HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Daniel Quinn wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2019 2:23 pm If you add a resistor (say the same value), don't you actually lower the resistance.

Mr arkless ages ago, told me I could increase the gain on a phono stage by adding a same value resistor.

Depends if you put them in series or parallel

Two equal resistors in series = double value.

ie 10R + 10R = 20R

Two equal resistors in parallel = half value.

ie 10R + 10R = 5R

I still reckon the best upgrade for digital replay is a 15" woofer. That said, I do hear differences between different DACs. Variations in frequency response aside, the better DACs I've heard are more transparent and demonstrate superior timing.

savvypaul wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2019 12:34 am I still reckon the best upgrade for digital replay is a 15" woofer. That said, I do hear differences between different DACs. Variations in frequency response aside, the better DACs I've heard are more transparent and demonstrate superior timing.

I've actually started hearing differences in USB cables. Shoot me now.

savvypaul wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2019 12:34 am I still reckon the best upgrade for digital replay is a 15" woofer. That said, I do hear differences between different DACs. Variations in frequency response aside, the better DACs I've heard are more transparent and demonstrate superior timing.

I can hear significant differences between DACs. To my ears SQ improves with sample rate. This mainly concers the sound stage and seperation of instruments and also vocals. The most significant leap I have found is from 96kHz to 192kHz. SQ improves as the sample rate rises above this, but by lesser margins. I think that the standard 16Bit 44kHz, from what must be forty years ago now, holds a lot back.

slinger wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:55 am

savvypaul wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2019 12:34 am I still reckon the best upgrade for digital replay is a 15" woofer. That said, I do hear differences between different DACs. Variations in frequency response aside, the better DACs I've heard are more transparent and demonstrate superior timing.

I've actually started hearing differences in USB cables. Shoot me now.

I'm having a lazy day today, so it's a relaxed, quality-time session with the new DAC. Actually worked out why they named it the 'Chameleon' as it blends in with the music and just disappears!
Every style from jazz to classical to rock to electronic is equally well presented and enjoyable. There are constant Ooh! - moments where you hear little details that were never noticed before.
Imaging is glorious, panning effects almost have you looking to see what's going on behind the speakers.

What is this?

Daars magick in dem dar chips!



One thing I have noticed in recent years is that I am more and more drawn to live albums. Previously it was the considered perfection of studio albums that got my attention but now I want the thrills and emotions of the artist before their audience.

The 'better' my system gets, the more feeling is coming through. The Teradak Chameleon is an emotion transmitter. It's old-tech but 'right'.

When I started out on the HiFi trail, my local shop in Huddersfield always knew what components I would be drawn to - I wanted a 'living' sound, maybe a bit warm-coloured, that would sound good with all sorts of music. Thay pointed me first to NVA.

So I'm revisiting old friends, landscapes and memories with a stack of favourite albums. So good.

any thoughts on a NOS DAC that can cope with higher sample rates?

I had a Metrum Amethyst for a couple of years. Acceptably transparent and weighty.

I have an RME now, which has a NOS filter option but it is not true NOS, just a very slow filter.

I got the RME for its functionality - good quality digital volume with remote control, flexible DSP for taming bad recordings or room issues

montechristo358 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:42 pm any thoughts on a NOS DAC that can cope with higher sample rates?

Metrum Acoustics do offer an optional MQA module with their current NOS DAC's . Normally the Metrum series can handle up to 24bit/192KHz input.


There is a DAC from Singxer that does hi-res and DSD in NOS more. The SDA-1. Uses the AK4493 decoding chip