Tír Na HiFi

Ciaran wrote:Verdi la Scala/Scarlatti DAC/Verona

OK, Verdi la Scala = CD/SACD player
Scarlatti DAC has SPDIF inputs (BNC or RCA)?
Verona = master clock

So could use a MK2 Hiface to output SPDIF to the Scarlatti input i,e comparing the MK2 as transport Vs the Verdi la Scala as transport
And/or use the Hiface DAC's analogue outs to your amplifier comparing it to the above dCs transport, DAC, clock.

jkeny wrote:

Ciaran wrote:Verdi la Scala/Scarlatti DAC/Verona

OK, Verdi la Scala = CD/SACD player
Scarlatti DAC has SPDIF inputs (BNC or RCA)?
Verona = master clock

So could use a MK2 Hiface to output SPDIF to the Scarlatti input i,e comparing the MK2 as transport Vs the Verdi la Scala as transport
And/or use the Hiface DAC's analogue outs to your amplifier comparing it to the above dCs transport, DAC, clock.

This is most certainly a comparison that I'd be interested in, if I can get a visa from Howth to the southside. ;-)

DaveF wrote:

jkeny wrote:

Ciaran wrote:Verdi la Scala/Scarlatti DAC/Verona

OK, Verdi la Scala = CD/SACD player
Scarlatti DAC has SPDIF inputs (BNC or RCA)?
Verona = master clock

So could use a MK2 Hiface to output SPDIF to the Scarlatti input i,e comparing the MK2 as transport Vs the Verdi la Scala as transport
And/or use the Hiface DAC's analogue outs to your amplifier comparing it to the above dCs transport, DAC, clock.

This is most certainly a comparison that I'd be interested in, if I can get a visa from Howth to the southside. ;-)

Now that you've stuck your head above the parapet Dave it strikes me that your system would provide an interesting comparison too.

Indeed. I think though that the comparison in a couple of people's systems would be well worth hearing - and as jkeny pointed out with a variety of music too. If this goes ahead I would very much like to be in the audience.... not least because I have virtually no knowledge of classical but any time I've been in Ciaran's house it has been a revelation.

It really is an interesting piece of kit - undreamt of a few years ago and now easily and cheaply available. If you already had a laptop or even a netbook the decision is even easier.

Ivor wrote:Now that you've stuck your head above the parapet Dave it strikes me that your system would provide an interesting comparison too.

Yip, the thought had certainly crossed my mind. Let me see what I can arrange. Wont be this weekend anyway.

John, the Wadia861i that I have has the following digital inputs:
1: Glass-fiber optical
2: Coaxial with BNC connector
3: Plastic-optical TOSLINK
4: AES/EBU with XLR connector

According to the manual the Wadia 861 digital inputs will decode any word length up to 24-bit, and any of the standard digital audio sampling frequencies up to 96kHz. The same 4 digital inputs above are also available as outputs on the rear panel although the manual doesnt give any info on these.

The BNC coaxial input should be fine, we will just limit the high-res music to 24/96KHz :)
DaveF, give me a shout any time to arrange a listening session!

jkeny wrote:

Ciaran wrote:Verdi la Scala/Scarlatti DAC/Verona

OK, Verdi la Scala = CD/SACD player
Scarlatti DAC has SPDIF inputs (BNC or RCA)?
Verona = master clock

So could use a MK2 Hiface to output SPDIF to the Scarlatti input i,e comparing the MK2 as transport Vs the Verdi la Scala as transport
And/or use the Hiface DAC's analogue outs to your amplifier comparing it to the above dCS transport, DAC, clock.

The Scarlatti DAC has lots of inputs including S/PDIF on BNC, RCA and TOSlink. Both of the RCA inputs are currently occupied, but we could displace the Squeezebox Touch for the duration. 24/192kS/s is possible with the Scarlatti, but it requires the Dual AES/EBU interface, which might not be so convenient!

Ciaran wrote: The Scarlatti DAC has lots of inputs including S/PDIF on BNC, RCA and TOSlink. Both of the RCA inputs are currently occupied, but we could displace the Squeezebox Touch for the duration. 24/192kS/s is possible with the Scarlatti, but it requires the Dual AES/EBU interface, which might not be so convenient!

The BNC SPDIF input would be best anyway, so that's settled & we could A/B between SQ Touch, Verdi & MK2 Hiface in 24/96KHz. Whenever you want to arrange it let me know, Ciaran.

Since the Verdi is a disc transport, it can produce only 16/44.1 or DSD, so the only direct comparison would be 16/44.1. As I have not gone very far into computer audio, my only hi-rez files are short free samples, so that might limit the possibilities unless you have some hi-rez classical files. I'll have a think about possible dates.

Ciaran wrote:Since the Verdi is a disc transport, it can produce only 16/44.1 or DSD, so the only direct comparison would be 16/44.1. As I have not gone very far into computer audio, my only hi-rez files are short free samples, so that might limit the possibilities unless you have some hi-rez classical files. I'll have a think about possible dates.

Sure, 16/44.1 is the data rate of choice as this is the majority of our listening habits. I have some 24/88 & 24/96 classical files that we can have a listen to - I didn't have my external disk at Ivor's.