Rockna Wavedream Signature Balanced DAC Review - The Analyst's Choice

[@rolioli3776]

There's something I really like about utterly, unnecessarily large devices. I thought the May was big, but it looks like a cell phone next to a microwave.

[@subbot8077]

This. Massive boxes with pretty internals will never cease to win my heart. Bonus points if it's actually two boxes stacked on top of each other

[@mrtunapie6653]

Me too... Big, over engineered, and heavy as hell.

[@mounirehab]

Don't forget the MAY external power supply ...

[@ericstefko4852]

I picked up the May KTE based on a number of reviews with your's being the final decision maker. It took a while before it started hitting its stride, it is now starting to melt my brain. Thanks for all your effort. honesty and detail of your reviews

[@JWForce1059]

You've touched on it in previous videos, but if you don't already have it planned, it would be very interesting to watch a video with your thoughts and know-how on aspects between DACs that measure well and DACs that don't measure as well but are perhaps more perceptually pleasing. Schiit engages in this conversation with their products, most recently their new Yggdrasil line.

[@maybecrazy7835]

I have seen these second hand in the UK for under 4k. I know there are variants of it, but I have heard this DAC several times in various systems and it's never failed to make me smile and get lost in the music. It might be my next DAC.

[@amaya897]

Certainly not signature. Wavedream can go that low yes.

[@rafael6769]

the listing of different songs is genius for viewer retention btw, its worth watching just for that

[@markg3789]

For the price of a brand new small car here in OZ I would expect close to absolute perfection. The fact that it doesn't even have USB galvanic isolation or programable i2s input, has a very hot output level that can be problematic when matching with existing amps or integrated amps, together with the timbre and other sound nitpicks you highlighted.....must surely make this an extremely poor value proposition. I'll "slum it" with something like a Holo Audio Spring or May thanks and put the savings away for an all expenses paid overseas holiday that I may or may not be able to take one day 😉

[@MrIgor2k]

Ever tried it in your system, if you have something that can match this high performance electronics? Or you are deciding to buy components based on youtube and on line reviews without prior listening…

[@latle111]

The inside is more beautiful than the outside IMO. If it had a see-through glass plate where the inside is visible, it would be gorgeous.

[@feverSoundHK]

this Rockna DAC really rocks

[@ysubman]

hi 國仁

[@chris292]

How much does it cost

[@calaf_725]

@@chris292 Something like 12.000 usd for the balanced version? I think the reviewer mentioned it at some point but i go by memory here.

[@ksy76]

Hi Gwok Yan! Hi Hong Kong!

[@ohno-ohno-VW]

May be you can rock it more with the Mutec reclocker 🤣

[@veniceog]

I lol’d on the critique of the D90. Its spot on. Its perfect, perfectly boring. Very impressed with this review, the balance between measurement, perception and taste. The use of measurements also is more insightful than the gaslight reviewers.

[@astorbeijer9424]

I will never be able to afford this, but I aspire to purchase the remote control one day 😍

[@benjamink.6286]

Superb review - thank you! Can be said whether there will be a review of the mentioned MOLA MOLA dac (soon)? It would be very interesting. It’s a praised dac with basicly no existing reviews.

[@Zurvv]

If the firmware is up to date the i2s settings ("pinout") can be changed.. "when changing inputs (HDlink1 or 2) , you can press RPT key [on the remote] to change between Rockna mode (HDlink1r) and PS Audio mode (HDlink1p)"

[@audiotalk6155]

As usual, great review! If it can’t get the vocals or timbre spot on, on every song, it’s a no go. No hesitation. I could never get past that. I appreciate this review. Without hearing it, the May seems like the DAC to beat based in the reviews I’ve watched. Cheers.

[@suryapramoddev]

I'm awaiting for the review of dCS Bartok

[@chris292]

Yess! Me to

[@MartinHAndersen]

Same here. I had it on trial for a week and I should have bought it

[@LuxAudio389]

Any plans on reviewing the Audiobyte Hydra stack(zap, hub, and DAC) made by Rockna's sister company.

[@marks.2909]

What a good review ,.A+

[@ZZ-yv5ux]

Could you review Aqua Fomula and some MSB DACs? Really interested in seeing you review these high end R2R DACs.

[@aceofspades6667]

Rockna makes a great product! It’s going to be above Spring 3 KTE likely on the same level as May KTE. Mola Mola, Aires Kessandra, Berkeley Alpha 2, MSB diamond levels of performance.

