DCS Vivaldi

[microstrip]

Funny you should bring that up today... just last night I emailed a friend why digital volume controls SUCK, including the one in the Vivaldi 2.0 that I had in for evaluation (though to a lesser degree - I suspect they interpolate more and more as the volume is lowered, up to a point). (...)

I have a different view on this aspect -in my system and opinion the Vivaldi volume is excellent, if used within its correct range. The Vivaldi can change the output in 4 discrete levels (.2, .6. 2, and 6V full range) and we usually do not need large attenuation in normal use. As I prefer the sound with a preamplifier, and I can attenuate volume in the DAC compensating it increasing the gain of the preamplifier. IMHO within 12-15 dB there is no easily noticeable difference in sound quality between both modes.

 

[microstrip]

(...) Transparency and resolution were audibly improved and while the presentation has been more detailed, it was not on clinical level, actually far from that, music had more texture it was more natural. If anything to criticize, it might be regarded as slightly dry. (...)

My conclusions were similar to yours - for example, string sections in Bartok music looked very natural. The texture was really better. But in my system the dryness reduced the feeling that the acoustic of the room is being replaced by the acoustics of the recording and overall the sense of envelopment and enjoyment was reduced, so I am keeping a amplifier.

Did you try the Altair II preamplfier in your system? The best demo I have ever had of the XLF included the Altair/Hercules monos combo.

 

[MadFloyd]

number95

Our systems are very similar and I too prefer the Vivaldi dac as the preamp. I will say that the Vivaldi changes dramatically based on what support it is on and what feet/cones are under it, more so than any other component I have had.

King, are you speaking just of the DAC itself or the Upsampler as well? What are you currently using for feet and what differences do you hear.

In other words, I'm very interested; please tell me more.

 

[MadFloyd]

I think the volume control in the Vivaldi is VERY good (at least compared to the NADAC that I owned before it).

That said, I much prefer it going through my CAT preamp where it does't sound as dry (and I don't feel like I'm giving up much in the way of resolution as I feel I have that in spades).

 

[number95]

number95

Our systems are very similar and I too prefer the Vivaldi dac as the preamp. I will say that the Vivaldi changes dramatically based on what support it is on and what feet/cones are under it, more so than any other component I have had.

I never tried special feets or dampers under Vivaldis. That said I found that using them stacked degrades overall sonic performance, so each Vivaldi piece sits over its dedicated shelf at my setup. I use SRA Scuttle3 rack systems for source equipments.

 

[ashandger]

Just thought owners of Vivaldi and Wilson speakers may enjoy this recent video of DCS HQ custom listening room with Alexx speakers, momentum amps connected directly to Vivaldi DAC via Transparent Opus Gen 5 cables and HRS racks. Even with Youtube compression etc the system sounds rather impressive through good headphones.
Hope you enjoy it!

https://youtu.be/ShLGiQqTI2Y

 

[number95]

My conclusions were similar to yours - for example, string sections in Bartok music looked very natural. The texture was really better. But in my system the dryness reduced the feeling that the acoustic of the room is being replaced by the acoustics of the recording and overall the sense of envelopment and enjoyment was reduced, so I am keeping a amplifier.

Did you try the Altair II preamplfier in your system? The best demo I have ever had of the XLF included the Altair/Hercules monos combo.

I exactly get what you meant by dryness and the emotional impact or say musical connectivity between the listener and the music itself. I did not try Altair II (I only heard a setup which is similar to mine with main exception that the owner switched from ARC Ref10 to Altair II and he was extremely pleased) it seems after last weekend test, I will seriously consider that. It is hilariously expensive for a preamp but if it is the only solution for my case given I already have Hercules amps, I may consider it. Obviously, if one has analog rig, it limits the optionality of using DAC as main volume controller unless one can get the pain of switching interconnectors from DAC to preamplifier each time analog is listened to.

 

[number95]

I exactly get what you meant by dryness and the emotional impact or say musical connectivity between the listener and the music itself. I did not try Altair II (I only heard a setup which is similar to mine with main exception that the owner switched from ARC Ref10 to Altair II and he was extremely pleased) it seems after last weekend test, I will seriously consider that. It is hilariously expensive for a preamp but if it is the only solution for my case given I already have Hercules amps, I may consider it. Obviously, if one has analog rig, it limits the optionality of using DAC as main volume controller unless one can get the pain of switching interconnectors from DAC to preamplifier each time analog is listened to.

I got a reply from Transparent Cable that my Magnum Opus interconnector should be definitely recalibrated for DCS Vivaldi's very low output (3 ohms) compared to the current calibration for Ref 10 which has a high output of 600 ohms. They also say hi output cable will be better off when used with a low output source vs a low output cable used with a high output source. That might mean part of that dryness that I have realized is due to cable impedance tuned for 600 ohms.

