INT202, Lavry DA-10

The total cost of these would get you a DAC2 which is better than the DA10. The INT02 is basically the Firewire front end of the DAC2.

Software - use iTunes for the music management and Pure Music as the player. You can download a demo from channel D.

James

Another option which you could do for not alot more:

1. Ipod/iphone
2. Wadia Transport/Dock (170i or 171i)
3. Naim DAC

Simple, easy, no fuss, no computer knowledge requirements or fidgeting. Plug N Play. I haven't heard this combination, but Rega1 did at Promusica with Ken C and was mightily impressed.

Async firewire output is superb, imho it sounds the best.

quote:

Another option which you could do for not alot more:

1. Ipod/iphone
2. Wadia Transport/Dock (170i or 171i)
3. Naim DAC

Simple, easy, no fuss, no computer knowledge requirements or fidgeting. Plug N Play. I haven't heard this combination, but Rega1 did at Promusica with Ken C and was mightily impressed.

Gary, are you sure the native Ipod input on nDAC is inferior to iPod/Wadia 170 ???

quote:

Originally posted by Right Wing:
I want to achieve the best signal out of my Mac. I understand that these units do a good job.

I have searched but not found much. Can I use a INT202 with the DA-10?

If so, what else do I need ?

Thank you in advance.

RW

Well ... a bit more detail would maybe be useful...

First off, do you already own the Lavry DA10, or are you looking for the best setup for around £2000?

If the latter, and you are interested in Naim, why not look at the Naim DAC with the M2Tech HiFace. Or even just use an optical connection in the first place until you can afford to upgrade to a better SPDIF interface. Other options would be to look to alternatives such as the Weiss DAC2, Ayre QB9 or various other options which don't need an SPDIF interface to the computer.

As for software. To start off you can just use iTunes - but with iTunes you need to manually change the sample rate in the Audio MIDI application (and restart iTunes) for different sample rate files. Beyond that you could look at Play (good sound quality, lousey interface) Pure Music or Amarra.

Just some thoughts

Eloise.

Thanks for the responses. For clarity;

I currently own;

Macbook Pro > Toslink > Lavry DA10 > Nait XS > Wilson Audio Sophia.

I am wanting to max out the front if you like, probably go to a Weiss Dac2. I know the INT202 is highly regarded and am thinking of one as a stepping stone to owning it alongside a Weiss Dac2.

I hope this assists.

What the others said....

You are much better off selling the DA10 and use the combined funding to buy a Weiss DAC2. You can then enjoy (1) DAC2 which is IMO a better DAC than the DA10 (I owned both); (2) Direct Firewire connectivity into the DAC, bypassing the external SPDIF link.

I think this is a no brainer solution compared to the DA10+INT202

quote:

Originally posted by Right Wing:
I want to achieve the best signal out of my Mac. I understand that these units do a good job.

I have searched but not found much. Can I use a INT202 with the DA-10?

If so, what else do I need ?

Thank you in advance.

RW

Sell the DA-10 and get a Chordette GEM then use either the USB port or BlueTooth interface - you'll be delighted because, you'll have some money over from the sale and it'll sound much more musical. No INT02 required. Also iPAD/iPhone/iPod Touch - works over BT.

Alternative sell the DA10 and get a Naim DAC - then you know you'll have one of the very best.

I much prefer the 202 to the gem. My choice on that budget would be a Sonos or SB touch into a Naim DAC.

ROTF

Have you listened to the DA10 with a high quality feed?

Just wondering - as your comments seem ill informed or biased.

quote:

Originally posted by Right Wing:
Thanks for the responses. For clarity;

I currently own;

Macbook Pro > Toslink > Lavry DA10 > Nait XS > Wilson Audio Sophia.

I am wanting to max out the front if you like, probably go to a Weiss Dac2. I know the INT202 is highly regarded and am thinking of one as a stepping stone to owning it alongside a Weiss Dac2.

I hope this assists.

IMO your weakest link is the lack of an audio interface between your Macbook and the Lavry. From that point of view you may get a noticeable improvement by just adding a cheap usb audio interface such as Hiface. Probably the best vfm upgrade for you. Surely the Lavry deserves something better than an standard macbook digital output.

@ js: How do you rate the sound quality of the INT 202 with an optimized PC or Mac and that of a Touch when both are connected to the Naim DAC? At CDX2-2 level with properly ripped CDs?
Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:

quote:

Another option which you could do for not alot more:

1. Ipod/iphone
2. Wadia Transport/Dock (170i or 171i)
3. Naim DAC

Simple, easy, no fuss, no computer knowledge requirements or fidgeting. Plug N Play. I haven't heard this combination, but Rega1 did at Promusica with Ken C and was mightily impressed.

Gary, are you sure the native Ipod input on nDAC is inferior to iPod/Wadia 170 ???

I have not tried any of these combinations, although I do have an Ipod. The Wadia 170/171 is a transport, not a DAC. From what I've read it is taking the digital feed from the Ipod/Itouch and sending this to the DAC, bypassing all of the bits in the ipod which make it an overall poor quality music player. Even the review from 6moons Audio clearly states the superiority of the Ipod/Wadia/DAC over the Ipod /DAC direct feed. They were impressed how this transformed the Ipod as a front end source. Again, PNP, and just use the MBPro for storage of your ripped files.

