“Minsky called consciousness a “suitcase word” that lacks the rigor of a scientific concept. “We have to replace it by ‘reflection’ and ‘decisions’ and about a dozen other things,” he said. “So instead of talking about the mystery of consciousness, let’s talk about the 20 or 30 really important mental processes that are involved.”
This quote is taken out of context, but it made me think of the subjectivist/objectivist audio debates. You’re cutting a process up into pieces, and saying, “These pieces, when taken all together, are IT. It is Well Understood.” I would argue that everything we know and can measure about listening to music is clearly a Subset of the whole.
Though I suppose part of why subjectivists and objectivists are often talking past each other is that some are talking about Sound, and others Music.
I’ve been side tracked on the new software release (tho there’s overlap between the new DS software and the TSS software.) I’m sending out for a new board turn soon, sometimes reworks on the pins on a 1 x 1/2 mm part can be flaky
I do like the way it sounds (and more importantly my wife does too.)
That’s tough one, the TSS will have many advantages over the prototype, e.g. separate boxes for digital and analog, better power supplies, much better code in the FPGA, a bigger FPGA. They will share the same number and type of digital switches and very similar analog filtering outputs. The TSS will have lower temperature coefficient resistors and more in parallel, and similarly for the output caps.
The hassel is that the best prototype board gave up the ghost because of a layout error, the other board that functioned never sounded as good, I’m pretty sure some components were exposed to too high of a soldering temperature for too long. The last board never left the CM, they were embarrased that they didn’t have the process down and that a bunch of components didn’t solder well.
So I’ll have to rely on fallible memories. Technically the TSS should be better, use less esoteric parts, the boards are smaller which helps in manufacturing and I’ve learned a lot since then. I like the new power supplies a lot better, the should regulate well out past 10Mhz, take a lot less space and not need a processor to trim them (that was a really bad idea.)
I still like some layout things I did, but the TSS trades those for better shielding, which is a good thing.
Ted, aren’t you afraid if you make the DSSR too good you might step on TSS sales? I by no means wish to stop you though! Even though half my PSA stuff blows up I am by no means done with you folks. Since I believe in you folks and the American dream. Plus I have enough $$$ to absorb such losses luckily. Not bragging, just stating facts. I love PS Audio, even though they have pooped in my face more than once. They have also given me countless hours of enjoyment as well. Not everything busted. My Cullen GCHA for instance, to this day will give most $10K head amps a hard time. I do not currently have room for two full more boxes. I will indeed purchase it and set it on footers on the floor for time being. If indeed it smokes the Select Dac II(loaded+mono bases) I am keeping it. That is a tall order indeed. Since we are comparing maybe under $25,000-$30,000 here to over $130,000. If it does, so be it. I just want the best sound, money is no object to me :) Oh, I am a miser but I do not skimp on my own enjoyment. I just buy the cheap TP LOL. No, actually we use Bidet’s. Okay, too much information, my bad! Hey, all the best of luck with this Ted. I cannot wait to own one. I imagine, nonetheless they will be available because $25,000+ is still steep to a lot of people. At least I hope they do not sell out in the first round before I snag one. Well, anyways patience is a virtue. I once waited 8 months for a $180,000 power cable! I am not kidding, don’t even ask about it.
I see little danger of making the DS too good so that it steps on sales of the flagship DAC. The There is only so much software can do. The hardware sets the upper limit.
Thus, the DS will always best the DS Jr., and the signature DAC will outshine the DS.
I am eager to learn what people think comparing the top of the line to the DS.
File under, more money than “brains” folks. Sometimes stupidity gets the best of me. I had that cable custom made and “maybe” it was worth $20K by “someone’s” standards just given the price of other very other very high end cables. It is feeding the main battery bank, the whole shebang. It is made out of 4OT wire. It is about 140MM! Something to see at least. Yes, I will sell the MSB but I want $115,000 firm. Interested? Plus that is only if I feel the TSS is better. There are many viable high end DAC’s. DCS ETC. It will depend on my ears. I have faith in Ted’s magic so I am kind of putting stock in this one. Hopefully, if it has a screen it does function. Unlike all of my other PS products. Although I have been told that is certain peoples bodies. Which very well may be true. Since I have trouble with Iphones, Ipads as well.
Tho I had just sent out for boards I just had an idea that we think is worth implementing, I don’t want to talk about it until I know that it will work well, but it ought to lower the output impedance over all as well as also firming up the output when an attenuator is selected.
For several months I have been listening to music with the attenuator on. To the DSD output, before the cable (Van den Hul MC The Platinum Hybrid XLR), I connected the circuit with the OPA1632 operational amplifier that I had assembled, I set the gain of 14 dB, that’s optimal for my system. I have active loudspeakers and in the crossover I could amplify the signal, but I prefer to do it in front of the cable.
A little pushy, I write about it once again, but this simple layout with OPA1632 significantly improves the sound quality in a system without a preamplifier. It is possible that also with many preamplifiers it would be better.
On this occasion, I am asking for your opinion on the additional ground connection between DMP and DSD, preferably via PIN 1 XLR connectors. I have a WW Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI cable and an additional ground connection has significantly improved the SQ of my system.
There are very expensive products out there that are essentially a star grounding system for your system. Finding good solid ground connections on each device can sometimes be a problem, but connecting to various interconnect grounds like the RCA shell (but not the RCA “pin”) is a simple and good start. If your device has a ground screw somewhere or perhaps a chassis screw with bare metal under it that would be a great place.
I’ve got a fat central ground screw on my preamp that is unused so far…no idea what I should connect to it as the phono ground is connected to the phono amp‘s ground…what exactly would be the recommendation Ted?
For the DS connection you can either cob together an RCA connector where you only hook up to the shell, or, perhaps for example connect to one of the bridge mounting screws, … It’s probably worth trying.
Oh, I am a miser but I do not skimp on my own enjoyment. I just buy the cheap TP LOL. No, actually we use Bidet’s. Okay, too much information, my bad! Hey, all the best of luck with this Ted. I cannot wait to own one. I imagine, nonetheless they will be available because $25,000+ is still steep to a lot of people. At least I hope they do not sell out in the first round before I snag one. Well, anyways patience is a virtue. I once waited 8 months for a $180,000 power cable! I am not kidding, don’t even ask about it.
