Ascilab C8C Active Speaker Review

[pat355]

I had a small issue with the front LED on my right C8C speaker. It does not light up in standby mode. It works normally during playback, but stays completely off when the speaker is in standby.
After a few tests with AsciLab we concluded it is most likely just a wiring issue between the rear plate and the front LED assembly. It does not affect performance at all (we ran several checks to confirm), so for me it is essentially cosmetic — net net, I don't really care.
Still, @AsciLab proactively offered me a partial refund, which I did not ask for or expect.
I thought that was a very professional gesture and worth mentioning here FWIW...

 

[Knox]

The Hypex plate amplifiers have the option of attaching a IR receiver (or alternatively an OLED display) and a little remote unit that has volume/input selection/DSP presets/power controls. Do the C8C speakers integrate this receiver or provide a way to retrofit it?

Is there a particular technical benefit of running the speakers off the (expensive) Hypex preamplifier DIY kit? XLR would be a probably minor reason.

 

[staticV3]

The Hypex plate amplifiers have the option of attaching a IR receiver (or alternatively an OLED display) and a little remote unit that has volume/input selection/DSP presets/power controls. Do the C8C speakers integrate this receiver or provide a way to retrofit it?

See below:

We don’t support IR remote function this time.

we don’t think the Hypex remote control is convenient, so we hope you guys use well made source player or pre amp.

The remote kit is not included.

To add remote kit, you should open the box by force and it can ruin sealing. Yes, it will void warranty.

Is there a particular technical benefit of running the speakers off the (expensive) Hypex preamplifier DIY kit? XLR would be a probably minor reason.

When listening to digital audio, best signal fidelity will be achieved when using the C8C's digital inputs with no analog intermediate upstream of the speaker.

When listening to analog audio, the Hypex Preamp will be as beneficial as any other well constructed preamp. That is to say, depending on the source device, an additional preamp between it and the C8C may help, or it may not be beneficial at all.

 

[pat355]

See below:






When listening to digital audio, best signal fidelity will be achieved when using the C8C's digital inputs with no analog intermediate upstream of the speaker.

When listening to analog audio, the Hypex Preamp will be as beneficial as any other well constructed preamp. That is to say, depending on the source device, an additional preamp between it and the C8C may help, or it may not be beneficial at all.

this is exactly why I decided to place an RME ADI-2 PRO FS R Black Edition between my source (Wiim Ultra out in USB) and C8C - great for PEQ and volume control obviously. I'm really happy with my choice. Plus I can connect different sources with the breakout cable, which I did with NVIDIA TV Shield Pro...

 

[kharan]

this is exactly why I decided to place an RME ADI-2 PRO FS R Black Edition between my source (Wiim Ultra out in USB) and C8C - great for PEQ and volume control obviously. I'm really happy with my choice. Plus I can connect different sources with the breakout cable, which I did with NVIDIA TV Shield Pro...

I understand the utility of connecting different sources, but doesn't the Wiim Ultra already has both volume control and PEQ?

 

[staticV3]

The only advantage I see in putting an ADI-2 between WiiM and C8C is the RME's Equal Loudness compensation.

Everything else, the WiiM does already.

To connect the Shield TV, you'll have to convert from HDMI to SPDIF anyway.

In that case, you could just as well convert to Optical and plug that directly into the WiiM.

 

[Scrutable]

Yes I agree - the WiiM Ultra is really something. It's the perfect complement to C8Cs. I am really enjoying the heck out of both of them.

Did you ever acquire something and at some point think: How did I do things before I got this?

 

[pat355]

The only advantage I see in putting an ADI-2 between WiiM and C8C is the RME's Equal Loudness compensation.

Everything else, the WiiM does already.

To connect the Shield TV, you'll have to convert from HDMI to SPDIF anyway.

In that case, you could just as well convert to Optical and plug that directly into the WiiM.

fair enough. Is the quality of the volume control of the ADI-2 vs eg Wiim Ultra a myth? I read in a few places that the way digital volume is implemented in the ADI-2 is much better than in streamers like the Wiim - is this snake oil then?

 

[Mnyb]

fair enough. Is the quality of the volume control of the ADI-2 vs eg Wiim Ultra a myth? I read in a few places that the way digital volume is implemented in the ADI-2 is much better than in streamers like the Wiim - is this snake oil then?

Rather the ADI-2 combined volume scheme when using its analog out ? It’s a good implementation combining analog steps with digital volume. I don’t think it can work the same way on the digital out .

 

[pat355]

Rather the ADI-2 combined volume scheme when using its analog out ? It’s a good implementation combining analog steps with digital volume. I don’t think it can work the same way on the digital out .

The RME ADI-2 PRO FS R is not a DAC (edit: obviously wrong!)

 

[Mnyb]

The RME ADI-2 PRO FS R is not a DAC

Not only , AD and DA and headphone amp and a lot of features ?