[@KenMoreira]

Guess I should sell my spring 3 kte lol

[@alexandergourlay9501]

Have had the Spring KTE and now have the Rockna basic model. No brainer upgrade. Found the Spring a bit mushy. Be curious to hear the May if it's picked up the transient fidelity and is on par with the rockna.

[@michalryszawy]

@@alexandergourlay9501 hi. Did You have Spring 3 KTE ?

[@frankmonroe9696]

I think you should premiere more often. It gives non-patrons an idea of what's next, while still enabling patrons to view your content early. A proper win-win in my eyes.

[@kovy689]

Pretty sure AudioGD r2r dacs are a better value…

[@audiorick841]

You mention getting a Tambaqui for review. Would absolutely love to hear your opinion on it. In have a May KTE and hesitant to go to the Tambaqui. Hope you review it!

[@shanestephenson8423]

G'day mate lol not sure if fake Aussie accent is a real Aussie but I am😁. Really enjoyed this video in fact enjoying all the content your producing ATM. Of course it helps that I'm into DAC's in a rather large way. Getting a little old school now I admit but I have a luxman da-06. It's difficult to know where to jump to next as I'm starting to get interested in a move up from there. I'm getting interested in r to r ladder DAC's but just need a decent comparison between what I have and what the next step up Is. Keep up the great work I am a subscriber and love the channel.🎧😁👍

[@fenellamckenzie4434]

That's a British accent

[@tarekbahri2008]

I would love it if you could source these dacs and review them: Mola Mola Tambaqui Aqua La Scala MKII Lampizator Pacific

[@Benvos]

Love the dacs you’re managing to get in, Rockna has been on my list, the wavelight though. Interested to know once you’ve got through all of those dacs you mentioned which is your favourite for electronic music.

[@SkywhiteChannel]

Another fantastic review. Thank you.

[@TheIpadfanatic]

I realize I am preaching to the choir, but the audio analyzer put you into a different category of audio channel's on KZbin. The combination of graphs plus the discussion of genre listening and the analysis is so UNIQUE. Well done sir! [TL;DR] if you are reading this comment, please consider subscribing and joining his Patreon to get direct access if you need to get a question answered. I have used that feature extensively and it has helped me immensely.

[@ionutzxpo]

hi guys, they are using some programable extreme low jitter,high stability and very high performance clocks ;)

[@mindbendernine]

@5:34 - "Size isn't everything, it's how you use it..." LOL

[@mmmadog]

100 people watching and none of us can afford what we are watching.

[@GoldenSound]

I made the vid and I can't afford it XD

[@duranarts]

@@GoldenSound hmm

[@aceofspades6667]

Just found one on us audio mart used for $12k USD but Holo May can be had for $4k USD

[@oinkdoink5735]

You can get the the lowest model which is about $5500usd.

[@aabuahro]

Great reviews love your channel! I think this type of DAC excels in EDM music , try some tipper music on it. I have the same timbre issue with my current DAC, I was wondering if the timbre issue is dac related or maybe the streamer signature sound, that would of been a nice test.

[@asc5907]

Thanks for the upload verry informative. It would be great if you could review the "Metronome le dac". I would love to know how it compares to the Rockna or holo dacs.

[@AH-wr1ir]

outstanding review.

[@georgispeleo7364]

I would drill a hole in my knee to listen to your review of Musetec 005 and Musician Aquarius!

[@latle111]

First of I just wanna say, wonderful channel, love it. I just have a simple question that is a bit long for the sake of clarity. I have a lovely sound system and my question is what should my source/transport be for sound quality? In one of your video you said a gaming computer is terrible as a source and unfortunately that is what I have, PC (usb) -> dac. Will a dedicated source be a noticeable improvement? and what should I get for a source? I've heard very mixed result about the soundnode. Thanks.

[@wabbasMEpern]

No. If you are really worried just buy a $100 DDC.

[@auggysimcity]

do you have a large collection of cds or do you stream...?

[@latle111]

@@auggysimcity I stream, 0 cd haha. Anyway this question is old and I've learned more and gotten an answer now. But thanks for replying anyway.

[@pennfootball71]

Another fantastic review. Will be curious how you like the Mola Mola

[@mustardchan4541]

would love to see a review of the SMSL VMV D1se DAC. I recall you saying it was one of your favorites.

[@konna200]

Same here! This unit is so so much over my price bracket that i have to sell my kidneys or kick my family out! LoL!

