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  #21  
Old 04-27-2013, 09:26 PM
Priaptor Priaptor is offline
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You obviously missed Joel's comment that his purchases were mainly from recommendations he received from this forum which is exactly what I was doing.

Your advice he already ignored as he listened to people's advice as to what to buy and all that equipment he hasn't even ordered and/or taken delivery on

So counter to your advice he did listen to those on this forum as to what to purchase and in line with his thank you to us all I was giving him some more advice which he appreciated BUT you tell him to be wary.
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  #22  
Old 04-27-2013, 09:31 PM
bzr bzr is offline
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You are so right, I am sorry for hurting your feelings

Last edited by bzr; 04-27-2013 at 11:59 PM.
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  #23  
Old 04-27-2013, 11:02 PM
Priaptor Priaptor is offline
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Sorry would have been enough
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  #24  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:38 AM
enatai252 enatai252 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Priaptor View Post
Why be wary?

It seems like the guy is buying blind anyway. Most of his equipment I owned or owned such as the DAC8 an aging design that is good but for the money he could do better, IMO, or at least as you suggest audition other DACS before committing to the DAC 8

Incidentally aren't you kind of giving him advice of what to do or not to do as well?? Should he be wary of you as well?
What is it about the DAC 8 that you dislike...is it just the lack of DSD? I believe you moved to DAC2....what sonic qualities were key for you in the change.

I use a DAC8 and would definitely recommend it to anyone. There are DACs that perform better...I own the Vivaldi and the Ref DAC...but for the money...the DAC8 is hard to beat

Joel would be using with S10 which does not have DSD capability...so I would recommend it.
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  #25  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:46 AM
JoelG JoelG is offline
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I appreciate the input. Thank you all! Priaptor, since you suggested against the DAC 8, I would be especially interested to know your impressions of how the DAC 8 compares, in your experience, to other DACs. I find it hard to do A/B comparisons, and so I do rely on advice. I especially value the advice of those who have personal experience and have no financial interest in what I select. I chose ARC because I heard it with the Vandersteen 7s, and it sounded great in comparison to different brands at different audio dealers.... and I was also impressed with the very favorable opinions of their products.
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  #26  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:47 AM
JoelG JoelG is offline
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Oh.... Just purchased an Aurender S10 today.
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  #27  
Old 04-28-2013, 07:18 AM
Ritmo Ritmo is offline
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Congratulations Joel. Look forward to reading your impressions on both sound and usability.
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  #28  
Old 04-28-2013, 08:58 AM
Priaptor Priaptor is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoelG View Post
Oh.... Just purchased an Aurender S10 today.
Joel,

Are you aware they are shipping the W20? I would ask your dealer about availability since you have to wait two months anyway. I haven't heard it but those who have claim it is amazing.

As to DACS, the DAC8 is an excellent DAC, but there are better out there. My Meitner bested it in every aspect not on an insignificant scale. Now I was using the EMMDAC2x, a 15K DAC, but you are spending tons on your equipment. The MA version of what I had is 1/2 the price and based on what I experienced with the EMM I would expect a similar experience.

I have listend to many, including the REF DAC, which me personally I wouldn't buy. I personally, and this is me with no financial interests of any kind, would listen to the MSB Analog. I did and was amazed and how fantastic it was. Much more natural soundstage than anything I have ever heard, more three dimensional as well as detailed, however, sometimes there is a sacrifice in an harshness for detail and there is absolutely NO harness in this DAC. I made the mistake of listening to the big brother and I was hooked.

Look, the DAC8 is an excellent DAC, but with the kind of $$$ you are spending, especially on something like the Aurender, look at alternatives. I am a believer in the ARC sound when it comes to what their tube preamps and amps do together, but, my opinion, there are better DACs at or for just a little more money.

As one person posted, since "you bought the Aurender you will never listen to any DSD or DXD anyway", of course until you hear it, then you will want it. Plus the differences in DACs are not just referable to their ability of what they can and cannot play

Another thing to keep an open mind about.

But Congrats and enjoy the system. It sounds like you will have a killer system.
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  #29  
Old 04-28-2013, 11:06 AM
JoelG JoelG is offline
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Thank you!! I am aware of the new W20 Aurender, with a much greater capacity at a way higher price. I think I will get the DAC8 because even if it may not be the best DAC, it is an extremely good unit that one can get used in great condition for slightly under 3K and new for not all that much more. Then, with the Aurender, I can organize my CDs and download some additional music from HD tracks. Once my system is setup, I can get used to it, and gain experience listening to music with vinyl and digital. I can then get a feel as to how often I will be even using the digital. In addition, after I get used to the system, I can check out other more expensive DACs and ask to do A/B comparisons in my system with the understanding I will upgrade if and only if there is a favorable difference in sound. Since the DAC 8 is not a 10-15+K unit, I will not take the hit of selling a way more expensive DAC, should I sell the DAC 8 in the future to get one of the DACs you mentioned or some other unit that comes out as the latest and greatest.

Also, although one could say that since I am spending a lot on my amps/preamps/speakers etc, I should then perhaps get a very pricey DAC, the reality also is that having spent so much on that equipment takes away from having $ for other things at this time as I do not have unlimited funds... and the spending does not seem quite over as I am under the impression that I will not truly benefit from the sound of my ACR equipment and speakers if I do not have certain receptacles, power cords, isolation bases, room treatments etc. LOL.
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  #30  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:01 PM
Priaptor Priaptor is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoelG View Post
Thank you!! I am aware of the new W20 Aurender, with a much greater capacity at a way higher price. I think I will get the DAC8 because even if it may not be the best DAC, it is an extremely good unit that one can get used in great condition for slightly under 3K and new for not all that much more. Then, with the Aurender, I can organize my CDs and download some additional music from HD tracks. Once my system is setup, I can get used to it, and gain experience listening to music with vinyl and digital. I can then get a feel as to how often I will be even using the digital. In addition, after I get used to the system, I can check out other more expensive DACs and ask to do A/B comparisons in my system with the understanding I will upgrade if and only if there is a favorable difference in sound. Since the DAC 8 is not a 10-15+K unit, I will not take the hit of selling a way more expensive DAC, should I sell the DAC 8 in the future to get one of the DACs you mentioned or some other unit that comes out as the latest and greatest.

Also, although one could say that since I am spending a lot on my amps/preamps/speakers etc, I should then perhaps get a very pricey DAC, the reality also is that having spent so much on that equipment takes away from having $ for other things at this time as I do not have unlimited funds... and the spending does not seem quite over as I am under the impression that I will not truly benefit from the sound of my ACR equipment and speakers if I do not have certain receptacles, power cords, isolation bases, room treatments etc. LOL.
Sounds like a plan. I was able to sell my DAC8 for just under 3K, so if you are getting it for 3K you won't lose much if you choose to sell down the line.

You won't be able to do DSD, which is truly a great experience, but as you said, see how you like digital and take it from there. Having started the journey similar to you, I have discovered spectacular digital that I thought was not possible.

Here is one bit of advice before spending a tremendous amount on power cords, etc. Look into the Silver Circle isolation transformer. You may just find that for the price of all those power cords you will get better sonic benefits form the Silver Circle. They just released the uber-expensive Tchaik, which is 9K but I have seen their 5K 5.0 series being sold used on CableCo.com for 2.5K which is a great deal and fantastic upgrade to a system like you are putting together.
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