Rockna Wavedream DAC: Awesomesauce

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Nov 7, 2019.

  1. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Still, I think you should try using a BNC to RCA adapter and drive the DAC that way. If it turns out that the DAC input threshold is a little bit higher than the spec calls for this might solve it. All for just the cost of a cable and adapter.
     
  2. Fortee

    Fortee New

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    The WaveDream XLR has more gain than the unbalanced so will likely need to use a spl meter to a/b with your Yggs.
     
  3. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    Combined with the front panel button issues, possible that a button is stuck on or something causing the unit to bog down, might want get the unit looked at...
     
  4. Zurvv

    Zurvv Acquaintance

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    @famish99 That is a really good point.
    In fact when coming in via coax from the bluesound last night the drop outs stopped. After reading your post it tested the interface on the faceplate and it is responsive now. (make me wonder how much testing Rockna does before sending out a unit. What they don't do is include any type of documents with the unit. zero. No manual, no "test by"... just costly a Dac (and hopefully amazing one) in el cheapo packaging and cheap felt bag around the DAC and remote. )

    Pi2aes with volumio get really odd still and puts music into slow motion. It is random when it starts, but once it does, the fix is power cycling the unit. At this gave up on it and put it in a box.

    Rockna confirmed that my unit was made in May 2021. I'm very happy the OLED screen is white and not that yellow screen. (ugh)
     
  5. Zurvv

    Zurvv Acquaintance

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    ok.. after much rage (mostly toward AQ cables) I finally got some testing in

    I took the tubes out of the chain to show off the WD without being EQ'd by tubes. Also with equipment i knew the sound of.

    PC -> usb -> Rockna WaveDream XLR Edition -> SPL Phonitor X (pre) -> schiit aegir monoblocks - Elac Vela BS 403.2
    I'm using SE out as the SPL isn't a balanced pre.
    (also, i redid the rats nest of wires at my setup and prepped for the wa22 coming this week - which i fully balanced. )

    First i went with the Vidar because my memory of it was that i love it (and i didn't want the space heater Aegir.) Well.. sometimes it is better not to test ones memory. The flabby bass on the Vidar really turned me off. (or maybe made up for a weakness of the Yggdrasil)


    When i get new equipment i use the same playlist:
    https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/6436489
    (don't judge :) It is a range full of music and of differen't recording quality. )


    Mainly i'm in the just-darn-enjoying-it stage.

    But two things really stood out to me. (vs the Yggdrasil)

    The first relates to how i felt about the Aegir. I always liked it but thought the bass was a little weak. No, i'm not a bass head, I just want the correct amount of bass to add meat to the bone. With the Rockna is it there.. I guess it was the Yggdrasil that was hold it back. (?)

    The other is the top end. For example, I really like Nora Jones but some times i wince when she gets up there. Even songs that i enjoy i'll sometimes skip because of this. I normally fix it with tube rolling.. but in effect i'm just rolling off the top end.

    I don't know what magic is going on, but it isn't rolled off ... everything is there.. but no wincing.

    Back to enjoying the music. I think my window of playing the same sounds over and over is closing soon. <-- RE: wife getting sick of it.

    I do feel like i made the right choice getting this and of course it isn't "worth" $$ it. (I really wish i had a Halo May to compare it to.)

    Question:
    is the Yggdrasil bass bad? I'm really shocked how much more slam the WD has.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
  6. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    It's not bad per se, but the Metrum Pavane also had more solid bottom end.
     
  7. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Ditto for Holo Spring 2 KTE vs Yggdrasil A2.
     
  8. Zurvv

    Zurvv Acquaintance

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    I finally got the darn screw off.

    here are some pictures.
    Model: Rockna Wavedream RD-1.1 Edition (XLR Edition)
    Manufactured: May 2021
    software: 480xle

    (I wonder what the changes were from RD-0, RD-1 and RD-1.1?)

