Totaldac Reference D1

[Ohlins]

I noticed that the d1-dual is no longer available ......

 

[cat6man]

TotalDAC fans:

If you have a D1-Server and are using the ethernet input for streaming your music, it is an easy task to convert it to supporting HQPlayer.
Since the D1-server utilizes a shielded cubox with ethernet input and usb output behind the
rear plate, the OS on the microSD can be simply swapped out for the NAA image that Jussi provides on
the signalyst.com site.

I assume the user is already familiar with using HQPlayer or HQPlayer embedded (i.e. linux).
I run the embedded version on ubuntu (bionic beaver).

Steps:
1. burn NAA image (current one is naa-355-cubox-i.7z) to a microSD card
2. turn off power to d1-server
3. remove (label and save) existing microSD card by pushing in, then popping out the microSD
4. insert new microSD with NAA image
5. turn d1-server power back on
6. in HQPlayer settings, find new NAA target on network
7. done. continue to use HQPlayer as previously

I was previously running an ultraRendu as my streaming target device and compared DLNA/MPD/LMS and NAA modes
and the NAA mode was consistently better. In NAA mode (and not the others), the renderer functionality is moved off of the target device
(HQPlayer does the rendering at the PC running HQPlayer) and a proprietary stream is sent to the NAA device, which now has much
less processing to do (and presumably can provide a cleaner/better usb output signal). While many use HQPlayer to upsample to higher PCM rates or to DSD, I do not do this as, in my limited trials, I found the TotalDAC to sound best with no other signal processing (warning: your mileage may vary).
Therefore, I am doing zero signal processing with HQPlayer, simply splitting the functionality so that the rendering happens in the PC and not the target steaming device.

Some initial (and not exactly adequate, sorry--my left channel Ayon monoblock is in the shop and replaced by 1/2 of an old ST-70) observations:
1. hqplayer==>50' cat6==>ultraRendu(NAA mode)==>usb ==> D1-server/reclocker==> aes/ebu ==>D1-Direct
2. hqplayer==>50' cat6==>ultraRendu(other modes)==>usb==>D1-server/reclocker==>aes/ebu==>D1-Direct
3. hqplayer==>50' cat6==>d1-server/cubox==>usb==>D1-server/reclocker==>aes/ebu==>D1-Direct

1 >> 2
1 >> 3

Given the latter, why do NAA at all?
Because, as Vincent recommends and is echoed by users and reviewers, the Gigafilter is needed to clean up the usb output of the cubox and greatly improves the sound......and I don't have one available right now so case 3 has no filtering of the usb signal.
The ultraRendu (with LPS-1.2 power supply) clearly creates a cleaner/better usb signal than the cubox alone for the reclocker input in the d1-server.

Once I get my monoblock back from the shop, I'll do more critical comparisons.

If anyone out there is using the D1-server and has the gigafilter, I'd be interested in knowing if the hqplayer/NAA provides further improvement in your system. HQPlayer can be downloaded in test mode where it will play for 30 minutes before needed to be restarted, so it is well suited for trial testing.

 

[cat6man]

One other thing I forgot to mention:
While I have not yet played with this, HQPlayer is used by some to also do room correction, i.e. doing the convolution with high precision math.
This assumes you have other means of identifying the needed convolution function.

Once I have my system back again as both a) functional and b) tuned, I will probably investigate this capability.
I used to have TacT room correction equipment, which were effecitve in helping my old B&W 801s image in their constrained locations but the TacT was no longer needed or beneficial once I bought Nola metro-grande speakers.

[note: I have no connection to HQPlayer or any other company related to audio]

 

[totaldac]

Hi all,
The d1-streamer is released, replacing the d1-server.
http://www.totaldac.com/D1-streamer-eng.htm

 

[rugyboogie]

totaldac, sent you a pm.

 

[BF38]

Hi everybody,
the d1-player is at home since now 72 hours !!! and that makes a significant difference beyond what I could have imagined... Arnies is absolutely right, that plays and more !

it's nothing and all
Bruno

 

[BF38]

Hi,
it makes now one week living with d1-player and the feeling with it is still amazing ! All my music seem to have really another dimension, incarnation with an unbelievable harmonic richness in a quite perfect timing... that makes me believe more & more to a living accoustic event. It is a very strong feeling and very pleasant too !

Is there anybody in this box ?
& is there any limit to these musical expression ?!!!

be in music

 

[BF38]

Be in music

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2019/05/totaldac-world-premiere-of-amp-1.html#more

 

[Ohlins]

I'm using D1 dual + streamer board and have been using Linn Kazoo as a controller .........

With open home, streamer board can now use Lumin app as a controller .... and the interface is slightly better than Kazoo

 

[BF38]

Hi,
my totaldac team seems to appreciate the nice Daiza support, the music too, so me too.

In short everyone is happy ... life is good !

Thanks to the friend Gipe who allowed me this interesting test.
this WE the super board goes under the amp to "see"what's happening.

Music to all

 

[totaldac]

Soon a review of the d1-tube with streamer option by Michael Lavorgna on http://twitteringmachines.com/
Usage as RoonReady, with Totaldac USB cable/filter loop and ethernet cable/filter.

 

[totaldac]

The official announcement https://twitteringmachines.com/in-the-barn-for-review-totaldac-d1-tube-dac-streamer/

 

[totaldac]

Here is the review: https://twitteringmachines.com/review-totaldac-d1-tube-dac-streamer

 

[CKKeung]

Here is the review: https://twitteringmachines.com/review-totaldac-d1-tube-dac-streamer

Agree 100% with Michael Lavorgna.
He mentioned about Meaningful Delight.

In my own wordings : very few top dac in the market can connect with the listeners & their heart/emotion and Totaldac is definitely one of them!

 

[BF38]

Agree 100% with Michael Lavorgna.
He mentioned about Meaningful Delight.

In my own wordings : very few top dac in the market can connect with the listeners & their heart/emotion and Totaldac is definitely one of them!

Cool... it could also be my words. Connection and nearness with the intention of the musicians!
If there must be a true high fidelity, it would only be this one.

It's nothing and that's it.

 

[totaldac]

Diapason Magazine gave 6 stars for all the criteria including for its value for money to the Totaldac d1-core.

 

[BF38]

exceptionally normal!

 

[BF38]

Hi all,
I have also on stage for some time now the UP12, the new AES-EBU Totaldac and without going into details... only one thing is certain for me and my ears, it will stay in place. My musical structure has never played so well... one more time, thank you Vincent! We are few things and so...

It's nothing and that's all
Stay safe with music

 

[totaldac]

Hi,
Two tests of the Totaldac GIGAFILTER + reclocker + DAC have been done in South Korea:

https://www.hificlub.co.kr/web2017/board/brd_wz_view_n20.asp?table=brd_10281&pid=17113&brdcat=110

https://www.hificlub.co.kr/web2017/board/brd_wz_view_n20.asp?table=brd_10281&pid=17150&brdcat=310

 

[totaldac]

A review of the Totaldac d100 speakers by HifiPig:
https://hifipig.com/totaldac-d100-loudspeakers/

"A big, standard looking 2.5-way loudspeaker that manages to transcend its looks with a sonic performance that draws you in and captivates with its rightness.
They are dynamic and detailed in a way that they just shouldn’t be and with a presentation that seems neutral and natural whether you play them loud or at more moderate volumes.
I want some!
Editor's choice"

dedicated forum here: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-totaldac-d100-speaker.32467/page-2