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Showing 1 of 149 conversations about:
MrMotion
26
Nov 4, 2017
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Does anyone know if it would be worthwhile to get this as just a dac and have a seperate amp?
rastus
1391
Nov 4, 2017
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MrMotionIt is a great value, truly, exactly as it is, a nicely packaged hybrid DAC/tube /amp headphone unit, with other functions built in, multi-use.
After enjoying it for the great unit that it is; yes, then it can be a DAC stepping stone, after more audiophile liquid cash is gained, by using it with a DarkVoice or another stand-alone dedicated amp. Or, it would make a nice work desk DAC-amp.
I would not purchase it as a stand-alone DAC, so many other great choices out there...
This is a steal while they last:
https://www.amazon.com/Korg-DSDAC100-Channel-Portable-Playback/dp/B00GGHHG8A/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1509825896&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=DAC++DSD&psc=1
After enjoying it for the great unit that it is; yes, then it can be a DAC stepping stone, after more audiophile liquid cash is gained, by using it with a DarkVoice or another stand-alone dedicated amp. Or, it would make a nice work desk DAC-amp.
I would not purchase it as a stand-alone DAC, so many other great choices out there...
This is a steal while they last:
https://www.amazon.com/Korg-DSDAC100-Channel-Portable-Playback/dp/B00GGHHG8A/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1509825896&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=DAC++DSD&psc=1
MrMotion
26
Nov 6, 2017
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rastusDo you mind telling me what makes this a steal? Is it the sound quality or features?
rastus
1391
Nov 6, 2017
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MrMotionIn ‘14’ the MSRP for a Korg DS-DAC-100 was ~$600, so at $150 new, you are just about bumping the manufacturing cost plus distribution. korg normally sells to artists, they did not do as well with the persnickety (was going to use anal retentive, but thought better) audiophile market (asylum;).
The quality of the build, down to the traces on the board, is impeccable. The components are designed in, not shopped. The ‘unlocked‘software included has dithering coded to be a symbiotic partner to the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC. I am using it it in another unlocked manner, native DSD, a feature that should be called re-productive musical lubricity.
It was made by instrument makers to the artists, for us to again hear the artists, as they want us to. Who better really?
How I get music re-created, or stolen back...
The quality of the build, down to the traces on the board, is impeccable. The components are designed in, not shopped. The ‘unlocked‘software included has dithering coded to be a symbiotic partner to the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC. I am using it it in another unlocked manner, native DSD, a feature that should be called re-productive musical lubricity.
It was made by instrument makers to the artists, for us to again hear the artists, as they want us to. Who better really?
How I get music re-created, or stolen back...
MrMotion
26
Nov 6, 2017
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rastusSo if i am loooking for a dac to pair woth my LCX and HD 6XX would this be the a good option under 200 USD?
rastus
1391
Nov 6, 2017
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MrMotionMy vote is yes, this should be a wonderful rig setup. Do you already have the LCX & 6XX?
Amazon was a fast ship, it comes out of a music store in OR that must have gotten a bunch of them, with other instrument stuff, direct link here, Amazon was with free shipping: https://www.musicalsupplydirect.com/search.php?search_query_adv=korg+100
The Korg has a built-in headphone amp, but with the power in the LCX, you won't be using it with your 6XX, but of course try it for fun. Would like to hear a compairson review.
Get a good USB cable, longer if you need up to 1.5 Meter: https://www.amazon.ca/Pangea-Audio-cable-solid-silver/dp/B005AUH8SM or with a dedicated 5V supply: https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Premier-Cable-Meter/dp/B06XPQF2R5
You can use the balanced XLR out too: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZMK48Y/ref=sr_1_1_twi_col_ti_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1509982855&sr=1-1&keywords=pangea+XLR
Download; http://www.korg.com/caen/products/audio/audiogate4/download.php , and unlock Audiogate 4 in your PC, use any files/source, up-sample whatever you have, and do get some DSD files to try; something like this is from a DSD master, pretty much as close as you can get, not ripped from an SACD: "DSD file created by Gus Skinas from the original DSD audio used to create the existing domestic U.S. SACD " http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/95282/Steely_Dan-Gaucho-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download
Amazon was a fast ship, it comes out of a music store in OR that must have gotten a bunch of them, with other instrument stuff, direct link here, Amazon was with free shipping: https://www.musicalsupplydirect.com/search.php?search_query_adv=korg+100
The Korg has a built-in headphone amp, but with the power in the LCX, you won't be using it with your 6XX, but of course try it for fun. Would like to hear a compairson review.
