Your hunch is Spot on ! , it's in the works and destined to take upscaling capabilities into the stratosphere ,thus rendering the Choral blu 2 mk 2 sole use and a CD player which is great they are no longer manufactured .
It was great to watch your review even though I don’t use headphones and only use my Dave connected direct to active speakers. In that respect I have been using the Dave with its digital volume control with my ATC 150 actives for more than 6 years and do not share your concern about connecting direct. As to competitors, I have tried the dCS Rossini Apex in my system in comparison and whilst that is a very fine DAC ultimately I still preferred the Dave albeit with the Mscaler (and of course using my WAVE Storm dual bnc cables!). If the only downside of the Dave is its price then there is always to option of going second hand and an immaculate used Dave can often be found for half of the new price which is something of a bargain. Keep up the good work, Nick.
Predominantly most people use it as a DAC I agree but I already covered that review. I thought this would be an interest in take on it for somebody who wants a tiny system and I think it’s still exceptional. Nothing matches it for its size and performance. M scaler Del take care up to the next level, and yes you can pick these up for about 5000 years now 6000 if you shop around which is an exceptional price Deeply appreciate the support as always
It seems you forgot to include the link annotations again. Also, the volume level is far lower than typical UA-cam videos. At one point, your vocal level became equal to the background music, and made it difficult to discern what you were saying. Incidentally, Robert Watts is an independent contractor for Chord.
Yes, my coordinator just fixed the links again now, for some reason it did not save I thought we had fixed that low volume issue I’ll talk to my editer If you can let me know the timestamp
As someone with Arya Stealth+mega humble Topping Dx3pro+ that wants to really really step up, I have in mind a Caldera and some amp and DAC that doesn't take much space in my desktop like Ferrum's full stack, or maybe a Burson GT in vertical+dac (wandla or 2hand qutest), or even the little tube amp Cayin HA-2A and dac again. With ZMF Caldera and active speakers, would you recommend a near mint second hand used Dave for around 6500 or 7000 euros and nothing else, or the Wandla golden sound + Oor + hypsos around 5500 new? Really love your passion and waiting that Holo vs Wandla video, THX!
@@Isthare dave is a better DAC and more transparent and a better performer but if you ever decide to put hard to drive Headphones on it, it will shit itself, I absolutely love the little cayin stack it’s on my desk right now being reviewed or ferrum stock which is being reviewed altogether now too, the best thing you’re gonna buy on the 8K I think, which is far more versatile. I would go for this one personally but I’ll be honest with you all three you can’t go wrong they’re all exceptional, but you will never get the portability and small factor of Dave. It’s insane very good for DCA stealth, ZMF, but struggles with SUS higher than 60 5DB.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks a lot for such fast reply, 5 tigers for you! By "the best thing you’re gonna buy on the 8K I think, which is far more versatile" you mean full ferrum + cayin HA2A, or just Dave? sorry for missreading this part, but feeling much more confident knowing you like all three options
@@Isthare my bad, apologies. I was on the go while I was responding. Ferrum stack is the best thing you’re going to grab under 8K, it’s very versatile, I’m currently reviewing the whole system as a whole now and it seems to work perfectly with SUS, LCD5, Spirit, Torino VAL, not to mention SUS unveiled, this is a good place to stop if you are planning for lots of headphones and very different headphones
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks a lot really, already had Ferrum as main and Convincemeaudio convinced me again :D I can try Ferrum but Caldera would be a blind buy based on so many love reviews and comments, so really really appreciate your opinion. Thx again and waiting for your next videos!
First of all, thank you very much for the excellent review! If you were offered to choose between the Chord Dave or the Holo Audio May and Blitz set, to listen to a single set of headphones and not have space problems, which would you prefer and which headphones would you choose? Thank you very much.
I think with bliss you can go either way with the strength lane with Dave electronic and real music for May It just depends on what little sacrifice I wanted to make between either, and most likely susvara as a rule
It might be useful to people if you could list a few items that could cover all the grounds that this unit does, we’re not talking about a DAC we’re talking about an AO
I'm pretty sure my Dave sounds better than yours😛 To the other outputs you mentioned, they are meant for the power pulse array (amp monos but with Rob Watts dac design, just lots more power) which was put on ice for the next few years at least. The Quartett M Scaler will use the same connections as before as it will work with all dual bnc Chord dacs.
lol That’s intriguing in regards to the quad BNC I wasn’t actually aware of that. Cheers for the info. Looking forward to the upgraded M scaler it’s been delayed for nearly 2 years now.
