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I have the TEAC 503 DAC in one system. I like the sound. I have a Sonica
DAC in a different system and like the sound. Completely different. The
ESS is very precise and analytical. Very very detailed. The AKM is
sweet and tube like. So it depends on your system."More proof of something I learned long ago: 1) different systems cause individual components to sound differently, and, 2) different ears hear things differently. The comment I cited above stunned me, because my experience is exactly the opposite...I have a 503, and it is VERY detailed and articulate; the Sonica [which I sold] was more laid back, and lacked the punch and articulation of the TEAC. Detailed, but in a weirdly subtle way~ it always emphasized, for me, certain parts of the music, while nearly dropping others nearly altogether. I will go farther and say that the ESS chips always sound smooth, w/rounded off edges on transients, compared to the AKMs. If you are listening to acoustic music, the ESS has a warmer sound ~ not the other way around, so it should be a good choice. If you are listening to, say, psytrance, go w/the AKM. Oh, and the TEAC is dual mono, and yields great channel separation and imaging. The only thing that I agree with is that they do sound very different from each other. Again, I'm talking about my ears, my system ~ I don't mean this as a criticism,. or to be argumentative. I just am very surprised to hear anyone say that they think any ESS chip is more detailed than the AKM; my experience w/several different units w/one or the other of these chips always leads me back to the AKM for detail, transient attack, and the retrieval of subtle aspects of the recordings that other chips miss [don't even get me started on Wolfsons]
tgrisham, I'd love to hear your setup~ it's probably just as you say, and I would be forced to admit that the the advice you offered is accurate based on your setup. It's one of the things that makes this such a great hobby...