 

[VPN]

I got a reply from Transparent Cable that my Magnum Opus interconnector should be definitely recalibrated for DCS Vivaldi's very low output (3 ohms) compared to the current calibration for Ref 10 which has a high output of 600 ohms. They also say hi output cable will be better off when used with a low output source vs a low output cable used with a high output source. That might mean part of that dryness that I have realized is due to cable impedance tuned for 600 ohms.

Number95,

If you have the opportunity, try the CH Precision L1+X1 preamp in your system.
Cheers,

VPN

 

[VPN]

I never tried special feets or dampers under Vivaldis. That said I found that using them stacked degrades overall sonic performance, so each Vivaldi piece sits over its dedicated shelf at my setup. I use SRA Scuttle3 rack systems for source equipments.

Number95,

I use a SRA Scuttle mk.3 rack and it makes a big improvement in sound of my system. I also use custom made SRA VR 3.0 platforms for the power amps.

You probably already know this, but anyway, for the Scuttle, you can ask them to send you new absorption pads (that go under the shelves) adjusted to the weight of the equipment you are using on each shelf.

Cheers,

VPN

 

[microstrip]

I got a reply from Transparent Cable that my Magnum Opus interconnector should be definitely recalibrated for DCS Vivaldi's very low output (3 ohms) compared to the current calibration for Ref 10 which has a high output of 600 ohms. They also say hi output cable will be better off when used with a low output source vs a low output cable used with a high output source. That might mean part of that dryness that I have realized is due to cable impedance tuned for 600 ohms.

I had also had the same problem - it was why I carried the experiments with and without preamplfier using the Crystal Dreamline cables.
In order to minimize this calibration aspect when using the Opus MM2 I inserted an adapter having XRL input and output connected with two 300 ohm resistors to increase the output impedance of the Vivaldi - it reduces the mismatch, but surely affects the sound quality of the DAC. I hope than soon I will be able to borrow a Vivaldi calibrated Opus.

 

[jfrech]

I got a reply from Transparent Cable that my Magnum Opus interconnector should be definitely recalibrated for DCS Vivaldi's very low output (3 ohms) compared to the current calibration for Ref 10 which has a high output of 600 ohms. They also say hi output cable will be better off when used with a low output source vs a low output cable used with a high output source. That might mean part of that dryness that I have realized is due to cable impedance tuned for 600 ohms.

I suspect it is. The tuning with Transparent makes noticeable differences to me. I just ordered a Opus Gen 5 to Magnum Opus for my dac to pre amp interconnect...

 

[Kingsrule]

King, are you speaking just of the DAC itself or the Upsampler as well? What are you currently using for feet and what differences do you hear.

In other words, I'm very interested; please tell me more.

Hi MF

I'll have a report in a few day. I have a few more variables to try....

 

[MadFloyd]

Number95,

If you have the opportunity, try the CH Precision L1+X1 preamp in your system.
Cheers,

VPN

This would make the sound even drier.

 

[Kingsrule]

What output volts are u guys using and where on the volume control are u listening?

Me(using as a preamp)
2v
42-35. Mostly 42

 

[MadFloyd]

Hi MF

I'll have a report in a few day. I have a few more variables to try....

Awesome - thanks!

 

[microstrip]

What output volts are u guys using and where on the volume control are u listening?

Me(using as a preamp)
2v
42-35. Mostly 42

The scale in the Vivaldi is dB attenuation. IMHO we should avoid such high attenuation's - most of the time I had to use it with .6V output max and a few times even .2V when using high gain amplifiers. BTW, my speakers have a efficiency of 93.5 dB/W.

 

[MadFloyd]

What output volts are u guys using and where on the volume control are u listening?

Me(using as a preamp)
2v
42-35. Mostly 42

Do you mean MINUS 35-42? If so, you have high gain amps and you should probably try .6.

For me, @ 2v it's -10 all the way up to 0 (my amps are low gain).

 

[Kingsrule]

Yes minus...

 

[number95]

What output volts are u guys using and where on the volume control are u listening?

Me(using as a preamp)
2v
42-35. Mostly 42

Even with Ref 10 being used, I preferred 6v thru DAC. As a single source unit, I also keep using 6v. With just DAC used as volume controller w/p a preamp, I realized that I was increasing the volume more than I used to, not because the sound level was low, but it was a pure, grainless, natural musical entertainment, say between -30/-20. At last weekend, I pushed volume control to -16db (Companion, Patricia Barber) while 6v selected, oh boy, it was such a delight to listen to. I measured the db level of the room with iphone application as assuming it is not the most accurate one, I got sound pressure levels around 95-105db, which is quite unusual for me. So that is why I am so surprised here. No preamp, just digital volume control, wrong calibration for interconnector but just how loud I was able to listen to perhaps speaks for itself. Btw, the figures above are for day time listening )