XXHighEnd

Hello,
I am thinking of getting the Phasure dac. For SQ of ripped CD and other Hires wav files via XXHighend there is no discussion, this is the way to go.
But I use my current pre-dac also for other sources like Spotify via PC usb, dvd (via coax) and blu-ray via HDMI. And really like this situation.
My question is if there is a possibility or experiences with to get these sources playing via the Phasure dac? Maybe through USB from the PC with the other sources connected to the PC? Or is this the time to make a decision, the best SQ or easy usage? kind regards, Arjan Kremer

Arjan,
To checkout new music, I sometimes play Spotify through the Phasure NOS DAC1. No problem, just turn a switch on the DAC.
And the SQ surprises me........

Cheers
Eric

I do this with Pandora.  I send them money for the hier rez rate they offer... it definitely sounds better.

Then the music will be pure nos low rez for spotify, wouldn't it?

For some setups this may cause trouble...

Maybe you can add postprocessing (upsampling) to the audiostream.

Regards, Coen

Hi Arjan,

It is all about getting used to use the PC as the source for all. So, once you have the "signal" in the PC, you obviously don't need to change a thing in order to play through the NOS1. Yes, flip one switch on te NOS1, like Eric already told. And for example, you can use a dedicated DVD/Bluray player and need a preamp - or have a DVD/Bluray drive in the PC (or have the ripped movie on disk somewhere of course), play from there with software which can do that and need nothing further.

Regards,
Peter

If you're thinking of using the NOS1 in a more general way, I would strongly advise that you feed the NOS1 into a preamp (or integrated amp) and use the amp's volume control.

EDIT: More specifically, use a preamp until you're happy using Windows' (or OS X's) volume control.

I wouldn't trust Windows' volume control from a safety POV or a sound quality POV. Any preamp's volume control is going to degrade the sound quality of the NOS1 - not a problem when listening to Spotify, but a problem when wanting absolutely the best sound quality with XX. Of course, you can manually bypass the preamp when needed, but this is a PITA.

For my own part, I use a preamp in my office/study system. It's a Pass Labs X1, quite good in its day. But let me tell you that there is a massive hit on sound quality when using XX - a direct NOS1-amp connection is just so much better... BUT I'm happy to have this compromise in my office/study to give me the option of listening to radio when I'm working. I would never do this is my main system.

EDIT: Having written this, it occurred to me that maybe I should try a direct NOS1-amp connection and see if I can live with the NOS1 being fed from Spotify,etc, just so that I can totally eliminate the preamp...

Mani.

Well, I'm listening to Spotify via the NOS1 right now - hey it sounds quite OK. BBC's radio 3 here in the UK sounds even better - its 320kbps. (I know Spotify Premium is supposed to be 320kbps also, but some people suggest that it's only 160kbps.)

Arjan, thanks for asking the question in the first place as I would never have thought of doing this otherwise. For me, the real prize isn't being able to listen to Spotify (although very welcome), but being able to listen to BBC Radio 3 AND being able to have a direct NOS1 connection to my amp.

I'm still a little bit concerned about relying on Windows' volume control to stay exactly where I last put it (quite low) and not all of a sudden jump up, but I suppose there's no reason why this should happen...

Mani.

Setting the output to 192KHz in the Phasure USB Control Panel seems to help. Of course, Windows' upsampling won't be anything special, but it's better than nothing.

Mani.

Hi, Thank you all for the answers.
Based on the answers I would go for the idea to have all sources in the PC. So bluray and dvd drive in the PC. And then the sound via USB to the NOS1 and video to a screen via HDMI. Does that make sense?

I understand the doubts on a windows volume control, maybe a simple passive pre-amp could be added, but I would prefer without a pre.

@eric and peter, please explain the switch on the NOS1. I am not sure what this will do. What will be switched?

regard, Arjan

Hi Arjan,


Yes.

The switch Eric and I referred to can be looked at as "XXHighEnd operation Yes/No". So, a couple of electrical changes are applied so XXHighEnd can apply a difference means of streaming, a.o. a higher sample rate. With the switch in this "XXHE" position the NOS1 is not compatible with general use. So, switch that off and it's a normal DAC suitable for all programs.

Regards,
Peter


PS: Your NOS1 is packed. Where to send it to ? haha

Hi Peter,
Packed? No, we are still discussing about the color  ;) There is so much possible.

I will first build the PC. Hopefully next month.

Thanks for all clear answers.

regards, Arjan