than the Audio GD20 DI20 HE.  Then b... 
Under my tower speakers -- Isoacoustics Gaia, other options?
Gaias are very good but Townshends are better.  
Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?
@sns  If you consider the K50, then maybe you should also consider the Antipodes Oladra, which is their new flagship.    
Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?
- Kudos to the previous poster for bringing up HiFi Advice. Christian does a great job comparing servers. He seems to specialize on digital. - Another reviewer, Hans Beekhuyzen, who actually bought the MU1, is now using it as a streamer only beca... 
Best Dedicated Streamer
1. Whatever streamer you may chose, first improve the network. As a minimum, install a decent audio switch such as SOtM SNH-10g (best with full upgrades) and an external power supply such as SOTM SPS 1000 or Ferrum Hypsos. If possible, enter it th... 
Sound quality of Roon
@jjss49 This is actually a great question. I believe that it has to do with the shorter signal path (UPnP App-> Player -> Internal SSD) vs Roon which requires a lot of back-and-forth traffic between core, player, etc.  When you condition fo... 
Sound quality of Roon
I am an audiophile and electronic engineer.  I dont know everything, but I happen to have two friends who are a dealer for high end and the other one is importer/distributor for high end, here in Brazil.  I usually do product testing for them, pur... 
What Digital to Digital Converter Do You Use? Why?
I use Audio GD Di 20 HE too.  Did wonders to clean the USB output from an Innuos server.  Stayed on for a month for burn in, but got even better with an external clock from AfterDark and a good BNC cable. Now waiting to demo a Melco S10 and an An... 
Class D Amplification Announcement
Coming from being familiar with pro amps, I had some adverse opinions regarding using them for Hi-Fi. Ok for HT, but not Hi-FI. Had class AB most of my life in my stereo setups. Then an opportunity came to test some lightly used MBL N15 Class D mo... 
Class D Amplification Announcement
I have a couple of MBL monoblocks purchased used, model N15. They clearly sounded better than my ARC Ref 160Ms, even after tube rolling, vibration treatment and good power chords.  It took some burn in time to get rid of the traces of class D sou... 
For those that have separate Streamers & DACS
The Zenith Mk3 USB output is noisy.  You don't know what you are missing until you place a very good DDC on the USB output of the Zenith.  I am using an Audio-GD DI20 HE, and the difference in quality is outstanding with the DDC.