DCS Vivaldi

[jfrech]

+1

Hey, sorry, I got sidetracked this weekend. My dealer called and offered to let me barrow a pair of Nagra HD amps (initial comment on these amps on another thread). So I'll likely come back to this next weekend. (my interconnects from the DAC won't reach the right HD in the set up I have right now....

(fuzzy iPhone pic...apologies)

 

[LL21]

no worries! enjoy!

 

[MadFloyd]

Hey, sorry, I got sidetracked this weekend. My dealer called and offered to let me barrow a pair of Nagra HD amps (initial comment on these amps on another thread). So I'll likely come back to this next weekend. (my interconnects from the DAC won't reach the right HD in the set up I have right now....

(fuzzy iPhone pic...apologies)

View attachment 30815

Wait, What? You have a BLACK STACK?

 

[XCop5089]

Wait, What? You have a BLACK STACK?

Once you go black, you never go back!

 

[microstrip]

Once you go black, you never go back!

Yes, it is much easier to read labels in the black finish. I would love to have a black remote faceplate with white lettering!

 

[number95]

Once you go black, you never go back!

View attachment 30822

Tonearm looks like Graham Phantom, nice

 

[MadFloyd]

Once you go black, you never go back!

View attachment 30822

Nice rack!

 

[Kingsrule]

Everyone knows the black stuff sounds darker LOL!

 

[jfrech]

Anyone try Roon 1.3 with their Vivaldi upsampler? Seems like it sounds better...transients for example.

 

[Kingsrule]

Anyone try Roon 1.3 with their Vivaldi upsampler? Seems like it sounds better...transients for example.

Yes stock settings, everything off...no difference

 

[jfrech]

Yes stock settings, everything off...no difference

I turned off the DSP engine. I always thought the previous version sound soft ... compared to Mimim server and the Vivaldi app

 

[Kingsrule]

It was on when u upgraded?
It should have been all off.

 

[Enatai252]

I hope to listen critically over the weekend. Both on the Rossini and the Vivaldi stack. I have to date still felt my Naim Core as server with storage on NAS has provided the best SQ. I loaded a Roon Core on Mac in the study(will likely switch to a NUC setup if I like it) and run headless with iPad -my Roon Core monitoring the same NAS folders. I also have all DSP disabled which is the default setting on 1.3. I like some of the Roon functionality and getting use to the UI. My goal this weekend is to listen to native DSD, 24/192 and 16/44 files along with Tidal using both server options and see which I prefer. I have to keep the Naim server regardless as my Naim music streamers elsewhere in the house are not Roon enabled. Still waiting to see how MQA plays out as well. One thing I do know is at least in my experience....running a computer to my DACs via USB does not sound as good as leveraging the Ethernet with NAS and server(UPnP or RAAT) option so continuing down that route

Keep us posted on your own conclusions

 

[jfrech]

Spent some time this am with dCS app + Minim Server + NAS vs Roon 1.3 + NAS.

Greatly prefer dCS + Minim for sound quality. Just more life, resolution, and transients. Roon sounds soft to me. I turned off everything I could think of with Roon...so could be a setting thing still with Roon...

Of course the Roon UI is killer good...but sound quality is my priority...

 

[MadFloyd]

Spent some time this am with dCS app + Minim Server + NAS vs Roon 1.3 + NAS.

Greatly prefer dCS + Minim for sound quality. Just more life, resolution, and transients. Roon sounds soft to me. I turned off everything I could think of with Roon...so could be a setting thing still with Roon...

Of course the Roon UI is killer good...but sound quality is my priority...

Wow, I'm quite surprised. You have motivated me to do my own test. Now I guess I have to figure out this Minim business...

Have you tried bypassing your preamp yet?

 

[MadFloyd]

Spent some time this am with dCS app + Minim Server + NAS vs Roon 1.3 + NAS.

Greatly prefer dCS + Minim for sound quality. Just more life, resolution, and transients. Roon sounds soft to me. I turned off everything I could think of with Roon...so could be a setting thing still with Roon...

Of course the Roon UI is killer good...but sound quality is my priority...

Are you running the Minimserver on a PC or directly on your NAS?

 

[jfrech]

Wow, I'm quite surprised. You have motivated me to do my own test. Now I guess I have to figure out this Minim business...

Have you tried bypassing your preamp yet?

Just hooked it up. Let me listen for a bit today... still have the Nagra HD mono amps in the system vs my Nagra Classic Stereo amp...

 

[Kingsrule]

Roon is not soft.....

 

[MadFloyd]

Just hooked it up. Let me listen for a bit today... still have the Nagra HD mono amps in the system vs my Nagra Classic Stereo amp...

Would love to know what you think of the Nagra HD amps as well.

 

[jfrech]

Roon is not soft.....

in my system with my settings. it is.