Digital Processor Reviews

exaSound s88 multichannel D/A processor Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: Oppo Digital UDP-105 universal disc player, customized Baetis Prodigy X4i PC-based music server running JRiver Media Center v26 and Roon, exaSound Delta Music Server running Roon, Mytek Brooklyn, exaSound e38 Mark II and Okto dac8 PRO D/A processors. QNAP TVS-873 NAS.
Preamplifiers: Parasound P7, Coleman 71.SW Switch, JL Audio CR-1.
Power amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, Classé Sigma Mono.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima2 Studio (L/C/R), Revel Performa3 F206 (SL/SR), 2 JL Audio f110v2 and 1 JL Audio e110 subwoofers.
Cables: Digital cables: AudioQuest Coffee (USB). Analog interconnects: AudioQuest Earth/DBS balanced, Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA). Speaker cables: Benchmark Studio&Stage (NL2 to banana), Canare 4S11 (Blue Jeans Cable). AC Cables Kubala-Sosna Emotion, SignalCable MagicPower 20A.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 5000 and Brick Wall BrickWall 8RAUD power conditioners, TeddyPardo 12v PS (for exaSound e38), HDPLEX 400W ATX Linear Power Supply and CyberPower 850PFCLCD AC filter (for the Baetis server).
Listening room: 24' L × 14' W × 8' H, furnished with 2 MSR Acoustics Dimension4 SpringTraps in the front corners, 2 Ready Acoustics Chameleon Super Sub Bass Traps to the sides and moderately sound-absorbing furniture. Front wall has large windows partly covered by fabric drapes and 4" thick 2' × 4' OC 705 panels. Rear of room opens into 10' × 7' foyer and a 12' × 8' dining area.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
exaSound Audio Design
3219 Yonge St., Suite 354
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4N 3S1
exasound.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on April 6, 2021 - 11:25am

The article states, "...it was little more than a tick from the main speakers and a bip from the subs. I only heard it from the unbalanced inputs—it was absent when I hooked things up with RCA."

Kal, I suspect that you had intended the word "balanced" rather than "unbalanced" in this, if the problem went away on the RCA terminated interconnection.

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on April 6, 2021 - 1:54pm

Thanks. Actually, it really should say "I only heard it from the balanced outputs—it was absent when I hooked things up with RCA."

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on April 6, 2021 - 2:48pm
Kal Rubinson wrote:
Actually, it really should say "I only heard it from the balanced outputs . . .

Fixed.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on April 6, 2021 - 1:08pm

...keeping the audio interface separate from the separately replaceable and upgradable computer and software.

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on April 12, 2021 - 7:11am

I prefer the idea of having the multiple input options on the s88 without additional boxes and cables.

myro99's picture
Submitted by myro99 on November 8, 2021 - 2:25pm

Hi Kal,
I'm looking to make a major upgrade to my current multichannel DAC (Oppo 205). For 5.1 SACD music (harder to convert / download to files), would it make sense to use the Oppo 205 as a transport and send the files digitally to the Exasound from the Oppo? I plan to start burning multichannel DVD-A's and Blu-Rays to a NAS down the road but want to know if the Oppo digitally into the Exasound will produce strong results on par with feeding the Exasound with NAS files. I've learned not to assume anything. Thanks, Gary

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on November 10, 2021 - 5:08am

For 5.1 SACD music (harder to convert / download to files), would it make sense to use the Oppo 205 as a transport and send the files digitally to the Exasound from the Oppo?

I do not see how that is possible. The only MCH outputs from the Oppo are HDMI or analog and the exaSound will not accept either.

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