Received my PS Audio DLiii DAC

thsmith

After much agonizing I decided on the PS Audio DAC because of it reviews, feedback from others here and price as I bought B stock. Less than a DAC1 that were 3-5 years old.

I am using my PS3 as a CDP (I know) because I have no room at this time for a better CDP (I know). PS3 doubles as BRP, CDP and media extender.

So optical out of PS3 to DAC to analog input on my AVR.

Observations are that the DAC in my AVR (DENON 2808)connected HDMI to PS3 resulted in a fairly wide sound stage but did not make the SDA's shine wrt sound stage depth, very thin in fact and bass was not punchy. SQ was bright compared to my TT.

Friday night I integrated the DAC quick and dirty using some Monster ICs a friend gave me, they had maybe 15 hours on them. The sound stage was wider, bass was puncher but overall very warm. No matter if I used 96k or 192k sampling the sound was the same. Was not too happy with improvements for the money.

Next morning I had to make a shelf for my stand to add the DAC and also locate my phone stage.

I used a pair of Ben's silvers that are burned in for the DAC and OMG WOW what a difference.

Sound stage is very deep and much wider. The bass punch is now tight and highs are detailed but not harsh or overly bright. Something I had been missing was the mid-bass punch and now have.

This is the closest my SDAs have sounded like the band was right there in the room with me.

I then proceeded to do some A/B test with TT playing Boston Boston on 180g vinyl and same on CD.

The CD is a standard version.

I have to admit I preferred the sound of the CD. The presence was fantastic on the CD, headroom was much higher.

I have to admit the phono stage was using the Monster ICs (friend gave me). I have ordered another set of 4's from Ben which after burn in will go back on Phono stage. But the monsters did not seem to change the sound of the TT.

My TT will stay in my system but so will CDs now. I have not been playing digital music since getting the TT last February. For now I have put a cover over my TT while I lsietn to CDs I have missed and are not available on vinyl.

The only down side is I have to change a setting on my PS3 for sound from HDMI to optical and change the input on my Denon from Auto to analog.

I understand the PS3 config change but not the Denon, Auto in this case is not AUto. Must be a bug with the Denon but small incovenience to enjoy CD goodness.

For anyone that believe cables don't matter I have had 2 experiences that have convinced me.

anyway, I did not tag this as review since these are my observations and do not feel I can qualify as a reviewer, All I know is I am very happy but dreading the begging for forgiveness when my wife sees the AMX bill:eek:

Systems

Excellent ,glad your liking the results so far.Enjoy.

thsmith

Thanks GV, The more I listen the more I like. What I am starting to notice is how black the background is. I can not imagine how nice a really good CD player must sound.

I want to try some of my SACDs in 2 channel and see how they sound.

Having fun catching up on music I have not listened to in a couple of months.

Systems

thsmith wrote: »

I want to try some of my SACDs in 2 channel and see how they sound.

Your DAC will not convert an SACD bitstream,only the standard redbook layer.

thsmith

GV#27 wrote: »

Your DAC will not convert an SACD bitstream,only the standard redbook layer.

Even if I play the 2 channel version of the SACD ?

treitz3

Nope, you are still just getting the redbook layer.

steveinaz

Give your DAC a few weeks. The things that good DAC's bring to the table, take awhile to see (and hear), and appreciate fully. Listen to a bunch of different music, then make some conclusions. I bet you'll find alot to like about the new DAC.

I had a period of about 2 weeks that I decided I would run my CDP analog---just for the hell of it. The first couple days I thought there wasn't much difference with the DAC1 out of the loop--but after about a week, after listening to more of my collection, it came clear to me again why I bought the Benchmark.

thsmith

Thanks Steve, DAC is not coming out except to maybe A/B listening. I can alreadt tell a huge improvement.

venomclan

steveinaz wrote: »

I had a period of about 2 weeks that I decided I would run my CDP analog---just for the hell of it. The first couple days I thought there wasn't much difference with the DAC1 out of the loop--but after about a week, after listening to more of my collection, it came clear to me again why I bought the Benchmark.

Is 4 years enough burn in time? Just checking if I should run it in a bit longer.

steveinaz

Oh yeah, she's ready to rock...:cool:

POIDOG

T, looking forward to hear about your DAC. Mine will be here Friday May 8. But my question is, I understand the changes using my SB Classic, but will I see an improvement with Internet Radio on this Classic, or is this a stupid question?

thsmith

POIDOG. I streamed some MP3 stuff off the puter to the PS3 and while the improvement was not a good as CD but I would say the MP3 sounded as good as a CD sounded before the DAC was put in place.

I can not remember what rate the MP3 was burned at but I had no issue listening to it where before I would not.

So, which DAC did you end up buying ?

heiney9

A DAC shouldn't improve a lossy format, it should expose even more flaws.....perhaps a bit of mental trickery is going on when listening to lossy formatted music.

thsmith

I believe you and it may be my mind tricks. To be honest I did not spend a lot of time listening I just remember thinking it did not sound bad at all.

POIDOG

TH, this is the one I ended up with. Well see how it works out


http://www.pacificvalve.us/PVFathom.html

thsmith

Nice, look forward to your review.

danz1906

Congrats, thats a great Dac.

POIDOG

thsmith wrote: »

Nice, look forward to your review.

Didn't work out. When I installed it, sounded great until about 30-40 minutes into listening. At that point the bitstream became unstable. Tried other interconnects with same results. Moved over to 2 other sources, same issue.
I've since sent it back and now have a Valab DAC on order.

Hopefully this will have a better outcome

thsmith

Sorry to hear that but now you get a chance to try something else :-)

POIDOG

Thanks for your thoughts How is your adventure going with PS Audio. That appears to be a sweet device.

thsmith

POIDOG wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts How is your adventure going with PS Audio. That appears to be a sweet device.

Well, I posted something today about the PS3 and DAC and how I am starting to think Albums sound better but after doing some testing and having a couple of people blind test everyone said the CD was much better and could tell quickly.

All and all its going very well. The PS Audio can be had for $599 B STock and shipping was $10 for me.