MELCO

[Jwg1749]

It's pretty clear to me. Having NO SPEAKERS is putting you in a philosophical mindset. ;-)

Busted! 

Confused
There is no doubt that expectation bias exists, many truly scientific experiments have demonstrated the phenomena. However, there have been many times I have auditioned audio kit and the final conclusions have been very different to my initial expectation.  Possibly this indicates that I am immune to expectation bias, or possibly it indicates I am slightly insane.

One of the counter-intuitive things about expectation bias is that when you find your expectations are confounded by your experience, it doesn't mean expectation bias isn't occurring. It may be happening unconsciously. Most cognitive biases are unconscious.

All of which doesn't mean you aren't slightly insane. In a good way. 

[GuillaumeB]

It's pretty clear to me. Having NO SPEAKERS is putting you in a philosophical mindset. ;-)

Busted! 

Confused
There is no doubt that expectation bias exists, many truly scientific experiments have demonstrated the phenomena. However, there have been many times I have auditioned audio kit and the final conclusions have been very different to my initial expectation.  Possibly this indicates that I am immune to expectation bias, or possibly it indicates I am slightly insane.

One of the counter-intuitive things about expectation bias is that when you find your expectations are confounded by your experience, it doesn't mean expectation bias isn't occurring. It may be happening unconsciously. Most cognitive biases are unconscious.

All of which doesn't mean you aren't slightly insane. In a good way. 

Hi Matt, 

Very interesting philosophical discussion, would you mind setting up another thread? Thanks   

Guillaume 

[Rufus McDufus]

Sorry I ignored a few posts here but I was talking about power supply load and potential noise generation from that and other onboard devices and extra work being done.

[Umetaro]

So its
N1Z, X100 at the top of the line followed by
N1A, N100.

Is this true?  I don't see any comment on the comparison between N1A (or N1Z) and Aurender.
 

[Rufus McDufus]

I don't wish to be seen as defending the Melco approach but there are solid engineering principles behind this and TCP optimisation in varying forms is a well-understood area especially in terms of maximising throughput and minimising errors. For instance I know from my particular area of knowledge that the likes of Akamai plus the big Internet sites perform some pretty sophisticated methods of achieving the best performance possible and I think the Melco devices are using some similar methods, but looking at it from an audio point of view.
I'm thinking of an automobile analogy where it is possible to try different engineering techiques, some of which may well be addressing a problem that isn't in reality (and hindsight) a problem but because we fortunately most of us live in a relatively free world, they are free to try - and I don't begrudge them for trying! The automobile industry is littered with such attempts to make things better, some ludicrous and hilarious to us now, but also some which actually turned out to be pretty clever and advanced things to the state we are at now.
I really like the end result from the devices I heard. I suspect fairly strongly that some of the innovations have played a part in that. It's not blind chance that this is the case. There will be better sounding devices from Melco or whoever at some point in the future I'm sure, but I'm happy that things seem to be moving along rapidly.
I'm posting this after a few glasses of Polish beer so apologies if it doesn't make too much sense tomorrow!

[Jnan_devi]

So its N1Z, X100 at the top of the line followed by N1A, N100.

Is this true?  I don't see any comment on the comparison between N1A (or N1Z) and Aurender.  

Right i wish i did not post this one here which raises controversy ... this is for my own consumption and continue to wish I gather enough funds to go buy N1Z, X100 ... or maybe wait to buy used ones  . However N1A and N100 are within reachable budget. I read Rufus and Guillaum has expressed Total dac SQ around (close enough) N1A. Hence for me, budget wise, N1A is good and Total Dac is expensive. Then why not add N100 to the list (again budget is important)

Like this very thread, here is another good thread  http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=793 By Amabrok(Covers X100, N1Z )
another good link on N100 http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=854 by Stigmater.

Happy Reading and Listening  . 
/Jnan

[GuillaumeB]

Does MELCO give less details in comparison to AIR ?
I found Moon to be less detailed than AIR ?
Is it the same with MELCO ?

We didn't compare the Melco to AIR. I am however quite familiar with the sound that AIR gives in my system and in the past have carried out direct back to back comparisons between the MiND 180 and AIR:

http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=253

Taking the N1A base model I would say that it has perhaps a bit less of the pin sharp definition of AIR... the "edge" of the notes is smoother and the texture of the sound is perhaps a bit richer/fuller/warmer. I love the sound of AIR but I do find that with some material it can sound a tad bright and thin, there is a sharpness to its presentation if you will. There is still plenty of immediacy with the N1A sound, the attack of notes is there without some of the downsides of AIR. To my ears the N1A is a big, more mature, relaxed sound. 

Of course the N1Z takes things to a scary stratospheric level. You hear stuff you never heard before, brush work on a drum sounds more detailed and easier to follow. Or rather you're suprised by the fact that the brush work sounds a bit different to what you're used to. It's more life-like I suppose. That's the thing about the N1Z, it gives you this incredible holographic picture. I thought the totaldac d1 was great in this regard, but the N1Z redefines the experience.

Gregory Porter's vocals took on a dimension and presence I hadn't felt before. 

The thing is all this is a fantastic tribute to the Devialet DAC and ADH technology, it just keeps on giving! Feed it the best possible source and you are hugely rewarded. I think this is what others are finding with other streamers too. AIR is very good but in reality it is just an introduction into what is possible with your Devialet.

Guillaume

[thumb5]

Just wanted to say, even though I don't yet have any intention to get another streamer, I'm finding this thread fascinating reading. Thanks to Guillaume and Rufus particularly for their detailed write-ups.

[amabrok]

Guillaume, the thread is very popular now to follow all the posts so I will repost my earlier question hopefully u will catch it this time

What usb cable u used to connect N1Z to Devialet?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Confused]

How did you find the Melco's with respect to usability, control apps etc? Do they have their own app for control or are they dependant on third party offerings? Facinating write ups so far, by the way, terrific stuff and much appreciated!