Theta DS Pro Prime II DAC

On 21/04/2019 8:17 am, Howard Stone wrote:
> On Tuesday, 16 April 2019 21:24:59 UTC+1, Peter Wieck wrote:
>> On Friday, April 5, 2019 at 9:50:24 AM UTC-4, Howard Stone wrote:
>>> In fact twice now I've been bowled over by the difference that a DAC made, once with a DAC made by a little Canadian company called Museatex, and now with this Theta, which arrived a couple of days ago.
>>>
>>> I have it in a system with an a little Quad 303 amp, and Mission 770 Mk2 speakers. It sounds fabulous! Suddenly you can hear the sound of a string starting to be plucked, or the texture of a horsehair bow on gut.
>>>
>>> The Missions are a new buy, and they are surprisingly good!
>>
>> After a little bit of time - what are your continued impressions?
>>
>> Peter Wieck
>> Melrose Park, PA
>
> I have it now in a system with some Spendor SP1s and an Electrocompaniet EC1. All input streamed.
>
> I am very happy with the sound, which is rather "BBC" style. But what I can't say with any honesty is how much of this synergy is due to the DAC.
>
> It does not have the holographic imaging of the system with my Mission 770 Mk2s (Deltec Bigger Bit and Quad 303), but is sweeter. It does not have the sheer presence of my system with the Quad ESL 63/Gradient subs (Musatex DAC and Quad 520 amps) -- but nothing I've heard does.
>
> Of these three systems the Mission is my favourite, it is the most like being at a concert, a live musical event.
>
> The JR149s are currently with my kids!
>
> My Krell KSA50 is being serviced still, so I've not had a chance to hear the effect it will have. It weights 60kgs, I'm going to do my back in moving it from one place to another! I think the obvious thing to try it with first is the Missions, since I suspect that the 303 is a weak link.
>

**A Krell KAS50 weighing in at 60kg? I doubt that. I can easily lift a
40kg amp onto my bench. A 50kg amp requires considerable effort and a
60kg amp requires assistance. I've lifted several KSA50 amps onto the
bench without raising a sweat. I'd guess it's more like 30kg.

Let's check:

Oops, I was wrong. It's more like 27kg:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...specifications

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

On Sunday, 21 April 2019 13:42:31 UTC+1, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 21/04/2019 8:17 am, Howard Stone wrote:
> > On Tuesday, 16 April 2019 21:24:59 UTC+1, Peter Wieck wrote:
> >> On Friday, April 5, 2019 at 9:50:24 AM UTC-4, Howard Stone wrote:
> >>> In fact twice now I've been bowled over by the difference that a DAC made, once with a DAC made by a little Canadian company called Museatex, and now with this Theta, which arrived a couple of days ago.
> >>>
> >>> I have it in a system with an a little Quad 303 amp, and Mission 770 Mk2 speakers. It sounds fabulous! Suddenly you can hear the sound of a string starting to be plucked, or the texture of a horsehair bow on gut.
> >>>
> >>> The Missions are a new buy, and they are surprisingly good!
> >>
> >> After a little bit of time - what are your continued impressions?
> >>
> >> Peter Wieck
> >> Melrose Park, PA
> >
> > I have it now in a system with some Spendor SP1s and an Electrocompaniet EC1. All input streamed.
> >
> > I am very happy with the sound, which is rather "BBC" style. But what I can't say with any honesty is how much of this synergy is due to the DAC.
> >
> > It does not have the holographic imaging of the system with my Mission 770 Mk2s (Deltec Bigger Bit and Quad 303), but is sweeter. It does not have the sheer presence of my system with the Quad ESL 63/Gradient subs (Musatex DAC and Quad 520 amps) -- but nothing I've heard does.
> >
> > Of these three systems the Mission is my favourite, it is the most like being at a concert, a live musical event.
> >
> > The JR149s are currently with my kids!
> >
> > My Krell KSA50 is being serviced still, so I've not had a chance to hear the effect it will have. It weights 60kgs, I'm going to do my back in moving it from one place to another! I think the obvious thing to try it with first is the Missions, since I suspect that the 303 is a weak link.
> >
>
> **A Krell KAS50 weighing in at 60kg? I doubt that. I can easily lift a
> 40kg amp onto my bench. A 50kg amp requires considerable effort and a
> 60kg amp requires assistance. I've lifted several KSA50 amps onto the
> bench without raising a sweat. I'd guess it's more like 30kg.
>
> Let's check:
>
> Oops, I was wrong. It's more like 27kg:
>
> https://www.stereophile.com/content/...specifications
>
> --
> Trevor Wilson
> www.rageaudio.com.au
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus

sorry, 60lbs! Slightly less that 30kg, I remember that 30kg was the max that the postal people in the UK would handle, and they delivered the Krell.

Happy easter, and thanks for all your support on my little hifi adventure. I now have a system, a good one, in every room of my house!

All good then!

I must state that I am not overly fond of Quad equipment - and I also think that the Krell will be a significant change (and improvement).

In any case, enjoy!

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

On Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 9:24:59 PM UTC+1, Peter Wieck wrote:
> On Friday, April 5, 2019 at 9:50:24 AM UTC-4, Howard Stone wrote:
> > In fact twice now I've been bowled over by the difference that a DAC made, once with a DAC made by a little Canadian company called Museatex, and now with this Theta, which arrived a couple of days ago.
> >
> > I have it in a system with an a little Quad 303 amp, and Mission 770 Mk2 speakers. It sounds fabulous! Suddenly you can hear the sound of a string starting to be plucked, or the texture of a horsehair bow on gut.
> >
> > The Missions are a new buy, and they are surprisingly good!
>
> After a little bit of time - what are your continued impressions?
>
> Peter Wieck
> Melrose Park, PA

Having just spent some time switching DACs around and listening, much to my surprise the Theta makes a very substantial difference for the good. Where the impact of the DAC is most clear is in the tone, the Theta is not especially bright, and that's good.

DACs matter it seems!

On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 1:00:38 PM UTC-4, Howard Stone wrote:

> DACs matter it seems!

I will agree that DACs, as with any other component in the chain, do matter.

What does not matter in any meaningful way would be the particular chip-set in use, after minimum QC standards are met. What would matter and be meaningful is how the analog signal is processed to the pre-amp (amp).

It all gets down to the fact the Theta is pleasant to you. And, that is all that really matters!