Entech Numbercruncher 203.2 DAC

[Lowell_M]

Been doing a little refining and I'm actually to the point that I have a piece of extra gear! For sale is my Entech Numbercruncher 203.2 DAC Will sell shipped for $75.

For anybody even thinking of giving a standalone DAC a try this is a no brainer for sure. :cool: I originally bought this because I was using an $80 DVD player as my CD player. The difference was jaw dropping. :eek: When running the digital out of the DVD player to the Entech.

I finally stepped up to the Rotel RCD-1072, so a review will be forthcoming, but not until I finish installing the floor in my living room...ugh....

[Lowell_M]

EDIT: The unit is in perfect shape with one exception. The power cord is easy to knock out of the unit. I never had a problem in normal operation, but when swapping around components or cables and such it is easy to pull the power out and not realize it. The unit was like this when I received and and never caused any frustration, but I thought I should let you know.

thanks, Aaron

[billbillw]

EDIT: The unit is in perfect shape with one exception. The power cord is easy to knock out of the unit. I never had a problem in normal operation, but when swapping around components or cables and such it is easy to pull the power out and not realize it. The unit was like this when I received and and never caused any frustration, but I thought I should let you know.

thanks, Aaron

That is actually a minor issue with all of the Entechs. The power cord does not lock in very tight, so it comes out easily. Not really an issue under most circumstances.

BTW, this is probably the only high quality DAC that can be purchased for under $100. This was designed for Monster/Entech by some of the brains from Audio Alchemy and Spectral. High quality parts used throughout.

I have one that I used on my computer rig.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I think I sold you that DAC. It's a great unit, and it doesn't get any better for $75.

[Lowell_M]

I think I sold you that DAC. It's a great unit, and it doesn't get any better for $75.

Yes, you did. I couldn't remember who I got it from this morning. It really opened my eyes (ears) and pulled me further from a "bit-is-bits" mentality.


Here's my initial post after receiving the DAC:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53820&highlight=entech

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

helluva deal here for $75 folks

[danger boy]

I am interested... what kind of digital inputs does it have?

[George Grand]

2nd in the interest line.

[heiney9]

Aaron,

Did we do a shoot-out with the Entech vs. AMC the last time we all had a gear fest? I can't remember. I was impressed with the Entech when I heard it compared to his DVDp.

I thought I brought my AMC DAC-8 over for a little one on one? :confused:

H9

[daboyz]

I believe it was the first hang out down in the rec room. There definitely was a large difference between the Entech and the player he was using. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting your AMC. Aaron's a cool dude so buy with confidence,ya'all.

[Lowell_M]

I am interested... what kind of digital inputs does it have?

Sorry, busy weekend and I didn't keep up with the forum... The unit has on coax and one optical input with a selector switch on the back.

[Lowell_M]

Aaron,

Did we do a shoot-out with the Entech vs. AMC the last time we all had a gear fest? I can't remember. I was impressed with the Entech when I heard it compared to his DVDp.

I thought I brought my AMC DAC-8 over for a little one on one? :confused:

H9

Yea... I think they sounded similar, with a little clarity going to the Entech. Doug's Rotel RCD-1072, though, was worlds better in imaging and sound stage, which sent me down the road to another upgrade...

[stereo_luver]

Why hasn't anyone bought this? Do I have to step up?

Chuck

[concealer404]

I have hopefully the dumbest question you all will ever get out of me....

Using my setup.... (i run my cds through a 300 disc Sony changer with a digi opti out directly to my reciever.) I have no amps, just an Onkyo HT reciever, will i see a noticable gain out of this? Or will this be something that would actually match better with my two-channel bedroom setup?

[billbillw]

I have hopefully the dumbest question you all will ever get out of me....

Using my setup.... (i run my cds through a 300 disc Sony changer with a digi opti out directly to my reciever.) I have no amps, just an Onkyo HT reciever, will i see a noticable gain out of this? Or will this be something that would actually match better with my two-channel bedroom setup?

I don't think you will see much if any improvement unless the Onkyo has a TRUE analog bypass/direct mode. Otherwise, you are just going from digital, to analog (in the Entech), back to digital (in the Onk) and back to analog for the speaker output. This is because most HT receivers do not have a TRUE analog mode. They all end up going thorough A/D converters>DSP>DACs before they get to the amp stage.

[Lowell_M]

I have hopefully the dumbest question you all will ever get out of me....

Using my setup.... (i run my cds through a 300 disc Sony changer with a digi opti out directly to my reciever.) I have no amps, just an Onkyo HT reciever, will i see a noticable gain out of this? Or will this be something that would actually match better with my two-channel bedroom setup?

It's hard to say. A lot of the differences you will hear depend on the rest of the equipment in your rig. In your HT, you are currently using the DAC that is internal to your AVR. I am reasonably confident that the DAC in the Entech will sound better than the DAC in your Onkyo because I have experienced a similar trial.

