Audio Research DAC 9

[gadawg]

I got one on the way! Ordered mine in black so it may take a bit longer to arrive! There is one small issue apparently that will need to be resolved hopefully by firmware update. While at the dealer I brought my Mac and I use Audirvana for playback and while it sounded amazing when I tried to play any DSD files it didn't seem to work. My dealer got on the phone with Audio Research and they confirmed that while DSD playback works fine with a Windows pc there are issues right now with DSD from a Mac. I have only the 2 DSD files I bought to try it out so no big issue right now but I did want that to work eventually. BTW ... the demo unit only had 35 hours on it so I'm anticipating it sounding much better once broken in. Anyone know what the breakin period is with this dac? Also ... anyone else have issues with DSD from a Mac? Cheers!

Thanks

[Tarmac]

I only have about 20 hours on my DAC 9. Sounds great so far. I have it connected to a mac mini music server right now via USB. Strange that it only shows a max sample rate of 192 in Mac OS. I downloaded a sample DSD64 file and I was able to play it with Audirvana. The DAC 9 display showed a sample rate of 172.4 (DSD over PCM). I haven't tried connecting my Aurender N10 yet. I sure hope we have a way to upgrade firmware without having to send the unit back to ARC.

Tarmac

[Maxflo]

Does DAC9 play from usb external hdd directly? Or you need to invest on extra player/ streamer?

[gadawg]

I think(not 100% certain) its either a streamer or pc. I don't think you can play directly from hdd.

[Tarmac]

No, the DAC 9 will not play directly from external HDD.

Tarmac

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Maxflo

Does DAC9 play from usb external hdd directly? Or you need to invest on extra player/ streamer?

I don't think so. I believe it is a straight DAC, meaning that it needs a computer, music server or CD transport to drive it. If you use a Linux based music server such as Aurender, please be advised that the USB connection will only work if you use a USB to S/PDIF converter. However, the DAC 9's other digital inputs all work fine with Linux based music servers.

Best,
Ken

[gadawg]

Just curious ... anyone know what the chipset is?

[Tarmac]

The DAC 9 uses the TI PCM1792A.

-Tarmac

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I don't think so. I believe it is a straight DAC, meaning that it needs a computer, music server or CD transport to drive it. If you use a Linux based music server such as Aurender, please be advised that the USB connection will only work if you use a USB to S/PDIF converter. However, the DAC 9's other digital inputs all work fine with Linux based music servers.

Best,
Ken

ARC and Aurender are currently working together to get the USB connection working between their DACs and music servers, respectively. This issue will hopefully be resolved soon. Pretty important because the N100H only has a USB output and DSD files can only be played natively via USB.

Ken

[gadawg]

Just got the email from my dealer that my DAC9 is waiting for me. Yeah!!! Guess where I'm going tomorrow ... :-)