Thoroughly "Touched" (long)

[Feanor]

My cable is likewise from BJC. The difference is that for me the player will be only a shelf away from the DAC. A half meter would be sufficient. I'm not convinced that having a huge loop of cable would necessarily be better than what is considered optimum.

Steve Nugent's take ...

Thanks for the Steve Nugent reference.

In my instance I need a minimum of 15' anyway because of the position of my computer (near my chair) and my DAC (near my passive preamp).

...
While it might run a bit more, I think the PSX kit would provide ever lower noise and stiffness. You could leverage your DIY skills for making an enclosure and cabling. Also, I don't see a 9 volt option for the PSREG, while the PSX can be set for any voltage between 5 and 24 volts.

Well the PSX can supply 3-4 amps which is a lot more than necessary but that's OK.

The PSREG can supply 9 volts depending on the R1 and R2 resistors; using the formula he provides the values would be R1=1000 ohms and R2=6000 ohms. Why his blurb doesn't mention 9 volts I don't know.

[E-Stat]

In my instance I need a minimum of 15' anyway because of the position of my computer (near my chair) and my DAC (near my passive preamp).

In my case, the "long" run (~40') will be the network cable from the router up through the office ceiling across an attic space to the listening room.

Well the PSX can supply 3-4 amps which is a lot more than necessary but that's OK.

I found that it added bass punch and cleaned up the top vs. the wall wart on the Touch.

The PSREG can supply 9 volts depending on the R1 and R2 resistors; using the formula he provides the values would be R1=1000 ohms and R2=6000 ohms. Why his blurb doesn't mention 9 volts I don't know.

Gotcha. Those were just some sample voltages although you can set it pretty much wherever you want.

[E-Stat]

Another step in the new chain. I'll be spending some quality time tonight exploring its sound and comparing to GamuT player. Interestingly, it comes with its own remote. For a DAC? Well, along with input switching it also offers phase inversion and mute. The last two should prove to be useful since the preamp doesn't offer the phase switch nor a remote.

Hearing new gear is always a fun time.

[E-Stat]

I was able to do some quality listening over the weekend with the new arrangement. Since the new linear hasn't arrived yet, I moved the one from the garage upstairs. Still running wireless, but with the help of my father in law, successfully drilled the hole up through cabinetry in the office through the ceiling to the attic space where it leads to the listening room. Ordered 75' CAT6 cable.

The Touch / DAC7 clearly has a more organic sound that the GamuT. Stage width is wider and instrument placement within the soundstage is more precise. The top end is noticeably better rendered. The GamuT's op amp analog output stage sounds a bit dry and clinical by comparison. The DAC7 better resolves the decay of HF content.

All in all, I am very pleased. The new arrangement is not only better sounding, but far more convenient. I suspect that I will be "rediscovering" a lot of recordings upstairs using the random feature - as I do now in the garage. The only bummer is yesterday, I discovered a problem with one of the VTL amps. It ate one if its 600V B+ fuses and output tube V7. I replaced the 6550 tube with an older one left over from the last retubing and it took that one out too, along with another fuse.

Unfortunately, something is amiss...

[Feanor]

I was able to do some quality listening over the weekend with the new arrangement. Since the new linear hasn't arrived yet, I moved the one from the garage upstairs. Still running wireless, but with the help of my father in law, successfully drilled the hole up through cabinetry in the office through the ceiling to the attic space where it leads to the listening room. Ordered 75' CAT6 cable.

The Touch / DAC7 clearly has a more organic sound that the GamuT. Stage width is wider and instrument placement within the soundstage is more precise. The top end is noticeably better rendered. The GamuT's op amp analog output stage sounds a bit dry and clinical by comparison. The DAC7 better resolves the decay of HF content.

All in all, I am very pleased. The new arrangement is not only better sounding, but far more convenient. I suspect that I will be "rediscovering" a lot of recordings upstairs using the random feature - as I do now in the garage. The only bummer is yesterday, I discovered a problem with one of the VTL amps. It ate one if its 600V B+ fuses and output tube V7. I replaced the 6550 tube with an older one left over from the last retubing and it took that one out too, along with another fuse.

Unfortunately, something is amiss...

Good to hear about the DAC7; sorry to hear about the VTL. Hope you get the latter issue resolved soon.

I certainly covet the DAC7. And I like the specs for ARC's new 'DSPre' combo DAC + preamp.

[E-Stat]

Good to hear about the DAC7; sorry to hear about the VTL. Hope you get the latter issue resolved soon.

I'll be contacting Bea today. She's helped me in the past.

I certainly covet the DAC7. And I like the specs for ARC's new 'DSPre' combo DAC + preamp.

There's another.

Reference DAC

It uses the output stage as the REF5. The idea of having a line stage enabled DAC makes a lot of sense.

[Feanor]

...
There's another {DAC}.

Reference DAC

It uses the output stage as the REF5. The idea of having a line stage enabled DAC makes a lot of sense.

No doubt the output stage makes or breaks a DAC. Digital aspects might too, but I suspect it the former more often.

Consider the AN DAC -- a thoroughly ill-conceived and out-of-dated digital section but gorgeous analog sections; passive, transformer based I/V and tube output, (more than just a cathode follower buffer like, e.g., the Maverick).

[E-Stat]

Good to hear about the DAC7; sorry to hear about the VTL. Hope you get the latter issue resolved soon.

Bea was most helpful. She provided a few things to check and one was the coupling capacitor for that output tube. Bingo! My capacitance meter determined that it had failed.

She is sending me a replacement along with the suggestion that at some I consider updating all of them with the ones used in the current 450s.

Should be up and running shortly!