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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
 
I'm not sure what I'll do with the Attraction. I still haven't even tried it as a DAC for 24/96 (and higher) formats.

I'm sure the Zanden linestage is excellent and if Zanden wanted to send me one to demo I would welcome the opportunity! :-)

Right now I'm trying the Aesthetix Callisto linestage and I'll be trying the Atma-Sphere MP-1 as well. Who knows, maybe my system will sound better with the Attraction in place once I insert the MP-1?

I won't go into details about the Callisto because this thread is about DACs. I will say, however, that I've listed my Blowtorch for sale.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,355 posts
 
Interesting thread Exlibris, I had a similar experience with a tubed Audio Logic Dac and a Museatex Bitstream Dac.
The Bitstream sounds the way you describe the Altmann Dac, I kept it and sold the Audio Logic.
A few years ago I posted a thread on the Altmann Tube-O-Lator kit, a laquer based substance used to coat transistors and chips for a warmer, tube-like, natural sound, but it didn't get too much attention !
Is the Altmann Dac sold direct only ?
exlibris
392 posts
 
Yes, the Altmann DAC is only sold direct.
Here is the link:
http://www.mother-of-tone.com/attraction.htm

I'm also interested in his ideas on acoustics and the effect of laquer on wood in rooms.
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Exlibris, I give you much credit for your tenacity regarding home auditions of different gear in order to get the overall sonic signature and synergy you want in your system.

I also believe this ongoing thread regarding reference DACS proves the following:

1) That by setting up a common language or categories like type 1 or type 2 "flavors" it allows use to share information in an useful and productive way.

2) That personnal taste, along with system synergy, is really the final determinate about why we finally settle on the pieces of gear in our systems.

When I auditioned a very high level non-upsampling Audio Note DAC and the Zanden DAC I too heard a wonderful warm and liquid midrange, very much like a SET tube amp, but neither DAC had the extension on the top and bottom that I would want in my system. I also found that they were not as detailed as other DACS that I auditioned. I almost totally listen to acoustic jazz, recorded in the 50's and early 60's on analog tape, so timbres are very important to me, therefore I can understand why voices sound great to you on the Zanden DAC. It's pretty clear that you are very much a type 2 "flavor" in your digital front end. In my system I want the warmth and liquidity of a type 2 "flavor" along with more slam/dynamics and extension of type 1 "flavor" DACS. I found that in the Accustic Arts DAC 1 MK3 at first, and now at even a higher level with the combination of the new Accustic Arts Drive 1 MK2 along with the Accustic Arts Dac 1 MK4.

No right or wrong, personnal taste, system matching leads us to what gives each of us the greatest personnal pleasure in our music listening experience. I really have enjoyed this thread, we all share, we don't fight or argue, or get our audiophile egos in the way of an ongoing friendly conversation.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,355 posts
 
Teajay,
Right on, no fussin and fightin, a fun, contributing, educational thread, way to go man.
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