Caps 3.0

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by antipop

As much as I'm willing to accept quite a lot of things in the audio world that can defy logic. I really can't understand why there would be any difference between two softwares or hardware as long as the basics are intact (bit perfect, asynchronous,...).

I believe the real deal is having a good DAC with a precise clock, an asynchronous input and a good PSU. In my dream system, the DAC would be way more expensive than the server

What 1' long USB cable do you recommend for the Async connect between server and DAC? Since they all sound different.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Looking very forward to your impressions!

+1

I've been looking at those builds myself and think they'd sound great. As much as I like my MAC mini computers, I dead taking them apart to upgrade the drives.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by Rayooo

What 1' long USB cable do you recommend for the Async connect between server and DAC? Since they all sound different.

One made out of supraconductors cooled at -240C but you lose some of the warmth in the sound

[Rayooo]

Originally Posted by antipop

One made out of supraconductors cooled at -240C but you lose some of the warmth in the sound

Now we're talkin!

[mdkim]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Looking very forward to your impressions!

+2. A friend has the 2.0 but the 3.0 with the RedWine PS is top shelf. Interested to hear your thoughts in comparing it to your Mini.

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by mdkim

+2. A friend has the 2.0 but the 3.0 with the RedWine PS is top shelf. Interested to hear your thoughts in comparing it to your Mini.

Thanks Mike and Joe. I'm fortunate in that I know quite a few of the computer audio gurus really well. I got them together and the consensus was the CAPS Carbon 3.0 with the Red Wine PS. When I asked about comparisons with a Mac Mini, they said, "in about 5 seconds you will know."

I will have to wait about 8 weeks to try everything together, but I'm sure the CAPS Carbon 3.0 will provide at least a hint of how much better it is.

Given all the other stuff I've spent money on, this isn't a huge investment and is so critical in the chain. Everyone (me included) has focused so much on the DAC, but the source for the DAC is almost as important, perhaps even more important. GIGO.

Mike

[mbovaird]

Quick update: the CAPS 3.0 Carbon has already shipped.


In the meantime, I ran a digital out from my Oppo 105 to my DAC2X and directly compared it to my Mac Mini. The difference was substantial. The Oppo digital into the DAC2X sounded much better. Smoother. Fuller. Zero fatigue. It sounded more analog if will.

Now I'm very interested to try and ultimately compare the CAPS 3.0.

The most shocking thing of the day is that I actually bought a Windows PC. Something 13 years ago I swear I would never do again!

[uwbadger]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

I just ordered the CAPS 3.0 Carbon build with the Red Wine Power Supply. I will have to use the PS that comes with the CAPS for now as the Red Wine PS is 8 weeks behind on back order!

I could have built it myself (since I used to build PC's for a living) - but I'm too lazy. I ended up getting it from Small Green Computers.

What ssd?

Why the switch from Mac?

ayre dx-5, kxr, mxr, Vandersteen 5A, marantz 8801, Vandersteen vcc-5, Vandersteen vsm sig

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

What ssd?

Why the switch from Mac?

ayre dx-5, kxr, mxr, Vandersteen 5A, marantz 8801, Vandersteen vcc-5, Vandersteen vsm sig

Samsung I think.

Because its supposed to sound a lot better.

[uwbadger]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

Samsung I think.

Because its supposed to sound a lot better.

Will wait to see your opinion vs Mac mini

ayre dx-5, kxr, mxr, Vandersteen 5A, marantz 8801, Vandersteen vcc-5, Vandersteen vsm sig