MF Tri-Vista 21 DAC - My impressions
janmike
Posts: 6,146
I recently purchased a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 DAC for a couple of reasons.
1) I wanted to experience the tube world.
2) I wanted to determine if this DAC would improve the tonal quality.
3) Being informed that the DAC uses the same circuitry as the highly acclaimed Tri-Vista SACD; I figured it had to be relatively good.
4) The price was right and I could sell it in Canada in a heartbeat and break even or even make a few extra $ if I did not like what I heard.
Equipment:
- Proceed AVP-S
- Proceed AMP5
- Marantz SE67 CDP
- Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 DAC
- All Signal Cables - for now
Through the help of many people here I have gone through a bit of a progression attempting to better the sound coming from the source. Initially I had a digital cable running from my Marantz SE67 to my Yamaha RX-V1500. I found the sound quite poor and was advised to change to an analog cable to allow the Marantz to perform the signal conversion. That worked. Then I purchased a Proceed AVP-S Processor. Since the DAC in the Proceed is better than the Marantz, I switched back to a digital cable so that the Proceed could do the conversion. Actually I found the coax digital to be a better performer than the Fibre. Then I purchased the Tri-Vista, so I am using a coax digital from the Marantz to the Tri-Vista and analog (L/R) from the Tri-Vista to the Proceed. Well, things have really mellowed out. I hope I have grasped that concept of the analog / digital conversion thing.
The one thing I really noticed was the harshness in high female vocals has really toned down, like gone. Those really high notes on the guitar are not ear piercing anymore. As well, the soundstage has been extended. Before the Tri-Vista, the soundstage was relatively narrow and now it seems to go right to the walls and even beyond. The bass has really tightened up as well. I have played around a little using my SVS sub for additional bass (using LSi9s at the moment) and found that I had to turn down the bass from the previous setting. Overall I feel the Tri-Vista has improved the detail and there have been a few songs that I been astonished to hear additional instruments in the background that were previously non-existent.
There is one issue that I am still a little confused on in the Sample Rate. I can change the setting on the DAC from 96 kHz to 192 kHz. I have tried this a couple of time and am trying to hear the difference. So far I cannot tell the difference, but I have only switched it a few times.
For me the acquisition of this DAC was a good one. The one thing that I have really noticed is the concept of The Law of Diminishing Returns really begins to become reality as you move up the value chain (for my budget range anyway). That being said, the additional value is what we strive for. The building of my 2CH rig is WIP thing and I really wanted to see if tubes did anything for me. I like that warm sound and it has reinforced my initial feelings that tubes would be the way to go. My question now is how far. I still have a pre and an amp to purchase for the 2CH and that research has been started. Thanks to everyone for their help and especially Jesse for providing the patience and understanding to assist this still Rookie in the quest for audio improvement.
1) I wanted to experience the tube world.
2) I wanted to determine if this DAC would improve the tonal quality.
3) Being informed that the DAC uses the same circuitry as the highly acclaimed Tri-Vista SACD; I figured it had to be relatively good.
4) The price was right and I could sell it in Canada in a heartbeat and break even or even make a few extra $ if I did not like what I heard.
Equipment:
- Proceed AVP-S
- Proceed AMP5
- Marantz SE67 CDP
- Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 DAC
- All Signal Cables - for now
Through the help of many people here I have gone through a bit of a progression attempting to better the sound coming from the source. Initially I had a digital cable running from my Marantz SE67 to my Yamaha RX-V1500. I found the sound quite poor and was advised to change to an analog cable to allow the Marantz to perform the signal conversion. That worked. Then I purchased a Proceed AVP-S Processor. Since the DAC in the Proceed is better than the Marantz, I switched back to a digital cable so that the Proceed could do the conversion. Actually I found the coax digital to be a better performer than the Fibre. Then I purchased the Tri-Vista, so I am using a coax digital from the Marantz to the Tri-Vista and analog (L/R) from the Tri-Vista to the Proceed. Well, things have really mellowed out. I hope I have grasped that concept of the analog / digital conversion thing.
The one thing I really noticed was the harshness in high female vocals has really toned down, like gone. Those really high notes on the guitar are not ear piercing anymore. As well, the soundstage has been extended. Before the Tri-Vista, the soundstage was relatively narrow and now it seems to go right to the walls and even beyond. The bass has really tightened up as well. I have played around a little using my SVS sub for additional bass (using LSi9s at the moment) and found that I had to turn down the bass from the previous setting. Overall I feel the Tri-Vista has improved the detail and there have been a few songs that I been astonished to hear additional instruments in the background that were previously non-existent.
