Sonic Benefits of 8 Channel exaSound e38 DAC

[marpow]

Well, I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the Exasound38, talked in length to George at Exasound. I'm nervous as heck about hooking it up but once I have it, and I have a half a day, he said he would help, great customer service.

 

[GOS]

Well, I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the Exasound38, talked in length to George at Exasound. I'm nervous as heck about hooking it up but once I have it, and I have a half a day, he said he would help, great customer service.

You are absolutely killing me....

 

[ar surround]

Well, I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the Exasound38, talked in length to George at Exasound. I'm nervous as heck about hooking it up but once I have it, and I have a half a day, he said he would help, great customer service.

Great, marpow! Let us know how it goes and how it sounds compared to what you've been using.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

You are absolutely killing me....

Yeah. I don't get this. Never mind.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I can easily see how one with a music collection as enormous as Kal's would need a computer to sort through all of the material rapidly. For my modest collection, the "Swiss Army Knife" (copyright Clint Eastwood) Oppo 205 is adequate at the moment.

It has much less to do with the size of my collection than it does with my very limited patience.

 

[GOS]

Yeah. I don't get this.

What's not to get Kal? I'm saying, I'm jealous......

I can't personally afford this device at the moment...so....I was just expressing my feelings (with slang)

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What's not to get Kal? I'm saying, I'm jealous......

I can't personally afford this device at the moment...so....I was just expressing my feelings (with slang)

Sorry. I misinterpreted what you said and only saw it through my own eyes. I was commenting on Marpow's timidity about setting up a device which, to me, is plug-and-play.

 

[bmoura]

Sorry. I misinterpreted what you said and only saw it through my own eyes. I was commenting on Marpow's timidity about setting up a device which, to me, is plug-and-play.

The exaSound website has a series of excellent guides that tell you step by step how to set up their DACs with each music software program (JRiver, HQ Player, etc.)
It does make the setup much easier. (All DAC makers should offer this level of documentation for their customers).

https://www.exasound.com/Blog/tabid...perfect-ASIO-Playback-with-exaSound-DACs.aspx

 

[ar surround]

It definitely does. You'll find further sonic benefits to the DSD 64 files from SACDs on a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) like the exaSound e38 compared to an SACD player.
Not to mention recordings in DSD 128 and DSD 256.

More listening enjoyment - and sonic improvements - as the DAC improves.

The $3,999 (+ import duties?) question is how much better does the e38 sound compared to the DACs in the Oppo 205 playing ripped digital files, especially hi-res? Significantly:

Cleaner?
Smoother?
Clearer?
More Analog Sounding?

Many other questions, such as:
How are speaker distances, tone control/equalization, etc. handled? Would all those manipulations be done in something like JRiver or equivalent? Otherwise sending the analog outputs from the e38 into a processor and then performing all these shenanigans within the processor brings the processor's DACs into the mix. No? Kind of defeats the purpose of the high-end e38 DAC. Excuse my ignorance on this.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

How are speaker distances, tone control/equalization, etc. handled? Would all those manipulations be done in something like JRiver or equivalent?

Yes. JRiver and Roon do just fine.

Otherwise sending the analog outputs from the e38 into a processor and then performing all these shenanigans within the processor brings the processor's DACs into the mix. No?

As well as the processor's ADCs. Counterproductive.

 

[GOS]

Sorry. I misinterpreted what you said and only saw it through my own eyes. I was commenting on Marpow's timidity about setting up a device which, to me, is plug-and-play.

Oh! I didn't understand you either. Now I see what you meant.

 

[bluelightning]

Yes. JRiver and Roon do just fine.

As well as the processor's ADCs. Counterproductive.

This means Jriver/Roon is converting that DSD signal to PCM for signal processing (room correction, equalization etc.) prior to sending to the DACs, correct ?

 

[bmoura]

The $3,999 (+ import duties?) question is how much better does the e38 sound compared to the DACs in the Oppo 205 playing ripped digital files, especially hi-res? Significantly:

Cleaner?
Smoother?
Clearer?
More Analog Sounding?

Many other questions, such as:
How are speaker distances, tone control/equalization, etc. handled? Would all those manipulations be done in something like JRiver or equivalent? Otherwise sending the analog outputs from the e38 into a processor and then performing all these shenanigans within the processor brings the processor's DACs into the mix. No? Kind of defeats the purpose of the high-end e38 DAC. Excuse my ignorance on this.

