Meat & Alcohol Meet looming closer.

ukcolin99
ukcolin99 Posts: 286
in 2 Channel Audio
vxrxjgaymg6c.jpg

As my photo shows (thank you @DSkip @tonyb @F1nut (at least 2 out of 3 of you)), I de-selected Preamp from my Cambridge 851D menu, added my Parasound P5 to the chain using the 851D as a DAC running USB 2.0 out of my MacPro 3.1 playing ALAC imported CDs out of iTunes into the 851D, unbalanced RCA into the P5, XLR balanced into the A21 to the 705s.

Pretty sure sound is different, I am having trouble deciding exactly what has changed. Some songs appear to have more bass, others less peak, sound maybe warmer, louder? Music maybe set back a little, not muffled, less in my face(ears). I dunno, 'need help.

Any thoughts on what the P5 should do to my music? As always wit & wisdom appreciated.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited May 2016
    When I run ALAC or FLAC rips from my MacBook Pro Retina to my P5 it sounds quite clear, sharp and precise.

    It has quickly become one of my favorite ways to listen.

    I use an Audioquest Forest USB cable from the MacBook to the P5.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    UK ya say....I gotta get a new passport.
    No boiled meat though! I lived in Ireland for a few years. Took some getting used to.
    BTW...your gear looks exceptional!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,285
    lightman1 wrote: »
    UK ya say....I gotta get a new passport.
    No boiled meat though! I lived in Ireland for a few years. Took some getting used to.
    BTW...your gear looks exceptional!

    He's on the other side of Houston from me, he's just a poser ;)

    JK UK I know you are a refugee ;)...I mean immigrant
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    Much closer! I shall drive then. I've got some gear I need to round up in the next month or so.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    edited May 2016
    ukcolin99 wrote: »
    vxrxjgaymg6c.jpg

    As my photo shows (thank you @DSkip @tonyb @F1nut (at least 2 out of 3 of you)), I de-selected Preamp from my Cambridge 851D menu, added my Parasound P5 to the chain using the 851D as a DAC running USB 2.0 out of my MacPro 3.1 playing ALAC imported CDs out of iTunes into the 851D, unbalanced RCA into the P5, XLR balanced into the A21 to the 705s.

    Pretty sure sound is different, I am having trouble deciding exactly what has changed. Some songs appear to have more bass, others less peak, sound maybe warmer, louder? Music maybe set back a little, not muffled, less in my face(ears). I dunno, 'need help.

    Any thoughts on what the P5 should do to my music? As always wit & wisdom appreciated.

    Your pretty sure the sound is different, but not sure what ? lol

    Don't sweat it, just listen to it that way for like 2 weeks or so and get used to the sound. Then.....switch back to the way you had it before and see which floats your boat more.

    What kind of IC's are you using between the dac and pre ? If you really want to mix it up, try the dac in the P5 and see if you like that better or not. Take the Cambridge out of the equation. That way, you lose one set of IC's and the Cambridges influence on the sound.

    Collin, doesn't have to be rocket science. Just listen to your music and see which way sounds best to you. If you can't discern any differences, so be it and move on.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ukcolin99
    ukcolin99 Posts: 286
    Thank you gentlemen, wit & wisdom is appreciated. DAC to Pre: Better Cables RCA Cables Silver Serpent Anniversary Edition Audio Interconnect Cable.

    Thanks lm1 grilled not boiled, thanks tb, I'll keep listening, I'm pretty sure the 851D sounds better than the P5 DAC, pretty sure my hearing is good, maybe have my Dr. test my ears after she's finished poking around the rest of me..

    Not to start another time of day/ambient sounds/mood n biorhythms thread but I know the same song can sound different through the same gear, let a lone different gear different day different state of mind n body.
    Not rocket science but more than park your b**t press Power n Play imo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    I'm not a fan of anything that automatically up-samples everything.

    I've found that's where you can get that "set back" sound. I find when stuff starts to get up-sampled by a DAC, I loose clarity and focus.

    Have you tried the same song through both the 851D and then direct through the P5's DAC?

    I've never had my ears on the 851D, I'm just speaking from other experiences with up-sampling...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • oldrocker
    oldrocker Posts: 2,590
    Nice toys..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • footwedge
    footwedge Posts: 475
    ukcolin99 wrote: »

    after she's finished poking around the rest of me.

    Thought this was supposed to be the other way around.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter