Well, I've been intrigued by this D/A processor for over a year now. I decided to get one and enjoy the heck out of it! I should have it soon.

I decided to exchange my Stealth Indra for the Vega DAC. I can't afford both. I got a good handle on the (used) Indra in the 60 hours I put on her. I'm a dyed in the wool Kimber Select 1030 IC man. So damn musical with Decware. I won't look back again.

I decided not to trade the Indra in for a REL S5 or G2 Subs. I have the bass I need in my intimate room. I really would like an S5 for my downstairs Rig. However, I would rather get the Auralic Vega for my Listening Room and compare to my ZDSD for PCM.



Listening Room:
Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)/Sandwich weighted for Isolation
Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC

Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder (@ -20 Ref Level @ 16/176.4)

AURALiC Vega D/A processor.....coming!

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030
Decware CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps (NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC .....for Input Tube)
WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
***NOS/Platinum/Ediswan's CV2492/6922 in my A12 an B12 positions***

Kimber Select KS3033 Speaker Cable
Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)

Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)

XLO Pro Power Cords to CSP3 an ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport, ZDSD an CSP3, Regenerated/120 ~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)




Decware SE84CS (NOS Svetlana SV83's from 1980's-not the New Sensor knock-offs) ...when SE Pentodes run in Triode/Decware Style...needs to be in the System!

You beat me to it Fireblade!

Anyway, yes the Vega is the antithesis of the Yggy. Ladder DAC yggy etc....vs. the architecture of the Vega.

For me, their is added value in the digital domain preamp which also has its critic's... . I'm hoping and should be able to find an Audio Society of MN member(s) that has a Yggy and/or PS Audio DSD DAC for comparison this winter.   = FUN!

Yes, both are great DAC's.

Michael Lavorgna was running the Vega into his Pass INT-30A. As close as you're going to get to "tube like" from Solid State. It should be a good match into my ZMA direct and through my CSP3. No worries.
http://www.audiostream.com/content/auralic-vega-digital-audio-processor-0#t8ehZs...

(I use the terms, "tube like" for differentiation, ....we know Steve's Amps are not "tubey"....what they are, is an emotional connection to our Music....that no Solid State Amp can match).

I sometimes come close to getting an:
Pass Labs XA-30.8 class-A stereo power amp.  Point-8! Demo, NEW condition, three years transferable factory warranty, new factory double-boxing, Satisfaction Guaranteed.  S/N 30116.  $4995.  
......however, I'm in my 14th hour of my Ediswan 6922's in my ZMA = Heaven. I can't roll input/pre tubes in the PASS......... . ZMA wins!

Keep in mind, Head-fi? ....is Head-fi.... .
Opinions are like "you know whats"....everyone's got one.  :D

My ETA is 8/11 or 12 for sure!

I'm going to run her direct at first into my ZMA unbalanced and then balanced via Cardas XLR adapters....to hear what that yields.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CRFXLFRC

She deliver's on Thursday!  I'm not excited or anything.... .

I'm going to drive my ZMA direct with her for 3 weeks straight...then, bring the CSP3 back into the chain. I want to get a good sense of the volume attenuation/any dynamic loss/compression and/or subjective bit truncation. +, the four modes for PCM.

Football is back, Ballers! Come Saturday, I will have to pry myself away to make it for kickoff at 7:05 at TCF Stadium...go Vikes (girlfriend is season ticket holder).  

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Auralic+Vega&mkt=en-us&refig=ea6724b1221d4ab391cf84...

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1437570714/7

I've had her in for an hour an 40 minutes (as described/set up in my post #9). The Femto clock warmed up in an hour and I was able to access and use EXACT clock. Using Filter mode 3 for now. Running PCM from Transport.

Very intuitive Menu, beautifully crafted piece. I ran through all its Menu function-all good-via the remote.

The sound: It has a long way to go to match the Timbre and Air, I'm getting from Steve's ZDSD for PCM.  Time will tell! She needs some serious burn in-Output Stage included.

Please try upsampling some Redbook with software to 352kHz using Filter 4. Compare it to native sample rate.

Also, the XLR outputs are the same 4v as the RCA. Yes, RCA is a hot 4V output. So I use some Cardas adapters with correct pin floated so I can use the ORFEO output stage in XLR.

Dialing in the right gain structure is key, sounds like you are on track with Vega at 85+

Yes, hifitubes. The output voltage 4.7 or so I believe, unbalanced, added to the appeal of the Vega for me. I will be trying the Cardas XLR adapters to hear the ORFEO output stage (balanced vs. unbalanced).

