Chord Electronics DAVE Review - UPDATE TWO Using DAVE as PREAMP Changes EVERYTHING.. ALMOST!

[@jaspalkallar5993]

Not for everybody but getting the right adapters you can by pass the power amp and go 'direct' from the Dave (as Dac and Pre), i.e: Music Server --> Dave (2W) --> RCA-to-Speaker-Cable-Adapters ---> High efficient speakers (> 94db, 8ohms) But you may need to use a sub with some music and listening would be mid to near field. This I've read is the best clarity and resolution you will get from a Dave; an OMG moment apparently. The TT2 in this 'direct' configuration will output more than Dave's 2W, I think around 7W from the unbalanced RCA. If I ever get the Hugo TT 2, then I will try the 'direct' configuration.

[@theizer7612]

Thank s for honest impressions. Allot of people are afraid to say anything negative about the DAVE. Would you consider doing a comparison against another FPGA DAC - the Sony TA-ZH1ES ?

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

If I had the sony I would do it. It's taken me quite a lot of work to get more from the Dave, not that much really when I think about it just feels like it. There will be an update 3 and more song demonstration videos then the review for it. It's a class product once you get it right with it, you can't just expect to plug it in and get magic, well maybe you can depending on things. I will exaplin more in Update 3 I have had other work and life commitments getting in the way

[@rsdays]

such a useful video for me as a new Dave owner. thanks so much. can i ask please what is the metal disc you have put on top of the Dave? am now going to disconnect my preamp!

[@malcolmsangster602]

Terry, do you think that upgrading the PSU in the Dave with the SJ SC4 or JCAt Optimo 3 will improve the sound ? I am aware that Chord does not recommend this and have implemented a good power management system, but many users seem to have benefitted from this upgrade

[@lukasjerresand2490]

Great video! My lokal Hifi shop also recomend running the DAVE as a preamp, you are correct in your findings. :)

[@rauljasiah543]

Pro tip: watch series at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.

[@phillipderek5150]

@Raul Jasiah yea, been watching on Flixzone for years myself :D

[@mawe6628]

Terry, did you try the Qutest without Preamp directly into the Amp? Should be better way as well. As you listen at high levels you can switch the output voltage of the DAC to the closest value and do the fine tuning in the software. With proper dithering you will not loose a lot, but gain more as you eliminate a electrical component and a cable. Would be interesting to hear your thought

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

no I haven't tried that but would be an interesting experiment

[@ProGwardzista]

Congrats on the 5K subs!

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

Thank you

[@nickwavehighfidelity7651]

Ah, see, listen to your Uncle Nick about taking the Dave direct into the power amp! Now, the other thing to think about is the digital feed into Dave. The Dave is a precision DAC and will be affected by RF noise. The immediate symptoms of RF noise are a false sense of clarity, soundstage and detail but in my experience these can make the Dave sound too detailed and maybe less organic. Get rid of the RF and the bass becomes more organic, weightier and the top end has more real detail but at the same time seems to has less detail at first. There is a sweet spot with the Dave and it is waiting to get out. I will email you on this. (By the way the upcoming TT2 doesn’t have batteries, it only has supercaps. This means that when it is unplugged from the mains it only lasts for 15 seconds. Also the TT2 will not challenge Dave for ultimate transparency).

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

the sweet spot in a range is not always the best product in the range it's what gets you the most from the least. I am already onto update 3 and have it nailed now within reason. The Dave is massively affected by the incoming signal yes bee hard at it all day trying all sorts. I have to put 6 months of ownership learning curve into a week :)

[@mawe6628]

Pursuit Perfect System You probably need to review your cabling? Since you now have „natural“ high resolution the cables you are using had emphasised your taste with the „noisy and coloured“ preamp. Neutral cables will open up the soundstage and bottom end.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@mawe6628 that could have been one way to try and tackle sound balance, I have gone about it another way. Update 3 will explain everything I have done.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Pursuit Perfect System try TimePortal cables built specifically to limit EMI RFI...

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@JingoLoBa57 I haven't got any of them. I am not worried update 3 is coming I just haven't had the time to make it had a lot on last few days

[@CraigK80]

Did you try the DAVE through the Arcam 850 running a 2 channel setup? Or the P49? Now this could be interesting mate

[@lextr3110]

don't put electronics on speakers man... shielded or unshielded you can buy any passive step attenuator after the dac that should give you good sound too with the chord qutest. preamp color the sound..

[@philthedogg]

I know it has its own dedicated stand and I know space is a premium but surely standing it on a speaker is not the most ideal way of running it. Like the videos and the fact you are running a system with equipment from two major hifi manufacturers from here in Maidstone is fantastic. One thing you need to do and please take this as a positive criticism is please tidy up your system and get rid of that silly plastic tree lol.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

that silly plastic tree is a long running joke and I am used to it now. It's there to banter someone who moaned about the mess. The space on top of the centre speaker is the best to place to show off the Dave and stand you can see it clearly from a video perspective. The speaker is the most inert structure in the room so it actually might make the ideal component stand from that point of view when you think about it. It has no reflection on why I hadn't as of this video achieved the right sonics that is / was a setup issue that I mentioned in this video at some length and will discuss more on update 3. If I was buying the Dave it wouldn't live there but for purposes of showing it off it's actually about the best spot I have. Looks of the system are irrelevant to me I only care about how it sounds when your constantly pulling things in and out and you have this many products in a small space it's very hard to stay tidy, especially when your working to a review and filming and video editing and work schedule. Everything is there for a reason not to look pretty I can understand why that might be important to some people it's not me. This room is pitch black for certain specific reason as well again all for home cinema performance.

[@philthedogg]

Pursuit Perfect System I must admit it’s a great man cave you’ve got there. How about trying to get hold of a good old British valve amp for review. Keep up the good work the videos are getting better and better

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@philthedogg I am desperate to do some valve products and more speakers. I need different speakers for valves not these KEF really. I have a hybrid coming next which is very interesting as it's my first one. I am not even placist the valves can come from any country :)

[@philthedogg]

Pursuit Perfect System sounds interesting. My r500s’ match up with my valve amp really well but your reference’s may need a big valve amp with some oooph.

[@PursuitPerfectSystem]

@@philthedogg I think they do for bass control and I listen very loud but I would happily try. what valve amps have you got??

[@4fmagnet]

That thing is so fucking ugly, Chord really needs to reevaluate their design choices.