Get a good USB cable, longer if you need up to 1.5 Meter: https://www.amazon.ca/Pangea-Audio-cable-solid-silver/dp/B005AUH8SM or with a dedicated 5V supply: https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Premier-Cable-Meter/dp/B06XPQF2R5
You can use the balanced XLR out too: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZMK48Y/ref=sr_1_1_twi_col_ti_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1509982855&sr=1-1&keywords=pangea+XLR
Download; http://www.korg.com/caen/products/audio/audiogate4/download.php , and unlock Audiogate 4 in your PC, use any files/source, up-sample whatever you have, and do get some DSD files to try; something like this is from a DSD master, pretty much as close as you can get, not ripped from an SACD: "DSD file created by Gus Skinas from the original DSD audio used to create the existing domestic U.S. SACD " http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/95282/Steely_Dan-Gaucho-DSD_Single_Rate_28MHz64fs_Download
MrMotion
26
Nov 6, 2017
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rastusThe LCX and HD 6XX have already been purchased. How would a DAC like the Modi Uber or ODAC fair against this? If it is better than both then I will most likely purchase this.
rastus
1391
Nov 7, 2017
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MrMotionWithout going into a THD/jitter/DAC etc. specmanship debate; I would just say to you, simple & short; do not take away the option of DSD from yourself, if you have not given it fair play.
I am only now deciding things such as whether DSD 2.8 tracks are better listened to in/at native 2.8, or up-sampled to 5.6, and wondering what 11.2 will do...
Not doing PCM anymore per se, up-sampling all to DSD 5.6.
The ODAC tops out at 24/96 and the Modi 2 Uber at 24/192 PCM, the Korg at DSD 5.6
The pics show the three levels of what you are considering; I like looking under the hood.
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I am only now deciding things such as whether DSD 2.8 tracks are better listened to in/at native 2.8, or up-sampled to 5.6, and wondering what 11.2 will do...
Not doing PCM anymore per se, up-sampling all to DSD 5.6.
The ODAC tops out at 24/96 and the Modi 2 Uber at 24/192 PCM, the Korg at DSD 5.6
The pics show the three levels of what you are considering; I like looking under the hood.
rastus
1391
Nov 10, 2017
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MrMotionI do need to state that the Korg's DAC's are mated to Audiogate software for full use, beyond basic 48 & 44.1 KHz PCM. This is the optimized dithering pairing of the two and the fact that they transfer the DSD data in true 1 bit native format, not DoP which is "packaged" DSD over PCM. USB protocol does not support DSD transfer stand-alone. Korg does not state exactly how this is done; they do state that DoP is not supported.
From Korg:
" The data on the computer must be conveyed to the DS-DAC-100 unit with as little loss as possible. KORG has developed native drivers to implement truly native playback of DSD data, where the data is conveyed via the USB cable while still in DSD format and then DA-converted within the converter unit itself. To ensure trouble-free compatibility between the playback software and the DAC, we have taken advantage of our many years of experience with DSD data to create drivers that deliver stable operation and the highest-quality playback on both Windows and Mac."
What DoP is doing, basically mailing with a stamp,, more steps available for loss/corruption (dcsltd.co.uk):
"FAQ: What is DoP (DSD over PCM)? The original idea for DoP was invented by dCS in 2011. It involves taking groups of 16 adjacent 1-bit samples from a DSD stream and packing them into the lower 16 bits of a 24/176.4 data stream. Data from the other channel of the stereo pair is packed the same way. A specific marker code in the top 8 bits identifies the data stream as DoP, rather than PCM. The resulting DoP stream can be transmitted through existing 24/192-capable USB, AES, Dual AES or SPDIF interfaces to a DoP-compatible DAC, which reassembles the original stereo DSD data stream COMPLETELY UNCHANGED. "
Let me know if anyone is buying the "completely unchanged" part, in isochronous transfer...
From Korg:
" The data on the computer must be conveyed to the DS-DAC-100 unit with as little loss as possible. KORG has developed native drivers to implement truly native playback of DSD data, where the data is conveyed via the USB cable while still in DSD format and then DA-converted within the converter unit itself. To ensure trouble-free compatibility between the playback software and the DAC, we have taken advantage of our many years of experience with DSD data to create drivers that deliver stable operation and the highest-quality playback on both Windows and Mac."
What DoP is doing, basically mailing with a stamp,, more steps available for loss/corruption (dcsltd.co.uk):
"FAQ: What is DoP (DSD over PCM)? The original idea for DoP was invented by dCS in 2011. It involves taking groups of 16 adjacent 1-bit samples from a DSD stream and packing them into the lower 16 bits of a 24/176.4 data stream. Data from the other channel of the stereo pair is packed the same way. A specific marker code in the top 8 bits identifies the data stream as DoP, rather than PCM. The resulting DoP stream can be transmitted through existing 24/192-capable USB, AES, Dual AES or SPDIF interfaces to a DoP-compatible DAC, which reassembles the original stereo DSD data stream COMPLETELY UNCHANGED. "
Let me know if anyone is buying the "completely unchanged" part, in isochronous transfer...
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