Hi!
Could you recommend a USB Stereo DAC that can be plugged into a mixer? Preferably a DAC where I can experiment with different op-amps. Looking for a sound signature that works well on large club dance floors.
Notes: A guest of mine loaned me a custom-built DAC for a few days; after trying several of his op-amps, I found the OP2134 gave a nice result on the dance floor. It had a punchy? aggressive? warm? signature that sounded really good in the club. Wanna get a DAC to experiment some more.
Could you recommend a USB Stereo DAC that can be plugged into a mixer? Preferably a DAC where I can experiment with different op-amps. Looking for a sound signature that works well on large club dance floors.
Notes: A guest of mine loaned me a custom-built DAC for a few days; after trying several of his op-amps, I found the OP2134 gave a nice result on the dance floor. It had a punchy? aggressive? warm? signature that sounded really good in the club. Wanna get a DAC to experiment some more.
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Do you know more about the custom dac ? Knowing about it might help as a guide as to the direction of travel dac wise as there are quite a few options available.
He said the built the custom DAC based off the pupDAC specs, but he re-worked a lot of the design. Way over my head.
I think I'm just gonna dip my toes in the water with a Topping D10 and just see what happens. (yeah I know about the ASR post - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ng-replacing-op-amps-in-topping-d10-dac.4576/)
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I thought the balanced out would be normal line level (1 volt at -10 dBV or +4 dBu). Is it different with audiophile equipment?
Notes:
- I'll be sending the signal to the line level inputs on the mixer - then the signal goes to the amp on the PA speaker and/or KRK monitors.
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-10dBv is consumer level, +4dBu is pro level. the scales are different, but pro level is +12dB higher. some PA equipment has a switch to boost the input signal.
if not, lower level signal will work but you might have problems with noise or low output depending on the gain structure of the whole system.
https://audiouniversityonline.com/consumer-vs-professional-audio-levels-what-is-the-difference/
if not, lower level signal will work but you might have problems with noise or low output depending on the gain structure of the whole system.
https://audiouniversityonline.com/consumer-vs-professional-audio-levels-what-is-the-difference/
Hi, Topping, SMSL Sanskrit 10th, etc, etc,... they will all be ok to drive a mixer and presumably a step up in quality from converters built into hardware player.
You talked about usb and a desk: what do you have in mind exactly about the use? Something like Traktor( or alike) as source and mixing in analog with desk? If yes then you'll need multiple out dac for each deck/player and there is no garanty multiple dacs at the same time will be supported... if this is your plan then better look at semipro soundcard ( Focusrite scarlett or the likes).
If you have a desk ( which kind? A dj mixer, a studio/live desk?) the out level is a non issue as you have input preamp in the desk if not loud enough ( +20db on line input is typical).
I agree opa(2)134 sound rather nice with electronic music. But i would not bother with the dac: check if your mixer use tl072: if yes better change them to opa ime.
You talked about usb and a desk: what do you have in mind exactly about the use? Something like Traktor( or alike) as source and mixing in analog with desk? If yes then you'll need multiple out dac for each deck/player and there is no garanty multiple dacs at the same time will be supported... if this is your plan then better look at semipro soundcard ( Focusrite scarlett or the likes).
If you have a desk ( which kind? A dj mixer, a studio/live desk?) the out level is a non issue as you have input preamp in the desk if not loud enough ( +20db on line input is typical).
I agree opa(2)134 sound rather nice with electronic music. But i would not bother with the dac: check if your mixer use tl072: if yes better change them to opa ime.
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Yes Traktor/Serato software is my source with an SSL 2+ audio interface. The SSL 2+ sound is very good, but it is also feels very clean/sterile, so I'm looking for a DAC with a different sound character. In comparison to the SSL 2+, the custom DAC with the OPA2134 sounded more lively? punchy? aggressive? open? warm? - sound quality was not as clean as the SSL 2+ but sound character was more fun on dance floor.
