Am I doing something wrong . . . ?

[SolidSqual]

Am I doing something wrong or is the technology just not there yet?

I have a Level 4 modded PS Audio DLIII hooked up to my Apple Powerbook via Kimber Kable USB with some of my CDs coverted to apple lossless. The DAC feeds a Dodd Preamp which then goes to Bel Canto S300s vertically biamped to feed my Emmy CS2s.

The sound is pretty good from the DLIII/powerbook, but when compared to my Raysonic C128 it just doesn't have the same kind of life. By comparison, the Raysonic sounds more dynamic. Also, the soundstage is not necessarily wider but more clear. The instruments are presented in a way that allows you to follow each instrument without being distracted by the others.

Is it my cable?

Am I picking up EMI or RF from the computer?

Is there anything I can do to fix it?

Is the technology just not there yet? I did discover USB doesn't support 192khz.

[madmax]

I don't know but I would think the technology is there. Maybe just need to tweak things around? Not quite sure what I would do.
madmax

[SolidSqual]

Continuing to listen, the background is not as black on the DLIII/Powerbook combo.

[tonyb]

Are you doing something wrong??
Yeah....your listening to tunes off the computer.:p:)Throw one of those silver disc's in the Raysonic....end of story.

[AndyGwis]

yeah, I think that dacs will make a Ipod / computer signal sound good, but never as good as a well recorded CD. Not sure why, but I always have a lesser listening experience through Ipod and computer.

[SolidSqual]

You know everything is there, but it just sounds more dull. I feel like I'm listening to a really good stereo and not a live concert. I haven't heard any moments where I have felt fooled.

[Face]

There doesn't appear to be much of a difference between the CD and from my PC here, maybe just each own's transport signature.

Now play the SACD layer and compare...no contest. But that's not entirely fair. :)

[I-SIG]

Maybe the DAC in the iPod is better than you think?

Wes

[SolidSqual]

Maybe the DAC in the iPod is better than you think?

Wes

I'm not using an Ipod. But, I have hooked an iPod up to my system. IT sounds like crap and kills my noise floor.

The Powerbook alone sounds just as bad.

[PolkThug]

Laptops introduce noise into the signal.

[I-SIG]

Just checking since you mentioned you were using ALE.

Wes

[sucks2beme]

Try using the DAC with your cd player. That will tell the story pretty well.
If that sounds dull too, then it's the DAC.

[amulford]

How are you feeding the DAC?

[SolidSqual]

How are you feeding the DAC?

I'm feeding the DAC via Kimber USB Cable from an Apple Powerbook.

Try using the DAC with your cd player. That will tell the story pretty well.
If that sounds dull too, then it's the DAC.

I tried this before I tried the powerbook. The DAC sounds Excellent with the Raysonic and may become permanent! There is definitely a greater sense of warmth and even detail. I think the bass volume increased . . . maybe the over all volume of the system. I'm pretty sure it's the powerbook as a source via USB that is killing the good sound.

[tryrrthg]

try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.

[SolidSqual]

try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.

I'll give the WAV file a try. That's about as pure as it gets.

[venomclan]

try a WAV file or FLAC instead of apple lossless. The file compression could be doing it.

X2, FLAC is the only way to truly compare. Apple lossless is still compromised = gargage in, garbage out.
Venom

[SolidSqual]

I've been messing around with these files for a while now and comparing them. The WAV, FLAC and Apple Lossless all sound the same. None of them are better than the CD128.

I'm going to start testing the whether the CD128 alone is better or as good as the CD128 with the PS Audio DAC.