Next step for better performance?

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Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2010
    It can be used for a volume for the DAC as a preamp, or for the headphones jack, or bypassed if you don't need it in your system which is what I do. In either mode, I have not noticed any difference in the sound.
  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited September 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    A 2 ch. DAC will only accept PCM data,and will not decode the DD and DTS data streams.For that you'll need a pre/pro or just use the analog outputs of a DVD/BR player.

    The Matrix DAC doesn't do anything fancy but can handle AC3 decoding. Hmmmm,
    - Support AC3/DTS Pass Throug
    h

    that's not decoding is it ; )
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited September 2010
    LOL. should have scrolled. I used to own one; they are very well designed in dual mono.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    The Matrix DAC doesn't do anything fancy but can handle AC3 decoding.
    Cool there may be others ,(though I can't think of any)but that is a rarity amongst 2 ch DAC's.
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2010
    It is cool that is has digital coax out for the DTS pass through to an HT decoder.
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    zingo wrote: »
    It is cool that is has digital coax out for the DTS pass through to an HT decoder.

    Ah OK so it's just a pass through for DD and DTS data ,so onboard decoding?
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2010
    I haven't tried feeding it a 5.1 signal and seeing if it decodes it, but it does has plenty of on-board 2.1 decoding. I'll have to try a movie in the PC and see what happens.
  • sm88
    sm88 Posts: 353
    edited September 2010
    Cambridge dacmagic is the one i'm going for, they cost around $300 on agon but are bought within a day of being posted usually, so keep your eye out, they seem to be a hot item and the reviews are excellent
    Current System:
    Paradigm Signature S2 v2
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    Wyred4Sound DAC2
    Audioquest Black Mamba II


    For Sale:
    3x Wilson Cub's
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
  • steph666
    steph666 Posts: 4
    edited September 2010
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Without a doubt--your source needs to be replaced or at least run thru a DAC with lossless audio codec(s).

    A cheap alternative to a dac would be a tube pre-amp that is compatible with your Iphone. I am using the Dice ITPA-220 as a pre-amp then letting my sr8002 do the rest.
  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited September 2010
    Many of the posts in this thread, including the one above, have mentioned using a DAC with the iPhone. This implies that the iPhone will output digital source. If that is so, it's news to me. How do you get a digital signal from an iPhone?
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited September 2010
    dcmeigs wrote: »
    Many of the posts in this thread, including the one above, have mentioned using a DAC with the iPhone. This implies that the iPhone will output digital source. If that is so, it's news to me. How do you get a digital signal from an iPhone?

    Is it possible that it will work over a USB DAC? I dunno, I am just guessing. Alternately, they have ipod/iphone transports. Of course, I could just use a computer as a source.. I think that's what everyone has been going on.

    If I get a DAC, I'm gonna get it on the used market. There's been a lot of good input, but most of the DAC's suggested cost more than all my gear combined... I think I am going to go to the gon and search within 100-250... problem is, I know nothing about DAC's. So, when something comes up, I won't even know what is good... I usually just go off the MSRP :)
  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited September 2010
    OK. I often use a USB external sound card (with the PC) with a toslink output to my DAC and that works pretty well. I've tried the airport with mixed results. I like to stay hard wired. Computer based sourcing is enough trouble without throwing in networking hassles.

    I know it's been said dozens of times in this thread, but using that iphone as a source is foul play. You should invite a buddy with a good source over to the house some evening with some good source material just to see what lies ahead. It'll get you pumped for the change.

    Later on when you want to take the next step, you should get down to a good two-channel store and listen to some tube gear too. It'll help you see beyond that squalid state equipment. Help you to get past that tubeaphobia too(or is it vacuphobia - I can never remember) . There might be a 12 step program available; never know.

    Enjoy
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
  • sm88
    sm88 Posts: 353
    edited September 2010
    Coke, the one I mentioned gets rave reviews and is $300 used. Cambridge Dacmagic, they get snatched up very quickly and have been a popular item so even if it isn't to your liking it wouldn't be hard to resell
    Current System:
    Paradigm Signature S2 v2
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
    Wyred4Sound DAC2
    Audioquest Black Mamba II


    For Sale:
    3x Wilson Cub's
    Conrad Johnson MF2500
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited September 2010
    Reported for spam.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....


    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee