Suncoast Audio welcomes Aqua DAC’s

nicoludio said:
Any thoughts on the Aqua Formula?

The new Aqua Linq is quite interesting - seems to be a form of “network bridge” that can feed i2s signals to Aqua DACs.
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Only heard it at a show. Very transparent and detailed.


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Mike said:
...It’s not anywhere near at the level of the Select II which does everything - tone, bass, 3D, analog, organic, rich, engaging, detail, transparency, the whole enchilada.
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oh my, i really wish you had not said this... ;):)
 
lots of folks here have 2 or more turntables... so for variety, why not 2 DACs?

the la scala mk2 is so different than the t+a that it might be a good compliment offering a quite different sound. anyway, this is the thought that keeps circulating in the mix for me.

for the price of a perfectly nice house in some locations, i would hope the select-ii would also simonize my car. ;)
 
I really enjoy my Aqua Formula which I've done both upgrades since purchasing each bringing better sonics. I'm curious about the AQLink Gateway, can you provide any more details?
 
Any thoughts on how well the Aqua Formula xHD would pair with Antipodes K50 music server. Does it need to pair with the LinQ on the i2s input to optimize its sound. This Dac is on the top of my list to replace the Meridian Ultra Dac. The K50 is best utilizing its digital outputs as it has an internal clock. I use the AES/EBU to my DAC.
 
markramler said:
Any thoughts on how well the Aqua Formula xHD would pair with Antipodes K50 music server. Does it need to pair with the LinQ on the i2s input to optimize its sound. This Dac is on the top of my list to replace the Meridian Ultra Dac. The K50 is best utilizing its digital outputs as it has an internal clock. I use the AES/EBU to my DAC.
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I bet it would sound great. It doesn’t need the LinQ to sound best, but that is certainly the path Aqua recommends. We use it consistently with the Aurender and Lumin U1.


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markramler said:
Any thoughts on how well the Aqua Formula xHD would pair with Antipodes K50 music server. Does it need to pair with the LinQ on the i2s input to optimize its sound. This Dac is on the top of my list to replace the Meridian Ultra Dac. The K50 is best utilizing its digital outputs as it has an internal clock. I use the AES/EBU to my DAC.
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IMO and IME the LinQ is highly under rated. I purchased an Innuos Statement in the hopes of replacing my DIY server (dual linear PSUs, high quality cables, SSDs, highly SW optimized w/HQPlayer + JCAT top nic) and a LinQ. However, and somewhat to my surprise, my setup was simply better in all parameters (clarity, sense of air / space, spacial cue definition, microdynamics, etc.). The only perceived benefit I could muster was a small amount of extra low frequency energy, however, it was coupled with looser and less defined bass. Net - The LinQ does an amazing job of taking a PC's output and transforming it into clean unadulterated bits to a DAC. I surmise a matching Formula (like I have) is even better via I2S versus USB, etc.
 
Another LinQ + Formula xHD Rev 2 owner here, just cannot think of a better combo in this price range and even above.
I use my LinQ with the HQPlayer board and Roon Rock on a dedicated fanless NUC powered by a Farad Super 3 LPSU, also own top pf the line Paul Pang Quad Switch.
Not a single USB cable in my system.
For Qobuz and Tidal streaming it doesn't get any better than this.
 
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