DA2 Upgrade Module released

[rob725]

Originally Posted by Mouse

@Rob725
Go to the bottom right, right click on the device, in my case MA8900.
Select DSP
In the top left navigation bar select "Sample Rate Conversion" and enable it.
Play with settings, you can select DSD and make a setting for that.
My audio is unaffected, but my mouse pointer slows down and gets jumpy.

Got it. I have the DSP disabled and just run native DSD. Do you notice much of an improvement upsampling?

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by rob725

Got it. I have the DSP disabled and just run native DSD. Do you notice much of an improvement upsampling?

It's slightly more natural; it's not night/day improvement.
I went back and forth a few times to even be sure I heard it.

[Tank_PD]

Does anyone have this module running ARC HDMI from a TV? If so, how do you find the 2-Channel conversion of surround formats?

[demetri_j]

Can someone compare how the DA1 stacks up something external like the Ayre Codex or what the DA1 could sell for if it was a stand alone DAC? Just trying to decide if i should get an amp with a DA1 included or just go external for the DAC.

[W9TR]

I’m a huge McIntosh fan - just take a look at my signature. The inbuilt DAC’s in current McIntosh gear offer an unprecedented level of convenience and integration.

But there are better DAC options out there for sure, so if you have the space and desire to experiment a bit you will find a vast array of DAC’s that have different sonic signatures than the ESS DAC’s that McIntosh uses.

I wouldn’t look at it economically....a Topping D50 is pretty much the same as a DA2 and sells for $150.

It’s a win-win. Buy a McIntosh product with a built in DAC. If you like it you are done. If not you can always get an external DAC.

Tom

[ddps]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I’m a huge McIntosh fan - just take a look at my signature. The inbuilt DAC’s in current McIntosh gear offer an unprecedented level of convenience and integration.

But there are better DAC options out there for sure, so if you have the space and desire to experiment a bit you will find a vast array of DAC’s that have different sonic signatures than the ESS DAC’s that McIntosh uses.

I wouldn’t look at it economically....a Topping D50 is pretty much the same as a DA2 and sells for $150.

It’s a win-win. Buy a McIntosh product with a built in DAC. If you like it you are done. If not you can always get an external DAC.

Tom

Agreed. I love Mac amps. Pick the one that’s right for you, and if it has a DAC built in, consider it a bonus feature. The DA1 and DA2 sound great. But they don’t offer adjustable filters or other tweaks if you like that sort of thing. But there’s nothing wrong with having multiple DACs at your disposal. Just like having multiple cartridges or turntables.

[Charles]

Tom you and ddps are great guys but in my humble opinion your are not offering good advice to Rob. Now he is certainly his own man and can think for himself, no question. But he has a sound signature with Mac. Mac too offers different DAC's and he may want to upgrade to a D1100/C1100/MP1100 at some future point. Mixing and matching is certainly one way to go but you never know what you have. You have a hodgepodge and it may be an extremely good sounding one but you have no reference other than your own system.

All things considered I think the Shunyata Sigma USB cable is better than an AQ Diamond. This is based on rave reviews by many on AA. But I use a Diamond. I certainly have the money to buy a Sigma but I wouldn't even use one if you gave me one fully paid for. I use AQ exclusively and Mac exclusively, top line. I know what I have and I am very happy with my sound. Gear that sounds good one day with several CD's or vinyl may not sound so good the next week, etc.

Of course I am opinionated. To each his own but if I am Rob, I'd stay with Mac. Mac has a sound signature that is very pleasing to my ears. I have been in discussions where "this piece just blew the Mac away" statements are made. All one can really say is that this statement holds for my particular system and how my ears are feeling and the music I am playing on that particular day.

Best

Charles

p.s. recently my 9 year old sub crossover went bad. Wilson supplied me with a new crossover free of charge, about a 4,000 dollar gift because I am a repeat customer: Maxx 3, Alexx, now XVX. This led to me purchasing a new Thors Hammer Galaxy Grey to match my XVX. The new crossover sounds considerably better than the old one, even though it is the same crossover and the new Hammer I know will sound significantly better than my 9 year old one. When you establish yourself with a dealer and a manufacturer like Wilson or Mac or AQ it is very beneficial. I can pick up the phone and speak to my sources at these companies and immediately have any need met because I am a captive customer and have spent many thousands on their products and they are well aware.

