Conrad-Johnson HD3 USB DAC

[goone]

rthomeint,
Have you ever run the oppo 95 digital out to the HD3 USB?
How is the sound compared to the analog from oppo itself?
thanks

[joeinid]

Any photos of the back of the HD3 dac? From what I understand, it is supposed to sound wonderful.

[Puma Cat]

That's my understanding...those guys at HRT know what they're doing when it come to asynchronous USB. Speaking of HRT, I spoke with with Mike there this week. Super nice guy; had to arrange to send my MS Pro in to them for repair ()it just stopped putting out sound for some unknown reason. They should have it by now.

I'm back to listening to my MSII for the time....agghhh! Twist my arm, not the MSII!!!

[joeinid]

()it just stopped putting out for some unknown reason.

I've had that problem, just not with audio gear

Hmmmm, a tube version might be nice on the HD3.

[Puma Cat]

Might be, though C-J is mighty good at getting SS gear to have the qualities of tubes. You'll find that out if you snag a CA200. The HD3 might indeed sound as sweet as a tube version.

FWIW, Tim de Paravincini of EAR/Yoshino says he can design SS gear so that it is indistinguishable from tubes. His 324P phono stage is a good example of this. He says the only reason most of his gear is tube is because tubes sell better than SS!

[joeinid]

Very interesting, thanks for the insight. I never knew that.

[rthomeint]

Originally Posted by goone

rthomeint,
Have you ever run the oppo 95 digital out to the HD3 USB?
How is the sound compared to the analog from oppo itself?
thanks

The HD3 only has one USB B input. The Oppo doesn't output from it's USB ports it's only an input. The sound is much better on the HD3. The HD3 is more detailed yet smoother than the Oppo. The bass on the HD3 sound like it goes a full octave deeper. The soundstage has much better front to back layering and much better imaging. The highs have slightly better extension. Overall music is more 3 dimensional. The Oppo still sounds really good but the HD3 is on another level. For a long time I was using a CJ DA2b with a Genesis Digital Lens and An Arye D1x transport. Flac files on my Mac Mini and the HD3 blows this out of the water. I've got about 175 hours on mine and I don't think is full burned in yet.

[rthomeint]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I've had that problem, just not with audio gear

Hmmmm, a tube version might be nice on the HD3.

When I got to CES in January I will ask if an SE is coming. If the do a tube version it would require a taller case.

[goone]

Thanks, so the HD3 only had 1 input? and it is usb

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by rthomeint

The HD3 only has one USB B input. The Oppo doesn't output from it's USB ports it's only an input. The sound is much better on the HD3. The HD3 is more detailed yet smoother than the Oppo. The bass on the HD3 sound like it goes a full octave deeper. The soundstage has much better front to back layering and much better imaging. The highs have slightly better extension. Overall music is more 3 dimensional. The Oppo still sounds really good but the HD3 is on another level. For a long time I was using a CJ DA2b with a Genesis Digital Lens and An Arye D1x transport. Flac files on my Mac Mini and the HD3 blows this out of the water. I've got about 175 hours on mine and I don't think is full burned in yet.

Thanks for the impressions, they are most interesting; it sounds like a really nice DAC.