Not "for whatever reason". This just is the lack of proper level match, and as such the comparison is, unfortunately, not relevant.
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Peachtree Nova 300 Review (Dac & Amplifier)
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Differences between DACs are extremely minor unless something is wrong with one.
The fact that you hear one to sound "much better" would normally lead to a conclusion that levels weren't closely matched and the listing wasn't done under controled blind conditions.
I any case listen to what you like, just be aware your conclusions raise question marks to the subjective results.
That may well be the reason, but good enough for me - if I was reviewing a product for an audience. Then I would plan everything, use SPL meters to ensure volumes are exactly matched from one source to another and invite a buddy to do blind tests. But, I was doing this for my decision and the difference are enough for my use.
I must also mention the Nova 500 DAC is different to that in the 300 - so hopefully someone with the right equipment will run the numbers on it.
I must also mention the Nova 500 DAC is different to that in the 300 - so hopefully someone with the right equipment will run the numbers on it.
FYI, it takes more that a spl meter to ensure levels are matched to inaudible levels.
Minimally best done with a multimeter on a amps output.
All the more reason mere mortal like us who don't know how to do all that simply use our ears.
very happyAnd come to wrong conclusions.
As long as your happy.
If the experiment is done improperly, then the results are heavily flawed. Hopefully, you are a member here on ASR and could take benefits from the knowledge of this community.
Live and learn !
A non owner here. But I will risk it and share a few observations.
I'll first say I really wish my McIntosh MHA-100 combo DAC / HP / Speaker amp had some of the great features of this: pre out without muting the speaker output to use it, loop out+in, phono (mm only).
On seeing that dac spectrum I'm taken back to one of my favorite articles in the Journal of Audio Engineering Society I read in about 1981 or 1982. It detailed the distortion characteristics of tube vs solid state amps and compared those spectrums to the timbre of musical instruments. And the strong 2nd harmonic, lesser 3rd, lesser 4th, greater 5th to that, is reminicit to the generalization given to tubes not transistors and the most pleasing full bodied tonality it gives of any other type of distortion spectrum.
Now, I've / we've come to learn circuit topology has an even more important role to play than just the type of amplification device. But insofar as the end result goes and what we hear, I can see why people love the sound this device produces when using its internal dac.
I'll first say I really wish my McIntosh MHA-100 combo DAC / HP / Speaker amp had some of the great features of this: pre out without muting the speaker output to use it, loop out+in, phono (mm only).
On seeing that dac spectrum I'm taken back to one of my favorite articles in the Journal of Audio Engineering Society I read in about 1981 or 1982. It detailed the distortion characteristics of tube vs solid state amps and compared those spectrums to the timbre of musical instruments. And the strong 2nd harmonic, lesser 3rd, lesser 4th, greater 5th to that, is reminicit to the generalization given to tubes not transistors and the most pleasing full bodied tonality it gives of any other type of distortion spectrum.
Now, I've / we've come to learn circuit topology has an even more important role to play than just the type of amplification device. But insofar as the end result goes and what we hear, I can see why people love the sound this device produces when using its internal dac.
Hello. I feel kind of silly, but going to share my "new" experience. I use JRiver Media Center, USB out, with the Peachtree ASIO driver, and changed the JRiver Output settings to feed at 2xDSD, instead of PCM. This unit now rivals the sound of my long lost (and dead) Cambridge Audio Azur 751R V2. Tight, controlled, VERY low bass, with solid mids and crips highs. This setup produces stunning clarity, sound, coupled with all the power the Nova300 delivers. I have to turn the volume up hgiher vs PCM, but what a difference. YMMV, but you I suggest giving these settings a try, letting JRiver (or capable front end) upscale to 2xDSD, and see what you think.
Your perfectly welcome to enjoy your preferences but I would just like to add one thing.
IF the upsampled files do actually sound different, and it's not just some sighted bias disturbing or influencing your perception, the only other answer is that the sound of the original mix has been altered in some way and your no longer hearing what was written to the digital source. Upsampling like this can never add musical information to the stream that was not in the original file. To hear that your best playing back the file in the manner it was recorded.
But first you should go back to the beginning, listen to the unaltered original file and your upsampled file using some science in the methodology.
(Levels matched withing 0.5 db or better and listened to under double blind bias controlled conditions)
You just might change your mind on your findings.
Cheers
Sal1950, thank you for the reply. After further A vs B (no upsampling, leveled), and "I feel silly" all over again. I think I allowed my mind to play tricks on my ears (perception). It's fun to tinker, and I'll continue here and there, but you are right. I love this amp, upsampled signals or not. Thanks again.
No problem, happens to us all.
The mind is a very funny thing, it likes to see and hear what it wants to unless we hold the reins on it very tightly..
Enjoy your testing and tweaking, we all learn thru those same steps.
Cheers,
Sal
Sal, I appreciate your replies and wanted to say there is indeed a difference. My wife, a non-audiophile wanna be like me, confirmed it sounded different, and that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. Upsampling to 2xDSD sounds better to me, less pronounced high-mid range (shrillness?), while not taking away the overall dynamic range, with a more pleasant sound vs straight PCM. Perhaps there is some sort of DSP entering the chain. I then found this interesting blog, describing what I am perceiving - https://archimago.blogspot.com/2013/09/measurements-pcm-to-dsd-upsampling.html. An older post, an older version of JRiver MC, but may explain whatever might be going on, but I am not technically literate enough to fully grasp it, but do get the concept. FWIW. Thanks again, and all the best.
It’s possible that the perceived difference you are perceiving is due to the filter being used (DSD)— unless the appropriate filters are chosen, the DSD output is likely higher in level (significantly so) than what you’re hearing wrt PCM.
Louder is almost always perceived as: more detailed, better separation, more panty-dropping, etc, etc, etc.
If there’s an audible difference between PCM and DSD out of your Peachtree, I reckon it has to do with the (DSD) filter being used.
Louder is almost always perceived as: more detailed, better separation, more panty-dropping, etc, etc, etc.
If there’s an audible difference between PCM and DSD out of your Peachtree, I reckon it has to do with the (DSD) filter being used.
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