What choice of digital playback device do you use

[Alrainbow]

Hello people.
Please answer the above question also how much more do you like your analog setup ?

I have a working theory about analog verses digital I need your help. I do not care where it's used nor the kind of playback it's used with. What I do think is bad digital is just that and an analog person hears two rooms away at a show. I feel analog users know bad digital better than most digital users. I have witnessed this in person only then I flip a switch meaning make it better do most notice.
Kind of like the water mark thread. It's an acquired anoyance as there is plenty of digital downloads I just hate
and I don't know why. I blame companies like HD tracks and others. For the lack of better quality but also I just hate some of the stuff and never play it.
Some claim we learn to hear over a life time others say it's when we are young. Well I grew up on analog and nene really like digital until just a few years ago. Could you analog people just never really hear great digital or is it something else. I think at the least its both help me understand the why by telling me what is your digital path to analog output. The whole digital chain of there is one. As of you use an iPod or dap there is none just the device
thanks in advance

[Analog21]

The most analog sounding digital device I've heard is the EAR digital products. I will be purchasing the EAR Acute Classic (a combo CD player and DAC unit) from my dealer once funds allow. I've owned the previous model a while back and loved it. It has a tube output and really is unlike any other digital product I've heard or used. Every other digital product, just sounds "digital" to me, no matter how expensive or how good it is. It is too clean, lacking depth and body in the midrange. It can be detailed or have a great soundstage and smooth for a digital product, but just doesn't work for my ears. I've owned the Exogal Comet Dac for a very brief period and returned it, trying to get a value digital component, but knew I had to buy the EAR Acute. Esoteric is another product that may love for its digital line, but just too neutral and it just can't get into it. Others may disagree, which is where personal taste enters the equation. The EAR is also more forgiving on bad digital files and really gets the best out of bad recordings too.

[cpp]

Mytek 192 DSD and a ExaSound e22 . Hoping to hear a T&A DAC 8 DSD

[rockitman]

I use a very simple and modest costing PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and PWD. It sounds very good for what I play on it.

[JackD201]

Right now I'm using a CH Precision stack. D1/C1 with X1 external PS.

[allenh]

Right now I'm using a CH Precision stack. D1/C1 with X1 external PS.

Had the C1. One of the most natural sounding DACs I've heard. But had to sell it to fund my analog rig.

I use a very simple and modest costing PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and PWD. It sounds very good for what I play on it.

I'm considering this or the forthcoming Ayre QX-5. The PSA is definitely more budget friendly, though.



What I have now is the Ayre C-5xeMP multi-player along side a Sonos player. For the amount I play digital, it's fine.

[Billy Shears]

Chord 2Qute DAC, Kimber USB cable, Audioquest Jitterbug from a Hp Laptop, streaming Tidal lossless through Audioquest Lan cables and router with filtered PSU. First digital that sounds "right" to my ears (well this side of spending 5 figures anyway).

[Alrainbow]

I use a very simple and modest costing PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and PWD. It sounds very good for what I play on it.

May I ask what firmware are you using ? The DS sounds nice

[Alrainbow]

Ok and thanks now when you analog guys and gals play music what format do you like more dsd or PCM ?

[MylesBAstor]

Mytek 192 DSD and a ExaSound e22 . Hoping to hear a T&A DAC 8 DSD

Keep us updated if and when you hear the T&A DAC!

[cpp]

Marty (nc42acc) just got his

[MylesBAstor]

Right now am using the battery powered Scaena Music Server with the iFi Micro DSD DAC and iFi USB power supply. Right now.

[Alrainbow]

Hahaha cool. Dsd ?
I should try my battery ifi thing tonight. But with my server I doubt it will improve but you never know in digital

[MylesBAstor]

Expect the unexpected.

[Alrainbow]

You are someone who i truly trust in great audio views . I know digital for you will never consume you as analog does
but if I can just get you to smile a bit and post hey this is good for digital my work is done lol.

[Alrainbow]

Buy the way your website is pretty cool too.

[Rust]

As far as digital goes it's primarily CDs and a RBCD player, with an inexpensive Blu-ray player for the few music video DVD and Blu-ray discs I have. At some point I may start ripping my CDs for convenience and portability, and possibly certain select LPs.

It's not that I'm against digital file systems, downloads and so on, just that it's still a moving target with a new greatest thing since sliced bread every week or two. By way of comparison I've had one turntable for 38 years which represents a good return on investment from a mature technology. When you ain't got a lot to invest it matters.