Question for all Crack/S.E.X. owners, what DAC are you using?

mcandmar · 8296

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Offline mcandmar

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I'm really just looking for ideas here so i'm curious to hear what source everyone is using.

Also interested to hear from Vinyl junkies too..

Cheers,

Mark

M.McCandless


Offline Loquah

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Reply #1 on: October 23, 2013, 09:07:03 PM
I was using an Audio-gd NFB-5.2 (now for sale if anyone's interested) which was great due to it's variable line-out.

I've now moved to a Matrix X-Sabre which is a musical implementation of the (in)famous ES9018 chip - often cold and analytically presented, but super detailed and musical in the X-Sabre setup - a perfect compliment to the Crack and S.E.X. It has actually brought the performance of the 2 amps closer together I think because the extra detail improves the Crack's sound.

Check out my reviews on YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/passionforsound


Offline corndog71

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Reply #2 on: October 24, 2013, 06:38:36 AM
I use a Musical Fidelity V-DAC MkII for digital and Cambridge Audio 640P for vinyl.  Eventually I want to build a Bottlehead Reduction.

The world was made for those not cursed with self-awareness.

Rob


Offline Mike B

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Reply #3 on: October 24, 2013, 07:04:21 AM
I use a Xiang Sheng DAC 01A.  Very nice, has vacuum tube output.  Cheap too - :)

Far away from the bleeding edge


Offline galyons

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Reply #4 on: October 24, 2013, 08:12:08 AM
My main LP playing equipment ... 


Me too!  It was such a pain until I got this handy accessory!

Otherwise...Computer => SqueezeBox => Channel Islands DAC => Crack

Cheers,
Geary

VPI TNT IV/JMW 3D 12+Benz LP-S>  Eros + Auralic Aries + ANK Dac 4.1 >Eros TH+ Otari MX5050 IIIB2 > BeePre >Paramount 300B 7N7 > EV Sentry IV-A

Thorens TD124/Ortofon RMG-212/SPU >Seduction > Smash^Up> Paramour 45 MQ >K12's


Offline mcandmar

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Reply #5 on: October 26, 2013, 06:20:33 PM
Bump for more options.. :)

I'm finding it very hard to find a direction to go looking for a DAC.   My only reference is an ODAC which i bought because it was clearly a no brainer for the cost, and i really cannot fault it.  I just want something that is neutral to output a line level signal with no bells or whistles or frills whatsoever.  Finding something, and justifying something more expensive than the ODAC is proving very difficult. Unfortunately i don't have the option of listening to any other equipment to hear the difference in higher end DAC's. Or maybe that is a blessing in disguise..

I should probably just buy another ODAC, stuff it inside the S.E.X amp and call it a day.

M.McCandless


Offline kgoss

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Reply #6 on: October 27, 2013, 05:57:19 AM
I don't think I would stuff any DAC inside the sex amp. There could be noise problems that would handicap the DAC and the S.E.X. amp. You might want to do what I am doing - waiting patiently on the Bottlehead DAC.

Ken Goss


Offline Mr. Davis

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Reply #7 on: October 27, 2013, 06:53:24 AM
I use a DIY Buffalo III DAC.

Perry Davis


Offline Lar

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Reply #8 on: October 27, 2013, 08:00:52 AM
My main LP playing equipment ... 


Me too!  It was such a pain until I got this handy accessory!

Otherwise...Computer => SqueezeBox => Channel Islands DAC => Crack

Cheers,
Geary

What is the cost of that accessory?   :P
Computer - SqueezeBox - Emotiva XDA-1 - Crack.


Larry V


Offline Yoder

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Reply #9 on: October 27, 2013, 09:36:42 AM
Owning two Cracks w/Speedball I use two different DACs with each system. For my System I, I first run my digital audio into a DIP Combo (http://www.monarchyaudio.com/DIP_Combo_Main_frame.htm) word clock and then into a Monarchy Audio NM-24 tube DAC http://www.monarchyaudio.com/NM24_Main_Frame.htm. The NM-24 is a lot of bang for the buck and is very easy to mod (mine was modded by the Monarchy.) I actually got both and a couple of SM-70 MK II mono blocks, and some other gear for building the Monarchy site. CC, the owner, is now a one man operation and just does the work as a retirement hobby. Anyone in the Bay area should look him up. He is a very gracious human being, and has more gear/components in his huge warehouse than he knows what to do with. I am sure he could supply any DIYer with any component that he/she needed. I always make it a point to spend a day or two with him when I visit SFO.

For my other system, it will become my BH system once I test the Foreplay III and the two Paramount's, I use a highly modded E-Mu 0404. I swapped out most of the caps and put better OP amps in it. There are a couple of things I still want to do with it, but for the money (even when purchased new) it is a decent DAC  with USB, TOSLink and SPDIF capabilities. There are a couple now on eBay for as low as $50.

I use Amarra Symphony on both systems. A Macmini (Lion) drives one, and a MBP (Lion) the other.




Offline mcandmar

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Reply #10 on: October 27, 2013, 10:07:28 AM
I use a DIY Buffalo III DAC.

Now that looks interesting, like a Lego kit for grown ups.  Definitely going to do more research into this one..

M.McCandless


Offline ALL212

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Reply #11 on: October 27, 2013, 03:55:19 PM
Computer - Squeezebox - Lite DAC modified by Pacific Valve (2x 6DJ8's) - Crack.

Aaron Luebke


Offline Oberst Oswald

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Reply #12 on: October 27, 2013, 05:39:40 PM
Stello DA-100

X-Fi > Stello DA100 > BeePre > SEX 2.1, Beta 22 or Bijou.    Paramounts > Extended Foreplay III > Thiel CS2 
Stax SR-Lambda with SRD-7/SB
Denon D-7000
Audez'e LCD-2r2
Sennheiser HD 800


Offline Bill Chase

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Reply #13 on: October 27, 2013, 08:57:38 PM
I use a Mytek 192.

Bill Chase
Digital music collection enjoyed thru:
   Mac Mini to Jolida Glass DSD DAC
   BeePre & Stereomour I
   Seductor EL84 Amp
   DecWare Ultra Preamp w 5x Paramount 300Bs with Magnequest Iron
   Crack with Speedball
   SEX v1
Guitars and Ukulele enjoyed by Tode


Offline Tubejack

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Reply #14 on: October 28, 2013, 05:30:18 AM
PSA PWD II

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Those that understand Binary and those that Don't!