Rockna DAC ~

[Ricjor1]

Originally Posted by jsli

I look forward to that report. One question: The Rockna's FIR reconstruction filter has 4820 taps. The DAVE on the other hand has 164,000 taps. How do you plan to compensate for that?

It isn't about compensating for anything. I own the Chord Dave. I simply said I was going to compare the Rockna to the Dave. I know several people that listened to the Dave in their system and preferred other DACs. There are no absolutes in Audio, only preferences. One person's bright is another person's detailed. I'll know in a couple days how the Rockna compares to the Dave in my system.

[audio bill]

I welcome and look forward to Rick's report. I agree with him that there is no need for any compensating for technical differences between the two designs, as the only thing that really matters is how they sound to him and which he prefers in his system. The number of taps in a DAC's FIR filter is only one aspect of its technical design parameters, and is unlikely to be the ultimate factor in determining sonic preferences.

[Ricjor1]

I've owned the PS Audio Directstream, Bricasti M1, Jeff Rowland Aeris, and I currently have the Chord Dave DAC.
I really don't get it to what component is better, because based on the system anyone of the aforementioned DACs can be preferred over the other.

[Ricjor1]

Like I've stated in my previous post; I've owned a PS Audio Directstream, Bricasti M1, Jeff Rowland Aeris, Chord Dave, and today I auditioned the Rockna Wavedream Edition DAC. Out of all of the DACs I've heard, I could easily live with the Aeris, Dave, or Wavedream. The Wavedream only has a couple hours on it, but from the first note it sounds like a more transparent Chord Dave to my ears. My wife said it sounds just like the Dave. It's my understanding that the Wavedream only has 20 hours on it. We'll see if additional hours changes the sound. Like a true audiophile with "issues", I'm saying to myself, if at $8300 list the Rockna Wavedream Edition sounds this good, how good does their $16K Signature DAC sound? More to follow.

[jsli]

Good initial report! Have you listened to each of the three digital filters yet...and if so do you have a preference?

[Ricjor1]

Originally Posted by jsli

Good initial report! Have you listened to each of the three digital filters yet...and if so do you have a preference?

I have not tried the different settings. I had the Dither off, Clock on, phase normal, and filter Linear. I'm definitely selling my Chord Dave.

[jsli]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

I have not tried the different settings. I had the Dither off, Clock on, phase normal, and filter Linear. I'm definitely selling my Chord Dave.

Wow, that kinda says it all. Thanks for the update Ricjor1!

[Dr Tone]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

I have not tried the different settings. I had the Dither off, Clock on, phase normal, and filter Linear. I'm definitely selling my Chord Dave.

Give the new Dac a couple weeks steady and then go back to the Dave and give another extended listen. I find continual quick A/B doesn’t paint the whole picture and you have to go back to your current DAC at least once for an extended period to fully realize the full extent of any differences.

.02

[Ricjor1]

My dilemma is the Rockna Wavedream DAC has more resolution than the Dave, but with out brightness. I hear more details and air. Cymbals and other details are more clearly heard. On certain songs everything is great with tons of detail.
My concerns are there's either less bass or it's cleaner(not as fat). Lead singers sound recessed in the soundstage, but at the same time everything has more spacing.
Nothing perfect in audio.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

My dilemma is the Rockna Wavedream DAC has more resolution than the Dave, but with out brightness. I hear more details and air. Cymbals and other details are more clearly heard. On certain songs everything is great with tons of detail.
My concerns are there's either less bass or it's cleaner(not as fat). Lead singers sound recessed in the soundstage, but at the same time everything has more spacing.
Nothing perfect in audio.

That last sentence says it all.