How long have you had yours? I'm running from Transport for PCM only right now. My Vega did ship with the 2.0 software...so I'm good to go on Quad-Rate DSD! (Page 63 of the current Stereophile magazine). I love the hours counter on the Vega too.

Not surprising: I have found the gold zone for my Vega/unbalanced. 9 of 10 setting for my output tubes on my CSP3 ~ volume at 60%. I then operate the Vega Pre at 62 to 92. Femto Exact clock in Mode 1 or 4.
ZMA at 90% of usable Volume.

Not surprising: with the -20db setting, that I prefer on my Decware ZDSD=maximum voltage output at around 9 or 10 volts according to Steve's written Copy on it. I have the CSP3 output tubes at 8 of 10 setting and the volume of CSP3 at 30% approximate. Then of course, Volume up or down is manual at the CSP3 knob when running the ZDSD. ZMA at same setting of 90%.

CSP3 Input Tube at 10 of 10 both halfs of course.

I'm not sure what you mean about 4xDSD but I'm excited.

I just installed windows10 and using newest Vega driver, but maybe there is a new firmware update?!

Only problem is we need a software player that will do quad-DSD over DoP. I don't think JRIVER offers that yet?

Yeah, exactly, do we need it. However, why not have it.

I have HW Version: 1.3
& SW Version 2.0

I was thumbing thru Stereophile and saw the ad/info: it reads-

Quad-Rate DSD comes to Vega & Aries
SAME HARDWARE, NEW SOFTWARE
Contact us to get your free update*

*VEGA units with SW version below 2.0 requests a factory firmware update to enable this function.

WOW!  Some hours on yours hifitubes!

Not to mention your pissing and moaning about the ZMA Power conditioning.  I'm still laughing about that.

Back to Lon. Why are you so insecure and need to open your pie hole and defend things on threads you should not be on...if all you're going to do is defend like a child stomping his feet.

Fact: the chassis of the DSD DAC is crap.  End of story.

I owned one....you don't need to describe it to me.... . Maybe, your memory fails?

NO it does not....I had plenty of hours on it...... . Get a grip Lon. Now you're being a pompous ass!

Fanboy? IF we need to hear about the treble cut circuit one more time - you ass.

You have been insulting: I will dig it all up if you want?

Once again, why are you ON THIS Thread?!

Again, you're churning out chatter just to have a last word I guess?

Again, why are you on this thread?

What part don't you understand?

I have always liked the Vega DAC.  It is a very neutral, detailed DAC.  Some might say a little lean.  In my opinion, it had a very different sound versus early versions of the DS DAC (early firmware), but with the recent firmware updates for the DS DAC, the DS sounds every bit as detailed as the Vega.  I think a PP/Yale DS has surpassed the Vega in terms of detail, and it does this with an analog type flow, which has more meat on it than the Vega.  Whether this sounds good to you, in your system, is a matter of taste.

I find the pre-amp to be limiting on the Vega.  I also found the pre-amp to be limiting on the PSA Perfectwave DAC.  Basically, your usable volume is 85+ so you're not throwing away bits.  The pre-amp on the DS is not limited digitally, but it is not without issues.  If the max voltage output on the DS was 4V (vs. 1.4V via RCA), it would be an amazing DAC to run direct, but alas, it's not.

Lets be clear, at face value, the Vega costs a lot less than a DS ($3500 vs. $6000), and offers similar performance.  That said, I doubt most are paying retail for the DS, so when you factor in all of the discounts you can typically get on PSA gear, the pricing is closer ($3500 vs. $4000).  I could easily live with either of these DACs in my main system.  I do like that the DS is user upgradable and I know Ted isn't done with OS upgrades.  He has made great strides with this unit since the start.  It is a significantly better DAC (vs. launch) and it keeps getting better.  

To each their own....

Stone…you are certainly entitled to your opinion.  

I don’t find the cases on either of these DAC’s to look cheap.  They are both quite attractive.  I like the brushed aluminum on the Vega.  I also like the textured, substantial metal case on the DS (as you know the DS weighs ~3X that of the Vega) and the glossy black top.  I prefer the silver vs. black PSA cases.

Also, I didn’t say that anyone who paid more than 4K for the DS got suckered (those are your words).  I was simply stating that one can often get PSA products at discounted prices (vs. MSRP), but you probably already knew this from purchase of your PowerPlant.  

