Totaldac Reference D1

[microstrip]

DSD is already available, it is not a future option, it is a current option now.
It uses the R2R ladder, more or less like DCS and MSB.

Vincent,
The Vivaldi DCS operates a 5 bit ring DAC at 2.88 MHz - what is the bit length and sampling rate of the Totaldac?

 

[totaldac]

Totaldac is fully multi-bit like MSB.
DCS is like a mix between multi-bit and one bit.

 

[cat6man]

With my 300B triode amplifiers I listen most times near -5dB attenuation, just fine.

Longer term that is probably where I'm headed also, as 300W/ch monoblocks (not an integrated amp) have too much gain.

 

[cat6man]

Let me show also a new d1-monobloc review!
"This is the best digital source I have heard so far. Of course there are plenty of other fish in the sea, but until now I have not heard anything comparable.
A dream!" Jürgen Saile, HIFIstatement
http://www.hifistatement.net/de/tests/item/1263-ultimative-digital-komponenten-i/1263-ultimative-digital-komponenten-i

View attachment 14168

I've been listening to the D1-Dual with my BHSE/Stax009 quite a bit and am amazed at how good this sounds, detail but without fatigue.
If the mono-block DAC is even better, I think my head would explode!...........but not in my price range so I guess my head is safe (for now).

Vincent: would you expect any impact of having both the single ended and balanced outputs connected at the same time?

 

[totaldac]

"Vincent: would you expect any impact of having both the single ended and balanced outputs connected at the same time? "

No problem, at least when both amplifiers are power ON. Just check that if one is OFF it doesn't become a very non-linear load, it is rare but it could exist.

 

[cat6man]

"Vincent: would you expect any impact of having both the single ended and balanced outputs connected at the same time? "

No problem, at least when both amplifiers are power ON. Just check that if one is OFF it doesn't become a very non-linear load, it is rare but it could exist.

Interesting. I never have both powered ON at the same time.
I'll do some listening with only one connected at a time and see if that makes any difference.
Another thing I want to do is run both single ended and balanced to BHSE for Stax and compare the balanced and single ended outputs (I expect the balanced DAC to be better of course since it uses both halves of DAC, but I'm curious to hear the magnitude of the difference).

I have a pre-amp (Pass Audio Aleph P) coming on Friday and am thinking of running it balanced from DAC, balanced out (direct tape monitor output) to BHSE/009 headphone system, and single ended out with pre-amp volume control to VTL/Nola speaker system.

Then I'll have to consider the balanced-to-single-ended converters you sell as an upgrade path after that.

Thanks for the quick replies!

The sound is spectacular with my headphones, now I just need to match it to speaker system simultaneously.

 

[caliaripaolo]

I just received my combo D1/Reclocker upgraded to:

1. D1 single to Dual
2. DSD capability

to use D1 Dual at its maximum capability, I am testing the D1 XLR to RCA adapter, with both MIT Oracle Matrix 50 RCA and XLR.

The Dual is a great step-up. The XLR to RCA adapter seems to be much better than Spectral XLR input converter.
The result is truly amazing. The sense of naturalness and detail are spectacular. Exciting.
I never listened to my favorite songs in this way.

 

[flyer]

The Dual is a great piece of equipment effectively. By the way, why didn't you upgrade to have the Server as well? it is a stunning combination!

The gear is so great that I have become very curious on the mono version and decided to order an upgrade one of these days

Will let you know when I have it all but don't expect a feedback before a month or two. As you may have noticed before, I don't like to give too much feedback when things have come right out of the box...T

 

[caliaripaolo]

great to know for your decision to upgrade to monos.
I use Reclocker and not Server because I still like my Mac Mini with upgraded Power supply and D1 USB cable/adapter.
I will post some other feedback on D1 DSD capability.
The XLR to RCA adapter combined with MIT oracle cables is a great combo.
One of the reasons why I consider Vincent serious and honest is that D1 not "requires" a long time to burn in (instead of ridiculous 500 hours of some other brands). You need few seconds only to understand how the project is valid.

 

[flyer]

great to know for your decision to upgrade to monos.
I use Reclocker and not Server because I still like my Mac Mini with upgraded Power supply and D1 USB cable/adapter.
I will post some other feedback on D1 DSD capability.
The XLR to RCA adapter combined with MIT oracle cables is a great combo.
One of the reasons why I consider Vincent serious and honest is that D1 not "requires" a long time to burn in (instead of ridiculous 500 hours of some other brands). You need few seconds only to understand how the project is valid.

I agree on the burn-in and the immediate effects of the Totaldac.

I am more concerned about the psychological state of mind when one just spent a lot of money. It kind of creates a mental barrier to hear and recognize all the true differences, good and bad, between before and after. It also avoids (at least; reduces) overhaste conclusions and looking to the new equipment with pink glasses since, as a buyer, you are in the first place hoping/betting/wanting to hear (only) the good things you spent your money on.

