I just got my DX7s yesterday so it's nowhere near close to being broken in but I wanted to give my initial impressions. My system consists of:
1. CD - MCIntosh MCD205
2. DVD/BluRay/SACD/DVD-A - Oppo BDP-105D
3. Comcast Set Top Box
4. WD 4TB NAS
5. Intel Skull Canyon NUC
6. Sonore microRendu powered by HDPlex 300W LPS
7. Wyred4Sound Recovery USB Reclocker (RUR) powered by HDPlex 300W LPS
8. HQPlayer controlled by Roon
9. Sennheiser HD650 1/4" plug - wanting to try balanced cable
All cables are Kimber Cable or PS Audio
10.McIntosh C2200 preamplifier
11. McIntosh MC402 amplifier
12. Martin Logan Aeoni speakers
13. Music sources 44.1kHz FLAC, 48kHz, FLAC, 96kHzFLAC, 192kHz FLAC, DXD, MQA, and DSD up to 256mHz
I compared this against my iFI iDSD Black Label in my system and the first thing I noticed was the clarity and ability to better locate instruments within the soundstage. The sound is currently a little lean as compared to the BL, but I think with more breaking in that will improve. I also sensed better timing and rhythm to the music as it just seems to flow from my speakers. The BL seems a little reserved in comparison. The BL is a great DAC for the price, but I always felt that it was a little slow and thick, which seemed to throw off leading and trailing edges of notes. I notice much more of a sense of attack and decay with the DX7s with a wide soundstage. The soundstage depth and height are somewhat lacking now but that could be a result of not being fully broken in yet. I have been listening to DSD512 and PCM up to 768kHz and have been really impressed with both formats, though i prefer DSD, which seems more nuanced with better timbral accuracy in my system. That's about it for now. I have my CD player on repeat downstairs to break the DX7s in. I will report back in when it has a chance to settle in to see if my initial impressions have changed.
Hi all, I have been living with the DX7s for about a month now and i wanted ro report back on my findings.
The sound of the DX7s has definitely bloomed to more fully flesh out vocalists as well as to present instruments in a more cohesive manner. The pace of performances has also tightened up and music is more of a fabric now. I don't feel like anything is highlighted. It just sounds like music. The soundstage has opened up and decay in large spaces seems to go on forever. There is no sense of exaggeration, just the natural decay of instruments or voices, where that is in the recording.
Last night I tried HQPlayer with the DX7s and it is awesome! I am really impressed with this DAC.
As another note to my comments, I tried the preamp feature of this DAC and was very impressed. It is not as transparent and resolving as running it as a standalone DAC into my McIntosh C2200, but it is really good.
anrojHi! Nice points and gears in your collection! You will like the balanced output from DX7S. It is another few steps above. Did you try the USB input? I use USB input from my computer. I noticed many DAC users recommend to use a more professional grade USB cable. What do you think?
HorseknightI am using balanced from DX7s to my preamp and I really like that vs. Coax so I'm sure I'll like the balanced headphone jack as well. I am using the USB input from my NUC. I use a relatively inexpensive Kimber Kable USB cable to connect to the DX7s. I haven't really experimented with USB cables. Once the DX7s is broken in, I might try a better cable to see if it makes a difference.
anrojThanks for your reply & happy shopping for balanced cables. I did my hunting for nice balanced cables back in August and am quite satisfied with my cables. As for USB, after reviewing many audiophile friends' recommendations, I just bought " Pangea Audio Premier XL USB Cable ". This cable is well know to extract computer/equipment noise out and keep digital info pure & clean. I am waiting to confirm that once I receive the shipment.
HorseknightI have heard good things about the Pangea cables. Please let me know your impressions once you’ve had a chance to listen for a while in your system.
anrojAny issues plugging the rca line out directly to an av amp?
I am thinking of using the rca out to feed my B&K avr 507 and possible try the balanced outputs in my Krell kav 300i.
Dont want to fry anything?
ToshuYes the RCA out will send all audio including DSD out without a prob. Coax out will only do PCM; the spec sheet says 192 KHz but I think my Onkyo AVR supports only 96 KHz on the Coax in (which is dumb since optical supports 192 KHz just fine)