Peter

You don't mention it specifically, but I assume if there is a headphone out then the B'ASS comes after the NOS1a in the music chain not before it?

Perhaps add the B'ASS to your listed system?

Have you measured the power output delivery of the headphone output jack?

Thanks
Frank

I dreamt about this device last night. Before you even posted!
Just what I want.

Apologies and thanks Peter.
I "assumed" that as you were active in designing EQ settings used extensively in the Orelo speakers that it would be a relatively simple process to include EQ facilities or VST plugins for XXHE.

It is not, so I won't refer to it again.

Cheers
Frank

Paul

Don't doubt that! But think what could be achieved if XXHE had a parametric EQ option!

Frank

Peter

Not sure you answered my question. Are there, or will there ever be EQ options available with XXHE software?

My enquiry is based more on using XXHE or XXHE/NOS1a in a headphone system rather than in a loudpeaker system. Not something you would necessarily be interested in!

However, parametric EQ in this headphone environment is basic, doesn't have to account for Xover or room impact, and is usually phase coherent. Therefore a well implemented EQ used for headphone listening should have absolutely negligible impact on SQ.

My experimentation with EQ on headphones with software like JRiver is positive and seriously enhances the listening experience. However, I am sure the basic/overall SQ from JRiver wouldn't compete with XXHE. Hence my enquiry.

Cheers
Frank

Peter

Do I read this to mean that the capacity for use of EQ, which you use freely in your speakers, will never be available directly using XXHE software? Or have I misinterpreted?

Cheers
Frank

I and many others use dBpoweramp as a specialist ripper/converter. Doesn't cost much and works very well. However, I have no idea how it compares to Foobar.

No, just enthusiast, investor, and the sales manager. They were fun days - but 23 years ago! Trying to remember the name of the ex-pat Kiwi, associated with Audio Artistry, who I visited in San Paulo(?) after CES to listen to his full open baffle system. Perhaps you can PM me?

Todd
Really nice guys at Audio Artistry! I remember meeting all the guys involved at CES (1993?) when they first showed their Beethoven (?) design. Liked the design, but it was a little screechy in the upper midrange and I thought the 35w tube amp they were using was clipping with a Soprano singing. It so happened I had a 250w Plinius amp in my car, ready for review, and lent it to them for the rest of the show. Problem solved.
It was a mutual benefit however, because a resulting introduction through their mates led to Plinius' first distributor in USA! Who would have thought...
Cheers
Frank

So iFi when they talk about true native PCM at 705.6 they are using a touch of marketing hyperbole? That is, the Micro Dac accepts a 705.6kHz input without manipulation before coverting to analogue, but when converting that 705.6 signal directly to analogue the DAC doesn't process the signal in the purest way (the way your Dac does)?

iFi also state that their bit-perfect PCM filter (taken straight out of their AMR DP-777) is the same as non-oversampling! See why I get confused.

Further background:
iFi use the dual-core Burr Brown DSD1793  (x2) multi-bit thermometer code DAC chips for the most important upper six bits, and a low-order 256 Speed Delta Sigma modulator for the 26 lesser bits.  No chip specification sheet available because iFi don’t use the DSD1793 in its default configuration, and the standard specification doesn’t disclose what this older chip can really do.

ifi say, deep inside the silicone, the chip itself is actually capable of “true native” hi-res decoding for PCM and DSD separately. The way iFi say they are able to explore the DSD1793's full potential by employing a their own ground-up customization of the latest U-series XMOS Octa(8-Core) chip.

XMOS implementation that allows the DAC to do those native decoding function that are otherwise hidden by BB/TI, as well as optimising core loading, and using their own star clocking scheme.

For sound commercial reasons, iFi don’t give away how they have achieved their results. They do say they used the DSD1793 because they liked sounded better than the ESS for example.

However, you would have to agree they are pretty clever to deliver a surprising good sounding PCM768/DSD512 DAC + high power Headamp using a BB DSD1793 Dac chip for only $500!

Thanks
Frank

Peter

Sorry Peter, I don't really follow.

So I researched the make up of my "in-bed/in-office" headphone system further, which is:
Laptop > Fidelizer optimizer > JRiver MC21 (upsamples 16/44.1 wav to 32/705.6 - includes EQ for my headphones and uses the iFi Asio driver) > iFi Gemini 90ohm cable > iFi iUSB Power unit > iFi Gemini 90ohm cable > Uptone Regen > iFi iDSD Micro Dac/Headphone amp > Headphones.

iFi state that their iDSD Micro handles PCM 768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz - ALL with native decoding, no internal hardware conversion.

In the light of that expanded description, does this change you answer to my question -
Peter "No, not especially for NOS1(a) owners. However, it is obvious that the NOS1(a) is the only D/A converter which is NOS/Filterless (not Oversampling and no Analogue Filter) with an input possibility of 32/768Khz (in effect 24/768)."

Frank "Can you please explain a little further, for a technical digital novice like me, how the NOS1 differs from something like the budget iFi iDSD Micro that will accept 705.6 and 768 PCM input. The iFi doesn't upsample or down sample that input as far as I understand."

Thanks Frank

Peter

Can you please explain a little further, for a technical digital novice like me, how the NOS1 differs from something like the budget iFi iDSD Micro that will accept 705.6 and 768 PCM input. The iFi doesn't upsample or down sample that input as far as I understand.

Thanks
Frank

I suspect this new iFi iUSB 3.0 usb regenerator could be a better prospect.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/ifi-iusb-3-0-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-regenerator-xxx-pictures-25985/index3.html

Mani

I know you are reporting to this special audience, but you are a little too tough on other audio manufacturers. Setting up for good sound in "show" conditions is a nightmare. Ask Peter about his last effort. So I would politely like to soften your comments.

Consider how long it took you to fine tune your system at home to get the sound you are now getting. It wasn't always as great as it is now. And you needed DSP/EQ to help achieve that - this is rarely an option at shows, and an exhibitor doesn't have time to optimise.

As for manufacturers, you are much too tough. Most are striving hard to produce the very best they can, and as you can testify, if they compare under show conditions, they probably think they are doing well!

Then there is the pricing issue of trying to compare selling direct, like Phasure, to selling through distributors and retailers. Huge price difference. Peter's designs are therefore exceptional value in every way.

Mani, I am not saying that Peter's system isn't fantastic and perhaps world-leading, I would love to own it, just that it is not necessarily valid to compare Show-SQ with a properly set up Home-rig-SQ.

Finally, how few people (let alone manufacturers) have ever heard a system like yours and can make any kind of valid comparison with more regularly available and identifiable hi-end brands also in a carefully optimised set-up?

Cheers
Frank

Yes
Phasure NOS2 Revolution, or
Phasure NOS2 Revelation