@@ConvinceMeAudio The current M Scaler is actually so good to me I wasn't missing anything. But I'd take a better one😆. Especially the improved (Mojo2) eq will be nice to have.
Hmmm I think you’re asking exclusively DAC versus DAC Original review, I think answers this question quite well, plus the upcoming May kte review, but I will put a few points below Formal viscerally impactful then may a better experience for electronic music predominantly, richer textures and tactility on May but the transient response and separation and incisiveness of Dave is a perfect companion to me because it’s the other end of the spectrum Sadly, they’re so different from each other. They’re perfect companions rather than choosing one over the other.
I buy it. I was surprise: Just sound good NOT AMAZING! Headphone amp isnt great! I DO NOT recommend it. With the money you can buy a warwick or stax or even a collection.
I've demoed all of them with their built in amps. Overall experience is head and shoulders above with the Dave. Both amps are very good and plenty capable and comparable. The DAC of the Dave is in another league above the TT2.
Tt2 plus M scaler barely stands up to Dave by itself, there’s something intrinsically transparent about the Dave amplifier. It’s insane. It’s like connecting to the output stage of the DAC.
😃 don’t normally answer these ridiculous statements, but I’m going to make an exception for you here.. Talk to me: when you put them side-by-side using the same set of drivers and amplification and exclusively tested the DAC, what was your experience? Write me a few paragraphs in regards to the reconstruction of Hans Zimmer pirates of the Caribbean live.. Give me a full analysis of the reproduction of: the atmosphere, instruments resolution detail retrieval scope size Tamber I detest shitting on other peoples equipment, because that’s a degenerate cross argument we are all here for the music, The equipment does not matter it’s the journey of listening what matters.. just don’t bring up signal to noise ratio at 1 kHz because neither you or I are a machine we are humans and we are tuned to music we’ve been doing it for 30,000 years I eagerly, await your full in-depth analysis and response On the sidenote, I actually do need to bring schiit equipment for review, I don’t think I’ve covered anything yet apart from the original jot and I did not do a video
@@ConvinceMeAudio I was being sarcastic. My way of coping with not being able to afford a better DAC right now. If I knew you were going to take such a ridiculous statement seriously and write such a long response I would have never posted that. Apologizies.
@@johnpajestka5022 that’s the problem, I don’t think my statement was ridiculous. I was genuinely being honest and asking a question, put some weird emoji next to it LOL it’s very difficult to get jokes in text. And genuinely in my defence, I’ve been dealing with these comments for the last two days in regards to this review and trust me when I tell you 90% of them, I’ll be in very very dead serious just do a little scrolling and you will see what I mean
@@johnpajestka5022 and a small sidenote don’t be downhearted, we all started at the beginning when I moved away from speakers in 2016 I started with HD650 and the Hopoe ha6a se so I wouldn’t even worry about it because this is the time when you should be discovering new music the equipment is just African conduit nothing else
Brilliant independent video review for this class-leading DAC/pre and headphone amp. Go DAVE!
Your hunch is Spot on ! , it's in the works and destined to take upscaling capabilities into the stratosphere ,thus rendering the Choral blu 2 mk 2 sole use and a CD player which is great they are no longer manufactured .
Awesome awesome job brother!
It was great to watch your review even though I don’t use headphones and only use my Dave connected direct to active speakers. In that respect I have been using the Dave with its digital volume control with my ATC 150 actives for more than 6 years and do not share your concern about connecting direct.
As to competitors, I have tried the dCS Rossini Apex in my system in comparison and whilst that is a very fine DAC ultimately I still preferred the Dave albeit with the Mscaler (and of course using my WAVE Storm dual bnc cables!).
If the only downside of the Dave is its price then there is always to option of going second hand and an immaculate used Dave can often be found for half of the new price which is something of a bargain.
Keep up the good work, Nick.
Predominantly most people use it as a DAC I agree but I already covered that review. I thought this would be an interest in take on it for somebody who wants a tiny system and I think it’s still exceptional. Nothing matches it for its size and performance.
