Hi All,

I finished my "Mini Review" (at the top of this thread) saying
Originally Posted by Carl
With the launch of the new Control15 that can upsample & apodize; I would expect this to raise the SpeakerLink connection performance closer to the bar set by the ID40. How close? Only time will tell. I`ll be able to test this in a few weeks once my Control15 is installed.
Well I`ve had the C15 a while now connected to the ID40 in my 861v6; and finally I`ve found the time and the inclination to have a listen to the SPDIF and SpeakerLink outputs of the C15.

Sooloos Control 15

So still in my modest room and playing the usual bunch of CDs tracks, I always seem to gravitate to when doing listening tests, on the Control 15 and my 800D this is what my ears tell me.

My order of preference (one might say most optimal setup):

-- 1) Control 15 via ID40 (PCM 44K)

-- 2) Control 15 via SpeakerLink (PCM 88K, Meridian flat cable, upsampled and apodized by C15)
-- 2) Control 15 via SPDIF (PCM 88K, Meridian coax, upsampled and apodized by C15)

-- 3) 800D via SPDIF (MHR 88K, upsampled by 800D)

-- 4) Control 15 via SpeakerLink (PCM 44K, Meridian flat cable)
-- 4) Control 15 via SPDIF (PCM 44K, Meridian coax)
-- 4) 800D via SPDIF (PCM 44K)

All source material was 2-channel 16/44K.
All source connections are to the 861v6 in Trifield mode and HS=Y (L.C.R. calibrated to +3db).
The Control15 has both upsampling and apodizing support but surprisingly always outputs PCM and not MHR.

You`ll notice I ranked the positions 1, 2 and 3 this is because I could not hear any difference between the setups within the same group. Maybe in a better room or with the ears of an 18 year old one might be able to differentiate them but I could not.

What is clear, well at least to me in this context; is that the ID40 outperforms the 800D period! And that the Control15 SPDIF & SpeakerLink outputs are a significant step up in sound quality compared to the earlier Control10s and now rivals that of the 800D for 2 channel playback.

Further Comments

I`ve recently started comparing the 800D spinning a 96/24 2 channel DVD-A against the C15/ID40 playing the same tracks but in FLAC 96/24 format. I have not had that much time in the “seat” with this so it is too early to draw any conclusions; but what I can say is there is a difference, but is very small. I think I need to do a lot more listening for this one. I`ll keep you posted.

Regards,
Carl

PS I`m still waiting for someone to post a comparison an 808.3 against 800D/861v6 combination in an all DSP setup; one of you guy must have a setup to be able to do this.


Last edited by Carl; 2010-12-31 14:58. Reason: Revised ratings; See post #133243 - 2010-12-31 20:49
861v6+ID40, HD621, 8000.2, 7200HC, 7200.2, SKYQ Silver, PS3, PDP-LX6090, QNAP TS870-Pro (8*6TB), Roon, iPadAir2.
[In Reserve] C15, MD600 (2*3TB), TwinStore RM (2*2TB)