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
 
Teajay,
'Tenacity' probably isn't the word that my wife or my friends would use, but thanks :-)
It has been an enjoyable thread and I think your conclusion/summary is well stated.
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay,
This is excellent thread and it contain a lot of very usefull info about various DAC sound. I agree from the start with your #1 and #2 flavor groups and it seems to me like a good idea. But, some recent auditions of new gear showed me that some of DACs(or combos) are around #1.5 or even #1.8 sound. What does that mean? Simly they have all #1 sound quality but, add natural presentation without edge or britt in sound as well. Little bit of warmth also!
I also find out that system synergy(here I go again!) is the key word!
BTW, I am in the process of changing most of the gear in my system No.2... If few months more info.
Current favs:
Esoteric D-01/P-01/G-0s(#1 champ,in some systems too clinical)
Metronome C-2A Sig/Kallista Reference(#1.8 sound, best tube dac that I ever audition, amazing combo)
Orpheus Lab Heritage/Zero D(#1.1 sound, still break-in period but, already something special...)
Accustic Arts DAC-1Mk4/Drive1Mk2(#1.3 sound, best value for the money but, still not in the class of three combos mentioned above)
Audio Research Reference CD7(#1.9 sound, best tube cd player on the market IMHO)
Krell Evolution 505(#1.3 sound, a must in all Krell CAST system, betters all player below $10K IMHO)

More info in few week time...
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Branimir, Could you describe (although #1.8 indicates what type of sound) little more on Metronome C-2A/Kalista combo sound? How much etching?, if any. What kind of music you auditioned? What sampling rate was used? Thx.
branimir
236 posts
 
Music... Coltrane, Monk, M.Davis-usual Jazz. Mozart, Beethoven and Mahler-classic. Pink Floyd, RHCP-rock.
Particia Barber, Diana Krall and Sara K.-female jazz.
Sound-very big and powerfull sound. Best bass from tube dac so far, creamy midrange and very open but, not edgy highs. Sampling rate is depending more on recording. On RR recordings highest sample rate is the best but, on some non-audiophile recordings it was not.
In-review in few weeks...
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Branimir, as always good to hear from you and thanks for sharing your more recent ranking of digital front ends. I will take it as a compliment that you ranked the Accustic Art combo number four, considering that it costs almost $15000.00 less then the three others on your list!

Now, here's my questions for you:

1) Do the higher ranked combos offer something that the Accustic Arts Combo qualitatively does not offer in it's overall sonic signmature?

2) Does the Accustic Arts combo offer the same sonic attributes as the better combos on your list, but just does not do them as well as the top ranked combos on your list?

3) If you would put in a precent rating the amount of "musicality" that the Accustic Arts offers compared to the other digital front ends.

I will thank you in advance, it's always enjoyable for me to see what your informed opinions are regarding some of the highest regarded gear on the market today.
More to discover