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

mcandmar · 8300

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Offline ffivaz

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Reply #15 on: October 28, 2013, 07:15:23 AM
Halide DAC HD. Really like the sound, fun to listen to. I think you can try one and send it back if it doesn't please you.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2013, 07:18:41 AM by ffivaz »

Fabien Fivaz

Thorens TD 160, Denon DL-110, Hagerman Piccolo 2, Reduction (w/ Integration), 2A3 Stereomour, Fostex FE126En in Bk12m enclosures
Halide DAC HD, Crack (w/ Speedball), Sennheiser HD 650

Offline Natural Sound

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Reply #16 on: October 28, 2013, 07:36:18 AM
I'm using a Micromega MyDAC while I wait for the bottlehead DAC.

http://www.micromega-hifi.com/en/products/my-range/mydac


Offline Jim R.

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Reply #17 on: October 28, 2013, 02:50:11 PM
I can heartily second the recommendation for the Halide DAC HD -- nothing at all you can mess with on that one -- even includes a very nice usb cable and interconnects -- extremely good tone and a real winner.

Also the MyDac, and iFi iDAC and especially with the iUSB and their twin headed usb cable, and if you're feeling a bit more flush, the Metrum Octave II -- very analog sound and nicely improved over the original, which was a really good dac too -- and you can probably find an original octave for a good price but you'll still need a good usb-spdif converter (but here I cannot recommend the Halide converter as it just falls way short of waht the octave can do.)

HTH,

Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)

Offline HF9

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Reply #18 on: October 29, 2013, 09:25:15 AM
I really enjoy the sound through the MHDT Paradisea. Unfortunately it's no longer offered but it could turn up on Audiogon. It offers a nice, warm, non-fatiguing sound through the S.E.X.

My DIY Audio Electronics Blog: DIYAudioBlog.com

Offline Mr. Davis

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Reply #19 on: October 29, 2013, 01:59:14 PM
Quote from: HF9 on October 29, 2013, 09:25:15 AM
I really enjoy the sound through the MHDT Paradisea. Unfortunately it's no longer offered but it could turn up on Audiogon. It offers a nice, warm, non-fatiguing sound through the S.E.X.

Did you ever finish the Audio Note DAC 2.1 Level B you were building back in April?

Perry Davis

Offline mcandmar

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Reply #20 on: October 30, 2013, 06:52:18 PM
I love how everybody has a different suggestion that i have never heard of.  No Sheeples here  :)

Keep it coming...

M.McCandless

Offline azrockitman

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Reply #21 on: October 30, 2013, 07:30:09 PM
I built a SEX but gave it to my brother.  I currently use a Stereomour with a really Shiity DAC.  (Bifrost and I love it, but only have my Mac Pro's stock output to compare to it.  It sounds worlds better than stock apple.  Way seriously)

Esoteric DV-50, Technics SL1200-M3D, B&K Phono 10 Preamp, Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III, Bottlehead Stereomour, Orca's

Offline TrevC

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Reply #22 on: November 01, 2013, 02:55:33 PM
Quote from: azrockitman on October 30, 2013, 07:30:09 PM
I built a SEX but gave it to my brother.  I currently use a Stereomour with a really Shiity DAC.  (Bifrost and I love it, but only have my Mac Pro's stock output to compare to it.  It sounds worlds better than stock apple.  Way seriously)
I thought the Bifrost (especially with their upgrade option) was fairly highly regarded?

Trevor

Offline hasafraker

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Reply #23 on: November 05, 2013, 02:57:33 PM
When my Crack isn't being fed by my vinyl rig I have a NuForce icon udac-2. I really like it. I did a write up on it on my blog if you care to check it out.
http://hasafraker.com/post/3810968801/nuforce-icon-udac-2

To me it sounds very good, and was quite affordable, it's sharp looking, small footprint. Really no complaints at all. I took it to work and let a couple of my buddies listen to it and they were impressed with it as well.

as long as it sounds good, who cares?

Main system; AT-LP120-USB Turntable w/AT440MLa, Bottlehead Reduction Phono, Decware ZSP1 Preamp, Pass Labs ACA Monoblocks, PSB Alpha B1's, MartinLogan Dynamo 300 sub. Bottlehead Crack w/Speedball, Interconnects and stands all DIY.

Offline Loquah

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Reply #24 on: November 05, 2013, 03:01:44 PM
Great blog, hasafraker!

I particularly like the coffee content and that sweet looking Alfa!

You sound like my kind of dude!  ;)

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

Offline mcandmar

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Reply #25 on: November 05, 2013, 03:34:56 PM
Good god that Alfa is just pornographic.  I always wanted to build a GTA replica out of a Junior with a twin webber 2.0 motor, but ended up restoring a 2002 instead.  Close, but no cigar.

M.McCandless

Offline TrevC

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Reply #26 on: November 06, 2013, 04:07:59 AM
New Crack/Speedball builder here and absolutely loving this thing :) Impatiently waiting for my Tung-Sol JAN-5998. Going to grab some new output caps and pot too.

I'm currently using an old Denon receiver as my DAC, which is surprisingly ok so far. I know the Crack deserves a much better DAC, so I've narrowed down my options to:

- Halide HD DAC
- Schitt Bifrost with upgrades
- Asus Xonar Essence One (watching a local one on Ebay that's going for cheap)
- Waiting for Bottlehead DAC

The convenience of the Halide is certainly appealing. My aim here is best bang-for-buck, just like the Crack.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2013, 04:21:55 AM by TrevC »

Trevor

Offline Doc B.

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Reply #27 on: November 06, 2013, 05:05:44 AM
Arghh, a pic of an Alfa always makes me pine for my 69 GTV autocrosser. And on top of that the GTA has to be red like mine was. Nice blog! BTW, try Espresso Vivace Dolce beans.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.

Offline pdxgrampa

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Reply #28 on: November 06, 2013, 06:59:16 AM
'61 alfa romeo giulietta spider veloce with 1440cc barrels and pistons..Lordy what a car!
I still dream about it on occasion.

Youth is definitely wasted on the young.

Greg
Music Hall 5.1SE,EROS. OPPO 980HD, Music Hall 25.3 Dac. BeePre/BeeQuiet. Paramount V1.1 300B,Orca Deluxe W/ Subs/SPA250s.Stereomour W/Orca Deluxe. Crack W/Speeball(2) .Beyerdynamic 990s.Crackheadphone.

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