M scaler Del take care up to the next level, and yes you can pick these up for about 5000 years now 6000 if you shop around which is an exceptional price
Deeply appreciate the support as always
@@ConvinceMeAudio, 5,000 years to find a used Dave?
That's quite a waiting period! 😮
@@TheWorldTeacher Lmfaooo did Apple screw up US$5000 best laugh of theday
Amazing review, i gotta have one......expensive youtube view for me, anyone know what the second user market is like ? Mid 2024
@@tigerfish66 us I have seen it go as low as $5500, UK, about £5500
It seems you forgot to include the link annotations again.
Also, the volume level is far lower than typical UA-cam videos. At one point, your vocal level became equal to the background music, and made it difficult to discern what you were saying.
Incidentally, Robert Watts is an independent contractor for Chord.
Yes, my coordinator just fixed the links again now, for some reason it did not save
I thought we had fixed that low volume issue I’ll talk to my editer
If you can let me know the timestamp
@@ConvinceMeAudio Everything after 6minutes. Seems it wasn't checked properly
As someone with Arya Stealth+mega humble Topping Dx3pro+ that wants to really really step up, I have in mind a Caldera and some amp and DAC that doesn't take much space in my desktop like Ferrum's full stack, or maybe a Burson GT in vertical+dac (wandla or 2hand qutest), or even the little tube amp Cayin HA-2A and dac again.
With ZMF Caldera and active speakers, would you recommend a near mint second hand used Dave for around 6500 or 7000 euros and nothing else, or the Wandla golden sound + Oor + hypsos around 5500 new?
Really love your passion and waiting that Holo vs Wandla video, THX!
@@Isthare dave is a better DAC and more transparent and a better performer but if you ever decide to put hard to drive Headphones on it, it will shit itself, I absolutely love the little cayin stack it’s on my desk right now being reviewed or ferrum stock which is being reviewed altogether now too, the best thing you’re gonna buy on the 8K I think, which is far more versatile. I would go for this one personally but I’ll be honest with you all three you can’t go wrong they’re all exceptional, but you will never get the portability and small factor of Dave. It’s insane very good for DCA stealth, ZMF, but struggles with SUS higher than 60 5DB.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks a lot for such fast reply, 5 tigers for you!
By "the best thing you’re gonna buy on the 8K I think, which is far more versatile" you mean full ferrum + cayin HA2A, or just Dave? sorry for missreading this part, but feeling much more confident knowing you like all three options
@@Isthare my bad, apologies. I was on the go while I was responding.
Ferrum stack is the best thing you’re going to grab under 8K, it’s very versatile, I’m currently reviewing the whole system as a whole now and it seems to work perfectly with SUS, LCD5, Spirit, Torino VAL, not to mention SUS unveiled, this is a good place to stop if you are planning for lots of headphones and very different headphones
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks a lot really, already had Ferrum as main and Convincemeaudio convinced me again :D I can try Ferrum but Caldera would be a blind buy based on so many love reviews and comments, so really really appreciate your opinion. Thx again and waiting for your next videos!
Great review Koji! Any chance you review the Mola Mola Tambaqui? Keep up the amazing work!
I would love to, I’ve only heard it once at a show. It’s the logistics of getting it in that might be an issue but I would not turn one down.
Dave is a world class stripey beast.......
First of all, thank you very much for the excellent review! If you were offered to choose between the Chord Dave or the Holo Audio May and Blitz set, to listen to a single set of headphones and not have space problems, which would you prefer and which headphones would you choose? Thank you very much.
I think with bliss you can go either way with the strength lane with Dave electronic and real music for May
It just depends on what little sacrifice I wanted to make between either, and most likely susvara as a rule
one day i hope you review the Vivaldi stack because why not?! Life is short
I was going to last July, but sadly it didn’t work out, but hopefully some point
Why does it have to look like a vacuum air sealer?
Clever Chord , master of disguise , so when thieves break in they don't steal it of course !
@@railwaystationmaster
Unless they're a vacuum sealer theif
Danke!
Thank you for the support genuinely appreciate it 🐅❤️🐅
@@ConvinceMeAudio My pleasure!
Koji, what do you think about putting the Dave+MScaler on the Aperio? Is it possible the transients will come in too fast?
It was actually quite a nice synergy, TBF
Dave may WaveDream addition and signature lampizator I have put all of these on the unit to excellent effect
Please review ibasso DX320MAX
Cost benefit of the Cord Dave, IMO, is not worth the money .... many better options out there.
