This conversation reminds me of a comment I'm sure we Hifi enthusiasts have all heard or will understand if we have not. "It sounds better than real". We may not know it, but we are chasing a sound that does not even exist if the instrument was being played live in front of us - especially non amplified/PA live sound. It's more than that, its the best version of that - and also tailored to match up to our tastes. Coming to terms with this, will help you better understand your Hifi journey.
Hey Loic do you ever roll different tube types in your MP DAC? I have the same model and I run various tubes that it is compatible with - 12au7, 12bh7, 12sn7, e80cc, 6n23p, 6dj8, 6sn7 all have different sound signatures and can all be used in that DAC. I also switch rectifiers between 5r4g, 274b, and gz32, and I have the MP 701 that I roll all the same tubes into for various combos. I've also found that that DAC sounds best when using the variable output instead of the fixed output, since you can use the volume control on the DAC to dial in how much 'syrupy' tube sound you want (2nd order harmonic distortion) - toward the top of the volume dial the sound has noticeably more tube sound. I also dial in the source output level into the DAC (from my PC) so that when I'm listening at a normal loud volume (75-80db) my preamp volume pot is half way up on the dial - which is where that volume pot and preamp gain structure is in its best operating range. These are recent changes that I've made that have made a huge difference for me. Oh and the DAC is amazing, I too have it fully Frankensteined with big Duelund output capacitors, and replaced the power filtering cap near the rectifier - that alone added a ton of clarity.
Yes sir!! I alter between 12bh7 and 6sn7 (with adapter) They are my fav. I know what you mean with the variable output. The external battery power clock, also makes the veils and depth improve another step.
Yeah...but those Carver speakers, though; they're...(wait for it)...Amazing. 😆 Loic, did you notice that the Krell amp you found was only working in one channel? A sorted one that is good to go might be a bit more.
Great video……., now I’m aware of Dave’s real system, and I sounds lovely. As a Puritan Audio Labs PSM-136 owner, I’m not surprised that he heard what they’re capable of. Thanks Guys.😢
I agree with the feeling of energy of the sound from records. Digital audio has this dead flat electronic feel about it. Very convenient though. I listen to my cds and mp3 audio files when I feel lazy
Das wäre ein sehr guter Kanal wenn Sie nicht so oft im Bild wären. Sie sind unerträglich . Eitel. Dumm. Überflüssig . im Gegensatz zum Thema. Aber ihr konterfei können Sie vergessen. Und dann auch noch diese unerträglichen Nahaufnahmen .Halten Sie sich wirklich für sooooo Attraktiv. Zum Kotzen.
I only experienced that wrap around effect, with one system in my journey , graaf gm59b , Sonus faber cremona auditor monitors and an Avi s21cd player ( a company that does not exist anymore ) , But only with that combination , ..if I changed one step in the system …it was all gone , even the CD player , and of course the room that the system was in then . Not long ago with that in mind , i thought to replicate the experience , and so , I bought a pair of Cremona auditors And a graaf gm50b all second hand of course , but with another CD player ( the Avi is long gone) and yes ….. another room ,..one element is changed ,,so all changed . Not the same wrap around experience that I had all those years ago ,..not even close . That goes to say that also the psychic effect has a part on it of course , Talk about expectations and reality !
I love the fact that you are having a tube-rolling party, and a dipol bonnaza... But please, make it shorter...You seem like cool dude, but fuck! Get to the point allready🌹
Thank you sir. Im curious. Which point? The best rig? The strengths? The weakness? The impact of tubes? How to add decay? The impact of the source and clean power? Would you have prefered I just say: here is the best rig. Heres 4 points why. 4 mins. Done, no need to explain the rest?
@@hificave lots to add and chat about... Some of this is great but alas some in my opinion contradictory... Will keep a dialogue going. Thx for the show
@@hificave I found one by Zero Zone that uses a 6J1 tube. ZZ provides 3 tubes by PSVane. I throw in all silver cabling for power and connection between provided LPS and SRG. I even top the SRG with a crystal pyramid made of pink crystal and a sodalite sphere. I believe the tube and silver cabling may allow the ZZ to outperform Acoustic Revive. I hope you try it. I’m sure you’ll get a positive effect with your music. I own a near-field desktop system. My system was shown on the latest Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac viewer systems at 19:58.
The adjectives you used to describe Dave's system sadly turn me off: "warm, cozy, lush, rich". They remind me of my journey the first 30 years chasing the dragon of "natural/ live/organic'. At my current stage (45 years into the madness) airy imaging, huge soundstage, transparency and awesome dynamic contrast is the dragon tail I'm trying to grasp, I venture to guess that your own system comes quite close to my goal.
@@hificave First, a great DAC can be a big part of the success. I sweat over a DAC with great power, clock and tubes and your description of the result matches mine. Then it is about not destroying the low level information. Anything can screw it up from crossovers to too much feed back or a bad volume pot. Clean power is key to everything but especially digital. Amps and speakers that are transparent can sound equally good even though I prefer tubes and open baffle. Horns if I could afford the really good stuff from Aieres Cerat.
I used to trick EE's and recording engineers into admitting they can hear differences between cables. I set a system up so that it looked like I was switching between different components when I was really just changing the cables.
Yes, gear swaping is always very interesting... the outocome mostly depends on speakers and room by my/our observations. Some speakers can be very immune to changes in the system. But if it so happens, than the cables must be a reason :)))
Or the crossover… In this event, both our systems, pre, amp & speakers, although very different, were made to sound so similar by swapping other components.
Good one……., and having owned several pairs of Apogee’s their Centaur and Stage Mini brings back memories of a long forgotten journey. And as a Puritan Audio Labs PSM-136 owner, I’m not in the least surprised Dave liked what he heard. Great showing.
Seamless….that is the major reason I love my Lii 15s. Boxes have never done this for me. I simply wanted the music to dance around me, more than the minutiae that we all can get focused on.
Smaller image, slightly deeper bass… different depth of stage, like viewing it through a different lense. But these are easier to position in the room then the lii f15 to get an amazing result.
@@hificave Yes I agree.I was wowed by the bass out of those tiny Alpair drivers.But I prefer the F15' s.But they love a room with plenty of space around them.Thanks.
@Hi-Fi Cave Aha! That’s why the Qualio IQ is really good-it marries box bass enclosure to open baffle mids& highs in separate structures. I really wish I could hear all these things in New York in person… I would audition these, the Qualio, and some pure Sound project… of course I want the shortest ones for aesthetics in my room too… these Macarias look like they’re 5’ tall…
Hi! Very interested with this speakers for a small loft, but since the space it's an issue for me woukd ve nice to know the dimensions of the cabinet... I can't believe that's it's an impossible to find detail 😅 As an owner of Magic 8 speaker (with silver-8 driver ) I have the same impressions of your reviews
a cv-181 is not a 6SN7 equivalent. some chinese manufacturers decided to deliberately misname some 6SN7 as cv-181 because it sounds cool. you paid way too much for those RCA. no need for that. heck, some of the tubes you reviewed are more expensive than good NOS tubes. in fact, your top 3 soundstage tubes all cost considerably more than many of the best old stock tubes. who made the stock tube?
