My rant on things digital...

Bobvin

Bobvin

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Jun 25, 2013
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<RANT>

OK, so I think my Audio Research DAC8 is the weak link in my current system, so I've been contemplating going to a steamer for

1) simplicity, it will reduce rack space and remove the computer from the room. I can also get rid of an entire rack and just move my Triton v3 to a purpose built shelf beside the racks.

2) I love the idea of easily connecting up to a streaming service like Tidal to explore new music.

3) Roon, which at first glance is an improvement over my computer/JRiver interface.

So... I spent some time the last few days listening to my digital source. Great recordings like those from Chesky sound pretty f-ing amazing currently—sure, I think there's more resolution to be had than the DAC8 provides. I put together a playlist of some old favorites and WHAM, once I leave 'audiophile' recordings and start playing other tracks I am beat over the head with differing sound levels, (thank you loudness wars). Now I'm reaching for the remote for this track, then the next, trying to spare my ears from damage. Then in creeps 'digital' edginess and fatigue, in many cases it is just the recording to be sure. For these reasons I built up my vinyl rig and have tended towards spinning the black disks.

Some digital music sounds amazing, some sounds like crap. Yeah, vinyl too has those stinker albums, but seems somewhat more consistent (maybe it is just the new vinyl I've been selecting lately.)

</RANT>

How does everyone else in the digital world deal with the amazing difference in volume levels?
 
Since my speaker replacement I do love my digital system again.

That said, I love fiddling with the cumbersome black discs and collecting them. Currently having an absolute analogue gem on the platter, so I'm torn.


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I can confirm MSB works very well with Audio Research - do you have a local dealer to help out?

I am going through digital upgrades right now and share your frustration - I have decided that Roon streaming with an ethernet-based network renderer is what I am going to do. Seems MQA is rather hit or miss at this point so I am not going to focus on it.
 
Bob - I can totally relate to your frustrations - many can. If your ears are trained on vinyl and tape, then harsh digital recordings will irritate.

I have found the Lumin A1 most like tape/analog. The Berk REF2 is also very easy on the ears.

But I concur, so digital is just ruthlessly revealing.

I had 5 guys (no burgers or fries...ok, bad joke) over this afternoon at the store. They all agreed that pure MQA is really easy to listen to, even old albums now done in MQA from the Doors and others. Three hours later they left! LOL.


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Bobvin said:
I am generally not keen to modify the output in any way. How does volume leveling effect sound quality? Does it happen in the digital or analog domain? (Expecting the digital as roon processing would be upstream the DAC, yes?)
Click to expand...

Even assuming it happens in the digital domain, we are only talking about the top 2-3 bits (12-18 dB) of a 32 bit processor. There will still be more resolution than any DAC has, so it is unlikely there would be any discernable degradation.
 
rbbert said:
Even assuming it happens in the digital domain, we are only talking about the top 2-3 bits (12-18 dB) of a 32 bit processor. There will still be more resolution than any DAC has, so it is unlikely there would be any discernable degradation.
Click to expand...
My NAD M51 doesn't have this level variance with my music library. I suspect that I gravitate towards recordings with little compression.

Most guilty pleasures of my youth are "pumped up" and barely tolerable compared to recent purchases
 
Bobvin said:
<RANT>

OK, so I think my Audio Research DAC8 is the weak link in my current system, so I've been contemplating going to a steamer for

1) simplicity, it will reduce rack space and remove the computer from the room. I can also get rid of an entire rack and just move my Triton v3 to a purpose built shelf beside the racks.

2) I love the idea of easily connecting up to a streaming service like Tidal to explore new music.

3) Roon, which at first glance is an improvement over my computer/JRiver interface.

So... I spent some time the last few days listening to my digital source. Great recordings like those from Chesky sound pretty f-ing amazing currently—sure, I think there's more resolution to be had than the DAC8 provides. I put together a playlist of some old favorites and WHAM, once I leave 'audiophile' recordings and start playing other tracks I am beat over the head with differing sound levels, (thank you loudness wars). Now I'm reaching for the remote for this track, then the next, trying to spare my ears from damage. Then in creeps 'digital' edginess and fatigue, in many cases it is just the recording to be sure. For these reasons I built up my vinyl rig and have tended towards spinning the black disks.

Some digital music sounds amazing, some sounds like crap. Yeah, vinyl too has those stinker albums, but seems somewhat more consistent (maybe it is just the new vinyl I've been selecting lately.)

</RANT>

How does everyone else in the digital world deal with the amazing difference in volume levels?
Click to expand...

Bob just wondering what were some of those recordings that just beat you over the head and the couple that you found OK.
 
Bobvin said:
I am generally not keen to modify the output in any way. How does volume leveling effect sound quality? Does it happen in the digital or analog domain? (Expecting the digital as roon processing would be upstream the DAC, yes?)
Click to expand...

