rollmottle
Member
Sheesh this thing is UGLY and that display is a disaster. Ooooffff.
Probably need to mount it in the matching Choral Ensemble Stand System ($2,425.00) to get the best results!
Ear is such a stupid sense, you can fool it with buzz words (there are plenty when it comes to talk about audio devices of any kind), good looking stuff, and hence the former are done, commit it with the bias of high prices you are lead to spend.
When one spends all that money is led to hear anything good to justify it, angels singing and God whispering through music.
How stupid ear is, and how stupid ear bringers may become, as well as how egregious ear cheater may become...
Sorry for unwanted philosophy
Uber priced garbage!
... for that sort of money one would expect a 100% SOTA DAC and surely a more luxurious look.
Here is under the hood;
View attachment 220047
JSmith
Is it me or does anyone else notice a vague nautical theme to this? It looks like it belongs on a ship or perhaps as part of a car gearbox. It is not my idea of attractive, but you have to give it points for being both aesthetically odd and very expensive at the same time. They must have some stellar salespeople at Chord, as I have to wonder just how many beholders find beauty in this kind of design.
I'm thinking Captain Nemo more than Dave:Overall I give it B- when it comes to look and design of the interface.
Well therein lies the problem! You just need a more expensive set of cables. After all, what's that old "high end" audio adage? You should 'budget at least 20% of your overall system price tag for interconnects!" LOLI actually used my Audioquest cable for testing.
I liked how you started out from an industrial design perspective and have, almost imperceptibly, switched to a truly Scottish perspective by the end .From an industrial design perspective I quite like the look of it but ideally I’d want a floating oled display mounted in a domed sapphire crystal, keep the button layout similar but anodised titanium finish rather than the tacky chromed look, and redesign the dac/amp so it is genuinely world beating, and sell for £2k.
Great post! Got me laughing!I liked how you started out from an industrial design perspective and have, almost imperceptibly, switched to a truly Scottish perspective by the end .
I suspect it may be @Jomungur's.Whoever loaned this out, thank you for your bravery in shipping such an expensive item to Amir.
And sorry for the less than stellar results.
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I was shocked. I’m not even upset about the money factor, because my sound system, which I thought already sounded great, sounds even better. I was even thinking about letting anyone who is in NYC come check it out, but perhaps a better direction is: if you can afford the DAVE, the Topping is a less than 1/10 of the cost. So buy it, and compare honestly and see what you think. Take the DAVE out for a couple of days and see if you miss them. Meanwhile, I sent the DAVE in for measurements and let's see what they say.
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I am addicted to fun and learning, but mostly fun!Great post! Got me laughing!