HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Well, thanks guys, that saves me stumbling through an explanation.

I guess that what it does depends on whether you believe that "it's all just ones and zeroes" or if you believe that digital signals can actually be influenced within those ones and zeroes. I have heard the difference in sound quality between different USB leads. Not something I ever thought to catch myself saying.

I bought three Chinese USB A to USB B leads, a pretend "Nordost Valhalla," a pretend "QED," and a pretend "Canare," or as it was described on AliExpress, a "High Quality Dual Magnetic ring A-B USB Cable / Canare L-4E6S Audio-cable for Hifi DAC Amplifier."

There were quite marked differences, which, considering I don't consider my second system exactly forensically detailed, rather surprised me. I thought a few days of ear-straining was on the cards, but actually the differences were quite apparent. The "Nordost" was the outright winner, by the way. When, however, I dropped in my latest eBay prize, an AudioQuest Carbon, stuff just took a big step forward and left the Chinese cables looking a bit silly. Actually, I probably do have to say that the "Nordost" wasn't a bad cable, and for a tenth of the price of the AQ it can hold its head up. I could definitely have lived with it while waiting for something better to come along. The bottom and middle were good, but the treble was a bit gritty, and I'm now, actually, going to have to press the "Nordost" back into service, to use in front of the reclocker, until I can afford another AQ Carbon.

Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I was doing so well resisting Black Friday deals .......

But, the nasty manipulative marketing minds behind AliExpress have cunning ways of separating you from your money.

So impressed am I with the velvety, analogue tones of the Teradak 4.5 Chameleon DAC that I was idly considering getting another - but couldn't really justify forking out the 450-odd euros for it. The little 2.7 model is making very nice noises for background music but lacks a ittle clarity and authority. Well, what's in-between the two?

There is the 3.1 with an improved internal power supply and the 4.1 which uses the same 30W external PSU as the Chameleon. Both of these appear to be the same NOS design with respect to using 8x TDA1543 chips and carefully incorporated high-quality components. With Black Friday price reductions still active until last night I spotted that the 2-box 4.1 was as cheap (if not cheaper) than the 3.1. Couldn't resist it and ordered one. for about 250 euros (inc. P&P).



What I hope is that I get about 90-95% of the Chameleon's SQ for about half of the price. The is something intensely seductive & addictive about the sound of the Teradak devices. They may not be up in the forefront with regard to the latest technology but the character and musicality sets them in a separate class.

Whoopee!

The answer for you is not to look at Ali Express. I'm sure it will satisfy you sq demands Freless, after all you like the brand.

Like Kipling's Elephant's Child, I am full of insatiable curiosity.

Anybody tempted by the above Teradak 4.1 should look here:

https://www.uteromall.com/index.php?mai ... _id=767614

It appears that this Canadian (?) webshop is offering it at an absurdly low price.

slinger wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2019 6:36 pm If anyone fancies trying a reclocker in their digital setup, now might be the time with Oehlbach flogging their "OEHLBACH 13904 XXL® MasterClock Jitter Cleaner & High-End USB-Powerfilter braun for EUR 99.00 (Approx £84.57) which is around half-price. Depending how many they have in stock these may not last long once word gets out. The guess is that they're clearing out what's left of this particular model.

I've just ordered one. More info, in English, HERE

Slinger, did you receive/get to try this yet? I would really appreciate some impressions of it, since there's not much to be found about it on the internet...

vrazjigwb wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:22 am

slinger wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2019 6:36 pm If anyone fancies trying a reclocker in their digital setup, now might be the time with Oehlbach flogging their "OEHLBACH 13904 XXL® MasterClock Jitter Cleaner & High-End USB-Powerfilter braun for EUR 99.00 (Approx £84.57) which is around half-price. Depending how many they have in stock these may not last long once word gets out. The guess is that they're clearing out what's left of this particular model.

I've just ordered one. More info, in English, HERE

Slinger, did you receive/get to try this yet? I would really appreciate some impressions of it, since there's not much to be found about it on the internet...

It arrived this week, and it was faulty. I'm waiting for a returns label from Oehlbach in the post.

Sorry to hear that :/
Too bad as the price seems quite ok. Are you getting a new one or a refund?

vrazjigwb wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:22 pm Sorry to hear that :/
Too bad as the price seems quite ok. Are you getting a new one or a refund?

I'll be getting a replacement. A couple of other people I know have bought them and theirs' are fine, so I'm taking it personally.

With yet another DAC on the way I remembered a use for one that I had planned a while ago - the TV.

The sitting room has a Samsung plasma telly that is fairly old but picture quality is good. The internal speakers began to pack in a year or two ago and I rigged up a sort of sound-bar arrangement, laying a pair of active PC speakers under the screen and hooking up an ancient Sony subwoofer behind. The resulting SQ is reasonable - better than from the telly alone.

The TV set also has a Toslink output. So, last night, I put the basic Teradak 2.7 in place using the optical input and outputting to my jury-rigged soundbar. Solid sound with distinct stereo, pleasant clarity and seriously deep bass. Found an excellent Coltrane documentary on Netflix and really grooved to the hugely improved audio.

This is actually what sparked my whole ChiFi adventure off. Wanting to get a cheap DAC for the television.

I'm too easily sidetracked into nerd-land....