    It is unclear to me how remove the Rocka labeled heatsink. Which is a shame. The dac chips are under there.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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    Last edited: Jun 20, 2021
  9. animus

    animus Almost "Made"

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    RD-0 is the Signature. Not sure about RD-1.1, RD-1 is the Edition so I’m guessing there was some sort of running change.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2021
  10. Zurvv

    Zurvv Acquaintance

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    Some info on rockna i2s settings:
    You can change the mode (channel swap)
    Hitting the RPT button on the remote switched between between Rockna mode (HDlink1r) and PS Audio mode (HDlink1p)
    The setting applies per i2s interface. ie, you can have different settings for each of the i2s inputs.

    this feature was added in the firmware 480.
    No, it is not documented anyplace I could find.

    Firmware 481 should be out tomorrow.
    change log:
    Under some (rare) circumstances hi-res material (over 192k) would not sync properly in previous versions
     
  11. Zurvv

    Zurvv Acquaintance

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    The new firmware is out (481) and i was able to update it without any issues. (from 480)
     
  12. pr1nce

    pr1nce New

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    [​IMG] Hi everyone,

    I join the club with Wavedream Signature SE, purchased few days ago.

    https://ibb.co/qCwXSC6
    https://ibb.co/q1h0Fp3

    What is your experience with burn in process? Did you notice sound changes like I did? How much time is needed for the DAC to settle in?
     
  13. Fortee

    Fortee New

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    Congrats. Things sound pretty decent out of the box. Just run/stream to it 24/7 for a week or so. Dac does run warm so perhaps leave those holes on top uncovered.
     
  14. pr1nce

    pr1nce New

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    That is happening right now, DAC runs all the time, I just turn if off twice a day to discharge the capacitors.
    Is there anyone where with clear experience and conclusion from the burn in process?
    It sounds great, sure, but out of the box sound was great, while after 20h of burn in - brighter and lighter, now after 40hrs again - there is more weight. I am keen to understand what will be the final.
     
  15. Fortee

    Fortee New

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    Don’t know about “clear” evidence but I never turn off my digital gear. They run 24/7 with all displays turned off.
    Is there a reason why you think you need to “discharge” the caps?
    I think performance only suffers as caps near their useful life which is not something you will experience soon. Just leave on (unless you have lightning strikes) and enjoy the music.
     
  16. pr1nce

    pr1nce New

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    Well, in the past I was involved in some commercial audio product development, as well as building or modifng my own gear.
    As an example: Many years ago I modified CEC TL-1 CD transport. Fresh capacitors (Elna Silmic ARS) sounded full bodied, lush and warm. After burn in - detailed, lightweight. Collegues were asking me - what have you done with this beautiful sounding transport? I did nothing, caps just achieved their final performance :)
     
  17. pr1nce

    pr1nce New

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    Charging and discharging capacitors helps them to achieve their final sound signature quicker than just leaving the gear on.
    It is important from my personal perspective as I want to make final judgement on this DAC, but to be able to - it has to settle down with the sound and stop varying with performance as it does now.
     
  18. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Man I screwed up completely. Didn't cycle the caps or play 200 hours of brown noise before I started evaluation of the DAC!

    Seriously dude, enjoy it, leave it on for a few hours before listening or if you listen a lot just leave it on until you won't be using it for awhile. Then give it a break. That's what I do.
    Reason you are probably experiencing fluctuations is because you are letting it go cold as the DAC does need a little bit of time to get going or psychosomatics depending on your mood at the time..

    But burn in isn't really a thing with SS DACs.
     
  19. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I actually don't even notice my Gungnir changing with warmup. But I'm also not paying any attention to it, I just listen to music.

    Does anyone have any idea how much a Wavedream likely costs to make? I know R&D is involved in the price, but its' just hard to believe how expensive that thing is when looking inside. I of course know nothing, maybe those parts are very expensive.
     
  20. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    nope, you're right. :) it's priced for the high-end dealer-distributor model.
     

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