Johno said
For me the configuration with win8.1 and Jriver 96k Bit perfect test file need to be
Jriver
Tools/options/Bitstreaming set condition to : Yes
don’t use Tools/Settings/ DSP & output/DSP Studio/output format/ Output encoding : DSD in DoP format (requires DSD capable DAC)
using DSP studio the Bit perfect test fails.
do not use DSP studio. Set Bitstreaming to Yes is all that is required in Jriver. My setup works on both Bridge and USB in this configuration Bit perfect test good.
Sound is heard using DSP studio but does not pass the 96K bit perfect test.
I am very keen to try the 192K bit perfect test file how can I get my hands on that. Can anyone help
The 192kHz bit perfect test file completed successfully its good to be reassured my USB cable is good at 192Khz. I have installed win 8.1 on the NUC and running a stock standard USB cable excellent musical sound
stevem2 said
Yes. Don't get confused between the bit perfect test, which is a file you download from the PSA downloads section, and Bit Perfect the program, which is just for Macs running iTunes. The bit perfect test file is played like any other music file (but turn the sound off or way down--there is no music). Add it to your JRiver library and play it. If it works, your DS will briefly display "bit perfect passed" (or something like that) in the top left of the display.
lonely raven, audio by vanalstine( www.avahifi.com/ ) makes a line driver that will handle this at far less cost than a quality preamp. a personal note to me from Frank VanAlstine:
"The line driver has an input impedance of 47K ohm, a pure resistive load.
Its output impedance is 560 ohms and it will drive very difficult
loads and long cable runs.
We normally set it at a gain of 3 boosting the output level of your
DAC to about 6V maximum, enough to drive any good power amplifier to
full power and still give you useful rotation of your DAC volume
control.
The audio design includes very fast unity gain current amplifier
inside the loop with super premium OPA627 operational amplifiers.
The result is very quiet and ultra low distortion musical performance
with a slew rate capability of about 2000V per microsecond. The
separate internal linear power supply includes a toroid power
transformer, a large raw power supply and very well regulated and
decoupled plus and minus 15V DC supply rails.
It will do exactly what you need, if not you can return it under our
30 day satisfaction guarantee.
We build the line driver in our least expensive base 17" wide x 12" deep x 3.5"
high chassis. To custom tool a separate smaller chassis just for
this item would be much more expensive.
You connect the analog stereo output of your DAC to the input pair on
the line driver and then you will need one more interconnect cable
set to go from the line driver to the power amp."
For those of us who run preamps, the lower output of the DS might be a good thing. I now run my preamp mostly around 60-65 (out of 100), whereas with the PWD I ran it about 45-50. (Of course I don’t know if my preamp is like many in sounding its best with the volume control about 3/4 of the way up. I can hope. )
You’re feeling the same thing I am. My Oppo and my Reel to Reel deck (both have the same output voltage, and use differential XLR output) both drive my Mystery Amp quite well, and give the sound a density and liveness that I really enjoy. If you go back to my earliest posts on the DS, I noticed right away that the DS just doesn’t have this push. It’s the one thing I’m still dissapointed wtih.
A lower RMS output voltage does not provide less “slam.” The only difference is the volume setting needed to obtain the same loudness.
. . . . . . . .
As unrelated forum tidiness issue, please do not quote the last post to respond - just use the “Add Reply” button at the top or bottom of the page. We will all know to what you are responding; it is directly above your post.
Similarly, please snip any quotes to contain only that portion needed to provide context for your response. Long quotes, and especially nested quotes, take up lots of space and slow down reviewing a thread.
(I have cleaned up a lot posts lately - if you get a message that your post has been edited, this is why. I have no removed or changed any content.)
The DS is about 3dB lower in output than many CD players or DACs. Most of us have much more than that amount of headroom so it’s not usually a problem. The thing is that the PWD is hotter than many DACs so some people have systems with no preamp that work with the PWD but perhaps not without a preamp with the DS. (BTW other people have systems for which the PWD has too high of output level and are happy that the DS has a lower output level.)
The balanced output of the DS is 6dB higher in output than the unbalanced so some may be able to use a balanced connection to gain 6dB.
The output of the DS isn’t going to get higher without significant hardware work (i.e. if I could have given it it a higher output by just changing a few resistors I would have before we released it.)
Yes, I have also noticed that the gain on the DSD is lower then the MK11. I have learned the hard way that too much volume can not only damage hearing but my equipment as well. Extended listening sessions with friends and alcoholic beverages possibly involved can result in ridiculous sound levels as the session goes on. To protect my hearing and equipment, I use a sound level meter(slm) whenever I am going to be playing music at volume. I put the slm beside me and try to keep the sound levels between 85-91 dba.
for those running single ended to SET or similar, (I had one guy yesterday) how about we dig up a suggestion for an economical A’philes box (oxymoron?) to convert the XLR output to RCA while maintaining the higher voltage.
That’s a good idea but be aware that “box” will have to be more than a simple adapter if you want the higher voltage of balanced. It would require active electronics or a high quality audio transformer and would most certainly affect the sound.
Speaking of transformers, Paul - why was it again you guys chose to use the output transformers you did, vs the higher end Jensens? I think you mentioned it at your Chicago visit recently, but I don’t recall you explained why. I’ve seen it come up in a couple forums that people are already talking about upgrading those transformers on the DS - and from what you said in Chicago, that probably wouldn’t be a good idea, but I don’t understand why.
The converter boxes go both ways SE to XLR or back. But not sure if they decrease the output or Increwase. They also are not cheap. I have a DAC that only does SE output and have a headphone amp that needs XLR to work optimally. Other wise it uses a phase splitter tube and it degrades the sound a little.
AFAIK a transformer is required to maintain the higher voltage. Surely someone out there makes a suitable “converter” that maintains the voltage, does not degrade SQ and is REASONABLY $$$$.
There are, of course the few “holy grail” models suggested on the headfi site but they are costly.
Lonely Raven said
Speaking of transformers, Paul - why was it again you guys chose to use the output transformers you did, vs the higher end Jensens? I think you mentioned it at your Chicago visit recently, but I don't recall you explained why. I've seen it come up in a couple forums that people are already talking about upgrading those transformers on the DS - and from what you said in Chicago, that probably wouldn't be a good idea, but I don't understand why.
I believe Ted said the design of the entire output low pass filter section was based in part on the characteristics of the transformers being used. The implication was that you couldn't go off and swap in a new transformer without changing the characteristics of the output filter.
)
possibly involved can result in ridiculous sound levels as the session goes on. To protect my hearing and equipment, I use a sound level meter(slm) whenever I am going to be playing music at volume. I put the slm beside me and try to keep the sound levels between 85-91 dba.