 

[cat6man]

I just received my combo D1/Reclocker upgraded to:

1. D1 single to Dual
2. DSD capability

to use D1 Dual at its maximum capability, I am testing the D1 XLR to RCA adapter, with both MIT Oracle Matrix 50 RCA and XLR.

The Dual is a great step-up. The XLR to RCA adapter seems to be much better than Spectral XLR input converter.
The result is truly amazing. The sense of naturalness and detail are spectacular. Exciting.
I never listened to my favorite songs in this way.

Are you comparing
1. balanced cable all the way to your amp
2. balanced cable to amp then convert to rca to amp
3. convert to rca, cable rca to amp

I've been wondering about getting a converter and whether the converter should be at the DAC (8m cable, single ended to vtl amp) or at the amp (8m balanced cable, convert near amp to rca).

 

[caliaripaolo]

Are you comparing
1. balanced cable all the way to your amp
2. balanced cable to amp then convert to rca to amp
3. convert to rca, cable rca to amp

I've been wondering about getting a converter and whether the converter should be at the DAC (8m cable, single ended to vtl amp) or at the amp (8m balanced cable, convert near amp to rca).

I am comparing:
Balanced MIT Oracle 50 directly to Spectral AMP vs TOTALDAC D1 XLR to RCA adapter with Unbalanced (RCA to RCA) MIT Oracle 50 cables directly to Spectral AMP.

 

[cat6man]

I am comparing:
Balanced MIT Oracle 50 directly to Spectral AMP vs TOTALDAC D1 XLR to RCA adapter with Unbalanced (RCA to RCA) MIT Oracle 50 cables directly to Spectral AMP.

if you have any spare time, i'd be curious to know if balanced mit oracle 50 to xlr/rca adapter (at amp end) to spectral amp compares with adapter at dac.

Vincent: do you have any suggestion on which way you would recommend feeding an RCA-only amp?
dac=>adapter=>rca cable=>amp
dac=>balanced cable=>adapter=>amp

 

[cat6man]

I just put a Sonore sMS-100 into my system as a streamer, which feeds the D1-dual via usb (generic belkin).
The sMS-100 is running Squeezelite client on linux, not that different from the Logitech Touch that it replaces.
The sMS-100 with USB just trounces the Logitech Touch with spdif or optical, and I'm using the wall-wart power supply.

I started listening last night (dac balanced to BHSE/Stax 009, which are about as resolving as anything I have ever heard) to Montana (Zappa) and I heard instruments in the mix I have never heard before................I just kept listening for two hours, mesmerized, a silly smile on my face multiple times.
Live concert recordings were transporting me............Fairport in LA (Down where the drunkards roll), Weavers (Guantanamara had not only fantastic ambience but I have never ever heard the subtle dynamic shifts in vocal phrasing before..............jawdropping).

A few years ago, i went to a NY audio show with a friend and got him to try the stax 009 in the Woo headphone suite at the hotel.
After listening to it for a while, he said that he could never have a system like that because it was so immersive an experience that he could not get any work done while listening to music like that. I have always enjoyed music immensely but have never felt the way he described it before last night.

Now to replace the wall-wart with a 9V battery and see where it goes next............can't wait.

 

[caliaripaolo]

I started to test some DSD files directly converted by improved D1/Reclocker combo.
I thought I had reached the maximum audible from digital, but I was wrong (there is no limit in this domain apparently). it is obvious that the result always depends on the type of recording, but the feeling is: greater fluidity and naturalness.
What I had always amazed with totaldac was the rediscovery of old CD ripped tracks that seemed remastered.
but now the difference with the DSD files is undeniable . Not all of them, I repeat, great importance is the method of recording, the instruments used, etc. ..
What I want to confirm here is the great authority and quality of D1/Reclocker combo. Great design and great product.

 

[wisnon]

What DSD Dacs have your heard before playing DSD files?

 

[caliaripaolo]

Playback MPD-5, but not with the intent to test DSD files.

 

[cat6man]

Are you comparing
1. balanced cable all the way to your amp
2. balanced cable to amp then convert to rca to amp
3. convert to rca, cable rca to amp

I've been wondering about getting a converter and whether the converter should be at the DAC (8m cable, single ended to vtl amp) or at the amp (8m balanced cable, convert near amp to rca).

Never mind...............i'm getting rid of my amps and replacing them with monoblocks that can take a balanced input.............heading down the rabbit hole

 

[LL21]

Never mind...............i'm getting rid of my amps and replacing them with monoblocks that can take a balanced input.............heading down the rabbit hole

you took the red pill, Neo!!!

 

[wisnon]

Playback MPD-5, but not with the intent to test DSD files.

Mmmmhh, If you ever come to the "Ginevrra" region of Svizzera, I would be please to demo you chipless DSD with only low pass filtration. To me and others it beats the MPD-5 which I know well enough.