![]() ![]() So please don't tell me you know what sounds better in my room and setup because you assume I have strong pre-convictions about my own system. I visit Audio Science Review as well as many "typical" hifi sites to research and decide for myself but ultimately by listening. I have an idea of what good sound reproduction is. I enjoy lifelike vocals as much as anyone else and strive for as much realism and emotional connection to the music. I go to live concerts, especially jazz and some classical. So no, my "kit" will not sound dull in comparison if I just "live" with the SHD for a few more weeks. I don't buy into marketing hype or the cost of the product until I can hear it and decide for myself. I believe in measurements up to a point and until I hear it in MY ROOM, then it doesn't matter what is said or written about the product. I currently use Beldin Blue Jeans 10 gauge and Mogami Gold XLR in my balanced system FYI so no, I don't just buy into hype. Entire line of AuidoQuest, Synergetic Research, up to the Transparent Magnus Opus and more. Then electronics ranging from Pioneer, Marantz, Rotel, Arcam, Ayre, Acoustic Research, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Linn, Cary Audio, Wadia, etc, etc, etc. I've heard B&W, Ariel, Martin Logan, Revel, Paradigm, Vandersteen, Linn, Magnepan, Wilson Audio (all the way up to their Alexandiras and XLF) and many many more. I've listened to hundreds of hifi speakers and electronics for over the past 25 years. I've had the SHD for a few weeks already, probably spent a good 30-40 hours testing, measuring, tweaking and listening. Wow! You've been to my room? You know exactly what my system sounds like before the SHD and after the SHD? You've listened to my speakers, sub and associated electronics? That's amazing, I didn't know you know what my system sounded like remotely!įirst of all, if I thought my system was unbeatable, I wouldn't be looking for improvements with my room issues. Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. Unfortunately there is no return policy so I will have to take a loss, sell the SHD and go back to finding an active crossover and work on room treatments. ![]() ![]() Inserted into existing chain after my preamp (in order to set sub/speaker crossover, with and without EQ but no DIRAC) - Poor results just like when the SHD was functioning as the sole preamp. With DIRAC correction (using the ARES DAC) - Again the bass peaks were better but everything else was worse, especially soundstage. With EQ but no DIRAC (using the ARES DAC) - Fixed the 10db gain at 35hz and improved the -25db drop at 100-120hz that I was getting in the room although not by a whole lot. Depth was kind of all jumbled up with the instruments. Next the SHD as a preamp - Vocals were ok, soundstage width completely collapsed, shrunk from the entire width of the wall, 17 feet, down to about 5 feet. Honestly I've never been so disappointed in a DAC. The ARES II and the DAC in the Cambridge Audio 851N both crushed the DAC in the SHD - In my system at least. It was hard to listen to for more than a few seconds really. Quite a different story than with what others observed especially when comparing with other preamps and DACs.įirst the SHD DAC - Very bright, harsh, lots of sibilance. So an update on the SHD I ordered and put into my system. ![]()
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