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The world’s best all in one? CHORD DAVE DAC, PRE & HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW

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  • čas přidán 14. 08. 2024
  • The Chord DAVE is back for a second assessment, this time we will test the unit exclusively as an all in one (AIO) how will it fair?

    Equipment tested:
    LTA Z10E, Questyle CMA15, Pi, Chord Hugo2 2Go..
    Headphones tested :
    Hifiman Susvara, DCA Stealth, Camerton Binom ER, ZMF Verite Open.
    IEMs tested:
    Spirit Torino Twin Pulse, Ambient Acoustics Mad24, QDC tiger.
    • WORLDS BEST? DCA STEAL...
    • Finally! Competition f...
    • CHORD DAVE DACREVIEW. ...
    Business enquiries:
    ConvinceMeAudio@gmail.com
    The CMA “ambush of tigers” Patreon page: www.patreon.co...
    0:00 chapters
    02:09 The Chord DAVE DAC full hands on
    05:41 Powering flagship headphones with the Chord DAVE AMP DAC AIO
    08:24 DCA Stealth closed back planar headphones on chord Dave
    10:26 Hifiman Susvara openback planar headphones on Chord DAVE
    11:34 Camraton Binom ER on Chord DAVE Amp DAC
    13:00 Dynamic headphones on the chord DAVE
    17:00 IEMs on the Chord DAVE all in one audio system
    18:00 Chord DAVE in a 2 channel setup
    20:00 The Chord DAVE caveats
    21:24 Chord DAVE final thoughts and conclusion

Komentáře • 63

  • @dangeorgecommunications
    @dangeorgecommunications Před 4 měsíci +1

    Brilliant independent video review for this class-leading DAC/pre and headphone amp. Go DAVE!

  • @railwaystationmaster
    @railwaystationmaster Před 4 měsíci +1

    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 .

  • @TheVeganVicar
    @TheVeganVicar Před 4 měsíci +5

    It seems you forgot to include the link annotations again.
    Also, the volume level is far lower than typical CZcams 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.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      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

    • @ccgmail8025
      @ccgmail8025 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@ConvinceMeAudio Everything after 6minutes. Seems it wasn't checked properly

  • @brothatwasepic
    @brothatwasepic Před 4 měsíci +3

    Awesome awesome job brother!

  • @nickwavehighfidelity7651
    @nickwavehighfidelity7651 Před 4 měsíci +3

    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.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci

      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

    • @TheWorldTeacher
      @TheWorldTeacher Před 4 měsíci +1

      ​@@ConvinceMeAudio, 5,000 years to find a used Dave?
      That's quite a waiting period! 😮

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@TheWorldTeacher Lmfaooo did Apple screw up US$5000 best laugh of theday

  • @tigerfish66
    @tigerfish66 Před 24 dny +1

    Amazing review, i gotta have one......expensive youtube view for me, anyone know what the second user market is like ? Mid 2024

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 24 dny

      @@tigerfish66 us I have seen it go as low as $5500, UK, about £5500

  • @hpsxrb
    @hpsxrb Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      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

  • @Level42Man
    @Level42Man Před 4 měsíci +2

    Dave is a world class stripey beast.......

  • @crazyprayingmantis5596
    @crazyprayingmantis5596 Před 4 měsíci +4

    Why does it have to look like a vacuum air sealer?

    • @railwaystationmaster
      @railwaystationmaster Před 4 měsíci

      Clever Chord , master of disguise , so when thieves break in they don't steal it of course !

    • @crazyprayingmantis5596
      @crazyprayingmantis5596 Před 4 měsíci

      @@railwaystationmaster
      Unless they're a vacuum sealer theif

  • @grayfox198
    @grayfox198 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Great review Koji! Any chance you review the Mola Mola Tambaqui? Keep up the amazing work!

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci

      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.

  • @Isthare
    @Isthare Před měsícem +1

    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!

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před měsícem +1

      @@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.

    • @Isthare
      @Isthare Před měsícem +1

      @@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

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před měsícem

      @@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

    • @Isthare
      @Isthare Před měsícem

      @@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!

  • @johnspy12345
    @johnspy12345 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Koji, what do you think about putting the Dave+MScaler on the Aperio? Is it possible the transients will come in too fast?

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +2

      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

  • @high-captain-BaLrog
    @high-captain-BaLrog Před 4 měsíci +2

    one day i hope you review the Vivaldi stack because why not?! Life is short

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      I was going to last July, but sadly it didn’t work out, but hopefully some point

  • @techmed-rainer
    @techmed-rainer Před 4 měsíci +2

    Danke!

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      Thank you for the support genuinely appreciate it 🐅❤️🐅

    • @techmed-rainer
      @techmed-rainer Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@ConvinceMeAudio My pleasure!

  • @edbrumbaugh9202
    @edbrumbaugh9202 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Cost benefit of the Cord Dave, IMO, is not worth the money .... many better options out there.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci

      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

  • @gehtnurdurch
    @gehtnurdurch Před 4 měsíci

    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.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci

      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.

    • @gehtnurdurch
      @gehtnurdurch Před 4 měsíci

      @@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.

  • @gli7utubeo
    @gli7utubeo Před 4 měsíci

    I wonder if the Quartet will do native DSD.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      No Dave doesn’t

    • @gli7utubeo
      @gli7utubeo Před 4 měsíci

      @@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you. I thought Dave's DSD mode was native when not used with the Mscaler. Best to you again.

  • @Yatharth144
    @Yatharth144 Před 3 měsíci

    Please review ibasso DX320MAX

  • @nunoferraz5426
    @nunoferraz5426 Před 3 měsíci

    Koji.... vs the May?

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 3 měsíci

      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.

    • @nunoferraz5426
      @nunoferraz5426 Před 3 měsíci

      @@ConvinceMeAudio appreciate the quick response and look forward to the May Review 🙌🏼

  • @trun1979
    @trun1979 Před 4 měsíci +2

    As all in one I think the TT2 is better as it has a FAR superior headphone amp

    • @johnrus7661
      @johnrus7661 Před 4 měsíci +2

      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.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +5

      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.

    • @johnrus7661
      @johnrus7661 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@ConvinceMeAudio 100% agree. The Dave is playing on a completely different level to the TT2.

  • @humm6155
    @humm6155 Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @user-bw1gz8ne2k
    @user-bw1gz8ne2k Před 4 měsíci +2

    I love your work and you Koji, but this thing is so ugly and hideous 😅 and yes i see it and listen by myself :)

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +2

      It’s a bit of an odd duck
      I don’t mind it and the size is incredible

    • @falcodarkzz
      @falcodarkzz Před 4 měsíci +1

      I think its pretty gorgeous design wise

  • @johnpajestka5022
    @johnpajestka5022 Před 4 měsíci

    My modi is better.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +2

      😃 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

    • @johnpajestka5022
      @johnpajestka5022 Před 4 měsíci

      @@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
      @johnpajestka5022 Před 4 měsíci

      @@ConvinceMeAudio Great video though.

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci

      @@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

    • @ConvinceMeAudio
      @ConvinceMeAudio  Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@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

  • @boobio1
    @boobio1 Před 4 měsíci +4

    Ugly and too expensive.