Don’t you think the tubes in the output stage might be more relevant here than the DAC section being R2R? Without knowing another thing about it, let me take a guess: it has high measured distortion levels but nonetheless sounds euphonically “un-digital”.
https://www.aquahifi.com/la_scala.html
(10-Dec-2018, 23:43)JimSmith Wrote: [ -> ]@thumb5 I don't think what I am hearing is coloration. What I am hearing though is more information within the musical passages, a stretching if you may of the soundstage fabric revealing more instruments within the ensemble. Yes when the music is not complex the instruments do sound more fuller and rounder which could be attributed to the power amplifier.
I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the notion that noise and/or distortion can result in apparent improvements to detail and soundstage; I've heard that anecdotally and there seems to be evidence for it (though I'd have to do some digging to remember where I saw that). It's another example of the tension between accuracy and "sounding good".
Whatever the root cause of the difference, it's clear you like the sound so I hope you can capture it and incorporate it somehow into your system.
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JimSmith
I run a similar setup to yours: 440 Pro CI and Sonus faber Olympica ll. I experience sound that hangs between the speakers, out into the room and back past the rear wall. Jim, this is a long shot, but have you checked speaker phase in relation to each other? This might account for the sound being stuck to the wall behind each speaker.
Over the years I've listened to quite a few DAC/pre/amp combinations. My 440 Pro is without doubt the most musical I've owned. But I will say that I have occasionally been blown away by a system that has extraordinary clarity and detail. As you stated, details such as breathing, finger on strings, etc.. are more pronounced. But in my experience, such details, although present, are rarely noticed in a live performance and, I suspect, might hinder the overall enjoyment of a system in the long term as it might force a focus toward critical listening rather than just getting immersed in the music.
The ideal test would be to live exclusively with the R2R DAC solution for an extended period of time and then switch back to your Devialet. It might just reveal an aspect of listening enjoyment that you've been taking for granted. Then again, I've known a few audiophiles that absolutely love such detail and strive for that characteristic in their listening systems. Go with your gut!
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mdconnelly Great advice! I have decided to keep the R2R DAC combo for an extended period of time. Hopefully soon Devialet is going to release their next firmware update, and when that happens I intend to switch. I am hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised.
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Axel Thanks for the suggestion I have checked the speaker connections and all is fine. I am not saying that the magic is gone, but it's kind of limited to a select few recordings.
I think Devialet is a very promising platform and I know that a lot of further software development is in the pipeline especially on the iOS platform. 2019 is going to be a really exciting year, looking forward to it.
I will keep everyone posted as and when the switch happens and my final thoughts. I know that I will have to decide on keeping only one setup, which one I am not sure. One major asset Devialet has is this website and the community sprit it garners.
Jim, have you tried the new DAC into the Devialet line inputs? Apologies if I've missed it, I'd be interested in knowing how that worked out.
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/ka...distortion
This is an interesting article about using a special box to deliberately add distortion to taste, I find it fascinating and would love to try something line that, my guess is some recordings may well benifit, and others not at all.
PS not saying what is going on in your system is distortion driven, just it seems to fit.
I am not surprised you like the R2R DAC. One of the best (if not THE best) design here is totaldac. Available with both tube and solid state output stages. Very expensive due to extremely expensive resistors in the ladder chain. A Devialet with a DAC like this built-in is probably impossible due to place constraints, but it would most certainly sound good.
I think it is important to remember that the DAC Devialet is using works in a very optimised environment and probably sounds better here than in other designs using the same chip.
You may get some of the character of the Aqua La Scala through the ADC of the Devialet, but not all. Good luck in choosing!
Currently just enjoying listening to the R2R combo. @
ogs you are right it is a fruitless exercise to try the Aqua La Scala through the ADC of the Dev. Either I will decide to completely move to the R2R setup or stick with the Dev. As I said in my earlier post I will wait for Devialet to release their upcoming Roon firmware before making any decisions.
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Soniclife Thanks for the link looks interesting. But I can assure you that the tubes in the La Scala don't make it sound smooth, creamy, rounded or warm. If it would have any of those attributes I would have returned it swiftly.
(13-Dec-2018, 23:27)JimSmith Wrote: [ -> ] @ogs you are right it is a fruitless exercise to try the Aqua La Scala through the ADC of the Dev.
It might be fruitless for you Jim, but for us readers here it would be great if you could do it. Just for fun, I think I speak for most of us, we would love to know whether or not the Aqua's qualities remain through the D's analog input.
Just see the exercise as a Christmas present for us Chatters.
Yes, please send us your feedback for their D’s analog input. Thanks.