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Reference DACS: An overall perspective

There has been many threads the last few months regarding the sonic signature of some of the highest regarded reference DACS (Dcs,Meitner,Ensemble,Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts) here on the GON. I have been very fortunate to audtion many of these wonderful pieces in my home or friend's systems. I wanted to share, in a systematic way, my impressions/opinions with you GON members for a two reasons: 1)That my experiences might be helpful to fellow members interested in audtioning these DACS. 2)Starting an interesting discussion regarding the different "sonic flavors" of these reference digital front ends. I totally agree with the statement, "if you have not heard it you don't have an opinion". Therefore, I have no comments regarding DACS from Weiss,Goldmund,Audio Aero and Burmester because I have never had the pleasure of audtioning them. I would love to hear from members who have and share their experiences with us. My overall impression is that these DACS(Dcs,Meitner,Ensemble,Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts) can be grouped into two molar categories regarding their overall sonic signature. By the way, all of them can throw a large/deep soundstage with excellent layering in the acoustic space with "air" around individual players on that stage. However, than they start to part company into two major categories. Category #1) These DACS "flavors" revolve around pristine clarity, fine sharp details,speed,very extended top/bottom frequencies,and great PRAT. These DACS never sound "etched" or "in your face" but are more "upfront" then "layed back" in their presentation. The DACS, to my ear's, that go into this bracket are Dcs,Ensemble,Meitner. My personnal favorite in this group is the Ensemble, which I owned for two years. These DACS remind me of the sonic signature of speakers such as Wilson,Thiel,Dynaudio, Focal/JM Labs. Category #2) These DACS "flavors" revolve around a "musical/organic" sense, natural timbres,and an easy flowing liquidity. Their "less forward" presentation my give the impression of less detail, but I think in this case its an illusion fostered by their more relaxed/organic manner. The DACS, to my ear's, that go into this bracket are Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts. I did find that the tube DACS did not have the top/bottom frequency extenstion and PRAT of the SS DACS in this bracket. For me, the Accustic Arts DAC1-MK3 gave me the best of both categories, therefore it is now the resident DAC in my system. These DACS remind me of the sonic signature of speakers such as Magnepan,Von Schweikert,Sonus Faber. Well, it's all just my opinion regarding these digital pieces, but I hope this post was at least informative/somewhat interesting and would lend itself to other GON members sharing their impressions, not about what DAC is the "BEST" in the world, but your personnal taste and synergy with your system.
teajay
exlibris
392 posts
 
David,
Have you heard a hard drive-based system that sounds as good as a reference-level transport?
With all the high frequency switching going on inside a computer and the type of cabling used at the output of the computer, I can't imagine that the sound would be that good.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,219 posts
 
I'm a bit surprised that noone mentioned the MBL stuff. I recently tried their new integrated CDP - the 1531 - and I'm very, very impressed. So much in fact, that I have pulled the trigger and ordered one for myself.

I have been looking for a new player for some time now. After selling my AA Capitole mk II SE I have tried several different players from all price points, including - among other things - the whole Audio Aero line (wanted to stay brand loyal at first, so I tried the new Capitole Reference, Capitole Reference SE and SACD Prestige) and also the non signature EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 combo.

None of them impressed me so much as the MBL. It came as a surprise, since I have never really cared for any german Hi-Fi. The first time I switched it on, I was floored. It was by far THE most natural sounding player of the lot, with HUGE soundstaging and very good resolution. But among other things, this player presented music in a very unprocessed, free flowing way, as If it had a non-os dac hidden inside. The music was just ... real.

True - it gave up a bit in resolution department and HF air comparing to EMM Labs gear for example, but it had better stage depth, more solid bass, and oh so much more belivable midrange that it was a no brainer for me.

And best of all - it only costs $9000. That is right - just NINE grand. I cannot imagine how their more expensive combinations (1511/1521 and 1611/1621) must sound.
deshapiro
174 posts
 
I haven't heard hard drive systems yet. I'm just anticpating that they will eventually be very good. I have heard the high price MBL CD transport/DAC in an all-MBL system and it is very, very good. And very,very expensive.

David
exlibris
392 posts
 
Elberoth2,
I too am surprised that we don't hear more about MBL.
When I started a "reference transport" thread and I assumed that someone would mention the mbl 1621A or 1521A.
davidny
11 posts
 
Having referred to this tread over the past several months as I was auditioning top transports and dac combinations I thought that I would add a few of my impressions. I auditioned the dCS stack (without the Verona clock) against the Zanden transport and dac at a dealer who used all Zanden electronics and Peak Consult speakers. dCS had a great soundstage and lots of detail. The Zanden by comparison struck me as having a very distinct, unique coloration to it. Compared to the dCS it was as if the sound waves were rounded off. Setting aside this sense of coloration I found the Zanden to be much more involving and pleasing for a broad range of music (new and old recordings, classical to jazz). At a different dealer I then auditioned the dCS stack (with the clock) against the mbl 1621A transport and 1611E dac with all mbl electronics and Kharma Equisite Reference speakers. The dCS again produced a great soundstage and lots of detail. But the mbl was noticeably better. Instrument detail and separation was better, as if each instrument was illuminated. And the soundstage took on a more 3 dimensional character. After listening to a track on the mbl it was hard to go back to the dCS. I also demoed the Zanden and mbl in my system: Cello Music & Film Strad Grand Masters, Performance II amps, Audio Palette and Encore preamp. The Zanden was like a fine red wine, rich and totally involving. I wanted to listen to the entire disc not just my test tracks. But the mbl won out. It achieved a rich involving sound plus plenty of detail and again a more 3 dimensional soundstage, not just a wall of sound. I also auditioned the mbl 1531 and as a previous poster said for $9K it is a great buy. Lastly my test discs included RBCD’s as well as multichannel SACD’s. Comparing the dCS (which played the SACD layer) to the Zanden and mbl which are RBCD only confirmed that at this level RBCD can sound better than SACD.
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