Triode's USB 24/192 plug in - sound quality impressions

[AlexM]

I should probably disqualify myself from giving any SQ impressions given that I am using an unfamiliar DAC (CA DacMagic 100) while my usual modded CA840C is out for repairs, but here are some anyway. Obviously I can't tell whether these are artefacts of the DAC or the playout via SBT. The CA DacMagic 100 plays perfectly without a hub in USB2 mode, but I couldn't get USB1 to work properly at all with the hub I had lying around.

1) 24/192 playback via Async USB2 and SP/DIF works with the samples that I've downloaded from 2L. I haven't noticed any glitches, clicks or other problems.
2) Standard Red Book audio, 16/48, 24/48 and 24/88.2 files also play without glitches via Async USB2 and SP/DIF
3) via both USB and SP/DIF, Bass sounds somewhat lightweight and 'hollow', lacking resonance but with good texture and pitch perception. To my ears, Bass has slightly more weight via SP/DIF, but not a big difference
4) via both USB and SP/DIF, Mid and upper mid sound detailed and well differentiated. Snare patterns are easy to differentiate, and vocals and quiet production effects are easy to hear. There appears to be a lack of etch and grain, and recordings with a warm acoustic have a nicely burnished quality.
5) Clear treble and patterns/accents in high-hat or other cymbals seem quite easy to hear. No harshness via either USB or SPDIF.

The presentation via both USB and SP/DIF is a little mid-forward, but not hard-sounding or grating. Smooth and natural sound piano sounds via USB, but slightly better impression of detail via SP/DIF. SQ of this combo in my system sounds slightly like it is equalised with a slight 'frown' curve.

I am most impressed that it works as well as it does. The primary benefit is obviously providing compatibility with USB DACs, but the ability to playback 24/192 via SP/DIF is a bonus too if your DAC can manage it. SP/DIF is my marginal preference with this DAC in my system.

Regards,
Alex

[cfraser]

^ My impressions via S/PDIF into a BDA-1 are almost identical to yours. It's a very decent sound signature, which also happens to carry through to lower bitrates than 192/24 (at least it does here). I quite like it, there's nothing annoying about it lol, and that's rare enough for me.

The bass range does sound a tad lightweight though, just a tiny bit, but the quality of what's there is sufficient that I don't really mind.

Best sound I've heard out of the SBT so far *for my taste*.

I do believe though that Soundcheck's TT3.0 defaults are more accurate (with 96/24 and lower), as tested by other methods. It can be quite ruthless with less-than-good recordings though, which is the vast majority nowadays that are mastered apparently for pod/bud listening.

I'll choose some "inaccuracy" if it gives me greater enjoyment. I think we all do, without thinking about it.

[BrynClarke]

I had to do a little work to get TT3.0 to work with it, I had to set the buffer to over 5000, and I had to change some of the priority settings. The esiest way to change the priorities was to just turn them off all together. I didn't have time to figure out which one caused a problem.

John S.

John, for us Linux illiterates, could you share how? I have Furutech GT40 DAC since Monday. (USB 2.0 Fullspeed UAC 1 (adaptive) limited to 24/96). Before Monday I was on analogue out from SBT. TT3.0 worked fine. The GT40 came, I factory reset SBT, installed EDO 0.4, all fine with GT40. But when I put back TT3.0 on top, sound is completely garbled. tt -r, all fine again, (though not sure it yet sounds better than my tweaked Marantz CD transport).
In a different forum (Audio Asylum) soundcheck asked if you'd read the post and could offer any advice with setting priorities which he thought might be the issue. TT buffer setting seems not to work on top of EDO - stays at 20000. Not sure if this is relevant. All advice/suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks in advance
Bryn

[pski]

please work together to identify a common insanity.

neither you on the perceptive side nor your equipment will ever discern any difference from CD quality

of course, y'all can argue about the different releases of the same music

save us all some damn time

[SBGK]

please work together to identify a common insanity.

neither you on the perceptive side nor your equipment will ever discern any difference from CD quality

of course, y'all can argue about the different releases of the same music

save us all some damn time

pski, what sort of programming work are you looking for ? Might be able to set you up with something.

You would have to work on your interpersonal skills though.

[SBGK]

John, for us Linux illiterates, could you share how? I have Furutech GT40 DAC since Monday. (USB 2.0 Fullspeed UAC 1 (adaptive) limited to 24/96). Before Monday I was on analogue out from SBT. TT3.0 worked fine. The GT40 came, I factory reset SBT, installed EDO 0.4, all fine with GT40. But when I put back TT3.0 on top, sound is completely garbled. tt -r, all fine again, (though not sure it yet sounds better than my tweaked Marantz CD transport).
In a different forum (Audio Asylum) soundcheck asked if you'd read the post and could offer any advice with setting priorities which he thought might be the issue. TT buffer setting seems not to work on top of EDO - stays at 20000. Not sure if this is relevant. All advice/suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks in advance
Bryn

I posted some settings at the end of the defunct TT3.0 thread, that a number of people are using EDO with TT3.0. PM me if you want more details.

[SteveCresswell]

At least that's a more sober assessment than the guy who stated that going from the incredible sound of the Touch +App back to the stock Touch was like listening to a transistor radio.

Listen pal
If that's what I heard, that's what I heard, so let's quit the smart arse comments shall we!

[TheOctavist]

Think you will find that as the Touch is bit perfect that nothing can change the sound quality, have you tried room compensation software eg Inguz, moving your speakers or physical room improvements to stop sound reflections ? These are all better solutions than any physically impossible voodoo magic imaginary improvements oft discussed in these parts.

thats the most sensible thing youve ever said.

[TheOctavist]

I have a HRT Music StreamerII (not the +), it works very well with Triodes plugin and a hub. Adding TT3.0 significantly improves the sound, with this combination it's getting astonishingly good. (it's not the best, my homebuilt DAC still blows it away).

I tend to respect your opinions, but differences between DACs are miniscule at best(even between the greatest of all time(the Pacific Microsonics Model 2) and the benchmarks, myteks, etc. so seeing you say one dac "blows another away" makes me wince in pain.


it does not get any better than perfect measurements(the touch DAC measures exceptionally well) so no DAC could "blow it away" objectively. subjectively....I dont see how either.

[SBGK]

thats the most sensible thing youve ever said.

just warning him of the meme of this forum, which your post above confirms. Although it has progressed from the Touch is perfect and nothing can change the sound to all dacs are practically the same.

What special knowledge do you have that renders all other audiophile forums, diy dac constructors, dac manufacturers etc wrong or are you just being 'controversial' ?