State-of-the art computer audio!

June 30, 2009 - 6:47pm

linden518

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Joined: Dec 12 2007 - 5:34am

Quote:
My interest being very much up at the digital end of things right now it was the Weiss Minerva ($4950 iiuc) that really caught my attention. One really doesn't hear digital this good very often at all. If I weren't just about to take delivery of my own "home brew" DAC this piece would be right at the top of my list to audition. In fact when I finally receive my 'baby' I'll probably take it straight down to Audio Concept for a comparative listen!
Mmmm, Weiss. Remember the name.

Funny, but you're the second person in three days who was bowled over by the Weiss Minerva. I'm glad a lot of these pro companies are getting in the act, now that PC-fi is taking off.

June 30, 2009 - 7:45pm

#3

RGibran

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Joined: Oct 11 2005 - 5:50pm

Quote:
Mmmm, Weiss. Remember the name.

Yes indeedy. Alot of buzz on that one.

But...

Gotta check out same priced Berkeley Audio Designs Alpha DAC.

Then the giant slayer at less than half the above...

Bryston BDA-1

RG

July 1, 2009 - 5:49am

#4

RGibran

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Joined: Oct 11 2005 - 5:50pm

Quote:
If I weren't just about to take delivery of my own "home brew" DAC ...

OK, c'mon, give it up. Inquiring minds want to know.

RG

July 1, 2009 - 4:14pm

#5

struts

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Joined: Feb 1 2007 - 12:02pm

Mwah ha ha! Just a fun little side project.

A friend of mine put together something pretty interesting using some reference boards from one of the top DAC chip manufacturers. I heard an early prototype and was blown away. Since then we've worked on refining the design, particularly the power supply and shielding (casework). Our aim has been to get something absolutely SoA for about $3000 in parts cost.

Hint: what do

and

have in common apart from both being Swiss and both costing north of $30K??

The real challenge has been finding a power supply that is up to the job, but after a long search we finally turned up a unit from Acopian that has a pretty impressive CV. Among others it has been used in NASA's moon landing, Lockheed Martin Hubble project and Project IceCube (the international high-energy neutrino observatory being built and installed in the ice below South Pole Station). Currently testing that but we also have a lead on a disconnected (battery-based) supply that could be really interesting.

Should be ready in the next few weeks by which time I'll probably be on holiday but I'll be sure to provide pics and listening impressions on my return.