Jeff has been on a roll, now declaring the CD and preamplifier effectively dead. To wit:
http://ultraaudio.com/index.php/fea...rly-disruptive-nature-of-the-high-end-in-2015
"I basically used as a volume control -- and a fine one, too. For some time now, I’ve used my DAC to do all switching among source components, because all of my sources are digital. So perhaps it finally makes sense to explore the possibility of using a DAC with a good volume control as my “preamp.” Is this why the Exogal Comet and the Auralic Vega are so hot right now? I think so."
We've had DACs and CDPs with volume controls for 15 years- this isn't new or revolutionary. Most have tried both ways and deem a preamplifier sounds better both in harmonics/tonality and soundstage. There are numerous technical advantages as well. Rolling Dacs into preamplifiers in general may be a new trend if it succeeds- it hasn't thus far as audiophiles are too picky and want separates.
"I don’t think you’ve heard the true bass capabilities of Magico’s Q7 until you’ve heard that megaspeaker powered by a Devialet 400."
"Jonathan Valin stated, “But in all my life I’ve never heard Fender bass lines, kickdrums, and toms reproduced by an amplifier with as much lifelike speed, color, power, authority, and effortless ease as they are through the 711.” Wait -- didn’t I write that about the Devialet 400? Pretty close. What gives?"
Worshiping at the alter of negative feedback appears to be the common theme- except unfortunately that pesky midrange discussion. Notice all Class D reviews start with bass and damping factor #s? So did my impression of the Nuforce 9v2 digital amps that I tried back in 2005. What is new or disrupting about this now?
"Where does that leave me? If I were a normal consumer, I’d just buy a Devialet -- it would cost a lot less than what I’d have to invest in the sorts of separate components that typically inhabit my Music Vault listening room."
And miss out on any chance to try a tube or piece of wax in your system. The Devialet 400 is near $18k- most have noted it isn't that great sounding unless mono-blocked- so has many other "traditional" competitors in that arena including Jeff's favorite Ayre gear. Since Jeff quotes JV, let's note RH's review in the current TAS:
"The upper-mids and treble are a bit on the incisive side, a character that can be tamed with the 200’s tone controls or ideal loudspeaker matching. This outstanding performance was catapulted into another realm by running a pair of 200s in mono. The monoblock 200s not only improved upon the best qualities heard in stereo operation, but more significantly, ameliorated my reservations about the treble. Surprisingly, mono operation rendered a more refined presentation by virtue of the greater midrange liquidity and a significantly smoother and more relaxed high end."
Digital amps have always had mid and treble issues, so its nice to see that a pair of 200s gets rid of this. My bigger question instead of bass and damping factor is how decays are treated on strings. Previous digital efforts truncate them and I hope the hybrid nature of the new Devialets gets around this.
"Given Tidal’s early success, and the need to set up some way of getting its streams into your system, is it any wonder that the Auralic Aries is such a hot product?"
Tidal was so successful it had to sell out to Jay-Z recently. Tidal is an iTunes replacement, but records being sold at Urban Outfitters by the thousands is a much more important trend. Millenials want experiences and something to cherish- streaming 1 track off Tidal doesn't get you there. Everything they do is already streamed, rented, or whatever. Records are a unique pleasure. Ask Rega how sales are- its mind blowing.
"It’s a lot to think about. Here in 2015, convention is out the window. No analog preamp. Not owning your music. A sub-$10,000 product setting the standard for sound. Where will it all end? I really don’t know. In fact, like most of us, I’m still trying to figure it out. I hope to have some clarity about my own system by the time Munich’s High End wraps up in May."
I feel like I'm back in 2002 when SACD and passive preamps were all the rage, Wadia's tank 861 replaced preamplifiers (including my own for a brief spell), and Halcro amps were considered to be pallbearer of high end amplification (even by Jeff himself) because they measured distortion in "nits" and blew away JA's test bench. Notice none of these companies are really in business (or popular in the case of Wadia) anymore and vinyl is the largest bearer of good news. Negative feedback has provided exceptional bass at the expense of harmonics to date, but maybe changing. The ability to stream music vs playing it on iTunes is cool, but doesn't expand the audiophile pie. Turntables require phono stages, so I guess the preamplifier isn't going away any time soon. The resurgence of analog is more disruptive as noted at any Urban Outfitters store. Overall, I think Jeff misses the bar on the state of high end audio today.
FTR, I love reading Jeff and my criticism is meant to foster further discussion. What say you, forum? Am I high or nigh?
