Review: Concert Fidelity DAC-040 DA converter


Category: Digital

Starting in 2005 I worked myself up the chain of the very fine DACS built by Accustic Arts of Germany, finally ending up with their Reference Tube Hybrid. I have auditioned over six very highly regarded DACS in the last couple of years and found them to be quite good, but none of them exceeded the performance of the AA Reference Tube Hybrid in my system. I do not use high resolution material, only Redbood CDs, so these auditions were only based on this format because my large collection of music is composed totally of this material. Well, I know nothing is the "BEST" in high end audio, there are many fine pieces of gear when you get to a certain level of excellence. However, I thought that maybe the evolution of DACS that play the standard format had got to the point that it could not get really that much better. Each DAC might offer different slight flavors but not a qualitative shift to a much higher level of performance. It has turned out that I was very wrong regarding this assumption after auditioning what has become my new reference, the Concert Fidelity DAC-040.

The designer of the CF DAC-040, Mr. Masa Tsuda believes in very short and clean circuits in all of his designs. The analog section of this DAC is very similar to what he uses in his highly regarded reference LS-080 linestage. They both use 12AU7's and a 6CA4/EZ81 full-wave rectifier tube. It took over two years of on-going listening tests for Mr. Tsuda to find the NOS DAC chips to use in his DAC, there is no over or up sampling and any type of digital filters to be found any were in this piece, that delivered the sonics he was looking for. Which DAC chips he finally decided on are confidential and not disclosed. All the Concert Fidelity and Silicon Arts, same company, pieces are beautifully built to an exemplatory level including the DAC-040.

Why was I taken so aback by the sonic performance of the CF DAC-040, here's the reasons:

1) By far the most natural timbres and harmonic colors I have ever heard coming from a digital front end.

2) The microdynamics and prat of this DAC are amazing, yet it still allows the listener to relax into the music without giving up the punch and kick of the music.

3) What I refer to as image density or a 3D quality, what most would just call palpability, of each player with air around them on a layered soundstage was the best I have ever had in my system.

4) The CF DAC-040 creates a very open and deep soundstage with great layering in a natural way that allows you to have the illusion that your in that acoustic space.

Believe me, the AA Reference Tube Hybrid DAC is no slouch in these sonic qualities, yet, it was no were close to having these special attributes that the CF DAC-040 was providing in my system. To use very subjective terms this DAC has the most musicality/naturalness that I have experienced that just draws you into the music. Dare I say that a lot of listeners could be fooled into thinking that they were hearing an analog front end, instead of a digital source, I think so.

I end all my reviews by sharing that there is no "BEST" piece of any kind of gear, but many terrific ones. Personal taste and system synergy always comes into play. If your looking for one of the best Redbook DACS around today I highly recommend you audition Mr.Tsuda's "baby", you will be in for a sonic treat.

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Prawax,

Thanks for that...my own view of Zanden compared to today's SOTA digital that i have heard is: Zanden tonality is still wonderful and the flow of music excellent. Still SOTA. The detail, decay, extension and noise floor are still great but not SOTA. There are units that have definitively surpassed it (imho)...but some of those units still not get the flow/tonality right for me.

Thus, i have stayed where i am...but am only now starting to think someone out there must have been able to achieve both to a degree that is a major step up. Sounds like your CF is one...i think having heard an earlier generation...that Stahl Tek may be another. Thanks for your comments!
Hi Lloydelee21,

Thanks for your kind reply ;-)

I’ve already listened the Stahl~Tek Opus DAC (with Opus CDT) and I’ve absolutely liked it and I think it's a good Converter (I’m speaking about RedBook only).
Based on these my two experiences I still prefer my CF; anyway I know my opinion is not full reliable because I couldn’t listened it in my system (all was different) so I can't know how the Opus could play with my CDT, Pre, Power, Speakers, Cables, Room...; I would like to compare it VS the CF and listen it in my system asap (the problem is that at the moment, in Italy, there aren’t any S~T distributors).

Have a nice day and BR,
Prawax,

Grazie mille! Have you heard the Emm Labs DAC2X? I did not love Emm Labs CDSA when i heard it...but i have not heard the newer Emm players.

I have never heard Stahl Tek Opus...only the original Vekian...very impressive. But i liked the midrange voice of my Zanden. However, i have heard the Opus is much, much better, with better air, treble and mids. i hope to hear soon. I will let you know if i do...meanwhile, i will try to hear the Concert Fidelity as well.
Hi Prawax,

I am curious...can you be specific about why you prefer your CF over the STahl-Tek? I know that you have not compared them directly the way you would like to...but i would appreciate any comments about this. Thank you!
Hi Lloydelee21,

PREGO ;-)

Unfortunately I’ve never listened the Emm Labs DAC2X, sorry…

The CF-040 sound seems (IMHO) more analog than S~T Opus sound (more density, the music simply flows in the space with body and presence).
But I repeat that I’ve not compared them directly so I can’t be sure of this.

BR,