____________________
Charles Updated System
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; coming very soon: new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer to replace my 9 year old Thors Hammer
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house

[rob725]

I can't comment on the DA1, but the DA2 is pretty good. I compared it a/b with the current version of the Mytek Brooklyn DAC using roon gouping so I could go back and forth on the same song. I would think I liked the Mytek, because it had more "something" to it, but then I'd flip back to the da2 and realize that it was cleaner, airier and I believe more accurate. But they use the same chip, so they're similar. So pulling a number out of thin air, I'd say the DA2 is kind of in the $1-2K range as an add-on.

Given that you can spend up to 6 figures on a dac, I'm sure you can find many good ones. I'd love to hear many of them in my system based on how many different dacs have been described as "the first time digital sounded like analog." Unfortunately, I'm thinking very few places want to send me a $50,000 dac to try (although if I understand correctly, Lampi has return policy).

So, I have bought a schiit yggy(noy yet arrived), since it uses an entirely different approach than do the DA2 type dacs, just to see if there is a marked difference and because it can be returned for a refund. If I like it, I will run both, since the schiit does not do DSD and the DA2 does, and does it well for high res DSD. I have some DSD128, and DSD256 files that take my breath away.

I will try to get a loaner of the D1100 (and C1100 as well), although the chip is one generation back from the version in the DA2, but a dac component is more than just it's chip.

Also, if the Schitt is better by a long way, I will even more seriously explore the Esoteric, Lampizator, MSB, Aries-Cerat, Emm...and many more. There are so many quality dacs and it is imho the most important component in digital. The better the system behind it, the more faithfully will the dac's voice be presented, whether it's just good, great, or amazing.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by rob725

So, I have bought a schiit yggy(noy yet arrived), since it uses an entirely different approach than do the DA2 type dacs, just to see if there is a marked difference and because it can be returned for a refund. If I like it, I will run both, since the schiit does not do DSD and the DA2 does, and does it well for high res DSD. I have some DSD128, and DSD256 files that take my breath away.

I will try to get a loaner of the D1100 (and C1100 as well), although the chip is one generation back from the version in the DA2, but a dac component is more than just it's chip.

Also, if the Schitt is better by a long way, I will even more seriously explore the Esoteric, Lampizator, MSB, Aries-Cerat, Emm...and many more. There are so many quality dacs and it is imho the most important component in digital. The better the system behind it, the more faithfully will the dac's voice be presented, whether it's just good, great, or amazing.

Rob,

I very much look forward to your thoughts re: the Yggy. I own two DACs, the D1100 and a Meridian 808v6. The D1100 lists at $7k and the 808 at $20k yet they sound REMARKABLY similar. When volume matched, they sound nearly identical IMO. I can hear greater differences in interconnects than I do between these 2 dacs. I have owned both concurrently for a little over 3 years now. I say all this to try and legitimize McIntosh digital, for anyone who will believe me. I bought and sold a esoteric K01x a little over 4 years ago, another $20k spinner/dac. I never missed it but that’s just me. I would love to hear additional top shelf dacs in my system in the future ... dCS, MSB, EMM labs but the likelihood of getting a demo where I live is slim to none.

[JBT]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Rob,

I very much look forward to your thoughts re: the Yggy. I own two DACs, the D1100 and a Meridian 808v6. The D1100 lists at $7k and the 808 at $20k yet they sound REMARKABLY similar. When volume matched, they sound nearly identical IMO. I can hear greater differences in interconnects than I do between these 2 dacs. I have owned both concurrently for a little over 3 years now. I say all this to try and legitimize McIntosh digital, for anyone who will believe me. I bought and sold a esoteric K01x a little over 4 years ago, another $20k spinner/dac. I never missed it but that’s just me. I would love to hear additional top shelf dacs in my system in the future ... dCS, MSB, EMM labs but the likelihood of getting a demo where I live is slim to none.

I love my D1100 Aurender N10 combination. Shoot I love my Direct TV music channels with the D1100. Sonos internet radio.