KeithR
http://ultraaudio.com/index.php/fea...rly-disruptive-nature-of-the-high-end-in-2015
"I basically used as a volume control -- and a fine one, too. For some time now, I’ve used my DAC to do all switching among source components, because all of my sources are digital. So perhaps it finally makes sense to explore the possibility of using a DAC with a good volume control as my “preamp.” Is this why the Exogal Comet and the Auralic Vega are so hot right now? I think so."
We've had DACs and CDPs with volume controls for 15 years- this isn't new or revolutionary. Most have tried both ways and deem a preamplifier sounds better both in harmonics/tonality and soundstage. There are numerous technical advantages as well. Rolling Dacs into preamplifiers in general may be a new trend if it succeeds- it hasn't thus far as audiophiles are too picky and want separates.
"I don’t think you’ve heard the true bass capabilities of Magico’s Q7 until you’ve heard that megaspeaker powered by a Devialet 400."
"Jonathan Valin stated, “But in all my life I’ve never heard Fender bass lines, kickdrums, and toms reproduced by an amplifier with as much lifelike speed, color, power, authority, and effortless ease as they are through the 711.” Wait -- didn’t I write that about the Devialet 400? Pretty close. What gives?"
Worshiping at the alter of negative feedback appears to be the common theme- except unfortunately that pesky midrange discussion. Notice all Class D reviews start with bass and damping factor #s? So did my impression of the Nuforce 9v2 digital amps that I tried back in 2005. What is new or disrupting about this now?
"Where does that leave me? If I were a normal consumer, I’d just buy a Devialet -- it would cost a lot less than what I’d have to invest in the sorts of separate components that typically inhabit my Music Vault listening room."
And miss out on any chance to try a tube or piece of wax in your system. The Devialet 400 is near $18k- most have noted it isn't that great sounding unless mono-blocked- so has many other "traditional" competitors in that arena including Jeff's favorite Ayre gear. Since Jeff quotes JV, let's note RH's review in the current TAS:
"The upper-mids and treble are a bit on the incisive side, a character that can be tamed with the 200’s tone controls or ideal loudspeaker matching. This outstanding performance was catapulted into another realm by running a pair of 200s in mono. The monoblock 200s not only improved upon the best qualities heard in stereo operation, but more significantly, ameliorated my reservations about the treble. Surprisingly, mono operation rendered a more refined presentation by virtue of the greater midrange liquidity and a significantly smoother and more relaxed high end."
Digital amps have always had mid and treble issues, so its nice to see that a pair of 200s gets rid of this. My bigger question instead of bass and damping factor is how decays are treated on strings. Previous digital efforts truncate them and I hope the hybrid nature of the new Devialets gets around this.
"Given Tidal’s early success, and the need to set up some way of getting its streams into your system, is it any wonder that the Auralic Aries is such a hot product?"
Tidal was so successful it had to sell out to Jay-Z recently. Tidal is an iTunes replacement, but records being sold at Urban Outfitters by the thousands is a much more important trend. Millenials want experiences and something to cherish- streaming 1 track off Tidal doesn't get you there. Everything they do is already streamed, rented, or whatever. Records are a unique pleasure. Ask Rega how sales are- its mind blowing.
"It’s a lot to think about. Here in 2015, convention is out the window. No analog preamp. Not owning your music. A sub-$10,000 product setting the standard for sound. Where will it all end? I really don’t know. In fact, like most of us, I’m still trying to figure it out. I hope to have some clarity about my own system by the time Munich’s High End wraps up in May."
I feel like I'm back in 2002 when SACD and passive preamps were all the rage, Wadia's tank 861 replaced preamplifiers (including my own for a brief spell), and Halcro amps were considered to be pallbearer of high end amplification (even by Jeff himself) because they measured distortion in "nits" and blew away JA's test bench. Notice none of these companies are really in business (or popular in the case of Wadia) anymore and vinyl is the largest bearer of good news. Negative feedback has provided exceptional bass at the expense of harmonics to date, but maybe changing. The ability to stream music vs playing it on iTunes is cool, but doesn't expand the audiophile pie. Turntables require phono stages, so I guess the preamplifier isn't going away any time soon. The resurgence of analog is more disruptive as noted at any Urban Outfitters store. Overall, I think Jeff misses the bar on the state of high end audio today.
FTR, I love reading Jeff and my criticism is meant to foster further discussion. What say you, forum? Am I high or nigh?
KeithR