[@nnnnoob]

Where's your review of the d90se. I want to know more about why you don't like it. Other reviewers seem to like it a lot.

[@goodsound4756]

It’s great that you have some big brands DACs coming up. I only wished that there was a Linn device amongst them.

[@divertiti]

Really looking forward to the Bartok, Tambaqui and Discrete reviews

[@Cyzer01]

Great reviews, keep it up! Someone please send this gentleman the Audio GD Master 9 and DI-20 HE.

[@bomuliu2170]

Great video! How dose it compare to the Dave and m-scaler?

[@midlandaudiox-change3165]

this isnt the latest version also this wasnt supplied by the manufacturer or the distributor these items date from 2017 the latest version was started production in august 2021 and so much has changed to this fabulous Ladder dac along with that the wave dream net in its new version is nothing like what you have reviewed i have informed Nicolai about this review and UT video and guess what the remote is now a Gold Note PLASTIC remote

[@genmaicha_]

going to create a DAC with a remote shaped like a hatchet just for mr goldensound here

[@James-dg8oz]

If you prefer R2R, would suggest throwing Aqua Formula into the ring for review. It is a great DAC.

[@lloyddelossantos6725]

Any chance of reviewing the audiobyte vox/zap combo ?

[@youtubiers]

Goldensound, were you going to review the Gustard X26 Pro dac? I saw you put measurements on SBAF

[@DueM]

Agree entirely on the smsl su8 verdict, it's an in your face unit i got a cheap stack to replace a klipsch heritage dac/amp that was flaky. It's good for video games but music sounds incredibly forward and harsh on it.

[@nitraM321]

Rockna's web site says the output is 7 volts on the edition model, but 10 on the signature you are testing here

[@divertiti]

Have you heard the Tambaqui? If so, how does it compare?

[@pnddesign]

Great ! I have the iris dcc + pontus ii. Now I wonder about using a masterclock like the denafrips Aether would do ..

[@christosthomidis5636]

Thank you for the great review. Is it possible to do a video/review about hqplayer? There isn’t much info out there about this software and I believe it would be of interest to many people as it can be a low cost upgrade.

[@jameshope7766]

Hi. I watch your videos for the honesty and objectivity. Really love what you’re doing. However, I’m not an electronic engineer and I find some references are lost on me. I’m not asking you to dumb it down too much, but if you’re going to use acronyms or very technical jargon, please give it a sentence of explanation so I can at least do the research myself online. Thanks.

[@smoloms]

i love your reviews. it’s like Zeos, but mature. still love zeos but this is 👌

[@bomt697]

Love these vids but its a little hard to follow. Would you consider making a video breaking down all the universal components to DACs and Preamps. Stuff that would help the newbies be better informed when buying HiFi audio equipment?

[@Finn_2187_Binks]

Dude, you gotta check out the hanz bheekhuyzen channel for the technicals.

[@mrfrosty3]

Never heard of them. I don't remember seeing any of these in Dixons.

[@peterlarkin762]

Ye I checked Argos AND Tesco, none in stock.

[@marionthethird]

Please review your Benchmark amp.

[@97invaderzim]

does size matter? I think yes If they were bigger I'd be even more tempted to buy them

[@majicogarcia8417]

For 7 Grand, the chips better have Platinum instead of gold. At the very least, solid copper construction of the case.

[@oinkdoink5735]

Goldensound, question for ya. I've been using my Pi2aes for the past 12 months and it's such an amazing ddc for the price but I'm looking for something better.. Do you think the audio-gd DI-20He is a step up in sound quality even if it's using the amanero usb input? thanks!

[@maxguerrero556]

How does the Rockna compare to the Berkeley Reference 3? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[@tonyd9998]

How would this pair with APERIO?

[@fluffed_coyote1487]

Would it be possible for us to get a video about your Rune setup?

[@no-man_baugh]

If you're looking for some really good edm music to play for demo, might I reccomend CFCF My local collage radio station has been playing stuff from their latest album "Memorylane" and I honestly just mention them just to get them a shoutout also The Ants's Stories About Killing and anything by Mort Garson would be nice to hear

[@noob9103]

rockna wave dream can not convert dsd internally? manual says it play dsd 512.

