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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
branimir
236 posts
 
Henrykh, dCS,EMMLabs and Lindemann are only digital gear(so far?) that do not convert SACD signal to PCM for SACD playback. Audio Aero, Esoteric and some others convert SACD signal(digitally) into PCM for SACD playback.
Why?? Well, there is no simple answer but, my friend from Japan said in his email to me that reason is best possible RBCD playback. Designers at those companies(AA,Esoteric etc.) belive that it is possible to achive best sound in RBCDP only if complete digital part is done in PCM. Who is right or wrong?? Nobody!! EMMLabs gear(and dCS) is designed with SACD in the mind of their designers as a prime digital format... Now, we all know that SACD is not successor of RBCD! Interesting thing is that all these gear(Audio Aero,Esoteric,EMMLabs and dCS) sound excellent with RBCDs(and SACDs). And let me tell you one other thing... Few months ago I had a chance to audition prototype of CD/DVD-A music player only in similar system to my(No.1) against EMMLabs combo. End result? DVD-A player wiped out the floor with EMMLabs gear!!! To my biggest suprise!!
But, since DVD-A is dead this player will never go into the production. It only will exist as 'techo freak showpiece' about potential of DVD-A...
Now, lets go back to RBCDP!
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Branimir, have you seen the latest issue of the Absolute Sound? It has a feature article on your Krell Evolution gear by Anthony H. Cordesman. I thought you might find it interesting to compare your experience with these pieces, I know you think they are terrific, and Codesman's take on them. I take all reviewers with a grain of salt, however I find Cordesman to have the most sane and objective opinions compared to most other reviewers in the high end written press. He thinks the Krell pieces are outstanding in many ways, with no real downside, except possibly cost. But, and this I way I respect him, he does not cop-out saying they are one of the best, but explains with great intelligence that their is no one "BEST".
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay, I have that TAS(electronic subsrciption) and Mr.Cordesman review is excellent(better IMO then also excellent review of Evolution's in HifiNews by M.Colloms) and I expect same kind of style when he will review Krell LAT-1000 in few issues(I allready know that he liked them a lot!)...
Mr.Cordesman is one of my favorite reviewers and I like his writing very much.
What do you think about article about new digital formats?
exlibris
392 posts
 
APL Hi-Fi has a new, cost-no-object model out: the "NWO-1".
It is based on the Teac Esoteric UX-1.
Maybe someone here will get a chance to hear it at CES and provide a short review?
teajay OP
1,333 posts
 
Branimir, I found Robert Harley's piece on the new digital formats to be short, well written, and finally,regrettable. The HD DVD and Blu-ray CD are really aimed at the home theatre market and even if they would offer better sonics then standard redbook, the music I listen to will not be released on these formats anyways. That's way SACD was basicly irrevelant for me from the very beginning, even if it offered superior sonics, and that is a big if to begin with, my collection of standard redbook CD's is over 40000 albums. My taste is mainly jazz from the 50's and early 60's and this massive catalog of music would never be released on the SACD format, that's way I only really care about the best in redbook format and not the other formats. My hunch is the battle between HD DVD/Blu-ray is going to be another long drawn out debacle with music lovers not really being considered part of the mix, but movies/home theatre being the target that they are aiming for.
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