I've been using an original Denafrips Terminator DAC for some time, and it's been like an old friend. The original Terminator has been described by many as the "most analog-sounding" of the Denafrips line, and I have to agree that its sonic character was its super-power. It was just a wee bit warm and it had a fullness and heft to its sound. I fed it from a Pachanko Mini SE server running Roon, and it was perhaps just a little too closed-in for me, so I added a HiFi Rose RS130 transport, which brought incredible fireworks to the sound and massive space to the soundstage. I described it as perhaps like watching a 3D movie...immensely entertaining, but not always appropriately relaxing or reflective of "the real thing."
I decided to streamline things and replace the Terminator with a streaming network DAC and remove the RS130 Transport from the system. I chose a dCS Lina Network DAC, and I've had it in my system for three days now.
It's been eye-opening exploring different combinations of music software, connection options, and cables. My server isn't UPnP, but it runs Roon and Audirvana. However, Roon will only work via network (Ethernet) connection between the server and DAC, while Audirvana will only work via USB. I have M101 and Wireworld Ethernet cables and AudioQuest Carbon, Clarus, and AntiCables USB cables. Thus far, Audirvana with the AudioQuest Carbon USB cable is the leading combination.
The most surprising discovery for me, however, was when I changed power cords. I had been powering the Lina DAC with a Viborg 9AWG cable, plugged into my PSA regenerator. I thought the sound might be a bit veiled, so I replaced it with an M101 Flare power cord. Oh my goodness! I absolutely did not expect to hear any change, but I have never been so wrong. The amount of air immediately increased dramatically and the soundstage widened and deepened by several feet. It's obvious and repeatable. I don't get it, but I'm very happy about it!
I'm also using an M101 Nova LAN cable, and they've got something very special going on at quite reasonable prices (the Flare power cable is $599).
The next thing is to try different interconnects between the DAC and my integrated amp. I'd say there's not much more room for improvement, but I've been happily proven wrong before!
I decided to streamline things and replace the Terminator with a streaming network DAC and remove the RS130 Transport from the system. I chose a dCS Lina Network DAC, and I've had it in my system for three days now.
It's been eye-opening exploring different combinations of music software, connection options, and cables. My server isn't UPnP, but it runs Roon and Audirvana. However, Roon will only work via network (Ethernet) connection between the server and DAC, while Audirvana will only work via USB. I have M101 and Wireworld Ethernet cables and AudioQuest Carbon, Clarus, and AntiCables USB cables. Thus far, Audirvana with the AudioQuest Carbon USB cable is the leading combination.
The most surprising discovery for me, however, was when I changed power cords. I had been powering the Lina DAC with a Viborg 9AWG cable, plugged into my PSA regenerator. I thought the sound might be a bit veiled, so I replaced it with an M101 Flare power cord. Oh my goodness! I absolutely did not expect to hear any change, but I have never been so wrong. The amount of air immediately increased dramatically and the soundstage widened and deepened by several feet. It's obvious and repeatable. I don't get it, but I'm very happy about it!
I'm also using an M101 Nova LAN cable, and they've got something very special going on at quite reasonable prices (the Flare power cable is $599).
The next thing is to try different interconnects between the DAC and my integrated amp. I'd say there's not much more room for improvement, but I've been happily proven wrong before!
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