Dangerous Source convertors?

[Baz]

My buddy has an Avocet, that I've logged a lot of hours on, and honestly, I find the quality of the DA in my DBox to be on par with it - and I LOVE the Avocet (I love all CS gear for that matter.) It may not be as feature rich as the Avocet and doesn't have the killer remote, but the sound is right there

The quality surpassed my hopes and expectations and I think the Dbox is probably my most important piece of gear ATM.

Oh, I realize you're not asking about the Dbox specifically but I'd imagine the DA chips are the same,no? This is actually the first I've heard of The Source.

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by Baz

Oh, I realize you're not asking about the Dbox specifically but I'd imagine the DA chips are the same,no? This is actually the first I've heard of The Source.

I think they're the same.

[ben_allison]

In another thread, Warhead said they're likely the same guts as the D-box (just minus the summing).

[metatron13]

It seems the source may actually have a newer burr brown chipset - I would also like to know if its sound is improved over the dbox even?

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by metatron13

It seems the source may actually have a newer burr brown chipset - I would also like to know if its sound is improved over the dbox even?

If it's no worse than the Dbox, then I'm sold. If it's better, that's gravy!

[Flymax]

You could just email Chris at Dangerous and ask. Great company!

[warhead]

It is a more up to date converter chipset, and hangs every bit as much with expensive dedicated DA units...seriously. We have tested it on the analog and digital side, top notch.

The Dangerous Source is sort of shaking things up on the affordable / features / sonics side of monitor control.

War

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by warhead

It is a more up to date converter chipset, and hangs every bit as much with expensive dedicated DA units...seriously. We have tested it on the analog and digital side, top notch.

The Dangerous Source is sort of shaking things up on the affordable / features / sonics side of monitor control.

So by dedicated, you're talking Lavry, Benchmark, Mytek, Prism?

Yeah, I mean the Coleman is the same price, and this thing has like 3x the usability! Insane!

Talked to Dangerous, and yes, the convertors are actually slightly updated compared to the D-box!

One of these would be so great to have because even if I was in between interfaces, or at a different location, monitors + Source + laptop and I'm ready to rock!

[warhead]

So Ben, you have to name 4 converter brands I have NOT compared it to, eh?



The Source is an open, unbiased, highly detailed and clear picture of your audio.

War

[bcgood]

The Source rocks, I've heard on some Focal Twins and was really impressed. Everything Dangerous does kicks ass. My friend was the one who came up with the idea for it. Pretty cool stuff!

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by warhead

So Ben, you have to name 4 converter brands I have NOT compared it to, eh?

lol what are the odds! (I'll interpret that wink as I see fit).

Yeah I'm pretty sold. Seems like an absolute steal. Dangerous seems to be nothing but pure quality throughout.

[thermos]

I also heard the Source DAC was an updated chipset to the DBOX one (it also goes to 192 instead of just 96). I ditched my Coleman Passive Monitor controller for the DBOX (for summing as well), and not only is the DAC really good (SMOKES the Lynx Aurora DAC by a long shot), the monitor section I find vastly superior to the Coleman I was using. Biggest monitoring upgrade since I don't know when. I hear such finer detail now, details I only heard in headphones previously. Distortion, esses, eq, you name it. It has a bit of an upper mid graininess/push that doesn't sound 100% natural (compared to the Coleman) but thats actually kind of useful, especially for esses. Also the headphone amp is a major improvement. The source seems like a no brainer product.

I would also rate the DAC in the DBOX with the Avocet one, (I had the Hedd for a while, same thing).

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by thermos

It has a bit of an upper mid graininess/push that doesn't sound 100% natural (compared to the Coleman) but thats actually kind of useful, especially for esses.

Maybe the Coleman was dull, and you're actually hearing things more accurately? Like, the sound of your A/D convertors or something?

Just a thought.