The good news is... It's about the most inexpensive upgrade I've made, and didn't regret it one bit. If you don't like it, somebody here would buy it and you would only be out the shipping cost.

[Lowell_M]

I don't think you will see much if any improvement unless the Onkyo has a TRUE analog bypass/direct mode. Otherwise, you are just going from digital, to analog (in the Entech), back to digital (in the Onk) and back to analog for the speaker output. This is because most HT receivers do not have a TRUE analog mode. They all end up going thorough A/D converters>DSP>DACs before they get to the amp stage.

I saw a huge difference going through my H/K AVR 635 when I had this unit in my HT and used it for 2-channel. That was my first step in understanding external DACs and the importance of a good front end.

[concealer404]

So what you guys are saying is that yes.... it's better than the DAC built into the Onkyo, but i may not necessarily be able to take advantage of this unit, BECAUSE of the Onkyo.

Basically i need to research if i can bypass the internal DAC on either of my recievers before i really look into this stuff. Although i am tempted to just grab it for future use now, anyways.

I'll make my decision tonite, hopefully it's still here tomorrow if i decide to go for it. :)

[Danny Tse]

So what you guys are saying is that yes.... it's better than the DAC built into the Onkyo, but i may not necessarily be able to take advantage of this unit, BECAUSE of the Onkyo.

Look in the owner's manual, Onkyo includes a diagram which shows that an analog signal will stay analog. There is a "Direct" mode for 2 channel operation on the 503, but your best bet is the multi-channel analog inputs.

[concealer404]

Look in the owner's manual, Onkyo includes a diagram which shows that an analog signal will stay analog. There is a "Direct" mode for 2 channel operation on the 503, but your best bet is the multi-channel analog inputs.


Still a little lost.... in looking at the specs on the 203.2, it has a digi or a coax input, and one unbalanced analog output.

I'll look at the manual tonite and see if i can formulate my question better. :o

[Lowell_M]

Still a little lost.... in looking at the specs on the 203.2, it has a digi or a coax input, and one unbalanced analog output.

I'll look at the manual tonite and see if i can formulate my question better. :o

What Danny is saying is that your receiver has a direct analog signal path if you use the multichannel inputs (this is a good thing)

The DAC that I am selling has two inputs, one for digital coax, and one for optical (you can use either). This input would come from your CD player. Then, you use the analog outputs from the Entech DAC to run to the multichannel inputs (L and R) on your receiver.

[concealer404]

What Danny is saying is that your receiver has a direct analog signal path if you use the multichannel inputs (this is a good thing)

The DAC that I am selling has two inputs, one for digital coax, and one for optical (you can use either). This input would come from your CD player. Then, you use the analog outputs from the Entech DAC to run to the multichannel inputs (L and R) on your receiver.

Ah hah! That makes more sense.... i was thinking about the surround inputs on my reciever. So this would be a BIG yes to upgrade to in 2 channel listening in particular. But also for the reason that i want to take that load off the reciever, i wouldn't want to then use the Dolby Decoder on the reciever to split into surround, because it would "unpurify" it again, yes?

I'll definitely let you know tomorrow, provided you haven't dumped it by then. I'm hoping that my Pioneer VSX-50 has the same kindof situation going on with it.

[billbillw]

Yes, the multichannel inputs would keep things in analog through the entire path.

However, this would be a true 2.0 setup though, no sub output when listening that way. Only R/L fronts. We are also assuming that you are not already using the multichannel analog inputs on your Onkyo for SACD or something similar.

[concealer404]

Yes, the multichannel inputs would keep things in analog through the entire path.

However, this would be a true 2.0 setup though, no sub output when listening that way. Only R/L fronts. We are also assuming that you are not already using the multichannel analog inputs on your Onkyo for SACD or something similar.

Gotcha.... Sounds like i need to see if this will work with the Pioneer/vs-25 setup.

Man, i'm more noob than i thought.... i always wondered what that little black box was in my dad's setup. :D

[George Grand]

I'm all over that thing if Danger Boy dropped out.

[Danny Tse]

The diagram that I am talking about is on page 21 of the owner's manual for the Onkyo 503.

[danger boy]

I dropped out.. i sent a PM to Aaron explaining why I didn't respond sooner.. a 12+ hour day will do that to a person.

enjoy whomever it goes to.

AL

[stereo_luver]

George are you buying this? I'm next.

Chuck

[George Grand]

It's new home is Jersey. Just waiting for an address to send $ to.

Chuck, check in with the vinyl thread please.

[Lowell_M]

It's new home is Jersey. Just waiting for an address to send $ to.

Chuck, check in with the vinyl thread please.

It's all yours.... PM sent.

Thanks! Aaron

[daboyz]

Yea... I think they sounded similar, with a little clarity going to the Entech. Doug's Rotel RCD-1072, though, was worlds better in imaging and sound stage, which sent me down the road to another upgrade...

Damn, If we did demo both then I gotta start laying off the brewskies:eek::D