Recommended DAC System Configurations
Starting at highest performance:
- Overdrive Signature DAC with CUTF caps, D/A Hynes Voltage Regulator option,
8 analog Hynes Regs and Turboclock - $7049.00 - Overdrive Signature DAC with Turboclock and D/A Hynes Reg options - $5099.00 (performance sweet-spot)
- Overdrive Signature DAC with Turboclock option - $4699.00
- Overdrive Signature DAC stock - $3999.00
The Overdrive Signature DACs above will be improved significantly by replacing the +12V AC adapter with a Monolith LI battery supply - Improvement is greater than the D/A reg option.
The fan elimination option does not affect performance.
The Off-Ramp 4 is also improved significantly by replacing the AC adapter with a Monolith LI battery supply.
Pace-Car Configurations
1) Desktop » Lynx AES16 » AES cable » Pace-Car USB » I2S cable » Overdrive DAC
or
Desktop » Lynx AES16 » AES cable » Pace-Car USB » S/PDIF coax cable » Your DAC
Advantages:
- Lowest jitter to the DAC
- Supports 44.1 and 96
- No tuning of Pace-Car required
- cheap AES cable from Lynx to Pace-Car
- Galvanic isolation at the AES cable input to the Pace-Car - eliminates ground-loop
- Compatible with all player software
Disadvantages:
- Desktop noise
- Must switch between 44.1 and 96 at the Pace-Car USB
- Custom driver must be loaded
- Must bypass KMIXER if using a PC
Mode 1 Required:
- Word-Clock cable
- AES input
Options:
- Superclock4 for 44.1
- Superclock4 for 96
2) Transporter » S/PDIF coax cable » Pace-Car USB » I2S cable » Overdrive DAC
or
Transporter » S/PDIF coax cable » Pace-Car USB » S/PDIF coax cable » Your DAC
Advantages:
- Lowest jitter to the DAC
- Wireless
- Supports 44.1 and 96
- No Tuning of the Pace-Car required
- Cheap S/PDIF cable from Transporter to Pace-Car
Disadvantages:
- Cost of Transporter
- Must switch between 44.1 and 96 at the Pace-Car
- Must use the Squeezecenter for playback interface
Mode 1 Required:
- Word-Clock cable
Options:
- Superclock4 for 44.1
- Superclock4 for 96
3) Mac Mini, Macbook, Wadia iTransport, AirPort Express or Apple TV » Toslink » Pace-Car USB » I2S cable » Overdrive DAC
or:
Mac Mini, Macbook, Wadia iTransport AirPort Express or Apple TV » Toslink » Pace-Car USB » S/PDIF cable » Your DAC
Advantages:
- Lowest Jitter to the DAC
- Supports 44.1 and 96
- Uses iTunes
- Galvanic isolation with the Toslink cable - eliminates ground-loops
Disadvantages:
- Pace-Car must be tuned, but can be used with other devices in Mode 1 or 2
- Only works with the computer it was tuned for
Mode 3 Required:
- Tuning of Pace-Car to the Mac, AirPort Express or AppleTV
Options:
- Tuned Superclock4 for 44.1
- Tuned Superclock4 for 96
4) Sonos, Squeezebox3 or Duet » S/PDIF Coax » Pace-Car USB » I2S cable » Overdrive DAC
or:
Sonos, Squeezebox3 or Duet » S/PDIF Coax » Pace-Car USB » S/PDIF coax cable » Your DAC
Advantages:
- Lowest jitter to the DAC
- Galvanic isolation at the S/PDIF input to the Pace-Car - eliminates ground-loops
- Wireless
- Always bit-perfect because its networked
- Sonos converts 16/44.1 into 24/44.1 for improved sound quality
Disadvantages:
- Must use player software specific to the source device
- Limited to 44.1
Mode 2 Required:
- Slave-Clock mod to the source device by Rick Cullen
- Master-Clock cable
Options:
- Superclock4 for 44.1