NOTES:
For mixing audio, it depends on the venue:
- for live events, I bring a Yamaha MG10XU mixer and a DDJ-REV1 controller, the SSL 2+ plugs into the mixer
- for clubs I use the in-house Pioneer or Allen & Heath mixers (with their own audio interfaces)
SSL 2+ Tear Down (if this helps)
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Solid+State+Logic+SSL+2+Teardown/135354
Hi,
Ok it's clearer.
So you mix ITB.
I thoughts you were talking about an XL kind of desk ( X- panda or alike) when talking about SSL, not a converter.
Well i would be carefull with what you heard on the dancefloor with the custom DAC: even 0,1db difference between devices under test will make you prefer the loudest one everytime, and given the context ( club and modded converter) i wouldn't trust calibrating (if any).
That is not do dismiss what you felt though, and there might be real sound differences between converters.
SSL gear i worked with range from coloured in the mid ( 4000E/G) to very clean ( 9000J/K and derived 'XL' range).
Imho the 4000 sound is well behaved to rock/pop/variety/rap ( it was the desk on which most music produced during 80's to 00's were mixed on) not so much for electronic music.
9000 is so clean it's almost like digital for me. I've not heard your SSL 2 but i would expect it to sound like this.
You must ask why i say that: it's because if you want to 'add' something to your sound i would rather focus on an analog circuit ( post converter and before receiving desk) rather than doing opamp rolling.
I mean sound of 'classic' SSL desks comes from their VCA and transformers ( mainly for preamp ) and the circuits used not from the opamp ( Ams/Neve's consoles use the same 553x opamps but sound different because circuits, VCA used and transformers are differents...).
Have you some experience in electronic? Built some kits in the past?
If yes i can point you to some circuit to try (which was part of mixing dj desk) to bring 'flavour' to your sound.
It could even be build using opa2134 if you want and it'll bring 'warmth' and 'fatness' ( not sure about agressiveness but it could be added too as it is usually depending on eq ime - and for what i identify as 'aggressiveness' which could be different than your own definition).
It shouldn't be expensive either as the circuit i think of have maybe ten parts by chanel and nothing fancy ( regular parts, no audiophile things). It could be implemented on protoboard and could be made small enough not to be too bulky which can be a point for nomad use.
Ok it's clearer.
So you mix ITB.
I thoughts you were talking about an XL kind of desk ( X- panda or alike) when talking about SSL, not a converter.
Well i would be carefull with what you heard on the dancefloor with the custom DAC: even 0,1db difference between devices under test will make you prefer the loudest one everytime, and given the context ( club and modded converter) i wouldn't trust calibrating (if any).
That is not do dismiss what you felt though, and there might be real sound differences between converters.
SSL gear i worked with range from coloured in the mid ( 4000E/G) to very clean ( 9000J/K and derived 'XL' range).
Imho the 4000 sound is well behaved to rock/pop/variety/rap ( it was the desk on which most music produced during 80's to 00's were mixed on) not so much for electronic music.
9000 is so clean it's almost like digital for me. I've not heard your SSL 2 but i would expect it to sound like this.
You must ask why i say that: it's because if you want to 'add' something to your sound i would rather focus on an analog circuit ( post converter and before receiving desk) rather than doing opamp rolling.
I mean sound of 'classic' SSL desks comes from their VCA and transformers ( mainly for preamp ) and the circuits used not from the opamp ( Ams/Neve's consoles use the same 553x opamps but sound different because circuits, VCA used and transformers are differents...).
Have you some experience in electronic? Built some kits in the past?
If yes i can point you to some circuit to try (which was part of mixing dj desk) to bring 'flavour' to your sound.
It could even be build using opa2134 if you want and it'll bring 'warmth' and 'fatness' ( not sure about agressiveness but it could be added too as it is usually depending on eq ime - and for what i identify as 'aggressiveness' which could be different than your own definition).
It shouldn't be expensive either as the circuit i think of have maybe ten parts by chanel and nothing fancy ( regular parts, no audiophile things). It could be implemented on protoboard and could be made small enough not to be too bulky which can be a point for nomad use.
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