Introduction of the Reference CD9 CD-DAC

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

Huge mistake for ARC not to include DSD. I TRIED to get them to change chipsets prior to the REF DAC but they knew better.

I had a DAC8 have moved to an EMM DAC2x and couldn't be happier.

DSD is here and is growing in importance. I am not one to claim high res automatically means better sound and in fact have many redbook recordings that are some of the best. But IMHO DSD Is a better format and sounds better than its most of the PCM counterparts.

OPUS is developing a DSD download site and now have a free sampler available available to download. This new mastered sample is better than even the SACD counterpart.

Personally I would not buy a DAC today without DSD. I am sold on it.

While I do agree that DSD capable DACs make a difference, I do think the EMM custom built DAC is a winner. But if I had to choose, I find I prefer the PCM1704 which is not DSD capable to Sabre32 which is for most of the variants I heard.

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

Huge mistake for ARC not to include DSD. I TRIED to get them to change chipsets prior to the REF DAC but they knew better.

I had a DAC8 have moved to an EMM DAC2x and couldn't be happier.

DSD is here and is growing in importance. I am not one to claim high res automatically means better sound and in fact have many redbook recordings that are some of the best. But IMHO DSD Is a better format and sounds better than its most of the PCM counterparts.

OPUS is developing a DSD download site and now have a free sampler available available to download. This new mastered sample is better than even the SACD counterpart.

Personally I would not buy a DAC today without DSD. I am sold on it.

+1

[Ritmo]

Originally Posted by cmalak

I don't think Ref CD 9 is shipping yet.

ARC is doing a road show. Audio Concepts in Dallas is having an event on 1/31 to showcase the ARC Ref 10 and the ARC Ref 9. ARC staff will be there.

[Stumil]

Ayre just reintroduced the QB-9 at CES with DSD. I'm kinda thinking it might be a poor man's EMM DAC2X.

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by Stumil

Ayre just reintroduced the QB-9 at CES with DSD. I'm kinda thinking it might be a poor man's EMM DAC2X.

It is not a poor man's anything. What it is, is an excellent DAC

[stereotek]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

It is not a poor man's anything. What it is, is an excellent DAC

Good question!

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by Priaptor

It is not a poor man's anything. What it is, is an excellent DAC

I bet it is. The previous Ayre QB9 sounded excellent - one of the best for the money that I ever owned. Adopting DSD is definitely a step in the right direction for Ayre.

[Elberoth]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

does arc ever indicate what dac chip they use?

cd-3/7: CS4396
cd-5/8: PCM1792

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

cd-3/7: CS4396
cd-5/8: PCM1792

I believe the CD9 sports the same DAC chip set as in the REF DAC. Do we know what that is? Thx

[doggiehowser]

The 1792 is a sigma delta based DAC I think and not ladder R2R so I guess they could implement DSD if they wanted. I think Ayre uses a similar DAC chip?