2. digital
  3. 1126769860

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 read somewhere (here or AA) that one person liked the Attraction better than his Audio Note 4.1. I still find it hard to believe that the Attraction could best the AN 5.1 or the Zanden 5000 but who knows? I own the Attraction and I've never heard either of the other two in my system. In terms of price we're comparing apples and oranges. In terms of performance, I don't think it gets much better than this trio.
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Exlibris, you have made some major changes in your system in a relatively short period of time! It seems that you are extremely pleased with how your total system sounds to you. Well, congratulations, your thoughtful effort and time put in has gotten you what you wanted, so enjoy the music.

Now, some questions for you, I'll look forward to your responses, thanks in advance.

1) Please share in more detail what the Attraction DAC offers you, that other upsampling SS DACS did not in your listening experiences. Remember I only care about redbook not SACD.

2) I had a ML-31.5 transport and thought with my gear that the reference Ensemble sounded better. If I got it correct you just replaced your Accustic Arts Drive 1 with the ML-31.5. What differences between the two transport did you hear that lead to your decision.

3) I will be receiving in the next day or two the new version of the Accustic Arts transport that is a major upgrade parts wise compared to the first generation and was developed by Accustic Arts to bring out the best possible performance from the their new MK4 DAC. I will be writing a review of my audition experience in the next couple of weeks. Did you consider this new version of the Accustic Arts Drive 1 or were you so enamored with what the ML-31.5 offered that would be no reason to audition it?
exlibris
392 posts
 
Thanks Teajay.

1) Please share in more detail what the Attraction DAC offers you, that other upsampling SS DACS did not in your listening experiences. Remember I only care about redbook not SACD.
Speaking very generally, I find oversampling DACs to either sound somewhat 'processed' or somewhat 'confused.'
I'll be the first to admit that some of the 'processed' sound can sound enjoyable. In my system, for instance, the AA DAC showed warmth and nice dense images. It just didn't ring true to me: the immediacy and excitement of live music was missing; the musical inter-play between the performers was missing. This is a great DAC but I just wasn't excited about coming home and listening to music when I had it in my system.
It was definitely not 'confused.' Confused oversampling DACs show images with shadows and fuzzy outlines. They barage the listener with information but very little music.
In addition to 'processed' and 'confused'; every oversampling DAC that I've had in my system had problems in the time domain. It is as if the images had difficulty breathing their energy forward toward the listener. As a listener I am left to watch the music on the stage. I have to 'go to' the images. In real life, music comes to you.

2) I had a ML-31.5 transport and thought with my gear that the reference Ensemble sounded better. If I got it correct you just replaced your Accustic Arts Drive 1 with the ML-31.5. What differences between the two transport did you hear that lead to your decision.
3) I will be receiving in the next day or two the new version of the Accustic Arts transport that is a major upgrade parts wise compared to the first generation and was developed by Accustic Arts to bring out the best possible performance from the their new MK4 DAC. I will be writing a review of my audition experience in the next couple of weeks. Did you consider this new version of the Accustic Arts Drive 1 or were you so enamored with what the ML-31.5 offered that would be no reason to audition it?

I had every intention of using the new Drive 1 with my Attraction DAC (though I have never heard this transport).
I was then offered a good price on a 31.5 from a friend and I took him up on it. The Drive 1 may be better for all I know. There is a very good chance that I will be able to do a comparison of the new Drive 1 and the 31.5. I will post my findings when I do. The other transport that has me excited is a battery-powered CEC TL-1x from Reference Audio Modifications.

I should note that I took the plunge and picked up a used Zanden 5000 mkIV solely to compare it with my Attraction DAC! (They don't sell Zanden around me and I couldn't get a demo). Here is my expectation: the Zanden will be better on vocals; the Attraction will be more fun to listen to in every other respect.
We'll see!
exlibris
392 posts
 
I just got my Attraction DAC back from Germany after having a few upgrades installed on it.
If you are going to order one of these DACs be sure to get the JISCO option. Don't even think about not getting it; the difference is not subtle.
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
I have just submitted my review of the the new Accustic Arts Drive 1-MK2 here on the GON. It was hard for me at first to believe how it out performed my Ensemble transport with the Accustic Arts DAC 1-MK4 in my system. So, to say the least, its a keeper in my system and my new reference. For details, take a look at the review, if you then have any questions/comments post either here or on the review thread. If your thinking of auditioning reference level transports, please put the Accustic Arts MK2 on your list, its quite good and reasonabled priced for a reference piece.
More to discover