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BigDaddyOrig
4
Aug 23, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Stunning
Immediately purchased this DAC and a super capacitor outboard power supply, along with a huge beefy power cord. Played on another system in the home for 2 weeks before taking a listen. Connected the units up to my main Rig. All valve front end with mono block power amplifiers, excellent digital cables and mostly USB and and connected to a heat sink type Server, no fans, CD Transport connected to Coax. Performance. Very close to source material, every recording produced a different location, some live and studio, could really pick up on too much reverb around instruments or voice, high levels of micro and macro detail., sound was very close to my turntables.` This DAC is musical and analog sounding and the decay is palpable, really give you goose bumps with a holographic stage. Produced dynamic slam and attack was very good. Air and space in spades around musical gear. After a while placement was no longer on stage an issue, layers and layers of instruments and vocals poured out of black space, known as being liquid. Lastly, symphony, rock, folk and soul and jazz, I heard little things that was not present with other DAC's before, clarity was crystal, but never analytical, no edge which led to hours of listening. I'm sure spending more on a good power supply woke this DAC up and competes with +5,000 DAC's. This was not intended for headphones with my use. Vocals was thick if recorded that way, and moist when recorded that way, chesty if recorded that way. This is my bench mark DAC. Garbage in and little performance out. I purchased this DAC over a year ago!
Recommends this product? Yes
nyureyez
1
Sep 19, 2020
BigDaddyOrigHi, what outboard power supply are you using with it as I'm finding a hard time locating a decent inexpensive under $400 LPS to replace the wall wart that came with it? Also, are you getting better sound from the USB or Coax in? Thanks
Cyberthingy
289
Oct 17, 2020
nyureyezNot sure if you ever landed on a power supply for this DAC but I ended up with this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T44S4MV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It works well in my case. It has a small adjustment slot that allows you to make small adjustments to the output voltage to get it as close to 5.3V as possible.
BigDaddyOrig
4
Nov 30, 2020
nyureyezSorry for being late, noticed your inquiry regarding the power supply. Here is a link that will help. may take some time because they are behind. Had one built for my server as well. https://hdplex.com/hdplex-linear-power-supply.html
WoodyWoodruff
55
Dec 15, 2020
BigDaddyOrigSame here. This little guy has been the digital heart of my otherwise mostly analog main system for over a year. It bridges the CD transport to the tube preamp via fat and stiff Acoustic Zen coaxial and RCA cables, which is comical because the cables are almost as thick as it. I find myself spinning the VPI turntable less and less, because the CDs were sounding as sweet and dynamic through the Airist without the occasional pops. Recently I rolled some of the preamp driver tubes to Gold Lion 12AX7 and the Airist allowed the new tubes to do its magic fully. The highs, the lows, the mid bass punches and soundstage all improved dramatically. The Airist is not a weak link in my system at all. But, now I’m wondering whether to let go of the Airist because it doesn’t support the AES/EBU output of the CD transport. I still have the XLR cable that I used with a Wadia DAC. I remember the sound going through the AZ XLR cable was a tad better than the coaxial. I wonder how many would decide on a DAC because of a connection type.
BigDaddyOrig
4
Dec 17, 2020
WoodyWoodruffHello Woody, there is a digital interface made in china that will add inputs such as I2s and balanced that will input to your DAC via Coax. You can also connect a outboard clock as well. sells for $569. Keep in mind your Artist performs as well as a 5k DAC, the interface also supports DSD 512. Name is Singxer I believe. Best regards!
WoodyWoodruff
55
Dec 26, 2020
BigDaddyOrigI don’t need those other connections as I’m only playing Redbook in a CD transport. Actually I got my answer by comparing to an Schiit Modius, which does have AES/EBU input. It didn’t make a difference in sound against the Coaxial input on the Modius. Furthermore, although the Modius measures remarkably well on sites like ASR, it sounded like someone had put a thick blanket over my speakers. The Modius doesn’t have the airiness, the wide and deep soundstage, the sweet treble and decay, and the punchy bass that the Airist provide. So sticking with the Airist I am and just live happily with the coaxial link.
(Edited)
cezary
6
Feb 22, 2021
BigDaddyOrigHi. Tell me, if it's not a secret what power supply for Airist R2R did you buy? I am interested in. Greetings.
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