Playground for practical listening exercises

[tokenbrit]

The original file:

https://storage.googleapis.com/cloudpla ... ortes.flac

My personal vote gets the Khadas, I think it is a little bit closer to the original file.

Matt

Does that mean the Khadas sounds closer to the file when played on your computer or phone? Not sure I understand how you determine what the "original file" sounds like, except through an alternate/3rd digital to analogue conversion and replay...

[Lego]

Thanks all for voting :-)

FYI:

The clips 18 and 29 were from the ECDesigns PowerDAC-R, a 1450 Euro device, which got 6 votes

The clips 19 and 28 were from the Khadas Tone Board, a 100 Euro device, which got 3 votes.

The original file:

https://storage.googleapis.com/cloudpla ... ortes.flac

My personal vote gets the Khadas, I think it is a little bit closer to the original file.

Matt

That's very interesting Matt,what streamer were you using ?

[matthias]

Does that mean the Khadas sounds closer to the file when played on your computer or phone? Not sure I understand how you determine what the "original file" sounds like, except through an alternate/3rd digital to analogue conversion and replay...

I am referring to comparing the original file to either clip 28 or 29 on Macbook Pro direct into HP.
IMO, clip 28 (Khadas) is just a little bit closer to the original file, but YMMV.

Matt

[matthias]

...what streamer were you using ?

Macbook Pro

Matt

[Lego]

...what streamer were you using ?

Macbook Pro

Matt

are you buying a dac?

[matthias]

are you buying a dac?

I have the Khadas, it is pretty good.

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

are you buying a dac?

I have the Khadas, it is pretty good.

Matt

Matt,

Do you prefer the Khadas to your MacBook's DAC?

[tokenbrit]

I am referring to comparing the original file to either clip 28 or 29 on Macbook Pro direct into HP.
IMO, clip 28 (Khadas) is just a little bit closer to the original file, but YMMV.

Matt

Thanks for explaining. Yeah, I wouldn't consider that as "closer to the original file"; just that the Khadas sounds like the MBP into HP... I don't know that I'd use headphones as a reference for judging between DACs in a speaker based system, myself, rather I'd consider the musical merits of each against each other in the same context, and go with the best... within practical & financial reason, of course ;) Unless, that is, you want your main system to sound like listening to headphones :?

[matthias]

Do you prefer the Khadas to your MacBook's DAC?

Short version: I did not compare.
Long version: I like my Linn Silver RCAs from DAC to preamp. For using them with the MacBook's DAC I would need an adapter from RCA to HP jack which would put too much strain onto the tiny HP socket of the MacBook. So after reading good things about the Khadas I purchased one and like it. It has very good RCA connectors and much more important it has a sweet spot for playback of saxophones what I love.

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

Do you prefer the Khadas to your MacBook's DAC?

Short version: I did not compare.
Long version: I like my Linn Silver RCAs from DAC to preamp. For using them with the MacBook's DAC I would need an adapter from RCA to HP jack which would put too much strain onto the tiny HP socket of the MacBook. So after reading good things about the Khadas I purchased one and like it. It has very good RCA connectors and much more important it has a sweet spot for playback of saxophones what I love.

Matt

Good to know Matt. Linn Silver RCAs from DAC to preamp here too. I wouldn't risk the hp adapter with the weight of interconnects either, I use a Y cable for that instead, two RCA to 3.5mm.

The Khadas struck me as a very well implemented DAC chip manufacturer's evaluation board. Saxophone playback is loved by me - the only human I've heard say he hates sax is Liam Gallagher.

[markiteight]

If you are looking for discussions of non-Western music and the Tune Method, they have been split into their own topic: https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... f=2&t=5655
The discussion about familiar vs. unfamiliar music has been moved to the "How we define 'good sound'" topic here: https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 406#p58406

Let's try to stay on topic, folks. If you see something you'd like to explore further but it is off topic, please find an appropriate thread and post there with a link back to the original post you are referencing. If there isn't an appropriate topic, please feel free to start a new one.

Many posts were deleted due to toxic aggressions toward other members. Please remember, "the spirit of this forum is one of curiosity, respect and friendly, productive participation. Let's keep it civil, folks!

-Moderator

[tokenbrit]

.. the Khadas ... has a sweet spot for playback of saxophones...

Matt

Can we expect another round of clips, showing off that sweet spot? ;)

[Lego]

are you buying a dac?

I have the Khadas, it is pretty good.

Matt

Congratulations on your purchase Matt ,did you ever consider getting the Gigaport and what made you consider those 2 DACs

[matthias]

...did you ever consider getting the Gigaport and what made you consider those 2 DACs

Good reviews made me curious.
At the time I purchased the Khadas I wanted to try DSD upsampling which the GP can not do.

Matt

[Lego]

...did you ever consider getting the Gigaport and what made you consider those 2 DACs

Good reviews made me curious.
At the time I purchased the Khadas I wanted to try DSD upsampling which the GP can not do.

Matt

Thanks Matt and no reviews of the Gigaport apart from Fredriks recommendation.

[Lego]

Does that mean the Khadas sounds closer to the file when played on your computer or phone? Not sure I understand how you determine what the "original file" sounds like, except through an alternate/3rd digital to analogue conversion and replay...

I am referring to comparing the original file to either clip 28 or 29 on Macbook Pro direct into HP.
IMO, clip 28 (Khadas) is just a little bit closer to the original file, but YMMV.

Matt

Lets get this straight Matt are saying you chose the Khadas DAC because it sounded closest to the MacBook Pro DAC !?

[matthias]

Lets get this straight Matt are saying you chose the Khadas DAC because it sounded closest to the MacBook Pro DAC !?

No, read my post above.

Matt

[Lego]

Lets get this straight Matt are saying you chose the Khadas DAC because it sounded closest to the MacBook Pro DAC !?

No, read my post above.

Matt

I've read it ,what did you base your decision on .What does original file mean ?

[matthias]

I've read it ,what did you base your decision on .What does original file mean ?

I explained it to @tokenbrit above.

Matt

[Lego]

Original file is getting played through mbp DAC and you're saying the Khadas is close to DAC in mbp !? Better or worse in your opinion?

[matthias]

you're saying the Khadas is close to DAC in mbp !?

I did not say that. Let me explain.

OF is Original File
ADC is Analog/Digital Converter for recording the clips
MBP is the DAC inside Macbook Pro
HP is headphones

The signal flow for the clips and playback is like:

OF > DAC1/2 > ADC > Clip1/2 > MBP > HP (A)

The signal flow for playback of the OF is like:

OF > MBP > HP (B)

So with the clips you have an additional DAC/ADC step. When with one DAC (A) and (B) are closer I would prefer this DAC.

Matt

[Lego]

Ok didn't realise your comparison was with headphones.

Thanks for the explanation.

[matthias]

Ok didn't realise your comparison was with headphones.

Of course you can use a speaker system as well.

Matt

[V.A.MKD]

.. the Khadas ... has a sweet spot for playback of saxophones...

Matt

Can we expect another round of clips, showing off that sweet spot? ;)

+1

[matthias]

.. the Khadas ... has a sweet spot for playback of saxophones...

Can we expect another round of clips, showing off that sweet spot? ;)

+1

Sorry, too much work at the moment and then holidays :-)

Matt