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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Simp-Dawg on April 29, 2005, 02:24:27 PM
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got to play with it yesterday over at Grace's office...HOLY SHIT IT IS SWEET!!!! here's some notes on it that I posted over in colorado crew...
yeah it's a high quality 24-bit/192khz DAC and headphone amp but can also drive powered speakers, like the active reference monitors i use. it would be much better than going straight into the internal soundcard i have now.
other features i can remember:
-both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs on xlr and rca
-rca outputs
-digi-in includes aes, s/pdif, toslink, and usb!
-switchable output from monitors to headphone via push-button volume knob
-remote control
-xfeed technology which simulates the head baffle effect when listening over headphones
-pimp light-dimming technology to set the mood Grin (jamie explained it like that, pretty much)
-2 headphone outs
anyone seen/have one yet and want to comment? i'm pretty certain i'm getting one to drive my alesis m1 active mk-II reference monitors
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I haven't seen the m902, but I have had the 901 for just over a year now. From what I gather, the D/A has been improved, but the analog headphone amp section is very similar (if not the same??). That said, I absolutely love my 901, and I say go for it, get the m902. I've briefly thought about selling the 901 and buying an m902, but at this point, I don't think I need to do it just yet.
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I lust for one myself. I'll be listening to Jasons 901 tomorrow! :)
my dream rig right now is the 902 > manley snapper 100w tube monos
that would kick some SERIOUS ass !! Minimalist approach. A very high end analog signal coming out, so a great amp is a must to really make something special. but I bet a signal like that would bring out the best in any amplification device.
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Josh -- doug oade (and many others) liked the 901 (its predecessor) a LOT. Quite a few folks actually use it as a preamp, feeding the headphone out into a power amp. I've never heard one, but sounds like it has superior d>a conversion circuitry and really nice sound. I'm sure the 902 will be real nice too -- you might want to see if you can find a used 901 as it'll probably set you back a lot less change
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buy it and bring it over to my house, I want to hear that thing!
the m901 is a Class A rated component by Stereophile I believe
there should be a review of the m902 coming out soon
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buy it and bring it over to my house, I want to hear that thing!
the m901 is a Class A rated component by Stereophile I believe
there should be a review of the m902 coming out soon
i believe jamie said the latest review puts this at the same high class rating. i'm not looking to save any money on a 901, i want the goods!!!
i put about $400+ into these reference monitors and i'm driving them with a $100+ internal soundcard...i just feel i'll get a lot more out of them PLUS a lot of other great features with the 902...and it is versatile enough to use in other situations when i change things up
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you will be able to keep that in your hifi system for a looooooong time... it's a first class piece of gear that is also very versatile. if you have the scratch then I think it's a no-brainer...
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I listened to it at the aes convention last october. It's the best headphone amp i've ever heard to date. So clean, detailed, and clear. Of course they had some grados for me to listen to it with. Grados are fantastic headphones. I have yet to hear this unit as a DAC for monitors.. I'm sure it is top notch though. You should definitely get one Josh if you have the money.
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Stereophile hinted this month that it may very well be the "holy grail" of dacs. Review next month I think.
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i saw one going on audiogon a few weeks back, so i emailed the seller to ask what he thought of it. he was selling it to buy back a benchmark because that's what he preferred
just thought i'd mention that
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Also, only 16/44.1 or /48 over the USB. USB2 or FW for 24/96 or /192 would have been way better, IMO. I'll wait for another generation.
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Also, only 16/44.1 or /48 over the USB. USB2 or FW for 24/96 or /192 would have been way better, IMO. I'll wait for another generation.
+ T Great catch, that was buried in the manual.
I wonder why a $1600 device would have USB1.1 in 2005 ?
Word to Mike.
Still, I bet it sounds great. The M901 kicks butt. So does the Benchmark DAC-1. I'd be proud to own either.
Now if only someone will answer my question from a few months ago about how it is possible to "hear" the differences in digital cables,
especially with PLL technology, such as Grace's s-Lock.........
