Has anyone here heard a Chord Dave in a sort of comparison way to the Directstream Sr with a more recent mountain top firmware (Redcloud and/or Snowmass)? If you have, what were the observations you had between them in sound quality and usability?

The Dave has come up quite a few times. In comparison listening, all reports here I recall expressed a preference for the DS (not surprising). At nearly twice the price the Dave should be considerably better. The Dave is one silly looking device.

I agree it looks ugly. But if the sound were better I might be willing to forgive it.

The Dave and other DACs (not necessarily Chord) are regularly compared to the DSsnr. Often the DS is not considered the top performer. Denafrips Terminator is one and (in Australia) Gieseler Grob DAC + Kraftwerk PSU are very popular comparisons.

much of the result of comparisons is subjective. I think that whether or not the DS is considered better doesn’t matter - the fact that the DS DACs are in these comparisons gives you an indication of pedigree. Ultimately you have to undertake them yourself to answer the question.

I agree the Dave looks like a hideous contraption. BUT it is a really good sounding DAC. As is the Hugo TT. Is it better than a DS Sr? It’s personal preference if you ask me. Sound aside I prefer the ergonomics and full desktop build of other brands. I think the family of the PWT, DSD Sr. and P5 bui…

Thanks for your response. That seems to be what the consensus is among many of the DACs talked about here. They are all state of the art performance with no real weakness and that it’s more personal preference as to what sound signature you’re looking for. Even on the used market, I see most Dave’s …

Sometimes you find things out in unusual ways… YouTube audio blogger John Darko has both a DS and a Dave. He posted a video on his vinyl experience which mentioned both Dacs. The DS is in his main system and the Dave is “on his desk upstairs”. Interesting that.

To me this is the wrong forum to ask if someone likes something other than PSA gear. I’m sure if you were on a Chord forum the responses would lean toward the Chord. Like all audio gear people like different things. I have never heard a Chord Dave but people do rave about them. I’m sure if you went…

I own both, the Dave is a wonderful DAC

It’s interesting to read here and there that the Chord is compared to the DS like to a more euphoric sounding record player with less detail and transients in your face, therefore a more natural sound. I think for many digital still mainly means a maximum of obvious and invasive information. I’m gl…

PS Audio

Anyone heard a Chord Dave?

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scotte1 January 17, 2019, 12:51pm 14

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Anyone heard a Chord Dave?

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