There is one issue that I am still a little confused on in the Sample Rate. I can change the setting on the DAC from 96 kHz to 192 kHz. I have tried this a couple of time and am trying to hear the difference. So far I cannot tell the difference, but I have only switched it a few times.
For me the acquisition of this DAC was a good one. The one thing that I have really noticed is the concept of The Law of Diminishing Returns really begins to become reality as you move up the value chain (for my budget range anyway). That being said, the additional value is what we strive for. The building of my 2CH rig is WIP thing and I really wanted to see if tubes did anything for me. I like that warm sound and it has reinforced my initial feelings that tubes would be the way to go. My question now is how far. I still have a pre and an amp to purchase for the 2CH and that research has been started. Thanks to everyone for their help and especially Jesse for providing the patience and understanding to assist this still Rookie in the quest for audio improvement.
Michael 
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
Post edited by janmike on
Comments
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Nice write-up, Mike. After my brief experience with the MF A5 Int. I have decided to focus on my source(s) as well.
I'm really wanting to add some tubes to my CDP also. Right now I can't decide if I want to try MF's tube buffer on the cheap, Ah! New Tube 4000 with all the bells and whistles, or going big time with the new Cary 303/300.
Right now I don't like the idea of not being able to swap tubes so the MF buffer has me turned off and obviously, even used the Cary commands a pretty penny, but I want to be sure and actually upgrade from my Rotel/Bel Canto combo and not lateral like I might do with the Ah!.
I think your little piece here may help me a bit, thanks.
WesLink: http://polkarmy.com/forums
Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d -
Hello I-Sig,
You might really want to consider a used Museatex Bitstream DAC that is upgraded by ex-Meitner Employee John Wright. If you do a few searches on it even within this own forum you'll understand why some people consider it one of the most analog sounding digital devices on earth. I believe fellow Polkster JM1 has mentioned that his Digital (Bitstream) is very close to his vinyl (VPI). There is really nothing nicer then holding onto a component for a very long time without ever wanting or itching to try something different, my DAC has stayed with me now through two amp's and soon to be my forth pair of speakers. -
Stop it guys! You are sending me off for a quest for a new DAC!Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
Sorry to hi-jack, Mike.
I'll keep an eye out for something on the 'gon. Is the Bidat just as desirable? Thanks, LuSh.
WesHello I-Sig,
You might really want to consider a used Museatex Bitstream DAC that is upgraded by ex-Meitner Employee John Wright. If you do a few searches on it even within this own forum you'll understand why some people consider it one of the most analog sounding digital devices on earth. I believe fellow Polkster JM1 has mentioned that his Digital (Bitstream) is very close to his vinyl (VPI). There is really nothing nicer then holding onto a component for a very long time without ever wanting or itching to try something different, my DAC has stayed with me now through two amp's and soon to be my forth pair of speakers.Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums
Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d -
No problem Wes. If I can help anyone to the level that I have been helped on this forum I will feel honored.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
I-Sig,
I will be curious of your findings if you do go that route. I use the BC Dac 1.1 with Denon 2900 transport. Probably closer than further in performance to your Dac 2.
V -
The Bidat is considered a step up. Its ALOT more expensive...used units have sold as high as $5k with $2-3k being the average. Alot of people went crazy about 2 years ago when a very famous inmate posted that he had sold his dCs stack in favor of the Bidat. I've spoken with John Wright on a number of occasionals and he insists that while the two units sound slightly different its more a preference thing. The Bidat is said to be even more revealing and suitable with any gear on the planet. I'd recommend looking at the Bitstream (much cheaper investment) it's one of those peices that you must listen to for almost month's before you realize just how much a dramatic impact it can make on your system.
On a side note, a Moray James digital interconnect is a must with all Museatex product, the differences are that dramatic. -
Congrats Mike on purchasing a great DAC. MFcertainly has their s**t together when comes to designing excellent sounding digital and amplification products.Testing
Testing
Testing -
Congrats Michael! From everything I heard, that is a nice unit. I have the MF tube buffer (X-10 V3) and it took the edge off my Quad 99 CDP-2. The Quad began to fatigue me after about an hour at higher (not extremely high) volumes. I bought the tube buffer with the X-PSU power supply and it smoothed the edge off with diminishing the great soundstage and detail that I enjoyed about the Quad.
The upsampling should reduce disk read errors that will cause "noise".
Congrats and enjoy your upgrade!Carl
