Saturday's DAC session/test at Kleinbosch III Farm
Not included in this line-up is an older Lampizator which Gerhard has been using up to now. This model only accepts a S/PDIF input and is limited to 24 bit/96KHz. It was bought at the Munich High-End show in 2009. The expensive NAGRA DAC was a big disappointment since there was a low-level hum which was apparent as soon as it was hooked up. Some of the DACs needed drivers from the manufacturer's websites and Audirvana on a Mac was configured to allow 100% output. JRiver would not play anything using the Nagra DAC, whatever settings were chosen. Maybe the unit is faulty? It was bought in the USA. The owner will take it back when he returns to the USA in May
A must on this farm (and most farms) is to run the audio equipment power through a very large APC power conditioner. Connecting the incoming mains directly to the audio equipment resulted in a noticeable varying pitched whine which comes from the chiller compressors maintaining the temperature in huge tanks. There are about 14 of these and consume 800 amps of current, according to the meter in the DB, since it is very warm today they are on most of the time. The farm is on the Babylonstoren Road, off the R45, down an unmarked gravel road (no wine tasting or sales regrettably)
Equipment - DACs as per list below
Source - MacBook Pro and AYRE music server (controlled from an iPad)
Suprem Audio valve pre & power amplifier, output unknown. Italian?
Oxyiade power plugs and cable, connected directly to an APC power conditioner, 10kw model
Quad 2912 ELS speakers - absolutely stunning, I have not heard such pure and accurate sound for a long time
2 x REL Brittania subs
Custom made crossover for speakers, in sealed boxes so could not look inside
Chord USB cables, brand new cable used for each DAC
The Metrum HEX DAC had been fitted with an upgraded USB board. Refitting the old one made the music sound flat, so the cost was worth it
The music - possibly not the right order played
Bach T&F in D - Cameron Carpenter *
Wood is a pleasant thing to think about - Patricia Barber (a bit like the Manhattan Transfer) *
Colour to the Moon - Allan Taylor
Galliarda - The Spirit of Gambo
Granada (solo guitar) - James Grace *
Slavonic Dance, composer Kreisler *
Fernando Sor - Ricardo Gallen (mostly DSD tracks from here on)
Teleman - Orchestral Suite in A
Ewald Demeyere - Partita V
At Last - Joni Mitchell
Haydn - The Creation, parts 1, 2, 3, 4
Money - Pink Floyd
Broadway - David Chesky
Vivaldi Concerto 6
The Sad Cafe - J D Souther
Desafinado - Ana Caram
Rio After Dark - Ana Caram
Pictures at an Exhibition, transcribed for the organ
- Promenade
- Gnomus
- Samuel Goldenberg
- The Great gate of Kiev
Gebel - Quintet for 2 Violins, viola and cello
One or two others I forgot to write down
The (new *) music has been added to the collection belonging to the Hi-Fi Club and is on their external drive.
Not included in this line-up is an older Lampizator which Gerhard has been using up to now. This model only accepts a S/PDIF input and is limited to 24 bit/96KHz. It was bought at the Munich High-End show in 2009. The expensive NAGRA DAC was a big disappointment since there was a low-level hum which was apparent as soon as it was hooked up. Some of the DACs needed drivers from the manufacturer's websites and Audirvana on a Mac was configured to allow 100% output. JRiver would not play anything using the Nagra DAC, whatever settings were chosen. Maybe the unit is faulty? It was bought in the USA. The owner will take it back when he returns to the USA in May
A must on this farm (and most farms) is to run the audio equipment power through a very large APC power conditioner. Connecting the incoming mains directly to the audio equipment resulted in a noticeable varying pitched whine which comes from the chiller compressors maintaining the temperature in huge tanks. There are about 14 of these and consume 800 amps of current, according to the meter in the DB, since it is very warm today they are on most of the time. The farm is on the Babylonstoren Road, off the R45, down an unmarked gravel road (no wine tasting or sales regrettably)
Equipment - DACs as per list below
Source - MacBook Pro and AYRE music server (controlled from an iPad)
Suprem Audio valve pre & power amplifier, output unknown. Italian?
Oxyiade power plugs and cable, connected directly to an APC power conditioner, 10kw model
Quad 2912 ELS speakers - absolutely stunning, I have not heard such pure and accurate sound for a long time
2 x REL Brittania subs
Custom made crossover for speakers, in sealed boxes so could not look inside
Chord USB cables, brand new cable used for each DAC
The Metrum HEX DAC had been fitted with an upgraded USB board. Refitting the old one made the music sound flat, so the cost was worth it
The music - possibly not the right order played
Bach T&F in D - Cameron Carpenter *
Wood is a pleasant thing to think about - Patricia Barber (a bit like the Manhattan Transfer) *
Colour to the Moon - Allan Taylor
Galliarda - The Spirit of Gambo
Granada (solo guitar) - James Grace *
Slavonic Dance, composer Kreisler *
Fernando Sor - Ricardo Gallen (mostly DSD tracks from here on)
Teleman - Orchestral Suite in A
Ewald Demeyere - Partita V
At Last - Joni Mitchell
Haydn - The Creation, parts 1, 2, 3, 4
Money - Pink Floyd
Broadway - David Chesky
Vivaldi Concerto 6
The Sad Cafe - J D Souther
Desafinado - Ana Caram
Rio After Dark - Ana Caram
Pictures at an Exhibition, transcribed for the organ
- Promenade
- Gnomus
- Samuel Goldenberg
- The Great gate of Kiev
Gebel - Quintet for 2 Violins, viola and cello
One or two others I forgot to write down
The (new *) music has been added to the collection belonging to the Hi-Fi Club and is on their external drive.