Funny how the pendulum swings.  First it was the pre-amp was the ‘heart of the system’, then it was, ‘the best pre-amp is no pre-amp’, now we’re back to ‘the pre-amp brings meaningful benefits to the party’.  

Again, to each their own.  This is a highly subjective hobby.

Yes, good rebuttal Dave. You did not throw a tantrum or stomp your feet like Lon. High Current Input on the ZMA Lon-not Regenerated?!   ......an active preamp is a must~don't be delusional. You must have poor cabling in your System.

Anyway. I have my Decware ZDSD running PCM at 16/176....and like it better than my Vega!  More hours to go on the Vega though....... .

The ZDSD has a better overall musicality vs. the Vega. Steve's voicing of Cymbal's/decay/and once again overall musicality is very, very good.

Stone…I agree with you regarding ZMA/power regen.  It doesn’t need it.  The only reason I have the ZMA plugged into the P5 is to protect it from surges.  I don’t notice any decrease in SQ when it is plugged directly into the wall.  

I currently have my P5 set on Sine, but I have been meaning to plug the ZMA into the wall and play around with Multi-Wave for my sources.  Many report liking MW in this regard.  If you haven’t tried different MW settings with the Vega, it might be worth experimenting.

My CKC on the other hand benefits significantly from regen and I think that is what Lon was saying (in his experience, Decware amps benefit from regen).  I think Lon is right, the majority of the Decware amps will benefit, but I also think the ZMA is unique.  At least that is what my experience tells me.

Does the CSP3 benefit from regen?

I haven’t heard the ZDSD, but I’m trying to negotiate a trip out to Peoria for Decfest this year.  That said, Steve definitely knows what he is doing and I have no doubt it’s a great front end.  

Keep us in the loop about Vega progression…  

Before I play around with XLR to RCA....Support at Auralic has received my email/they will respond.

Hello, can I use XLR female adapters out of my Vega to RCA female...then into my RCA/unbalanced Preamp? Essentially, I want to run XLR out of my Vega with my unbalanced cable.

Can I do that? Is their any benefit?

Or, am I shorting the grounds by doing this....causing damage to my Vega?

Am I using the ORFEO output stage with the unbalanced RCA out, already?


Thanks in Advance, Larry


Reading this scares me:

"Unfortunately, most XLR/RCA adaptors have pin 1 connected internally to pin 3. This is not a problem if used on XLR inputs on equipment, but on XLR outputs this "short circuit" grounds the pin 3 output and could, I suppose, cause damage to the active circuitry within your preamp. However, a lot of equipment utilizing XLR outputs may not have active signal on pin 3, but maybe just a resistor to ground".

Cool, thanks hifitubes.

The Vega is pretty damn good running unbalanced!

But, I would be cheating myself if I did not run the ORFEO output stage from balanced.

I got the good word from Auralic support, to sever/cut pin 3 and I'm good to go on my Female XLR to Female RCA plug adapters.

Now off to Guitar Center to find ones I can open up from the set screw........ .

Back at it this morning! The ORFEO output stage might be 54 hours behind the rest of the DAC... . However, I'm glad I employed the unbalanced outputs only first....to get this great impression, now the ORFEO is deployed!

My 130 hours has not been hit yet for this DAC/like it was for all the other DACS I've had in over the last 27 months... . However, at 54 hours....you know. As I did know with Steve's modded ZDSD!

I can't say enough about output stages. AH, can you say Steve's output stage coming from his ZDSD! Modeled after his Tape Deck...like the ORFEO is after the Neve 8078.

I think you get the sonic picture!

Now, the cool part is, I leave my CSP3 at volume setting and voltage settings....no need to touch during power on or off. I have the preamp in the Vega operating in its upper at 85 to 100 with no loss. No more in an out of my chair for volume adjustment.....filter mode 1 or 4 on the fly!


Cheers, enjoy musical bliss, and peace.
Music, truly is the one thing that is universal in breaking down mankinds dogma.

I'm waiting on my REL T5 and Auralex Subdude II, from FedEx today!  Then, in late October, I'm trying three (3) different Power Cords from Joe's suggestions, at the CableCo....for digital front ends.




