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Showing 1 of 1093 conversations about:
Massdrop x Grace Design m9XX DAC/Amp
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 6, 2018
The price is nothing special. I can find the same exact thing on Sweetwater, B&H and Vintageking. And really, for a company with the pedigree of Grace Design the USB powering thing is pretty ghetto. How hard is it to use a Meanwell line lump supply? USB powering just introduces all sorts of potential nastiness. From computer conflicts to ground loops. I really don't care what the copy says about 5 stage noise filtering. No noise suppression is better than not having to contend with noise in the first place.
That all said, it's a good entre to their brand. The next level up from this would set you back a few grand.
SamsaraT
67
Aug 6, 2018
CalaverasgrandeGhetto what? USB power supplies are fine in many instances. Not all computers generate noise, not all electrical installations have a ground loop. I use USB to power my dac/amp because it’s much more convenient given the way my living room is set up, and don’t suffer from any adverse effect. It’s not because using an ugly, heavy wall wart is “hard” (...). There’s the option for separate supply here anyway so it’s a moot point.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 7, 2018
SamsaraTUSB power supplies are fine for my Alexa devices or other uses where audio is not job one.
And maybe if you only use good USB power banks it won't mess with the sound.
But I've seen numerous instances of funky sound issues caused by USB ground being tied to the PC chassis ground. And carrying over all kinds of noise artifacts.
When the ground has noisy voltages, that affects whatever is using ground as a reference.
Sure there are virtual ground amps and noise filtering. But you are always going to have a more pleasant ride if you started with less noise to begin with!
As far as convenience, this is a $500 headphone amp built like a tank. It's not convenient. I have a suspicion the USB power is to avoid a layer of consumer electronics certification. It has no internal mains power supply so it would be exempted from several that I know of.
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