24-Jul-2017, 14:09
I think the old adage that all threads that mention AIR, not matter how positively, seam to drift into comments of crackling, drop-outs, etc. A shame, but it does indicate that AIR perhaps has it's intrinsic issues that may never be solved. Let's hope the new OS Board is stable.
Anyway, my original observations in this thread have got me thinking about the USB input on the Pro. Most of my Devialet AES vs USB experience comes from the 'old' Expert models, where I have tried Melco, Aurender, dCS, CAD CAT and of course the microRendu. Pretty consistently I have preferred the results via AES, perhaps most notably with an Aurender N10, which can output USB and AES, making a direct comparison possible. However, that was then, now we have the new 'Pro' model. I have been told that the USB board in the Pro is identical to the one used in the former 'Expert' model, but when I did briefly try the mR direct via USB on the Pro, it did seam to perform a lot better than it did with the 'old' Expert. Specifically bass accuracy, so maybe something to do with galvanic isolation, leakage loops, or perhaps quite simply that the asynchronous performance in the Pro is better. Anyway, much speculation.
My question is has anyone tried any USB to AES or S/PDIF comparisons with the Pro? Or indeed, has anyone found good results or a preference for USB with the Pro?
This question is kind of 'semi' off topic here, but it is related to my original comments, with both AIR and USB being asynchronous protocols. Maybe this deserves it's own thread if it gets some interest, although I suspect most of us have not tried any serious A/B USB versus AES tests? If I ever get the time and am in the right mood, I might try revisiting the mR direct to USB some time, it might be interesting. I did try it a while back, but only very briefly.
Anyway, my original observations in this thread have got me thinking about the USB input on the Pro. Most of my Devialet AES vs USB experience comes from the 'old' Expert models, where I have tried Melco, Aurender, dCS, CAD CAT and of course the microRendu. Pretty consistently I have preferred the results via AES, perhaps most notably with an Aurender N10, which can output USB and AES, making a direct comparison possible. However, that was then, now we have the new 'Pro' model. I have been told that the USB board in the Pro is identical to the one used in the former 'Expert' model, but when I did briefly try the mR direct via USB on the Pro, it did seam to perform a lot better than it did with the 'old' Expert. Specifically bass accuracy, so maybe something to do with galvanic isolation, leakage loops, or perhaps quite simply that the asynchronous performance in the Pro is better. Anyway, much speculation.
My question is has anyone tried any USB to AES or S/PDIF comparisons with the Pro? Or indeed, has anyone found good results or a preference for USB with the Pro?
This question is kind of 'semi' off topic here, but it is related to my original comments, with both AIR and USB being asynchronous protocols. Maybe this deserves it's own thread if it gets some interest, although I suspect most of us have not tried any serious A/B USB versus AES tests? If I ever get the time and am in the right mood, I might try revisiting the mR direct to USB some time, it might be interesting. I did try it a while back, but only very briefly.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
