The Two Channel Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Nov 10, 2016.

  1. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    Thanks, @rlow and @Riotvan. That’s just what I needed to know. Cheers!
     
  2. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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  3. ampguy

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    Hi Friends, I'm considering a new DAC. I'm looking for a "warm" one. I have a room with LS50s on stands, and replaced the old '90s amp, and at least temporarily, a Chase RLC-1 line level preamp with a Topping PA-5 which works fine, and the balanced TRS outs of a Focusrite 2i2 DAC. I've historically preferred AKM/Burr Brown DACs over ESS, but have not heard any new AKM dacs since their rebuilt factory. Have also not heard any really new ESS DACs.

    I prefer a warm EQ, e.g. when using Roon's DSP, I will often setup a bass shelf, and roll off highs for the majority of my casual listening when I'm working.

    Thinking about the SMSL D6 which uses new AKM DAC chips, supports balanced TRS for easy plugging into my PA5, but I'm still thinking I might need a preamp for EQ (unless I use Roon's DSP).

    Thanks for any suggestions. Please, no mean replies. Thanks.
     
  4. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    They don't come up too often these days since Fred retired and people hoard hisgear, but if you can find yourself a Forssell MDAC (or even a MADA) that would be my pick.
     
  5. hifiandrun

    hifiandrun Almost "Made"

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    Other consideration would be to look for these older DACs that use Wolfson Chips (WM8740, WM8741). Wolfson chip-based DACs usually share a bit "warm" and relaxed sound signature, but they are not super detailed, kind of sugarcoat everything, should be good for long-term easy listening, but not a common Hi-Fi sound. I remember that some of the SBAF members didn't like the Wolfson sound. I like them before I found Schiit's Multibit DACs, all three of them, which have been my favorites so far. The Gungnir A1 (first gen analog board) is warm sounding. Regarding to the AKMs and ESS, I haven't found any of those newer AKM 44xx chip-based DACs to my liking. It could be just me. The ESS 9028 or 9038 chips are improved over the previous gen ESS chip. But I wouldn't consider that they were warmer than the previous gen ESS chips.
     
  6. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Something like one of the older Rega DACs w/WM8742s can be had for only a few hundred bucks, and is pretty representative of this kind of "tone first" flavor. I was a pretty big fan of my old Rega DAC before I moved to Schiit multibit DACs because the Rega didn't do the typical 20-mid-teens Hi Fi fireworks/sturm und drang and was eminently "listenable" imho. Caveat: don't even bother with the USB input, it's absolute garbage.
     
  7. Qildail

    Qildail Friend

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    I’m an unapologetic fan of the WM8740. It’s old, yes, and does tend to be a bit warm, but at least for me it’s a solid non-offensive choice that lets other parts of my chain do the heavy lifting.

    I really like the 9038 implementation in Modius E so far. It pairs nicely with the Valhalla for relaxed listening.
     
  8. ampguy

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    Thanks, I do have a Modi Multibit 3 that I like a lot, didn't even think of trying that, as it's currently running in another room. I'd have to run it unbalanced to the PA-5 which works, but isn't ideal. I have considered a Topping D10B as I like that it has USB power only (this room, I want low powered devices, USB bus power is a plus), and it's low cost, with the 9038 ESS which I've never heard. I've also heard good things about Wolfson based DACs, but haven't found a recent affordable one. Might consider trying the D10B, if I don't go with the 4493(S)? based D6. Thanks!

     
  9. hifiandrun

    hifiandrun Almost "Made"

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    I also had a Rega DAC for a while, liked it a lot.
    I’d assume you meant Modi 3, or 3+, or 3E? The Modi MB has been out of stock for a while due to the chip shortage.
     
  10. Garns

    Garns Friend

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  11. ampguy

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    It's the Modi Multibit, cost about $299 about 2 years ago direct from Schiit. I've used it with a variety of systems and it is not the most transparent, and doesn't do things like upsampling or DSD like my Ares II, it some systems like a background jazz room, it shines.
     
  12. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Just had a gentleman offer to trade me his Klipsch Cornwall's for my KEFs. Waiting on pictures, but I think I'll probably go for it. Any thoughts on these massive units?
     
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  13. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    The Cornwall was probably the best of the Klipsch Heritage line when it came to balancing out highest efficiency and punchiest bass. The LaScala had more refined mids and highs but don't play nearly as deep. (Personally I prefer Cornwalls over LaScalas and Khorns) I'm assuming these are Cornwall 1s? Check the stickers in back and if they say BR, those were the birch raw plywood that were commonly refinished. Thats the cheapest finish option but can still look decent if done right. Look into the Crites Xover upgrades or rebuild yourself with some decent caps and you'll have a really nice speaker. This is definitely a trade I'd make if they aren't too beat up.
     
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  14. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    They are Cornwall 1s, and they are the brown oak with black faces. The tags are faded and you can't read the hand written stuff, but the numbers stamped into the top at the back are sequential, and based on the letter P they are 1976 models.

    There's one front corner with cracked veneer and they have little nicks and scratches, but I think I can fix the veneer and give them a buff. Either way, they are more my speed, the burl KEFs are a little too fancy for me lol
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2022
  15. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    @LetMeBeFrank if they're oiled oak, (no clearcoat) you can put some Watco oil on them after cleaning them up. Klipsch actually used Watco walnut oil on the oiled oak cabinets to bring out the contrast of the grain. These are great speakers and will hold their value if you ever decide you want to go with something else.
     
  16. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Thank you for the help. He's bringing them up on Saturday morning, so I'll post some pictures once I get them settled in. Looking forward to joining the SBAF BWC lol
     
  17. dBel84

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    Agreed that you cannot go wrong with this trade. A friend upgraded to the crites XOs and his rig sounds excellent.
     
  18. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    I've been looking into the crites crossovers and tweeters. If I do update the crossovers, should I do sonicaps or Dayton? I'm leaning towards sonicaps since it's a one-and-done thing.
     
  19. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    While I can't speak to the Klipsch x-overs specifically, of the 3 or 4 x-overs I've recapped using sonicaps I can't say I ever felt they were a mistake or poor value for money, sonically. I don't think any full recap I've done has ever been more than $100-$150 per pair, though.
     
  20. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    If your're going to buy a full built Crites Xover then do the Sonicaps. But you can save a lot by replacing just the caps and resistors in the existing Xovers (keep the original chokes and autoformers) The Fortes I did last year I used Clarity Caps and Mundorf resistors, at about 1/4th the price of the Crites Xover. If there are titanium tweeter diaphragm replacements for the Cornwall, do those for sure.
     
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