A review from the exaSound web site from Kurt in Fort Wayne, Indiana compares the Oppo 105 to the e38.

In the words of a happy e38 owner: "You’ve produced a jewel"

exaSound posted on April 21, 2018 22:15

I’ve now spent a few days with my e38. It’s funny, now, to me that I actually mentioned in one of my emails to you, “…if I decide to keep the e38..” I knew, right away, that it was here for keeps!! Occasionally, one makes an improvement in their audio system that is monumental. My biggest improvement happened when I replaced my dynamic driver speakers with electrostatic speakers (Martin Logan Ethos). The e38 over the Oppo BDP-105 (which is no slouch) is an improvement on that level!!!

I was immediately stuck with a number of things. The word that keeps popping into my head is ‘visceral’. There is an intimacy in the sound. With solo instruments, you hear the resonance of the instruments. I play the ‘cello and I’ve never heard one reproduced with such accuracy. When I got my electrostatic speakers, one of the big improvements was the suspension of the music in the sound field. The e38 has taken that to a whole new level. Soloists, both vocal and instrumental, now float with exact precision within the sound field. The sound field has become immense, and detailed. You can pinpoint individual instruments and their positions in the orchestra. The sound field has also expanded off to the sides beyond the speakers themselves. In a great recording, one hears the hall in which it was recorded. The e38 reveals this to a whole new level. The reverb in the space and the decay is jaw dropping. One of my friends commented, yesterday, while we were listening to a chime playing within a piece that it sounded like it was coming from the next door neighbors house!! None of these comments should be construed as ‘analytical’. This is the most “musical” reproduction that I’ve ever heard.

The clarity of the sound is unparalleled. The overall sound is smooth (not to imply that is it’s ‘rolled off’). It’s like you’ve wiped away any coloration. Another immediate characteristic that I noticed is the incredible dynamic range. There’s a powerful surge in crescendos that I’ve never experienced with an audio system.

I’m sensitive to harshness (especially mass forte strings and loud brass passages or high piccolo playing). As good as my system sounded before the e38, I would sometimes feel that there was some digital glare (especially with mass violins). The e38 has taken that away.

My buddy who came over from out state, yesterday, is a long time vinyl devotee. He has a vast library of LPs & 78s (upwards of 30 thousand recordings). He is a recording collector and at one time owned a well respected classical music record shop in a major university town as well as being a professional organist and pianist. He is a source for those who do CD transfers of historic recordings and has been cited in esoteric recordings publications as a source for historic recordings. As the years have gone by, he’s been getting on the digital bandwagon and as he buys better DACs, etc., making improvements to his digital setup, he always says, “my vinyl setup is still more honest”. Yesterday, after we’d been listening to the e38 for a short time, he said, “I believe this has closed the gap between analog and digital”. That’s quite a complement for the exaSound team.

While listening to some DSD recordings that were done during the ‘golden age’ in the late ’50s and early ’60s, my buddy said, “I’ve been listening to these recordings for over 40 years and I feel like I’m hearing them for the first time.” He said, “I wonder if the engineers at that time, listening on their monitors, heard what we’re hearing now?”

I’ve been using the VOX player as it’s easy to set up and use but Core Audio is all that is available. On Thursday evening, with the help of your guide, I was able to configure HQplayer (I’m on the free trial). I wanted to be able compare Core Audio and the ASIO driver. We both agreed that using the ASIO driver in HQPlayer, takes DSD to a whole new level!!! (I’ve not yet figured out how to play non DSD material in HQPlayer). HQPlayer is finicky (and EXPENSIVE). I intend to download the trial of JRiver and then compare all 3 players, although, the lack of ASIO support for Mac in JRiver may put in on par with VOX as far as sound quality is concerned <with DSD sources>.

As my first email to you stated, 2.1 stereo was a requirement for me. Even after I placed my order for the e38, I was thinking that If I’m not able to get 2.1 working well, it would be a deal breaker and I would return the e38. NO WAY will I return it now!!!!! With the Oppo, rolling off (at 50Hz) to the subwoofer in stereo material it increased the sound stage and tightened up the bass. I am getting a HUGE, vast sound stage and low frequency accuracy and punch in 2 channel with the e38. If adding the sub to this setup does what it did with the Oppo, It will be jaw dropping but, at this point, I am not missing the subwoofer.