It might be useful to people if you could list a few items that could cover all the grounds that this unit does, we’re not talking about a DAC we’re talking about an AO
I'm pretty sure my Dave sounds better than yours😛
To the other outputs you mentioned, they are meant for the power pulse array (amp monos but with Rob Watts dac design, just lots more power) which was put on ice for the next few years at least. The Quartett M Scaler will use the same connections as before as it will work with all dual bnc Chord dacs.
lol
That’s intriguing in regards to the quad BNC I wasn’t actually aware of that. Cheers for the info. Looking forward to the upgraded M scaler it’s been delayed for nearly 2 years now.
@@ConvinceMeAudio The current M Scaler is actually so good to me I wasn't missing anything. But I'd take a better one😆. Especially the improved (Mojo2) eq will be nice to have.
I wonder if the Quartet will do native DSD.
No Dave doesn’t
@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you. I thought Dave's DSD mode was native when not used with the Mscaler. Best to you again.
Koji.... vs the May?
Hmmm I think you’re asking exclusively DAC versus DAC
Original review, I think answers this question quite well, plus the upcoming May kte review, but I will put a few points below
Formal viscerally impactful then may a better experience for electronic music predominantly, richer textures and tactility on May but the transient response and separation and incisiveness of Dave is a perfect companion to me because it’s the other end of the spectrum
Sadly, they’re so different from each other. They’re perfect companions rather than choosing one over the other.
@@ConvinceMeAudio appreciate the quick response and look forward to the May Review 🙌🏼
I buy it.
I was surprise:
Just sound good NOT AMAZING!
Headphone amp isnt great!
I DO NOT recommend it. With the money you can buy a warwick or stax or even a collection.
As all in one I think the TT2 is better as it has a FAR superior headphone amp
I've demoed all of them with their built in amps.
Overall experience is head and shoulders above with the Dave. Both amps are very good and plenty capable and comparable. The DAC of the Dave is in another league above the TT2.
Tt2 plus M scaler barely stands up to Dave by itself, there’s something intrinsically transparent about the Dave amplifier. It’s insane. It’s like connecting to the output stage of the DAC.
@@ConvinceMeAudio 100% agree. The Dave is playing on a completely different level to the TT2.
I love your work and you Koji, but this thing is so ugly and hideous 😅 and yes i see it and listen by myself :)
It’s a bit of an odd duck
I don’t mind it and the size is incredible
I think its pretty gorgeous design wise
My modi is better.
😃 don’t normally answer these ridiculous statements, but I’m going to make an exception for you here..
Talk to me:
when you put them side-by-side using the same set of drivers and amplification and exclusively tested the DAC, what was your experience? Write me a few paragraphs in regards to the reconstruction of Hans Zimmer pirates of the Caribbean live..
Give me a full analysis of the reproduction of:
the atmosphere, instruments resolution detail retrieval scope size Tamber
I detest shitting on other peoples equipment, because that’s a degenerate cross argument
we are all here for the music, The equipment does not matter it’s the journey of listening what matters.. just don’t bring up signal to noise ratio at 1 kHz because neither you or I are a machine
we are humans and we are tuned to music
we’ve been doing it for 30,000 years
I eagerly, await your full in-depth analysis and response
On the sidenote, I actually do need to bring schiit equipment for review, I don’t think I’ve covered anything yet apart from the original jot and I did not do a video
@@ConvinceMeAudio I was being sarcastic. My way of coping with not being able to afford a better DAC right now. If I knew you were going to take such a ridiculous statement seriously and write such a long response I would have never posted that. Apologizies.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Great video though.
@@johnpajestka5022 that’s the problem, I don’t think my statement was ridiculous. I was genuinely being honest and asking a question, put some weird emoji next to it LOL it’s very difficult to get jokes in text.
And genuinely in my defence, I’ve been dealing with these comments for the last two days in regards to this review and trust me when I tell you 90% of them, I’ll be in very very dead serious just do a little scrolling and you will see what I mean
@@johnpajestka5022 and a small sidenote don’t be downhearted, we all started at the beginning when I moved away from speakers in 2016 I started with HD650 and the Hopoe ha6a se so I wouldn’t even worry about it because this is the time when you should be discovering new music the equipment is just African conduit nothing else
Ugly and too expensive.
😂