Arcam rDAC

[gobble]

I don't understand why anyone would want asynch USB. Look up the principle of async data transmission, and then correlate that with an audio signal. It's not difficult to deduct that asynch audio would be more distorted in output due to the async process.

Maybe they buffer and re-clock the signal to produce decent SQ if not comparable to a great analogue sounding one... for us spectators the first owner reports that will trickle in are a matter of great curiosity and anticipation



Cheers

 

[StanleyB]

Maybe they buffer and re-clock the signal to produce decent SQ if not comparable to a great analogue sounding one.

The great joke about that claim of asynch USB is that in a 'standard DAC' that uses the popular CS8414, CS8416, WM8804, etc. receiver ICs the incoming signal is already being re-clocked. So that aspect of async USB is not bringing anything new on the table.

My own feeling is that somebody very clever with words has been selling us new clothes for the emperor.

 

[gobble]

The great joke about that claim of asynch USB is that in a 'standard DAC' that uses the popular CS8414, CS8416, WM8804, etc. receiver ICs the incoming signal is already being re-clocked. So that aspect of async USB is not bringing anything new on the table.

My own feeling is that somebody very clever with words has been selling us new clothes for the emperor.

Well I am not buying anyways ... but I will be happy to peer closely and complement the emperor on his new clothes ... hyeah:

Cheers

 

[blueturtle]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

blueturtle,
I have been lucky to have heard both rDac and M1Dac side by side.
I heard them through AVI ADM 9.1.
I have to say spending half an hour with each still didn't give a clear picture.
I first heard through the dac of AVI ADM 9.1 itself to find out how they sound overall. I really liked them. Infact I have to say for the price of 1100 pounds or about 80k rupees it would be very tough to beat them through separates. So, as soon as we plugged in rDac the change was very noticeable. The first thing I noticed was that it was like rDac was trying to make it sweet. I also thought it started sounding a bit sluggish. The detail retrieval was very good. The AVI dac were placing instruments close to each other, a bit meshed up, while rDac was having a better separation. On switching to M1 Dac, I found that it had more energy to it. I liked it better than rDac but not by a big margin. But other than the fact that there was more energy to it, I couldn't find any big differences. So, my take away from the sessions were:
1. I liked these Dac's over Dacmagic. I didn't hear the Dacmagic on this system. But to me Dacmagic was a bit dull and boring. While rDac went a bit away from that and M1 Dac going pretty nicely away.
2. Both rDac and M1 Dac still was smoothing out the edges, probably rDac to a greater extent. So, the final degree of details or the air around the instruments were not up to my expectations. I found Benchmark doing that better. So, the next level of Dac's will do that better.
3. rDac strength is USB which I couldn't test. The comparison was made is coax and toslink and not in USB. So, if the sole purpose of the dac was USB, then rDac might be better.
4. Also based on the remaining of the system the synergy would be different for these dacs.
5. The difference were not huge enough that we should ignore the other aspects like the wifi angle of rDac. I think the convenience that wifi would bring is too good. So, if pushed I might still pick rDac over M1 because of this aspect.
6. I was told by the guy in the shop that they both are very good at retrieving details in the lower registers but couldn't test them with some floorstanders.
I did try M1 with Musical Fidelity M6i amp and PMC DB1i. I found that in this setup suddenly there was lot more energy and was also sounding a bit rough, but had too little a time to conclude anything.
There is an Audiolab 8200CDQ about to be released followed by DQ and MDAC.
This seems to be interesting as CDQ/DQ has Analog and Digital Pre and also Class A headphone amp which I would be needing. The guy in the shop has listened to the 8200CD and was saying that they are for sure a step above these 2 Dac's. So, I think my idea is to now wait for them to come around.

Thank you Gopi for your time to provide a detailed experience. Could not find much on the Audiolab DAC - perhaps it's not yet launched?

Can you please give your valued opinion on the rDAC, M1 DAC vs the PS Audio DAC III? Some members had recommended it on my earlier post? Would like to hear your thoughts as well please?

 

[blueturtle]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

I think unleash_me uses macbook with dac for music. He might be able to help you on that count.

Would appreciate if "unleash_me" could share his experience with us please?

