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Bitzie + Lautus USB |
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Ash
Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Location: Dorset Status: Offline Points: 4334 |
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UPDATE: Humboldt, I connected the mp3 player directly to my active speakers using Lautus interconnects and the sonic results were quite disappointing... The audio lacked dynamics and was very dull and uninvolving. The output needs more power and some GSP "analogue magic"©2013. I played the audio information from the player through my laptop and Bitzie to the speakers and it sounded so much better!! The difference was very significant. Much more involving and spatial.
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We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
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gbr2004uk
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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Hi Bruce
Thanks, my trial Bitzie arrived this afternoon UK time and I've been putting it through its paces. It's just so easy to set up (in fact it sets itself up, all I had to do is watch) apart from the equally easy bit about making sure the Foobar2000 was set to USB Audio CODEC. I chose several extracts from ripped CDs -- some really good tests of full orchestral sounds, eg Delius, Mass of Life, huge chorus and orchestra; Bartok Concerto for Orchestra; Stravinsky, Rite of Spring (an ultimate test!), back to Bartok, the Dance Suite, finally the first movement of Walton Symphony 1. I've had these CDs for years and now realise I've never really heard them properly until today! Truly. I was able a few times, until I realised it was no longer necessary, to quickly unplug the headphone cable, change the audio CODEC and hear the same piece without the Bitzie, and the difference is just amazing. I realise this is a rave notice, but it's how I feel about it. I presume that the test machine is already well played-in and so my test is showing it at its best. There's a depth and richness to the sound, giving the headphones a much fuller sound and the spread of sound is hugely more spacious. The bass is now really a different experience altogether on the HD650 -- and I've heard notes in all the above music I've never heard before. The clarity in the densest orchestral passages is wonderful to hear -- the inner parts. I shall try over the coming days other combinations -- eg piano solos, unaccompanied violin etc. But today I'm thinking the bank balance is going to be seriously depleted (but in a great cause!) I've got a good zoom lens for sale (slipped that bit in). all best Brian |
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BAK
Senior Member Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Location: Kentucky, USA Status: Offline Points: 1744 |
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Brian,
I appreciate your exuberant and heartfelt response to receiving your Bitzie DAC!
I do think the thanks should go to the designer, Graham Slee.
He is the one who works the magic into reproducing musical quality.
Forum member Jon (Fatmangolf) is in the UK and he is also here to help those wishing to experience Graham Slee quality equipment.
I am glad to help further knowledge of quality audio equipment.
Here to help,
Bruce
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Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way! |
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morris_minor
Moderator Group Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 6017 |
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Great write up Brian, and your musical examples all feature in my collection too!
I'm rather obsessed with Walton 1 - which recording were you playing? |
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Bob
Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
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gbr2004uk
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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I'm glad you asked, Bob -- me too! It was the Rattle/CBSO (coupled with Belshazzar). But I also have an old one with Previn and the LSO (a terrific performance), and Haitink with the Philharmonia (a long time since I played it and from memory I think I found it a bit too measured and staid, but I'll give it another outing with the Bitzie -- it might jazz it up no end!).
Cheers Brian |
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gbr2004uk
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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Thank you Bruce. Will my comment be forwarded to Graham or do I send him a copy privately? Of course you're right. I've been playing more stuff, and my enthusiasm is growing by the hour. The Bartok Sonata for 2 pianos and percussion (Labèque sisters and Rattle), razor sharp articulation, xylophone and drums thrilling.
Brian |
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Ash
Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Location: Dorset Status: Offline Points: 4334 |
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I've been using my Lautus USB and Bitzie all day today and I have finally come to the realisation that headphones ultimately pale in comparison to speakers... My beloved HD250II does not match the spacious performance of monitor speakers. I reverted to listening through the HD250II after a day of speaker listening and suddenly the HD250II sounded terrible!! It felt like two-dimensional audio due to the missing depth and the midrange seemed to have gone AWOL. The sound just seemed restricted and cramped in comparison... At first, I thought that I was just suffering from severe listening fatigue but no, headphones just don't beat speakers, for me, not even the HD250... I guess I have been in denial a little bit.
The Bitzie and Lautus are fantastic and the HD250II offers fantastic performance as well, but only for a headphone. Monitor speakers will reveal just how incredible the Lautus and Bitzie really are!! The HD250II only conveys limited information in comparison. However, even though I like the speaker presentation more, my monitors aren't flawless either. My Equator D5s exhibit some amplifier hiss noise at the woofer cones and I feel this detracts from the openness and purity of the audio. Put simply, they are holding my Bitzie and Lautus back so these monitors will eventually be sold. At least the HD250II doesn't have such hiss problems. I'm also getting the impression that the HD250II excels with vinyl more than it does with digital although I'm not sure of this so please don't take this or anything else I've said as too much of an assertion. All my equipment does sound very good though despite me scrutinizing the living hell out of it. As soon as I receive my HD540 reference, I will be doing some more tests then after that, I'm just going to mainly use speakers. Bring on the LS3/5A and especially the Proprius and Spatia. This is where the Bitzie and Lautus will excel as well. The Bitzie is excellent for speaker audio! |
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