ADI-2-Pro FS R BE - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

RME's anniversary reference AD/DA converter is:​

• A high-end AD/DA converter in professional studio quality
• A double headphone amplifier in true high-end quality
• A USB DAC like no other - the most versatile and capable one
• A high-end AD/DA frontend and headphone amp for iPad / iPhone
• A multi-format converter (AES, SPDIF, ADAT) with monitoring function
• A DSD record and playback solution
• An AD/DA frontend for audio measurement at up to 768 kHz sample rate

I don’t have one I do want one it has PEQ and a very nice loudness functionality that everyone praise. And a lot of other features unfamiliar to me

But your are right I’m not an expert on RME product and have no experience with it .

But it seems to be a DAC inside ? So it is also a DAC if you want it to .

It’s my favorite kind of products just like some of the WiiM products . A separate DAC is very boring , to me it’s a commodity part used inside much more interesting products like RME or WiiM

 

[pat355]

Not only , AD and DA and headphone amp and a lot of features ?

ADI-2-Pro FS R BE - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

RME's anniversary reference AD/DA converter is:​

• A high-end AD/DA converter in professional studio quality
• A double headphone amplifier in true high-end quality
• A USB DAC like no other - the most versatile and capable one
• A high-end AD/DA frontend and headphone amp for iPad / iPhone
• A multi-format converter (AES, SPDIF, ADAT) with monitoring function
• A DSD record and playback solution
• An AD/DA frontend for audio measurement at up to 768 kHz sample rate

I don’t have one I do want one it has PEQ and a very nice loudness functionality that everyone praise. And a lot of other features unfamiliar to me

But your are right I’m not an expert on RME product and have no experience with it .

But it seems to be a DAC inside ? So it is also a DAC if you want it to .

It’s my favorite kind of products just like some of the WiiM products . A separate DAC is very boring , to me it’s a commodity part used inside much more interesting products like RME or WiiM

Indeed, I stand corrected - I actually missed that entirely although it's obvious looking at the outs :/

 

[Mnyb]

Indeed, I stand corrected - I actually missed that entirely although it's obvious looking at the outs :/

No problem I’m wrong all the time or slightly off track . Soon. A more knowledgeable member will be around and after a *sigh* write a post with perfect clarity

 

[pat355]

in my (weak) defense I just got it along with the C8C, was totally focused on the breakout cable with digital I/O and making sure my 100% digital dual set-up was working. This device is a beast and NOT easy to configure...

 

[Mnyb]

Yes I use the more user friendly WiiM Ultra streamer as AD and digital preamp for my KEF LS60 .

Similar setup I have a turntable and a CD player and two music servers ( ROON and LMS ) and Spotify connect , and want room correction DSP and EQ all digitally connected to the speakers with spdiff coax .

But I use the volume control in the KEF LS60 , so there is the difference ! The kef speaker has it own volume control .

( If I only used ROON I could stream straight to the speakers and to all DSP in ROON if someone wondered )

 

[staticV3]

fair enough. Is the quality of the volume control of the ADI-2 vs eg Wiim Ultra a myth? I read in a few places that the way digital volume is implemented in the ADI-2 is much better than in streamers like the Wiim - is this snake oil then?

Digital vs digital, they'll perform the same.

Only when using analog out, the RME has the edge due to the included analog preamp.

 

[pat355]

Digital vs digital, they'll perform the same.

Only when using analog out, the RME has the edge due to the included analog preamp.

understood, thanks

 

[Endibol]

Secondly, dsp is still really hard to find for cheap, for no reason whatsoever. Bass management for example is only available in a few things and only the Wiim Ultra/Wiim Amp Ultra have proper EQ + bass management for a reasonable price. What else is there? the Minidsp stuff dont measure as well as alternatives, cost more and are more barebones usually.

What do you mean with “ Minidsp stuff don’t measure as well as alternatives?”
See Amir’s review:

Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

This is a review and detailed measurement of the Minidsp Flex audio signal processor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $475 for unbalanced and $550 for balanced that I tested. Flex borrows the interface from SHD and puts it in a compact package. Seeing how I really liked that...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Jiraya369]

What do you mean with “ Minidsp stuff don’t measure as well as alternatives?”
See Amir’s review:

Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

This is a review and detailed measurement of the Minidsp Flex audio signal processor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $475 for unbalanced and $550 for balanced that I tested. Flex borrows the interface from SHD and puts it in a compact package. Seeing how I really liked that...

www.audiosciencereview.com

550 dollars for just a dac

look at the 2x4 hd and compare to the topping d10s/smsl su-1.

 

[markstein]

@AsciLab Do the C8C come with front grilles for the two white mid woofers (my understanding: no, they were just included with the pre-order units), and can I buy them separately? Are the grilles the same as for the C6B or are they a special design?

Bump @AsciLab