Yes I also prefer to leave things untouched but volume leveling can help and is pretty sophisticated even in JRiver which offers a further fine control called Adaptive Volume. All material does become quieter so you will have to adjust the volume control on your preamp to suit your preference. I would say it's useful for casual listening when you have multiple albums cued up or playlists with different songs lined up.

It is completely in the digital domain - clicking on the Signal Path icon in Roon will show you that it is done in the DSP Engine.
 
I can relate do digital harshness and fatigue. I use to be a detail freak and have since given up on extreme detail and resolution for a more liquid and smooth sound. My Luxman DAC gives me that. Some of the Lampizator DAC's that I have heard do the same. I also use Bug Head Infinity Blade music player. The newer versions have a setting called Natural Sound that is great for older or bright recordings. It takes out digital harshness and gives a more liquid and analog sound. Bug Head is a little bit of a pain to use but it is well worth it and it is free. It sounds better than HQ player in my system by a wide margin and JRiver sounds like radio in comparison. You need a computer with a relatively new I-7 and at least 8gb ram, 16 is better to run the newer versions.
 
Mechnutt said:
I can relate do digital harshness and fatigue. I use to be a detail freak and have since given up on extreme detail and resolution for a more liquid and smooth sound. My Luxman DAC gives me that. Some of the Lampizator DAC's that I have heard do the same. I also use Bug Head Infinity Blade music player. The newer versions have a setting called Natural Sound that is great for older or bright recordings. It takes out digital harshness and gives a more liquid and analog sound. Bug Head is a little bit of a pain to use but it is well worth it and it is free. It sounds better than HQ player in my system by a wide margin and JRiver sounds like radio in comparison. You need a computer with a relatively new I-7 and at least 8gb ram, 16 is better to run the newer versions.
Click to expand...
I understand the sentiment, but it sounds pretty silly to be discussing removing digital harshness digitally :rolleyes:
 
Bobvin said:
<RANT>

OK, so I think my Audio Research DAC8 is the weak link in my current system, so I've been contemplating going to a steamer for

1) simplicity, it will reduce rack space and remove the computer from the room. I can also get rid of an entire rack and just move my Triton v3 to a purpose built shelf beside the racks.

2) I love the idea of easily connecting up to a streaming service like Tidal to explore new music.

3) Roon, which at first glance is an improvement over my computer/JRiver interface.

So... I spent some time the last few days listening to my digital source. Great recordings like those from Chesky sound pretty f-ing amazing currently—sure, I think there's more resolution to be had than the DAC8 provides. I put together a playlist of some old favorites and WHAM, once I leave 'audiophile' recordings and start playing other tracks I am beat over the head with differing sound levels, (thank you loudness wars). Now I'm reaching for the remote for this track, then the next, trying to spare my ears from damage. Then in creeps 'digital' edginess and fatigue, in many cases it is just the recording to be sure. For these reasons I built up my vinyl rig and have tended towards spinning the black disks.

Some digital music sounds amazing, some sounds like crap. Yeah, vinyl too has those stinker albums, but seems somewhat more consistent (maybe it is just the new vinyl I've been selecting lately.)

</RANT>

How does everyone else in the digital world deal with the amazing difference in volume levels?
Click to expand...

Bob -

I had the ARC DAC-8. A terrific performer with great bottom end but not the best top end. TAS' reviewed it with commentary that was not very positive. I purchased an Esoteric CD/SACD player with digital inputs and the AKM chipset. This change was positive in that I was able to enjoy a better high end extension without it being bright but the bottom end was not as good as the ARC.

About 3 years ago I purchased a Lumin S-1 and have not looked back. A darn good performer and simple to use.

In today's audio world, there are so many choices. I decided not to spend crazy money following the DAC "du jour". Simplicity, great sound and a price that is not in the stratosphere has been my digital plan.

Oh, yes, vinyl does sound better most of the time. Depends on the recording, of course.

My 2 pennies...
 
Mike said:
Bob - I can totally relate to your frustrations - many can. If your ears are trained on vinyl and tape, then harsh digital recordings will irritate.

I have found the Lumin A1 most like tape/analog. The Berk REF2 is also very easy on the ears.
Click to expand...
Surprised you didn't mention the Vitus Signature series dac (with/w/out drive) Mike...to my ears the Mk2 version sounds very smooth, analogue-like & non-fatiguing, with very good bass. I would happily stack it up against the Berkeley.

As a pure streamer, I agree the Lumin A1 is a very cool device. For a server/dac/UPnP streamer the Alluxity Media One is also easy on the ears & follows a similar sonic pathway to Vitus.
 
Other than Munich, I haven't heard it. I would love to hear it.


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