Musical Fidelity V-Dac

[Tbone289]

I've got a friend who has the HRT Music Streamer II and he agreed to bring it over last night, albeit reluctantly knowing what may happen.

We were both in agreement that the V-Dac is significantly better than the MSII, even without the V-Link in the chain. Since I don't have the V-Link yet I can't really compare on hi rez material via the USB.

Mark is pretty spot on with his thoughts on the sound, although I imagine other equipment would sound different. I had seen the sound characterized "too digital" and now understand those comments. it didn't sound real at all to me. Keep in mind though that as I mentioned before my headphones are already a little forward, it may sound completely different on a more laid back system.

Well, I guess I need to try the V-DAC then!

Do either of you think adding a tube buffer to the HRT would smooth out the tone so it's a bit more "analog" sounding? This is something I've been considering.

[falconcry72]

Do either of you think adding a tube buffer to the HRT would smooth out the tone so it's a bit more "analog" sounding? This is something I've been considering.

I don't do buffers, but some people do and love the results.

I like to keep unnecessary links out of the chain. I feel the same about eq's. I feel like both types of equipment are equivalent to makeup, trying to cover up flaws in your system. I'd rather eliminate the flaw than cover it up, ie: get a new preamp, speakers, usb converter or whatever it is that is the cause of the problem.

Just my 2 sense. The argument can be made that if you love the sound of a particular pair of speakers, but they need help with an eq, then so be it because no other speaker will sound like that, and while it's a perfectly valid point, I would personally spend my time looking for a new pair of speakers that I liked more and didn't need and eq rather than fudgin' around trying to make the flawed speakers sound better.

[Tbone289]

I like the sound of the system, and I don't use tone controls otherwise to correct the sound. I don't feel that there's a "problem", per se, I'm just wondering if I can get a more "analog" sound from the buffer than the output straight from the HRT. Also, I would like to try tube harmonics without a large cash outlay, and the buffer seems to be a good first step.

[falconcry72]

I did intertwine this up to my Squeezebox Ghost via optical and played finished many of my 24/96 files and it sounds phenomenal. I may end up organization added one for the living domicile but require to get my machine rig full built out introductory. The fact that it sounds so upright playacting the hi rez files gives me certainty in arrangement the V-Link, because it should pronounce fair as unspoilt on the machine rig with that in the series.

excuse me?

[Michael8it]

Um..... exactly.......

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I've reported that post for SPAM, and bad grammar

[Tbone289]

Well, I guess I need to try the V-DAC then!

Do either of you think adding a tube buffer to the HRT would smooth out the tone so it's a bit more "analog" sounding? This is something I've been considering.

As a follow up... I am using a Yaqin CD-1 between my HRT and receiver now and, IMO, the answer to my question above is undoubtedly "yes"! It does definitely add image depth and realism to the HRT's output.