I'd be surprised if a reference was ever priced cheap enough to count as a downgrade

I am about to start spending more time with plaidplatypus's Gilmore Reference that I am borrowing, and will be hooking it up to my mini-DAC tomorrow to give it a try. It got here right before we left for Maui for Xmas, and I've only tested it to make sure it was working, hooked up to a Samsung DVD in the other room. I'll let you know what I think about it - hoping I don't like it enough to make an offer to buy it (although it's not for sale).

I'd be surprised if a reference was ever priced cheap enough to count as a downgrade

Yeah, that one's a reeaalll long shot.

I allowed myself to become so desensitized to the cost of audio gear over the last couple years - now that I'm becoming much more sensitive again, I think I could live with a nice Gilmore V2 as my 2nd amp/preamp. I reckon it should be relatively inexpensive if they ever came up used. I remember it sounding very smooth and powerful last time I had one - first amp I really "loved" and really proved to me the utility of a good amp. Tubes are fun to look at, but seriously I only really need the Zana (and even that's seriously stretching the meaning of "need") to cover my tube amp usage.

Get out! And take that common sense with you!

As a followup to the last pages discussions, per a suggestion by Salt Peanuts I picked up an Belken AC powered Firewire hub. Unfortunately, this doesn't help us first gen MacBooks owners, as the fan slowly climbs as normal to hold at max. It was worth a try though. Thanks again for the idea SP. Interesting the AC is powering the Duet somewhat as the light comes on on it when plugged into the hub and not the MacBook. However this complicates things further. When then plugging into the MacBook it doesn't 'jumpstart' the Duet. It stays semi-alive (lit up, but not functioning). The Duet must be disconnected/connected between the hub and itself to work normally.

On the positive side of things I also picked up a couple of these Sewell Firewire Extenders. For anyone that needs to move the Duet and extend the digital signal to minimize the analog one, these work quite well. Maybe this will help me in situations where I'm not next to the laptop fans.

And for those wondering, no I didn't use the latter when testing the former.

So...wow. I got mine today. Either they're overdriving my amp (Radii HAP-02) -- which means they're louder than the standard output of the Mac -- or I'm suffering from lack of burn-in.

Or something else. I'll play with levels.

Anyone know any good upsampling software for Mac?

I might also have to try my Singlepower amp on it.

My experience with the duet says the best setting is to go for about 1/2 volume on line out (not instrument out). Use your ears and find the level that works best for the input on your amp.

For the mac, go to audio midi settings, set it to 24/96, and just leave it there. Core audio upsampling is pretty darn good. Always launch itunes AFTER you change those settings. or you'll get the resampling done inside itunes, which is terrible.

mine started making a digital hiss type of noise with the music, just before I left the office. Not unlike tape hiss. I've not even looked at the Maestro stuff, and have been playing a mix of 16 bit and 24bit, so hopefully tomorrow I will see whats up.

A 16 bit signal and a 24 bit signal on output are exactly the same, when you're sending 16 bits.

i just figured it was set to upsample / stay at the top rate. but i really just sort of dove into setting up the mac, didnt read anything. Mostly just spent time this weekend moving over files, little else.

I've never had that problem, my settings stick. I just tried and verified that.

Every time I unplug my optical DAC, when I plug it back in the Macbook Pro (and older Macbook) will default to 24/44.1, so I have to change it back to 24/96 again before launching iTunes. I don't recall what the Duet would do when unplugged and then plugged in again.

Ah, I don't ever turn my dac off or unplug it.

Whoa.

I just heard something I've never heard before: at 3:27 of "Why So Serious?" from the Dark Knight soundtrack, there are some bass throbs that are practically subterranean.

I've got it set at 25% (-32db). Seems to be a good place (gain), plus it's a power of two, so the computer isn't taxed at doing the maths.

I take it you're liking yours, Dusty?

I also got around to adjusting the output level on mine and it's nice to have bit more volume range on my preamp.

Bit off topic, but I'm looking forward to see how production Pico DAC compares to Duet.

just an update that everything seems to be working fine with mine, now.

Duet needs more ERS paper to really shine!

The sound gained weight, the stereophonic image has grown in every dimension and pulled back a little. I now feel the vertigo of true emotions. I spent three days sitting on a stool, curtains closed for better room treatment, forgetting to eat and procrastinating everything else. It

I love the fact that whatever that is it says RTFM on it.

I love the fact that whatever that is it says RTFM on it.

Duet guts. Was looking for info on its internals when I came across that particular "tweak."

Apogee have a great sense of humor -- knowing them, it's probably on purpose.

The Duet 2 was just announced. Comparison chart here. Switched to USB (still Mac only).

Hmm ... does 192kHz input. That could replace the Pico DAC/Amp. Wonder if it will work with the iPad2?

Edited March 30, 201115 yr by morphsci

Probably, if you can find a way to compile Maestro 2 on it.

Edited March 30, 201115 yr by blessingx

fuck. I'm probably in.

I might end up with one of these eventually, but I've been pretty happy with my DACport 24/96 unit for portable Macbook use. I usually don't need the inputs, but a dedicated line out is nice, and the breakout box with balanced XLR out is attractive too. My only complaint about the original Duet was some audible hiss with my custom IEM, so I hope this doesn't have too much hiss.

Decade bump. Anyone else excited about the Duet 3?

https://apogeedigital.com/blog/introducing-apogee-duet-3