But I digress.
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is it ok that it has unbalanced rca outs to drive my monitors? or would i want balanced for that?
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is it ok that it has unbalanced rca outs to drive my monitors? or would i want balanced for that?
bump this question...
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do your monitors have balanced inputs?
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good question. they accept both via combo xlr/trs jacks. here's the manual:
http://www.alesis.com/downloads/manuals/M1ActiveMKII_Manual.pdf
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Also, only 16/44.1 or /48 over the USB. USB2 or FW for 24/96 or /192 would have been way better, IMO. I'll wait for another generation.
+ T Great catch, that was buried in the manual.
I wonder why a $1600 device would have USB1.1 in 2005 ?
Is that what these are going for?
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good question. they accept both via combo xlr/trs jacks. here's the manual:
http://www.alesis.com/downloads/manuals/M1ActiveMKII_Manual.pdf
great! just take the unbalanced line out of your m902 into the xlr line in of your speakers. that would be best for your situation. according to your manual, your monitors will take a balance or unbalanced signal. you just need to make the proper cables.
edit: rca>trs is fine too if that's easier.
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do your monitors have balanced inputs?
Balanced and Unbalanced isn't so much a shielding/ grounding issue as a level / voltage issue.
Balanced = "pro" level of +4 DBv
Unbalanced = "consumer" level of -10 DBv
or about 1 VDC of signal difference to a 600 ohm load, if memory serves.
In other words you'll need to adjust gain a bit to compensate.
FWIW, Eveanna Manley stated strong doubts on the benefits of balanced interconnects.
(She's my kinda gal)
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Eveanna.....mmmmmmmANLEY!
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i pulled the trigger, it should be here this week. now i gotta get some new cables ;D
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i pulled the trigger, it should be here this week. now i gotta get some new cables ;D
hey josh, could you PM me and lemme know the price and also, what cans ya got to run thru this bad-boy?
ive been thinking of upgrading my home playback since the rig is about where i want it :) and i wanna start w/ this!
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i pulled the trigger, it should be here this week. now i gotta get some new cables ;D
nice going :) I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the grace.
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i pulled the trigger, it should be here this week. now i gotta get some new cables ;D
Cool ! When's the listening party ? ;D
+T for a hell of a toy !
Live my dream for me. I'm hoping to join Team m902 very soon.
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since it will probably arrive friday or so, and i'll be in vegas, it will get set up next week and then the listening parties can commence! ;D
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just have it sent to my place, I'll break it in for you while you're out of town :P
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just have it sent to my place, I'll break it in for you while you're out of town :P
HA!
good one :P
it'll be here by monday, remote will be shipped separately in a couple weeks but no big deal. how would you rate those sony headphones you lent me, tim? will they be good for critical listening? they sound great from what i've heard so far...
i can't wait to hear this thing drive my monitors...mmmmm!
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they are really nice headphones... a little colored but they are first rate. do a search for them on this site (sony mdr7506) and you'll find some good reports, a lot of engineers use them.
you might want to look into some Grado's too
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yeah i hear a lot about the grados
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yeah i hear a lot about the grados
with good reason ;D
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congrats simp, and thanks for the info about the m902 ;D
i would love to pull the trigger on one to kinda start my venture into HIFI playback, well, i want something more than my mini-bose cibe speakers, i need more thump ;D
and im thinking w/ the 902 and a great pair of cans, that could be the start of a great playaback listening station, well, better than the one i currently have, then after that, some nice home speakers, and im set
what do ya'll prefer tho? near-fieldmonitoring speakers w/ a sub or a nice pair of tower speakers w/ a sub ??? ;D
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http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=34162.0 ;)
I'd say skip the monitors....
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soooo gooooood....... ;D
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I want to do a shootout between the 902 and my Bel Canto DAC2 sometime soon Simpy
congrats man, that thing looks sweet!