Am I doing something wrong . . . ?

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited July 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
Am I doing something wrong or is the technology just not there yet?

I have a Level 4 modded PS Audio DLIII hooked up to my Apple Powerbook via Kimber Kable USB with some of my CDs coverted to apple lossless. The DAC feeds a Dodd Preamp which then goes to Bel Canto S300s vertically biamped to feed my Emmy CS2s.

The sound is pretty good from the DLIII/powerbook, but when compared to my Raysonic C128 it just doesn't have the same kind of life. By comparison, the Raysonic sounds more dynamic. Also, the soundstage is not necessarily wider but more clear. The instruments are presented in a way that allows you to follow each instrument without being distracted by the others.

Is it my cable?

Am I picking up EMI or RF from the computer?

Is there anything I can do to fix it?

Is the technology just not there yet? I did discover USB doesn't support 192khz.
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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Comments

  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2008
    I don't know but I would think the technology is there. Maybe just need to tweak things around? Not quite sure what I would do.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    Continuing to listen, the background is not as black on the DLIII/Powerbook combo.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited July 2008
    Are you doing something wrong??
    Yeah....your listening to tunes off the computer.:p:)Throw one of those silver disc's in the Raysonic....end of story.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited July 2008
    yeah, I think that dacs will make a Ipod / computer signal sound good, but never as good as a well recorded CD. Not sure why, but I always have a lesser listening experience through Ipod and computer.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    You know everything is there, but it just sounds more dull. I feel like I'm listening to a really good stereo and not a live concert. I haven't heard any moments where I have felt fooled.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2008
    There doesn't appear to be much of a difference between the CD and from my PC here, maybe just each own's transport signature.

    Now play the SACD layer and compare...no contest. But that's not entirely fair. :)
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited July 2008
    Maybe the DAC in the iPod is better than you think?

    Wes
    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
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    I-SIG wrote: »
    Maybe the DAC in the iPod is better than you think?

    Wes

    I'm not using an Ipod. But, I have hooked an iPod up to my system. IT sounds like crap and kills my noise floor.

    The Powerbook alone sounds just as bad.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited July 2008
    Laptops introduce noise into the signal.
    Never Forget
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited July 2008
    Just checking since you mentioned you were using ALE.

    Wes
    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
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited July 2008
    Try using the DAC with your cd player. That will tell the story pretty well.
    If that sounds dull too, then it's the DAC.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited July 2008
    How are you feeding the DAC?
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    amulford wrote: »
    How are you feeding the DAC?

    I'm feeding the DAC via Kimber USB Cable from an Apple Powerbook.
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Try using the DAC with your cd player. That will tell the story pretty well.
    If that sounds dull too, then it's the DAC.

    I tried this before I tried the powerbook. The DAC sounds Excellent with the Raysonic and may become permanent! There is definitely a greater sense of warmth and even detail. I think the bass volume increased . . . maybe the over all volume of the system. I'm pretty sure it's the powerbook as a source via USB that is killing the good sound.
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2008
    try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    tryrrthg wrote: »
    try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.

    I'll give the WAV file a try. That's about as pure as it gets.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited July 2008
    tryrrthg wrote: »
    try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.

    X2, FLAC is the only way to truly compare. Apple lossless is still compromised = gargage in, garbage out.
    Venom
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
    I've been messing around with these files for a while now and comparing them. The WAV, FLAC and Apple Lossless all sound the same. None of them are better than the CD128.

    I'm going to start testing the whether the CD128 alone is better or as good as the CD128 with the PS Audio DAC.
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