[Try] measurement of a Lavry DA11 with Sound Devices MixPre10ii

[shal]

Hi,
Just for fun, I try to measure the quality of my DAC with my Field recorder Sound Devices mixpre10 ii

First item : Lavry DA11
It's a DAC build by Dan Lavry , quite old (2009) USB, optical, spdif input, XLR (balanced or unbalanced) output, headphone.
http://www.lavryengineering.com/products/da11.html

Main characteristics from site :
Dynamic Range: -112dB typical, -110 dB minimum (Non weigthed )

Second item Sound Devices MixPre-10 ii
https://www.sounddevices.com/product/mixpre-10-ii/
Main characteristics from site :
-130dBV (-128dBu) max (A-weighting, gain=76dB, 150 ohm source impedance)
ADC : 32 bit precision; 142dB dynamic range min (A-weighted, gain=10dB, fader=0dB)


I am under Linux, so using windows soft is sometime weird to manipulate . I use the wine software in order use windows program on Linux.

So the test I have this configuration:
RMAA.exe -> wine -> Linux (alsa) -> optical -> Lavry DA11 -> XLR cable -> Sound Devices MixPre10 ii -> usb cables -> Linux -> RMMA.exe

The volume setup:
- Linux/alsa volume a 100%
- Lavry (I do test a different volume and obtain different measures)
- Sound Devices a input a 0

I have made different measure with Lavry volume.
At the maximum RMAA says that the level is to high
I made test to 40, 48 and 50

Noise level is better at level 40 : -115 that at 50 -109.2
Dynamic range is better at 48 : 116.1 than at 50: 115.9 or at 40 : 114.9
Intermodulation is not very good 0.041% at level 50 and 0.022% at 40
Crosstal betwwen -108 and -110

This is the spectrum for Lavry at level 50 :

This is the output level of the Lavry :

That all folk. it's just for fun

I am happy from the result

If you have advise to perform better measure , doesn't hesitate to spoke.

Olivier

 

[cryptout]

Cool, I still listen to my Lavry DA11. I also have a Topping D50s which should sound way better but I don't really hear it. The USB interface on the Topping is indeed better, the old Lavry has poor USB and I use it with spdif in. When I have the money I will buy a RME ADI-2 to replace both ;-)

 

[shal]

Cool, I still listen to my Lavry DA11. I also have a Topping D50s which should sound way better but I don't really hear it. The USB interface on the Topping is indeed better, the old Lavry has poor USB and I use it with spdif in. When I have the money I will buy a RME ADI-2 to replace both ;-)

Yes, this DAC is transparent like newers that have better specification but that's all, no audible difference to my ears.
The Lavry has replaced a old USB audio interface (Edirol UA1000, pretty good) and there is no difference for me .

The difference between DAC is for me the ability to produced a lot of Volt . The DAC is directly connected to my power amplifier (Yamaha PC2002).
For example for me a RME Babyface does not match this used case ( perhaps the usb powered of the Babyfcae made the difference).

Another interest to the Lavry is the excellent volume control (linearity and match <0.08db)