Topic: Sound Devices 722 vs Korg MR 1000

[Brian Skalinder]

Hype aside, the v3 a/d was preferred over the mr1 in a comp here. The r09 a/d was very much preferred over the v3 a/d in the comps I've put up here (2 or 3).  So there is some question whether the more costly mr1 can beat out the r09 in a comp with a good pre in front.

As with any comp done here at TS, I wonder if those tests say more about the reading/listening/voting population, their playback gear and environments, ears/brains, and recording and listening experiences, than they do about the quality of the gear itself.   

[Nick's Picks]

ya think?

[TNJazz]

All I know is that for the first time EVER, when I listen to a DSD recording and close my eyes it actually makes me feel like I'm right back in the room hearing it live.

NEVER got that with any PCM recording.  Close, but not quite.

[TNJazz]

All I know is that for the first time EVER, when I listen to a DSD recording and close my eyes it actually makes me feel like I'm right back in the room hearing it live.

What's your opinion on how well that sound carries over to PCM conversion for playback?

It loses a little, but it seems like some of the clarity and "openness" of the sound is retained, even at 16/44.1.  I've been very pleased so far with the few shows we're run the box for.  Look forward to using it a lot more in the future!

[F.O.Bean]

IU would like to get maybe just the MR-1, and see what the hype is all about

My playback can barely take advantage of 24-Bit stuff at the moment tho, so I would go AWHILE til I could sit back and enjoy the DSD stuff. BUT, thats really all I'm doing right now with my 24/48 and 24/96 stuff. Just keeping it nice and fresh for when I can actually take davnatage of it

I wish SD would release a 7xx series DSD machine, with the same pre's and dimensions and same box, but with DSD converters or however that shit works I'm WAY TOO in love with my 722 to part with it anytime soon. Especially if/when I sell the v2 to run just 48x>722 cause its FINALLY the sound I've been looking for all these years Never know tho, I might fall in love with the MR-1k or soemthing. I personally will prolly wait a few years and wait for more companies come out with them, so we have some diff flavors of them to keep us happy I wish we could run a true passthru with the 722. I'd buy an MR-1 just to run 48x>722>Analog>MR-1

So is an ADC even eneded. or is the ADC the Analog>DSD conversion? so its really not and ADFC persay, but an Analog>DSD conversion, right?

[JasonSobel]

So is an ADC even needed. or is the ADC the Analog>DSD conversion? so its really not and ADFC persay, but an Analog>DSD conversion, right?

well, an ADC is just an "analog to digital" converter.  DSD is a digital format, just a different kind of digital format (not PCM).  so yes, the signal goes through an ADC.  but at this point, there are very few external A/D boxes for DSD, and I don't think any portable ones.  so you're using the ADC in whatever DSD deck you have (the Korg boxes, or the Tascam DSD recorder).

[Nick's Picks]

and the advantages of DSD are heard (at least by me) FAR more readily than the sonics bennefits of 24bit vs. 16.

I dont bother w/24bit anything anymore.  I go DSD>Redbook...and i'm freaki'n A happy.

[TNJazz]

and the advantages of DSD are heard (at least by me) FAR more readily than the sonics bennefits of 24bit vs. 16.

I dont bother w/24bit anything anymore.  I go DSD>Redbook...and i'm freaki'n A happy.

Amazing, isn't it?  I feel the same way.

I wish we could run a true passthru with the 722. I'd buy an MR-1 just to run 48x>722>Analog>MR-1

Why does everyone want to do passthrough?  All you need is a pair of XLR splitters.

[stirinthesauce]

Why does everyone want to do passthrough?  All you need is a pair of XLR splitters.

come on, Dirk, don't over simplify things for them.  

[F.O.Bean]

and the advantages of DSD are heard (at least by me) FAR more readily than the sonics bennefits of 24bit vs. 16.

I dont bother w/24bit anything anymore.  I go DSD>Redbook...and i'm freaki'n A happy.

how do you listen to DSD then? could I do it with the PC>receiver?

[Nick's Picks]

DSD recording deck > receiver.

its the digital protocol that is different Bean.  It wont work w/a standard sound card that only handles PCM.
You'd have to have :
1. software that can read the files and play them.  which it will do and send the data over whatever sound card you have.  It is not true DSD though, the software probably converts to PCM so you can hear it.  like the audiogate software.

2. DSD HARDWARE...ie, dsd soundcard.  will require 1bit  DSD chips..etc.

when you play the files w/your deck then you are getting the latter.

[MattH]

and the advantages of DSD are heard (at least by me) FAR more readily than the sonics bennefits of 24bit vs. 16.

I dont bother w/24bit anything anymore.  I go DSD>Redbook...and i'm freaki'n A happy.

I agree. To me the quality jump from 24 bit to DSD is similar to the jump between MP3 and 24 bit.

[F.O.Bean]

so......I can still burn TRUE DSD to DVD-R as data tho as a backup......So I could essentially have a whole EXHDD dedicated to DSD as a backup then retransfer to listen to on the deck if needed?

[carlbeck]

Or maybe the process of having to listen to the recording on the giant ipod that is the dsd recording deck is subconsiously biasing you to think it is better.

Nope not even close, just proves that you haven't heard it yet. Sorry but that is a ridiculous assumption. I dither mine down to 24 bit & listen to it on my playback system which consists of:

MacIntosh MA 6450 Amp
DH Labs Air Matrix Silver IC
Denon 2900 Universal player
ZU Cable Wax Shotguns
B&W CDM1-SE speakers

I am pretty confident I am hearing everything with this system & it has nothing to do with a giant i-pod. I also would invite anyone over to my house to do a true blind test of source material & challenge them to not hear the obvious DSD difference.

[MattH]

so......I can still burn TRUE DSD to DVD-R as data tho as a backup......So I could essentially have a whole EXHDD dedicated to DSD as a backup then retransfer to listen to on the deck if needed?

This is more or less what I am doing with my DSD recordings. Archiving them on massive hard drives and transfering them to the recorder for true DSD playback when I get the urge. I guess I should also be backing up to dvd optical discs or redundant hard drives. AudioGate is nice for a quick listen on the PC, PCM copies for friends/uploading or PCM for car listening.