dCS Vivaldi incoming!

[jax4736]

Finally pulled the plug on this DAC. Replaced an Ayre QB-9 DSD. For now, just using the DAC without the other three boxes.

Amazing liquid sound, bass is stunning, as are the details in many recordings I'm familiar with. Everything just sounds so real...virtually like analog.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by jax4736

Finally pulled the plug on this DAC. Replaced an Ayre QB-9 DSD. For now, just using the DAC without the other three boxes.

Amazing liquid sound, bass is stunning, as are the details in many recordings I'm familiar with. Everything just sounds so real...virtually like analog.

Congratulations !! And welcome to the club ! I started with dac...then the trans..then the clock...now the upsampler is tugging on my wallet...one day soon I hope.

I've found the Vivaldi incredibly revealing of cables, digital, power and interconnects.

What are you feeding it with? USB for now?

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2, Anaconda Zitron cords (x6), Sigma HC (x1), Sigma Analog (x3)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Spiral Groove Centroid, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS/MPS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[ct991]

Originally Posted by jax4736

Finally pulled the plug on this DAC. Replaced an Ayre QB-9 DSD. For now, just using the DAC without the other three boxes.

Amazing liquid sound, bass is stunning, as are the details in many recordings I'm familiar with. Everything just sounds so real...virtually like analog.

Congrats! I love my Vivaldi stack.

[jax4736]

Using USB for now, from a MacBook Pro. Next steps are almost certainly the clock and up sampler. I am stunned beyond words at the first few recordings I tried.

To use with a preamp, do you just turn the DAC volume up all the way?

[jfrech]

Yes...with your KXR, keep the volume all the way up. When it shows 0db it's out of the circuit. I've never used the volume control on my Vivaldi...I doubt you will either. I've heard your KXR...it's a fantastic preamp. And it has one of the very best volume controls ever devised.

On USB, you have a variety of filter options. I found DXD best at filter 5. Most everything on DSD I went to DSD filter 3. Your mileage may certainly vary here and the filters take some careful listening...but you'll begin to notice the subtleties. Frankly all of them sound good.

Do you have any pure DSD downloads yet? If not, I highly, and I mean HIGHLY recommend going to bluecoast records. Spend $5 today and get special event #20. (get the .dsf file contains the metadata and graphics)

Special Event 20 | Blue Coast Records

You'll also need something like Audirvana for $79 to go native DSD from your macbook to your Vivaldi. Amarra converts DSD to PCM and I can't imagine that's a good thing for our Vivaldi's.

I'm now experimenting with pure DXD files. They are a little harder to to find but a few exist.

That bluecoast special event 20 is now the last thing I play when my friends come by. it leaves a lasting impression...

Happy listening ! I know what you mean by stunned...and I was coming from Scarlatti. Your Vivaldi will also sound better in a week or two...as it breaks in and warms up.

PS, what USB cable are you using?

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2, Anaconda Zitron cords (x6), Sigma HC (x1), Sigma Analog (x3)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Spiral Groove Centroid, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS/MPS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[jax4736]

I'm using a Shunyata USB cable, I prefer it to a Nordost I had previously,

Any recommendations on filter settings?

Using number 2 for ripped CDs, and number 6 for his res.

I listen primarily to orchestral music.

[Still-One]

Congratulations. That is a wonderful stack of gear. Keep us posted.

[jax4736]

My immediate next steps are to acquire a Shunyata DPC-6v2, and lay the groundwork for the dCS Clock and Upsampler I intend to add.

I've no plans to add the Transport, I'm almost 100% a music server setup and own only about 30 SACD's.

I am most curious what filters folks are using on the DAC...I've reverted to Filter 6 for the time being.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by jax4736

My immediate next steps are to acquire a Shunyata DPC-6v2, and lay the groundwork for the dCS Clock and Upsampler I intend to add.

I've no plans to add the Transport, I'm almost 100% a music server setup and own only about 30 SACD's.

I am most curious what filters folks are using on the DAC...I've reverted to Filter 6 for the time being.

My DPC-6v2 did help out. I have the Trans and Clock on it. Along with the Sat tv, apple tv and my turntable motor controller. I have the DAC direct to the Triton v2. I bet with your music server and peripherals, this should help you to.

For DSD, I use filter 3 always. I've been mostly up sampling to DXD from the trans for redbook and that I use filter 5. I'll play around with the other filters and post soon...

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2, Anaconda Zitron cords (x6), Sigma HC (x1), Sigma Analog (x3)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Spiral Groove Centroid, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS/MPS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[jax4736]

I'm going from a quarter stack to a three-quarters stack! I ordered the clock and upsampler today. The transport is a pipe dream. Better cabling will have to wait, but hope tho have the two boxes in a week or so. Looking forward to the improvements.

My DAC is burned in now, and I am still blown away at the sound.

Upsampler owners: how do you play Redbook CD? Upsample to DXD?