Chord DAC Technology explained

Wow, that video from Chord seems to imply that they make the best DAC available. Shocking!:congrats:

Seriously, I have read that Jussi (HQ player dude) suggests that Chord is a DAC that should receive an upsampled PCM signal, while most (all?) others should receive a DSD signal. Chord is a unique beast.
 
Looks very interesting. I’d like to hear a head with the Lampizator Golden Gate. See how they compare.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Totally different sound to the Lampi. AL and I spent a day evaluating the Hugo vs Direct stream vs Lampi original B7 vs MCB Platinum Dac.

Lampi and MSB were far ahead.Hugo came in last. Horrible on DSD....as was the DStream then.

Dave is a LOT better than Hugo, but I personally prefer my GG. I own a Chord Qute EX as well (also better than Hugo).
While I could in fact happily live with DAVE, dont beleive the hyperbole, its one way to skin a cat (well)...nothing more. It does not redefine the DACspace and other such nonsense.
 
watts said:
Wow, that video from Chord seems to imply that they make the best DAC available. Shocking!:congrats:

Seriously, I have read that Jussi (HQ player dude) suggests that Chord is a DAC that should receive an upsampled PCM signal, while most (all?) others should receive a DSD signal. Chord is a unique beast.
Click to expand...


This is because CHORD is not true DSD playback and Rob hates DSD. At least he no longer claims to decimate with DAVE like he did with the Hugo. Still think DAVE would have been better with a great LPSU rather than the SMPS.
 
Well put with restraint Norman---you are actually good guy:D --luv ya pic at the Pacific day--!

Oh!--and " i before e except after c

Keep up the good posts!

Bruce
 
Typo Bruce! Cellphone keypad. I before e except after c is indeed the rule.

I got caught up with chord technobabble years ago before trying. WTA/tap length/pulse array Dac/fpga, etc. Well Hugo had it all on paper but was crap. Worse than the older Qute.

Dave delivered on much of the promise but was not the second coming. Just a very solid and commendable product coming from a different approach. It will float many boats and with the price drop from $14k to 10k, it also much more competitive.
 
The headphone option on the Dave has put it into legendary status over in Head-fi and rightly so. If filters are set for best headphone IQ and not reset to 0 which has to be done in headphone mode you will not have optimum sound with speaker systems.
I am pretty much a Davidian now and it won over my long standing 4 year stint with Yggdrasil.
In combination with Chord´s Blu Mk2 cd transport 1 million taps up sampling is possible.
Larry
 
Yes Larry, the HP angle of Dave is highly developed and over this weekend I spent 30mins with it and the new Hifiman HP with their $50K headamp streaming Tidal music.

Sounded nice, so I can see why you liked it. Not a HP man myself, but could not resist a top class HP demo. LoL
I know nothintg about the Blu, but see favourable posts about it. DAVE is definitely several leagues above Hugo....not even to be mentioned in the same convo.

Yggy is fiine too, but not exactly my taste, but I have pals who love it.

Mike is right, tastes vary and its incumbent on a dealer to cover more than one taste segment.
 
You want to hear the Dave with the Blu Mk 2 to see what it can really do. It's unbelievable. Moved on from my MSB Signature DAC IV Plus and it wasn't even close, the Dave/Blu was much better head to head. Granted this is an older MSB model but still a great dac. I'm sure the new MSB stuff is superior, I loved my last one. Just too rich for me. But if you have a Dave, get the Blu mk 2, it's worth it. Huge upgrade and a great deal at the price point.
 
Wardl said:
You want to hear the Dave with the Blu Mk 2 to see what it can really do. It's unbelievable. Moved on from my MSB Signature DAC IV Plus and it wasn't even close, the Dave/Blu was much better head to head. Granted this is an older MSB model but still a great dac. I'm sure the new MSB stuff is superior, I loved my last one. Just too rich for me. But if you have a Dave, get the Blu mk 2, it's worth it. Huge upgrade and a great deal at the price point.
Click to expand...

Ward - can you clarify something? My rep was saying there is a USB input on the Blu mk2 and you use that and get the full advantage of the M Scaler. True?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yes there is a USB input on the Blu and that is how I have it hooked up. Lumin U1 to Blu Mk 2 via USB, then it connects to the Dave via duel BNC connects. I understand from what I read that the combo basically splits up the processing between the two units and does things that could not be done in a single unit.
 
But I think you get the same benefit if you are playing CDs. I don't have any but I'm sure they would sound great.
 
Saw that Chord is coming out with a separate upscaler for the Dave instead of having to go the blu mkII route
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top