Just making suggestions based on information gathered from talking with Rega1 and JS. I know JS/Mark pretty impressed with Sonos/NDAC as well. This I will set up as I have Sonos which I use for distributed audio in my home. If Sonos supported 24/96 that would up its capabilities quite a bit (no pun intended).

Overall, for me I just do not want to mess around with computer settings to make sure I'm getting the best from the system, so the Plug and Play method is more to my liking. Others enjoy fiddling around, but it's not for me.

Right Wing,

If your plan is as you say with the Weiss INT202, DAC2, I'd step back and start auditioning other kit.

Without a doubt the Ipod/Wadia or Sonos/SB Touch with a NDAC would be a worthwhile start and make some decisions there. The DA10 should be an easy sell to offset some of the cost.

I use the Weiss dac,bought it after listening to a lot of others, friends and I have compared it to the Naim dac and is just a matter of presentation , but all the times I have heard the Naim it has sounded at it's best through a firewire connection.

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
@ js: How do you rate the sound quality of the INT 202 with an optimized PC or Mac and that of a Touch when both are connected to the Naim DAC? At CDX2-2 level with properly ripped CDs?
Thanks!

Not enough experience with the touch for absolutes here but the issue with the 202 is always going to be player program and how directly that player is connected to the 202. Some way to use WASAPI, asio, kernel steaming or bypassing core audio in a MAC would be a must IMO. Then the programs themselves sound disturbingly different and if you ask around you'll get lots of opinion on what's best. A good wired streamer is also bit perfect, has a fast interface and directly accesses the file. They too sound different from one another but all tend to be user freindly in function and access. However, if you're on a budget, there are really only 2 cheap ones to choose from (one if HiDef is important) and you're done screwing around unless you want to significantly up the ante. Wired ethernet is as good as firewire for this purpose and doesn't need to deal with computer trial and error or much setup massaging. In theory, it could be better as the player is local.

It's just easy and effective. I'd start with a streamer and then get the Naim dac. It works well with them. The sonos can have some jitter (not due to ethernet)but the Naim DAC seems to deal extremely well with what comes out of it so nature of jitter seems to matter. It should do the same for a touch which is reportedly low jitter and may allow the OP to use the better sounding (when viable) 'narrow' input setting on his current DAC.

quote:

Even the review from 6moons Audio clearly states the superiority of the Ipod/Wadia/DAC over the Ipod /DAC direct feed.

I have read this review on 6moon -- there is no single word about Ipod connection there. They used Linn Unidisk 1.1, Olive HD and USB stick for tests. Did I miss something?

quote:

Originally posted by paremus:
ROTF

Have you listened to the DA10 with a high quality feed?

Just wondering - as your comments seem ill informed or biased.

My comments are biased - I went to a carefully set-up up demonstration at UHES with several other forum members, I didn't like the DA10 at all. I have heard another DA10 again since and it had same sonic imprint that didn't suit me.

Apparently, Lavry tested the DAC I heard and said it was a poor sample, which may be true.

However, the Chordette Gem sounds so much better to me that I think anybody would be crazy to buy a DA10 without auditioning it.

To me there are two options for a DAC - Chordette Gem or Naim nDAC.

My comments are based on what I have heard and, of course, are subjective. I'm very sensitive to distortion in replay and think that is where the DA10 fell down.

I wouldn't recommend a DA with a quality source as you could buy a Naim nDAC and use it with USB sticks for the ultimate vfm set-up.

I take it you disagree with me, which is fine.

So a bias - repeated again and again - based on a sub-optimal evaluation of a known faulty unit.

Interesting.

His post just said that he's heard 2 samples. I'm curious, was the 'poor' unit considered 'faulty' and did they offer to repair or replace?

quote:

Originally posted by paremus:
So a bias - repeated again and again - based on a sub-optimal evaluation of a known faulty unit.

Interesting.

I've heard two samples. I have assumed that the second was not faulty. The faulty one was replaced by Lavry and is now used by another forum member; I've not heard the repaired sample. However, the same sonic character was apparent on both samples,

All I;m saying is that to my ears the Chordette Gem is less half the price and much more musical and represents both an an upgrade and saving. I know everybody likes everybody else to say how wonderful their choice of component is, but I'm only redressing the balance of those that have gone OTT about the DA10.

The service from Lavry was good in that they replaced the unit.

js is not so keen on the Gem, so it just shows how opinions vary but are all valid.

I don't hate it but it was a bit warm smooth for me. Not very dig/analytical however. I think it fair then to call that particular Lavry faulty. Good you got to hear another to form your opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:

quote:

Even the review from 6moons Audio clearly states the superiority of the Ipod/Wadia/DAC over the Ipod /DAC direct feed.

I have read this review on 6moon -- there is no single word about Ipod connection there. They used Linn Unidisk 1.1, Olive HD and USB stick for tests. Did I miss something?

It was not stated directly but implied: "when using the Wadia, it has direct access to the digital information of the ipod, bypassing Apple's compromised internal DAC. Once the ipod/Wadia is paired with a quality DAC it makes one give serious consideration to using this in combination with a qulaity DAC in a high-end system" Paraphrasing the review.

Gary, you probably mean some other review -- 6moon did not publish anything similar to your excerpt.

AMA,

See the link below.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/wadia2/dock.html