I've tried a DAC MAGIC on my SB3 and for the life of me I can't hear a difference between the analog outputs on the SB3 and the DAC magic, except the DAC Magic is about 2 dB higher in level. Setting all levels to match I can't hear a difference in A/B tests.
My setup is SB3 ( or DAC Magic) => DPDT switch => Alps "Blue Velvet" 100k pot => Forte 4a amp => Quad ESL-57's. The Forte 4a is a class A amp, and my specimen has the well-regarded "Soderberg mods" applied. My Quads have had panels rebuilt by Wayne Picquet of QUADS UNLIMITED. Files are all in FLAC format. I also tried WAV format. You'd think I would be able to hear SOME difference. I've spent hours. I think I detect maybe a little more extreme treble- and I repeat MAYBE. Well, extreme for me. At age 55 I can only hear to about 16 kHz. And perhaps therein lies the issue? Are the differences between SB3 and DAC Magic here all about the sounds above 15 kHz? I can't hear any difference in soundstage, mids or lows. If so then I guess I'll sell the thing- 'cause my upper-register hearing is only going to get worse as I age and my tympanic membrane stiffens. -- milosz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ milosz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=11057 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=53985 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
