New digital plaback system
bikerboy
Posts: 1,211
A couple weeks ago I got a Adcom GDA-600 DAC from Joeparaski. Thanks, Joe. I also saw he was selling a "jitter bug". So after looking into them I got a Monarchy Audio DIP. I made a AES IC to use between the DIP and the DAC. I used neutrik silver xlr connectors and Belden 1800b wire, which is 110 ohm tinned copper with 100% shielding. So after comparing cdps that I have available with optical or coax outputs that go into the MA DIP, then into the Adcom DAC, I think I have found the hot setup. The Sony C8ESD changer sounds the best.
But right after I received the DAC, my Jolida 502a burned tubes and the fuse 2 times, so I have been using the B&K ST 202 for now. So my reference went away for now.
But the new improved man cave sounds great. The DIP-DAC combo is so reveiling, so quiet, soo much easier on the ears when the studio wanted it hot! It does not make poor recordings better, but it does make it more interesting to listen to and pay attention to other parts of the music. The little quiet parts are more apparent. Its like there are more keys on the piano or strings on the guitar. This means 3 boxes to use to listen to a cd. But dam it sounds good. Only $465 into the setup, so not bad price wise. This digital playback is too computer tech for me. I hope this serves me well for a while. I dont know what I would do it make it any better.
But right after I received the DAC, my Jolida 502a burned tubes and the fuse 2 times, so I have been using the B&K ST 202 for now. So my reference went away for now.
But the new improved man cave sounds great. The DIP-DAC combo is so reveiling, so quiet, soo much easier on the ears when the studio wanted it hot! It does not make poor recordings better, but it does make it more interesting to listen to and pay attention to other parts of the music. The little quiet parts are more apparent. Its like there are more keys on the piano or strings on the guitar. This means 3 boxes to use to listen to a cd. But dam it sounds good. Only $465 into the setup, so not bad price wise. This digital playback is too computer tech for me. I hope this serves me well for a while. I dont know what I would do it make it any better.
Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
Post edited by bikerboy on
Comments
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very cool !
aint it great to be able to enjoy the music on a higher level each time you upgrade !Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
Parasound HCA-3500
Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
Jolida JD-100 CDP
Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
SVS PC-Ultra Sub
AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
PS Audio Plus Power Cords
Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)
:cool: -
I bought a DIP to use with my PC audio setup as digital from PC can be jittery... and of course, the better your digital out device the less the DIP becomes useful, but I did notice a positive difference. Less harsh midrange and treble and a low end with a bit more definition.
I hear the monarchy can turn basically any old transport into a top notch digital source. Did you get the classic or the 24/96?
I have the classic, and as awsome as it is, I wish it had optical out.
I hear that you can mod the classic into the 24/96 with a simple jumper switch inside... now mind you, this is just so it will accept 24/96 and output 24/96. The classic accepts it by default but will resample anything that is not 44.1 to 16/44.1. It's kindof tricky if you do not know what your source is outputting, if you have the classic, because it may be downsampling and you might not know it! -
Hi,
I have the classic. I only use it for cd playback only. I thought that would be 16/44.1 only. But this is all new to me. It is a whole new clarity, that is for certain. Now more cables, things to learn. Fun, fun, fun.Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server -
Digital cables are less of an issue with the DIP in place. A decent quality mono RCA cable will work fine. I use radio shack's gold mono cable. No need to buy expensive digital cable with the DIP. I have tried better and didn't notice a difference.
If you are using a standard CD player (not SACD) for a transport, then the classic should be fine and it should not be resampling.
Now you are going to want to experiment with DACs... a non-oversampling DAC mates very well with the monarchy DIP.
