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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
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.
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay,
I will try to answer your questions:
1)Yes. Esoteric combo offer level of detail that is simply not present on Accustic Arts combo. Metronome is sounding bigger, fuller and excell on Jazz music. Orpheus Labs is better in bass depth and definition, also on overall soundstage size. In short all three top combos are class above Accustic Arts combo.
2)Yes again. Its sonic signature is like a small unity between Esoteric and Metronome. Orpheus Lab is different sounding but, it may be actually winner here for 90% of audiophiles...
3)Musicality... IMHO, this is truly subjective thing but, I will try to gave you % factor. For this thing I will use "Soultrane" from J.Coltrane:
100% Orpheus Lab
99% Metronome
99% Accustic Arts
98% Esoteric

You see, with Jazz standard this is the ranking but, with different music different results!

It will also depend very much on rest of the system. Im my experience speakers are the most important part of any high-end system. My new speakers(they are on the same level as Krell LAT-1000s!) are simply awsome and they are drawing me into the music more then any speaker before.
I also found(for me!) perfect amps and preamps. Digital front end is the key element of my current search.

Last comment about Accustic Arts combo. IMHO it is current class leader for digital gear up to $16K. Better sound is possible, but for a lot more money...

BTW, two new speakers that I currently audition besides my Krell LAT-1000s are also USA made stuff. More on them soon, but just a little hint-they are both leaders, first one in true world class, second in $15K class.
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Branimir, very nice summary. I am reading in to your description of Metronome sound being bigger and fuller as being closer to lifelike bigness of sound as it is apparent in live jazz band. It is curious that you single out this description to Metronome sound and not others. Is Esoteric, AA and Orpheus have same big 'density' sound as compared to Metronome?

I personally value bigness and fuller sound since it move a lot of air and hence approaches life-like sound.

Also I will be curious to know if you have auditioned and compared these DACs sound to a well set up analog front end. Or if you have your own analog set up and compared to the best of the digital sound. Not to necessarily compare which one is better but the key differences that stands out. This is not a anlog v/s digital question or trying to hijack Teajay's excellent thread but to get a feel for what the best in digiatl has to offer in comaprision to best in analog. I hope Teajay does not mind this comparision.
branimir
236 posts
 
Nilthepill,
Metronome combo is always sounding big and full, with all kinds of music. This feature is not always a welcome thing, with rock music for example(some rock recordings are pump up anyway!). IMHO this Metronome's sonic signature is also its biggest problem because not all recording are welcoming such a presentation.
Esoteric, Orpheus and AA are little bit more neutral IMHO overall.
More on Orpheus Labs Heritage dac is here:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/orpheus/heritage.html

It is long and pretty messy review, but I urge you to read it anyway.

Metronome is maybe most "musicall" of all this combos, specially with Jazz and Classical music. Overall neutral champs it is not...

Analogue front end... I have one ten years ago(SME30), but since I gave it up I do not plane to return!
BTW, my best friend owns very good analogue front end(Brinkmann) and in his opinion some of digital gear that he audition in my house betters his Brinkmann by some margin. In all honesty I must say that the rest of his system is not in the same league as my systems...
aldavis
191 posts
 
Branimir, With all of this very good, very expensive gear how is your relatively inexpensive cd7 holding up. What are its strengths and where does it fail to match up ? Thanks - Jim
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