Also, my understanding is that when rDAC's wireless dongle is available, the SB Touch or any othe device will become redundant as the rDAC will be able to play music from my notebook wirelessly on it's own? Or, will there be any special advantage in using the Squeezebox? Someone please help clarify these doubts?

 

[anm]

has anyone heard the dac as yet with USB and non usb?

 

[unleash_me]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

Would appreciate if "unleash_me" could share his experience with us please?

Sorry my source is not Mac. It's still the quirky old PC for me. The amp however is a McIntosh, an all tube MA2275. Guess that's where iaudio got confused.

I'm using an underdog dac from Mhdt Laboratory called Havana. You can read my impressions here. I replaced the stock tube with a cryotreated NOS bendix 638. There were brief random discussions about this dac here itself that you can find if you search around. A full fledged thread in an other forum if you are interested to read more.

Not sure about your budget or preference but if its around 1 to 2k, you might want to add these dacs to your shortlist: Benchmark DAC1, Lavry 11, RWA Isabellina, Stello DA100, BelCondo etc. to name a few.

PS: Sorry couldn't elaborate. I wear many hats and these days they're all stacked up together!

 

[suri]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

I wear many hats and these days they're all stacked up together!

but surely, you wear one hat at a time?

 

[unleash_me]

LOL. I try!

 

[suri]

LOL. I try!

if you are married - you-

surely-

are-

divorced?

that said - heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheehehehehheehheheeeeeehhheheheheh!

 

[sridhar-v]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

Hello VD,

I also planned to get the new SB Touch but with the rDAC's wireless capabilities think my Vaio NS240 may suffice making the SB redundant?

Some friends swear by the superior audio capabilities of Macbook Pro vs the Vaio? They seem convinced getting a dedicated MacBook Pro just for music is a VFM option?

Sir, did you ever try a pc vs the SB combination? If yes, what is your recommendation - shall I get a SB Touch, a new Macbook Pro or just hang on to the Vaio NS240 E/W?????

Don't know of macbook. But I am using an Imac (4 yrs old) as home_office comp. Also use it for listening to songs. The clarity of sound, sound-stage and SQ are excellent. I have seen some detailed reviews of Iphone & Ipods and find that the THD of these units is 1/10th of the nearest competitor. So I am seriously considering using a MAcMini as a HTPC.

 

[blueturtle]

Re: Arcam rDac vs MF M1 DAC Help....

Thank you Gopi for your time to provide a detailed experience. Could not find much on the Audiolab DAC - perhaps it's not yet launched?

Can you please give your valued opinion on the rDAC, M1 DAC vs the PS Audio DAC III? Some members had recommended it on my earlier post? Would like to hear your thoughts as well please?

Arcam rDAC For Sale | AudiogoN

Anyone interested? Seller quoted me US $430 for the rDAC including shipping to India with insurance and full tracking.
Also have a quote of US $515 for a PS Audio DLiii but it's only 120 (USA) voltage.

Seek usual, but valuable, input/guidance between the rDAC and the PS Audio DLiii please?

If it helps, heard a rumour that PS Audio plan to update the DLiii next year? Will some shed some light as to what upgrades/updates may be expected????

 

[spirovious]

Arcam rDAC Wireless review-
Arcam rDAC Wireless review from the experts at whathifi.com

 

[spirovious]

some reviews-
Arcam rDAC Asynchronous USB DAC Review | Computer Audiophile
Arcam rDAC review from TechRadar UK's expert reviews of Hi-Fi accessories
arcam rDAC
Hands-on Review: ARCAM's rDAC

One review says USB sounds better than rest two.Wasapi worked well & not asio/KS in win7.

 

[ravi_d]

some reviews-
Arcam rDAC Asynchronous USB DAC Review | Computer Audiophile
Arcam rDAC review from TechRadar UK's expert reviews of Hi-Fi accessories
arcam rDAC
Hands-on Review: ARCAM's rDAC

One review says USB sounds better than rest two.Wasapi worked well & not asio/KS in win7.

Yes, Async USB is said to work better than Co-axial and optical connections. Its good for those having using laptop as sources.

 

[spirovious]

Inside of rDAC with mods-

http://www.audiocominternational.com/arcam-rdac-mods-p-208.html