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Torpor
41
Jun 5, 2018
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Huxleigh
84
Jun 5, 2018
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TorporGood post. For no reason other than my own amusement, I’ll take up these points...
1. Absolutely. Massdrop (or more likely Airist Audio) need to address the claim made by @sosolar, the sooner the better.
2. Agreed, this is a valid concern.
3. The stated reason by @CEE_TEE for the lack of renewed SDAC availability is a global parts shortage. Given the SDAC’s tiny footprint and budget focus, I’m not sure a simpatico redesign of its chassis would be worth the commensurate price increase.
4. There isn’t really any reason to do this.
1. Absolutely. Massdrop (or more likely Airist Audio) need to address the claim made by @sosolar, the sooner the better.
2. Agreed, this is a valid concern.
3. The stated reason by @CEE_TEE for the lack of renewed SDAC availability is a global parts shortage. Given the SDAC’s tiny footprint and budget focus, I’m not sure a simpatico redesign of its chassis would be worth the commensurate price increase.
4. There isn’t really any reason to do this.
CEE_TEE
3480
Jun 5, 2018
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HuxleighHey Torpor and Huxleigh,
1. Yes, working on a response.
2. To keep costs down, the PS works globally for voltages but does need an adapter for different plug types.
3. SDAC production is getting back on track, need to manufacture but you'll see more of them!
4. This DAC isn't primarily about objective measurements. We'll consider this in the future, though.
Thanks for the questions!
dvnwllms
30
Jun 5, 2018
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CEE_TEERegarding 3 that's awesome for the SDAC but can we PLEASE get an update on another LCX drop? I'm dying of anticipation.
Gritoit
40
Jun 6, 2018
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CEE_TEEGlad to see the concerns raised by @sosolar will be addressed.
Personally I am considering getting this DAC and would love to see some objective measurements. I know measurements do not tell the whole story, however I want to make sure the product I am getting isn't shoddily put together and measures by far the worst like Schiit DACs.
Also hoping to see the drop for the Airist Heron 5 Amplifier again as I am very excited to get my hands on one. Any idea when that will drop again?
Personally I am considering getting this DAC and would love to see some objective measurements. I know measurements do not tell the whole story, however I want to make sure the product I am getting isn't shoddily put together and measures by far the worst like Schiit DACs.
Also hoping to see the drop for the Airist Heron 5 Amplifier again as I am very excited to get my hands on one. Any idea when that will drop again?
bunkbail
185
Jun 6, 2018
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GritoitThey already have the measurements for the RDAC over at SBAF, and guess what, it measured like shit even worse than a Schiit Mimby. Does that matter? Yes if you're a objectivist snob, but as you can see it has lots of favorable reviews regarding its sound quality.
Gritoit
40
Jun 7, 2018
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bunkbailI never said measurements are the end all be all so no I am not a objectivist snob. Measurements do how ever mean more than the subjectivist "snob" make them out to be.
There are things the human mind will do to make people think the new product is better because they anticipated it would be. The only true fair way would be to do true blind testing and also measurements within the same set of parameters. This would show the true differences if any. Interestingly enough in blind test most people can't make out the differences.
Here is an example of a blind test: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-19.html
A small part of the article I found most interesting: "I sank $2000 of my own money into the DAC2 HGC last December, so I subjectively wanted it to sound better than everything else. Tests have shown that it doesn't. I was surprised, but, having been personally involved in the evaluation and believing in the integrity of what we set up, I rationally accept the findings. Of course, we're ready for the audiophile community to rise up in arms about the statement you'll read next, but it's true that neither an intermediate enthusiast nor a serious one with ~$70,000 in gear at home were able to reliably tell apart any of the four devices once we properly set up a blind test with accurate volume-matching. We actually enjoyed them all as great audio experiences."
There are things the human mind will do to make people think the new product is better because they anticipated it would be. The only true fair way would be to do true blind testing and also measurements within the same set of parameters. This would show the true differences if any. Interestingly enough in blind test most people can't make out the differences.
Here is an example of a blind test: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-19.html
A small part of the article I found most interesting: "I sank $2000 of my own money into the DAC2 HGC last December, so I subjectively wanted it to sound better than everything else. Tests have shown that it doesn't. I was surprised, but, having been personally involved in the evaluation and believing in the integrity of what we set up, I rationally accept the findings. Of course, we're ready for the audiophile community to rise up in arms about the statement you'll read next, but it's true that neither an intermediate enthusiast nor a serious one with ~$70,000 in gear at home were able to reliably tell apart any of the four devices once we properly set up a blind test with accurate volume-matching. We actually enjoyed them all as great audio experiences."
Gritoit
40
Jun 7, 2018
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abraxalitoThank you for the link. I wonder how much better the production version will measure. I will keep an eye on the post just to see what they find out.
abraxalito
9
Jun 7, 2018
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GritoitThe distortion you see at high levels is a function of the resistor matching, which I believe to be 0.05%. That can be reduced with more costly resistors (say going to 0.01%) but its questionable that high level distortion at those levels is actually audible.
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1. Address the comments below made by @sosolar.
2. Can you clarify whether this ships with a regional power plug? If I order from Australia do I get an Australian plug? Myself and other international customers aren't keen on paying $300+ just to whack a flimsy power adapter on the end. This goes for your other products (e.g. Cavalli Tube Hybrid) too.
3. Bring back the Grace Design SDAC as a regular drop. It seems like you have stopped dropping it in anticipation of this new DAC's release, perhaps to boost sales? If this is not the case, can you let us know when the SDAC will be returning - or why it won't be? Futhermore, I'd love to see the SDAC avaliable in a chassis similar to this new DAC - that way it can look good stacked with the CTH/Carbon. If not possible, at least release the DAC/Amp combo units again.
4. As others have mentioned, can you please make an effort to send a review sample to 'Amirm' from the Audio Science Review forums?
Thanks for your ongoing interaction and communication with customers.