[Slikjmuzik]

The Source, huh? Never heard of it. Checking it out on Zen Pro right now for the first time. I had been looking at the SPL MTC. Its angled front seemed to be be for the pull out shelf on my RTA Producer Station, but now I'm intrigued about this guy since it has D/A. Gotta love Gearslutz!!

Any thoughts? Should I divert my attention in this direction?

[Slikjmuzik]

I think I'm sticking with the MTC. No Talkback, control room out and only 2 speaker outs. Don't need the D/A and it's annoying as I'd have to get a special cable made from spdif to xlrf anyway. It looks absolutely awesome if it has the feature-set one is after. I have actually heard the D/A on the Dbox and it is quite solid. If this is updated, seems like a steal.

[nickelironsteel]

until shadow hills finally comes out with their oculus, the avocet does the best monitor controlling. why invent the wheel anew? the source's layout alone would steer me away from it.

[Audio X]

Originally Posted by nickelironsteel

the avocet does the best monitor controlling. why invent the wheel anew? the source's layout alone would steer me away from it.

There's a $2000 difference in price between the Advocet and Source, so to be fair the comparison of features should not be expected to be so similar to something that is 3 times the price. .. seems they are aimed at different markets.

On the other hand if you look at something like the Dangerous ST which is still $1000 less expensive than the Advocet, .. then you're more in the ballpark for comparison for features.

[ben_allison]

I'm just running a small project studio, so the Source's features are perfect.

I'm really only asking about sound quality, specifically of the D/A. I don't think price is necessarily a determining factor, especially considering Dangerous' reputation.

From what I can gather, Dangerous and Crane Song offer the same caliber of gear.

[nickelironsteel]

From what I can gather, Dangerous and Crane Song offer the same caliber of gear.

erm. no.

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by nickelironsteel

From what I can gather, Dangerous and Crane Song offer the same caliber of gear.

erm. no.

Go on...

[thermos]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Go on...

They absolutely are the same caliber, no question. As to your other question, I think any monitor controller will have a sound, active or passive. It jut comes down to what you like. I'm really happy with dangerous' monitoring section. Very good.

[Mo Facta]

I personally find the Dangerous DA in the DBox a bit hyped in the low end.

But I like it and it sounds great.

Cheers

[Chris]

I've got a Symphony on order and I'll eventually have to find a monitor controller. I almost want the DBOX just for the fact that it gives me a solid monitor controller, with the summing just a bonus for down the road. Wouldn't be using the D/A at all since I'm guessing the Symphony is just better.

[Mo Facta]

Well I put it up against my AD8000 and the apogee was on par but different.

Cheers

[Mo Facta]

And don't discount the DA because you'll need one for summing if you monitor the return from the daw.

Cheers

[Immersion]

I have noticed that the USB drivers are made by a company called centrance, they make DACs and headphones amps. am I on the only one who believe that some of these DACs and headphone amp is an actual centrance product but in a different box ?
Why I am asking is cause I am trying to find more in debth reviews of the headphone amp which might be an older centrance product ?

CEntrance -> Products

[zzmook]

I have a Lynx Aurora and a Dangerous Source which replaced a Central Station, the upgrade over the Central Station was dramatic to say the least, and I definitely prefer monitoring and mixdown via the Source's convertors over the Lynx (and I still love my Aurora). I can't say it makes sense for a big studio, I'd go Crane Song for that, but the Source's DA nudged out the Kush product for my purposes in the price bracket and I am a very, very happy camper. But take that with a grain of salt, because it was replacing an obvious bottleneck in my mixdown chain (the Presonus) and we all get giddy like little schoolgirls when one purchase takes us from half assed to pretty freakin' stellar.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by zzmook

but the Source's DA nudged out the Kush product for my purposes in the price bracket and I am a very, very happy camper.

KuSH is passive..

[DSYU]

Dangerous Source looks to a be a really nice unit, I am very interested in buying one. How are you guys finding the conversion and monitoring to be?

For someone coming from RME (I just sold the interface) how would this stack up? Also, what would be a good AD solution to accompany this DAC/headphone/monitoring solution? Thanks!