Just two more things to mention as I end this. My buddy brought along his Audioquest ‘Cinnamon’ USB cable and we compared it to the USB cable that you provided. There was a very noticeable change (I don’t understand why this should make a difference when providing a pipeline for 1s & 0s !!) AND the change was not a good one. The Audioquest cable softened, rolled off, the sound. My buddy was floored. He’s said that he’s ALWAYS found after market cables to improve the sound over the ’stock’ cables. Another nod to the exaSound team!!

My hat is off to you and your team. You’ve produced a jewel. I have said, “WOW” with tears welling in my eyes many times over in the last few days.

Best wishes, thanks and much continued success to exaSound!

Kurt, Fort Wayne, IN, USA

https://www.exasound.com/Blog/tabid...a-happy-e38-owner-Youve-produced-a-jewel.aspx

 

[GOS]

A review from the exaSound web site from Kurt in Fort Wayne, Indiana compares the Oppo 105 to the e38.



https://www.exasound.com/Blog/tabid...a-happy-e38-owner-Youve-produced-a-jewel.aspx

Wow......

 

[J. PUPSTER]

The $3,999 (+ import duties?) question is how much better does the e38 sound compared to the DACs in the Oppo 205 playing ripped digital files, especially hi-res? Significantly:

Cleaner?
Smoother?
Clearer?
More Analog Sounding?

Many other questions, such as:
How are speaker distances, tone control/equalization, etc. handled? Would all those manipulations be done in something like JRiver or equivalent? Otherwise sending the analog outputs from the e38 into a processor and then performing all these shenanigans within the processor brings the processor's DACs into the mix. No? Kind of defeats the purpose of the high-end e38 DAC. Excuse my ignorance on this.

I don't believe I'm missing a setting in my Oppo 205; but it does not recognize ripped SACD files to dsf via SSD, as far as grouping in its database i.e. artists, genres etc. It does show the folders and individual files/songs with photos, but if I want to play just classical music or a specific artist I'm unable to do that (with the dsf files.) I will email Oppo and see if that is something that they could include in a firmware upgrade. JRiver is something I still need to look into for this sort of functionality. There is also the improved audio quality as in DSD 256 with the e38 that Oppo doesn't support. I'm not trying to advocate in one direction or other, just facts as I know them.

 

[bmoura]

Wow......

Another incentive to get to Room 658 at the AXPONA show in your neighborhood (April 12-14) to hear the new e38 Mark II being demonstrated with Multichannel and Stereo DSD music files!
George Klissarov from exaSound will be there along with Ted Brady (ted_b here on QQ). Lots of fine listening ahead.

QQ members at AXPONA will also enjoy talking with George K.
He's quite a Surround Sound fan - with many SACD rips and DSD Multichannel downloads to discuss.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Another incentive to get to Room 658 at the AXPONA show in your neighborhood (April 12-14) to hear the new e38 Mark II being demonstrated with Multichannel and Stereo DSD music files!
George Klissarov from exaSound will be there along with Ted Brady (ted_b here on QQ). Lots of fine listening ahead.

QQ members at AXPONA will also enjoy talking with George K.
He's quite a Surround Sound fan - with many SACD rips and DSD Multichannel downloads to discuss.

Thank you Brian...Gos should attend..I've been trying to get him to go...

 

[bmoura]

Thank you Brian...Gos should attend..I've been trying to get him to go...

Any of the QQ members who are planning to attend AXPONA or who live in the area should plan to get over there and check out room 658.
Hearing the e38 in its Multichannel glory plus trading Surround Sound stories with George K will be show highlights.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Any of the QQ members who are planning to attend AXPONA or who live in the area should plan to get over there and check out room 658.
Hearing the e38 in its Multichannel glory plus trading Surround Sound stories with George K will be show highlights.

How about 2 of my favorite posters from the "windy city" area....Quad Linda and Gos...now there is a pair that would be a full house...then add George K=some great story telling...Quad Linda could entertain the room will all her knowledge and stories

 

[bmoura]

Another Oppo 105 vs. exaSound review. This time the earlier exaSound e28 8-Channel DAC vs. the Oppo 105 from Pierre in Quebec:

Just to let you know that I have (finally) connected the e28 to an amplifier (before I just tested with headphone only) with special mini xlr to std xlr. The sound is FANTASTIC, the depth is enormous, compared to my OPPO BDP-105. I thought I had a good sound with the OPPO but the e28 really put everything "alive". Amazing the difference.

Pierre from Quebec

https://www.exasound.com/Blog/tabid...ryId/9/Emails-from-Customers--April-2015.aspx