![]() ![]() Opting for a multiple input device at the budget end of the DAC market gives one opportunity to clean up the feed with a JKMK3 or Audiophilleo down the line. Similar-but-*weaker* USB-only designs like the Calyx Coffee (AU$299) remind us that things aren’t as sonically neutered or sterile on the USB front as they could be maybe it’s the need for bus power that lets the Calyx down? The USB-S/PDIF adaptor is the emergency exit for boxes with coaxial inputs (of which the DAC*iT is one). Functional, slightly better-than-average USB sound is what we have with Peachtree’s DAC*iT. My pro-USB convertor argument here runs a broader circuit: unless your manufacturer get its USB implementation sounding (close to) that of Audiophilleo or JKMK3, USB on the box itself is rendered little more than functional. Counterbalancing: it’s also (clearly) less resolving than the more expensive JKDAC (more on which below). It’s washing powder with inbuilt conditioner. There’s still a shade of that lower-treble liveliness but the DAC*iT is softer, more gentle. There’s scant evidence or that brilliant-to-blinding golden-sunshine inner illumination of the Eastern Electric Minimax. Sonically, the DAC*iT is a bold sounding unit, rich in tonal colours. I digress – what can I say? I like my couch. No-one likes surrendering the comfort sweet spot on the couch, especially if it takes time to find it. This isn’t simply a matter of laziness, it’s one of comfort. When watching TV, I enjoyed not having to get off the couch to switch between WD TV Live (optical) and Audiophilleo-pimped MacMini (coaxial). Those with multi-sourced rigs can switch inputs without hauling ass. The remote control is a real boon at this price point. Ascertaining signal lock can only be done by ear as the circular blue lights do not flash gently as per the iDecco and iNova. Note the better-than-average separation between source selection buttons for those shaky of hand or fat of finger. ![]() The DAC*iT is a solid, heavy-ish metal box with a rubber base (that shares visual genetic code with the MacMini) it doesn’t slide around. Steve Jobs hammered that point time and again. IMHO, if you already have 3.5 lifetime purchased and are happy with it, subscribing for studio will not provide with any added benefits.Aesthetics aren’t just for girls. Once you get past the sleek UI, it somehow feels like old candy wrapped in new paper. Maybe manually adding the URL with Metadata will fix it partly but album cover still looks doubtful.ĥ. Default RadioParadise has no Metadata or album cover support. As of date only app available for download load is the old one which doesn't connect with Studio.Ĥ. Audirvana website mentions a new? mobile app. Still no auto tagging, album cover search etc.ģ. It is a beta release without the beta tag.Ģ. Feature which checks music files (local only) for encoding quality (did I get it right?).ġ. Audio setting is laid out in a easy to use interfaceĤ. Now being a subscription model, they should have done better! Or do they expect customers to subscribe and then wait for problems to get fixed? Here are my observations:Ģ. I installed Audirvana Studio and it came out as a software which was released in a hurry. If that doesn't happen then the company will become a shell of it's former operation. It may take a while to build back Audirvana customer satisfaction. It's pretty evident the guys at Audirvana did not think through the rejection they are receiving or place any real value on existing customers. It seemed to cause the moderator to grimace in pain a few times. During the webcast announcement for Audirvana studio there was a lot of negative comments from existing users. The company is taking a big risk with existing customer satisfaction and giving Roon a lot of opportunity. The product change might kill off most of the existing Audirvana users as it's obvious they don't want to go down the subscription route. It's a nice feature but certainly not worth $70 a year over my 3.5 version. ![]() My 3.5 version only allows playlists of steaming media OR a separate playlist for local ripped CD's. Audirvana Studio adds the ability to create playlists that combine ripped CD's as well as Qobuz/Tidal streams. ![]()
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