Listening Room:
Room Treatments from Michael Green & Home Brew

Sony as Transport (DVP-NS57P)/Sandwich weighted for Isolation
Illuminati D-60 Digital Coax IC

~AURALiC Vega D/A processor~
1.5 MHz PCM....in Filter Mode 4 with FEMTO EXACT Clock in from Transport. She's a keeper!
Sometimes I use Filter Mode 1.....for flatter extended Treble.
***Modified (F) XLR to (F) RCA Adapters ~ running ORFEO output stage to CSP3***


Decware ZDSD DAC / Recorder (@ -20 Ref Level @ 16/176.4)
(.....will be sometimes rotated in~great machine/Steve's output stage)

WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030
Decware CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps (NOS/Platinum/Telefunken 6922/E88CC .....for Input Tube)
WBT-0102Ag RCA Kimber Select KS1030

Decware Zen Mystery Amplifier
***NOS/Platinum/Ediswan's CV2492/6922 in my A12 an B12 positions***

Kimber Select KS3033 Speaker Cable
Acoustic Zen Adagio - Black Pearl (Modified)

REL T5 SUB, Neutrik connection from ZMA
Auralex Subdude II

Acoustic Zen Adagio's x-over's Modified/Full Range with Mundorf MCap Supremes-single Cap to each Tweeter/4.5k cross
(Gutted: 3kHz/18dB/Octave, Linkwitz/Riley Crossovers....with all crappy parts = gone)

XLO Pro Power Cords to CSP3 an ZMA
PS Audio P3 Power Plant / Pangea AC-9SE from wall to P3
(Transport, Auralic Vega or ZDSD an CSP3, Regenerated/120 ~ Multiwave off...ZMA on High Current Output)

imo too....ORFEO difference is very apparent. If it did not show my ears/brain for the better the last 12 hours, with it deployed (I love that hours counter) after running the RCA output for 50+ hours......I would return the Vega.  she ain't going anywhere............ .  

Of course, I would put my standard 130 hours on it before making a final decision/if the ORFEO was not readily apparent. However, the Vega has shown so much already....she stays. She will continue to really shine I bet ~ going towards 130. SO, blow it out your ear Lon.  

Quote:


Jeeze Stone, this is getting old!  Why don't you go join a political forum where you can vent?  Or how about you just grow up!

HiFitubes, hope you get your Rachel back soon. Caps? Yes, I'm so happy with my mod in my Adagio's with Mundorf Mcap Supremes! Tempted to put Silvers in, but no need...these are the deal!

I had plenty of hours on it. This is what makes you an ass Lon...and I called you out on it.
Including the placating of you that took place over the regen on the ZMA.
Like I said: I can pull up other instances of your nonsense Lon....let me know?

I'm not being insulting...but you inject on every thread like you are the gospel?!!!!

You have been called out on it~deal with it and try to shut it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-zV4GaElko

Facts speak for themselves.

The Video is very good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-zV4GaElko

Peace.  8-)

Will.
I disagree, my thoughts on this thread are that Stone and Lon strip down and fight hand to hand in some back alley, Gladiator style, to the death.
That is the only way to figure out what company makes the best DAC.
Hell I think Wyred 4 Sound are the best.
I'm ready to duke it out!
By the way, I'm 6' tall and 240 lbs of gristle and snake venom.

No no no! My DAC is the best!

You all totally reinforce my point. Lon thinks his DAC is best. Some post cognitive dissonance he suffers?

+1 Archie.

Quote:


Best post EVER! (of the week).

I need to find another DAC brand so I can get in on this cage match! I fight dirty though.  :)


I hope you boys are done though - I'd like to hear more about gear with less of the girly drama. I have other forums for that.

Lon, I almost missed your babbling again here on the Auralic thread?!!



The Video is REALLY very good/speaks to you specifically:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-zV4GaElko

Peace.  8-)

Sorry, I don't watch videos on youtube, and it's probably just another crude insult from you. Have a nice weekend.

Jeez Stone.

Guys, I wish I even had one DAC so I could get in on the DAC Death Cage Match.  My lowly Jolida 100 CD player is no competition but I like it. So, Blah Blah Blah...Blah...Blah Blah.  Mark.

PS...I might even fly to Illinois to see such a spectacle...

Float like a dragonfly sting like a bee...best DAC ever, Audioquest Dragonfly...



The Asynchronous Transfer Ensures Digital Timing Integrity an the
Dual Fixed-Frequency Master Clocks Enable Optimal ‘Clocking’ (Digital Timing) For All Sample Rates.  Made of plastic too...

My Dragonfly is a savage beast and is trained in the art of the flying elbow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ypgpoP02JM

Cage Match...Oh Yeah...Bring it on...