[@ericstefko4852]

It is my understanding that it will convert the DSD to PCM and then play it over the R2R ladder. It doesn't keep it in the DSD domain. The Holo May has 2 converters a PCM one and a dedicated DSD one

[@alexandergourlay9501]

Reading between the lines - May vs the Rockna stack. For guys into EDM, rock, funk, metal - where transients (prat) and macro are critically important, vs the timbre. Rockna wins ?

[@thomastoochal2133]

Seems like it from the video critique. What people who are interested in this unit should remember, Goldensound makes a slight criticism of the timbre compared to other high end dacs. For 95% of the planet, purchasing this unit will be an improvement in every category. The timbre on the Rockna is still better than on my Topping or Cambridge. It’s all relative I suppose.

[@nikkonkde]

I’m curious how it compares to the terminator plus.

[@KuroshKhalili]

When will you compare it to terminator plus?))

[@ericstefko4852]

It would be great if you could get your hands on a Bryston BDA-3

[@chefsteve8381]

Now i just gotta find a desk 10 meters long

[@kyron42]

Interesting accent. It sounds like a combination of a Home County and RP.

[@kyron42]

The hybrid filter looks a bit like the ifi GTO filter.

[@chefsteve8381]

More than likely is, just in a bigger box....

[@kyron42]

Can you recommend a sub $500 DAC or is that below your attention level.

[@GoldenSound]

Soncoz sgd1 is my fav

[@kyron42]

@@GoldenSound thanks I've just watched it. I like to have a fair bit of Slam so in might go well with MT604. It looks very good and I don't want to get shiit because in Australia schiit cost a shitload of money.

[@Jaykay586]

@@kyron42 try iFi's Zen DAC V2 if you have not already done so...

[@chefsteve8381]

@@kyron42 topping E 30 works for us humans !

[@kyron42]

@@chefsteve8381 or SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK II. $165 AU. Free delivery

[@nunoferraz5426]

Hope you will.compare to holo may.

[@mikelm222]

Good review - thanks. Not the DAC for me I think.

[@truckerallikatuk]

I'm more of a fan of monochrome displays that aren't white. Amber and greenscreens are so highly under-rated for visibility.

[@chris292]

How good is it

[@TheCangle]

Join the discord for some early impressions of his

[@chris292]

@@TheCangle I did

[@wojciechczupta]

does it come near Dave+Mscaler?

[@ptg01]

$17K DAC ? Hmmm... Definitely for the top 0.00001%.

[@kingjongun7295]

this does good brrrr?

[@chefsteve8381]

And good $$$$$$$$$$$

[@Burevestnik9M730]

since Gustard is better for 10th of the price, I'll go with Gustard

[@chris292]

How do these sound

[@kovy689]

Pretty sure AudioGD r2r dacs are a better value…

[@chrisguygeezer]

I'm sure this gear sounds amazing, but it looks so industrial. And it'll be superceded in 24 months. It's what happens with digital hardware, it just becomes out of date two years down the line.

[@mkwilson38]

This model has been around since like 2014, I believe, and has gotten periodic upgrades.

[@iheartcomps]

In a blind test u couldn’t tell the difference guaranteed

[@matthewhilty4209]

What brand is that DAC ? Said nobody ever. That branding is obnoxious.

[@indigocrystalknight8864]

The BRAND NAME is "ROCKNA" and the MODEL NAME is "WAVEDREAM".

[@ohno-ohno-VW]

Nadia Comăneci grade 👍

[@Castraball]

Facut in Suceava

[@milosevicbojan07]

The output is too strong,it's obvious. It's sound like you recording audio cassette or CD and put too strong level,you know, when pick matters or vu matters goes to red zone

[@Fruggggg]

DUCKS IN

[@peterlarkin762]

Stuck between a Rockna hard bass

[@ayc868]

On the conclusion, you speak to fast on Dave. if you can describe again about relate to Dave, thanks

[@Burevestnik9M730]

Maybe 12000 red blood cells

[@chris292]

Hey man

[@Burevestnik9M730]

MIDI sounding

[@Richbroth]

May > rockna

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

To have listening impressions not preceded by measurements is underwhelming.

[@cjay2]

Hey video maker, just a suggestion: Don't put messages on the screen that need to be read by the viewer whilst you're talking. No one listens to what you're saying whilst reading, or the smart ones don't read the message (there's less of those). Just saying.

[@mkwilson38]

Weird complaint, as it’s a regular practice for good content creators to augment -and sometime correct- their info with on-screen text. These smart ones you mention will pause the vid to read the message if they need to 😉