Lampizator Komputer vs. Aurender N10

[dminches]

I've had a number of DACs in my system and while none of them could reproduce a violin properly (lack of texture and lot of SHARP frequencies), I don't necessarily care because I have my analog for that.

If you like your analog sound you aren't going to be able to recreate it with a digital setup. That isn't to say that digital can't sound great. It can and does, but it won't sound like your analog setup. For me, both formats have a place in my world of music.

 

[microstrip]

I've had a number of DACs in my system and while none of them could reproduce a violin properly (lack of texture and lot of SHARP frequencies), I don't necessarily care because I have my analog for that.

However, most cannot replicate classic rock or pop without sounding homogenized and glassy - generally not pleasant unless the recording is absolutely stellar. More often than not it sends my wife out of the room.

(...)

Ian,

Did you ever listen to a DAC playing in another great system that could satisfy your requirements?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

If you like your analog sound you aren't going to be able to recreate it with a digital setup. That isn't to say that digital can't sound great. It can and does, but it won't sound like your analog setup. For me, both formats have a place in my world of music.

I'm as analog focused as anyone, and I would have to disagree with that. in degrees you can't get all the way there with digital, but you can capture the right type presentation....without glassiness or edge. but it's not a trivial matter to put that digital picture together.

the limitation becomes the amount of information. analog has more of the right kind.

 

[MadFloyd]

Ian,

Did you ever listen to a DAC playing in another great system that could satisfy your requirements?

Yes, almost everybody else's.

For example, last week I was at a friends house. He has the same brand turntable and exact cartridge as me (although different electronics). His DAC is Berkeley Reference fed by an Aurrender N10. His digital was very good - I enjoyed it as much as his analog. I didn't notice any glaring artifacts in the upper mids or treble region.

Also listen to digital at Al M.'s house (Berkeley Alpha 2) and it sounds really, really good. I'm not a digital snob by any means (I have a NAS with thousands of redbook, hi-rez and DSD).

 

[microstrip]

Yes, almost everybody else's.

For example, last week I was at a friends house. He has the same brand turntable and exact cartridge as me (although different electronics). His DAC is Berkeley Reference fed by an Aurrender N10. His digital was very good - I enjoyed it as much as his analog. I didn't notice any glaring artifacts in the upper mids or treble region.

Also listen to digital at Al M.'s house (Berkeley Alpha 2) and it sounds really, really good. I'm not a digital snob by any means (I have a NAS with thousands of redbook, hi-rez and DSD).

Since the only way to get rid of digital glare with the Devialet's in my system was using Shunyata power cables, I must admit that it should not be a power supply problem. A good acquaintance who now owns my old Kubala Sosna Elation's is complaining a lot on them, since he got Devialet's. He told me that most of the time they enhance stridency in loud voices in opera recordings.

 

[dminches]

I'm as analog focused as anyone, and I would have to disagree with that. in degrees you can't get all the way there with digital, but you can capture the right type presentation....without glassiness or edge. but it's not a trivial matter to put that digital picture together.

the limitation becomes the amount of information. analog has more of the right kind.

Mike, I think we are saying the same thing. It has nothing to do with quality or enjoyment. The formats sound different. I hear things with my reel to reel that I don't think I will ever hear out of my DAC (and really don't care that that is the case). And some of it has to do with the source of the music. A master protection reel is about as close to the original source as you can get. A digital version is a derivative of that.

Having said all that, there are definitely ways I can improve my digital setup.

 

[MadFloyd]

Since the only way to get rid of digital glare with the Devialet's in my system was using Shunyata power cables, I must admit that it should not be a power supply problem. A good acquaintance who now owns my old Kubala Sosna Elation's is complaining a lot on them, since he got Devialet's. He told me that most of the time they enhance stridency in loud voices in opera recordings.

The KS Elations were power cords or signal cables?

 

[dminches]

The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 CPU is impossible to find. And all the other CPUs in this family are either 80W or 84W. Argh.

 

[Elberoth]

It doesn't really matter that much, as that is only their max TDP. At idle, or playing music (which will use around 5% of CPU resources), the amount of heat they generate will be similar.

 

[dminches]

Thanks Adam. I ordered one from Dell. If they tell me they can't get it I will get one with a TDP of 80W.

 

[wisnon]

David, did you see my PM?

 

[microstrip]

The KS Elations were power cords or signal cables?

Just the speaker cables.

 

[dminches]

David, did you see my PM?

Yes Norman. Thanks!

 

[dminches]

With the Lampi Komputer configuration which uses a CPU with no graphics support how does one monitor the PC remotely? Does the mobo support graphics on its own?

 

[microstrip]

The Intel Xeon E3-1240L v3 CPU is impossible to find. And all the other CPUs in this family are either 80W or 84W. Argh.

When searching about this CPU I could see there were lots of them selling at eBay.

 

[dminches]

When searching about this CPU I could see there were lots of them selling at eBay.

I don't see one. Can you post a couple links?

 

[microstrip]

I don't see one. Can you post a couple links?

You are right - I am finding only the 1240 80W now.

But the 25W is available in the UK : http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-xeon-e3-1240l-v3-lga-1150-haswell-quad-core-2ghz-base-3ghz-turbo-25w-cpu-oem

 

[sbo6]

It doesn't really matter that much, as that is only their max TDP. At idle, or playing music (which will use around 5% of CPU resources), the amount of heat they generate will be similar.

You will get lower heat if you are enabling power management which uses a significant amount of resources and is known to degrade sonics. I would never recommend an 80W TDP CPU for a music server. Unless you don't mind a nice, big, fat, loud noise -generating fan

 

[bonzo75]

You will get lower heat if you are enabling power management which uses a significant amount of resources and is known to degrade sonics. I would never recommend an 80W TDP CPU for a music server. Unless you don't mind a nice, big, fat, loud noise -generating fan

That is what I initially thought as well but after checking with a lot of people on CA including Phil of AO and Miska, the conclusion was that the faster processor speed of the 80w TDP (3.5 GHz or more) is more important, while 80 vs 25 makes no difference to the sound.

 

[dminches]

That is what I initially thought as well but after checking with a lot of people on CA including Phil of AO and Miska, the conclusion was that the faster processor speed of the 80w TDP (3.5 GHz or more) is more important, while 80 vs 25 makes no difference to the sound.

Is this discussed somewhere on CA or did you hear this via PM?