Post by bmoura September 2, 2015 (21 of 40)
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Chris said:
If you are looking for SQ delivered from a DAC as close as possible to how it was recorded,maybe Merging's new Nadac would be an interesting one to listen to?
Many recent recordings both DSD and PCM are made using the Pro version ADC Horus or HAPI.
I am seriously interested in trying out the HAPI,which is cheaper than both Nadac and Horus.
It is a selectable modules based unit that can be used both for recording and playback. It would cost roughly 4k€ here in Europe for the DXD DSD 256 capable version.
And yes that would allow mch playback and recording.
The much more expensive consumer versions of Nadac seem to be basically the same playback unit, but without the option to add an ADC module.
The HAPI is quite popular in the recording industry. In fact, it's often backordered. So be patient if you try to buy one! :)
HAPI would be a good choice if you need both DSD and PCM recording/archiving and playback. But I hear the HAPI software has quite a steep learning curve. Plan to spend some $ on software training for that unit.
On the NADAC, it's definitely a contender among the best of the DACs out there today. My 8 Channel NADAC arrived earlier this week and while it's still burning in, I'm already impressed.
See the Positive Feedback review by David Robinson for more on NADAC at http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-the-merging-technology-nadac-mc-8-dsd-dac/
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Post by Chris September 2, 2015 (22 of 40)
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Enjoy your Nadac,
I'm sure it is really good judging only by how good some of the recordings made with Horus and Hapi sound already via my two current DACs Chord HUGO and Benchmark DAC2 HGC.
I'll probably go for the HAPI because it will include both and ADC and DAC for less money than the consumer Nadac.Plus the fact that I will also get mch capability for less than half the price of an 8 channnel Nadac.
But yes I am a bit worried about the learning curve too. Anyway the rep here in Sweden has promised me that once he has got one in stock he will help me connect a HAPI to my Macbook Pro and make sure it works for playback.
Then again my favourite recording this week, Bruckner's 1st, from Challenge Classics, was recorded in DSD 64 with dCS equipment and sounds just glorious.
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Post by bmoura September 2, 2015 (23 of 40)
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Chris said:
Enjoy your Nadac,
I'm sure it is really good judging only by how good some of the recordings made with Horus and Hapi sound already via my two current DACs Chord HUGO and Benchmark DAC2 HGC.
I'll probably go for the HAPI because it will include both and ADC and DAC for less money than the consumer Nadac.Plus the fact that I will also get mch capability for less than half the price of an 8 channnel Nadac.
But yes I am a bit worried about the learning curve too. Anyway the rep here in Sweden has promised me that once he has got one in stock he will help me connect a HAPI to my Macbook Pro and make sure it works for playback.
Then again my favorite recording this week, Bruckner's 1st, from Challenge Classics, was recorded in DSD 64 with dCS equipment and sounds just glorious.
Yes, Merging Technologies is in good shape - whether people go with the NADAC or a HAPI for Stereo and Multichannel playback and recording (HAPI). Merging is preparing a comparison of NADAC and HAPI that discusses the similarities and differences between the two. That should help with buying decisions.
Longer term, Merging would be wise to develop a simplified version of their Pyramix software for home audio listeners who want to archive their Vinyl LP, SACD and Analog Tape Collections to Stereo and Multichannel DSD 256 - without all of the recording studio level features now in the product. Time will tell if - and when - that happens.
On dCS, they were first out of the gate after Sony and Philips with DSD converters. The dCS converters were quite popular in recording circles until they were eclipsed by the EMM Labs Meitner DSD converters and later by the Horus and HAPI from Merging Technologies. But dCS is still in use in some recordings even today.
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Post by AmonRa September 2, 2015 (24 of 40)
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bmoura said:
Pyramix software for home audio listeners who want to archive their Vinyl LP, SACD and Analog Tape Collections to Stereo and Multichannel DSD 256
What would be the point of archiving SACDs in DSD256?
About that Positive Feedback article on NACAD: they clearly state that DSD can not be edited or manipulated, but apparently Synergistic Research Active Ethernet SE cables are able to do that with their tuning modules, even without first forming a DSD soundstream out of the ethernet packages, and apparently on the fly without any latency. This really is a breakthrough technology they should sell to Merging, Sonoma and Sadie.
It will be interesting to hear how Merging explains the price difference between HAPI and NACAD 8, after all HAPI has modular construction with interchangeable cards, and the price includes both ADC and DAC. Marketing decisions suspected...
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Post by sylvian September 2, 2015 (25 of 40)
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Thanks Brian for pointing out on this specific DAC - I will try to borrow it from local lender and certainly put it to serious listening session (s) together with my friends in few weeks time.
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Post by bmoura September 3, 2015 (26 of 40)
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sylvian said:
Thanks Brian for pointing out on this specific DAC - I will try to borrow it from local lender and certainly put it to serious listening session (s) together with my friends in few weeks time.
If you like DSD, especially Multichannel DSD, the NADAC is worth auditioning.
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Post by bmoura September 3, 2015 (27 of 40)
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AmonRa said:
What would be the point of archiving SACDs in DSD256?
SACDs are archived at DSD 64. But there are already music fans using the HAPI to archive their Vinyl LP and Analog Reel Tape collections at DSD 256.
David Robinson's demo of a Linda Ronstadt Analog Tape from The Tape Project, archived to Stereo DSD 256 was stunning.
http://tapeproject.com/product/linda-ronstadt-heart-like-a-wheel/
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Post by rammiepie September 3, 2015 (28 of 40)
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bmoura said:
SACDs are archived at DSD 64. But there are already music fans using the HAPI to archive their Vinyl LP and Analog Reel Tape collections at DSD 256. David Robinson's demo of a Linda Ronstadt Analog Tape from The Tape Project, archived to Stereo DSD 256 was stunning.
Brian, MoFi announced a few months back that they were going to produce SACDs derived from QUAD DSD 256 technology.
Do you know if they have released any SACDs, as yet, derived from those new masterings?
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Post by bmoura September 4, 2015 (29 of 40)
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rammiepie said:
Brian, MoFi announced a few months back that they were going to produce SACDs derived from QUAD DSD 256 technology.
Do you know if they have released any SACDs, as yet, derived from those new masterings?
I don't know. I assume so.
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bmoura said:
SACDs are archived at DSD 64. But there are already music fans using the HAPI to archive their Vinyl LP and Analog Reel Tape collections at DSD 256.
David Robinson's demo of a Linda Ronstadt Analog Tape from The Tape Project, archived to Stereo DSD 256 was stunning.
http://tapeproject.com/product/linda-ronstadt-heart-like-a-wheel/
What is the point of archiving in DSD 256 if the source material is below the resolution provided by DSD 64?
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