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
Exilbris...why not consider the Zanden transport when u have the DAC? I thought there was supposed a large degree of synergy when using the IS2 connectivity?
Henryhk,
I certainly did consider the Zanden transport. I just can't justify the cost for this piece.
To be honest, if I could find all my favourite music on LP I would sell my digital frond end and my CD collection. I haven't listed to a CD in over a month. Unfortunately, only about half of the albums I want will ever be available on vinyl so I will have to keep my digital equipment. Once I get my vinyl playback to the level I want I will probably start looking at making my digital better and you are right, the way to do this is to get the Zanden transport.

I don't want this to devolve into a digital vs. analog debate but I do want to make one point.
One of my reservations about going into vinyl was the fact that many of the albums that I buy are recorded digitally. Why on earth would I want to playback a digital recording on vinyl rather than CD? I have no idea why it is but I can tell you that the digital recordings that I own sound much better on vinyl than they do on CD. A case in point is Iron and Wine's "Endless Numbered Days." The realism, soul, and humanity on the vinyl are so much better than the CD. The difference is not subtle. It is so profound that I can almost say that until you hear the vinyl, you really haven't 'heard' this record. Another case in point is Beck's "Sea Change," though I can't state for certain that this one was recorded digitally. I've owned "Sea Change" on SACD (played through EMM Labs CDSD and DCC2) on CD (played through EMM Labs, then Altmann, then Zanden) and now on vinyl. Again, listening to the vinyl is like hearing the album for the first time.
Fair enough. Though I only listed to digital, a well set up state of the art LP system does sound "better" to my ears, I acknowledge. The thing for me that leads to digital is primarily driven by functionality (can downlaod to PC for IPOD or wireless distribution to other rooms), storage (I have about 3000 CDs....if they were LPs..!)...etc. So I go for the best digital to my personal preferences which has been Meitner in my limited experience. I think there are quite a few like me in this regard. These reasons are also why I am quite curious with Nova Physics Memory player which is getting some hype...have no idea and probably will not available here where I live to audition for at least a year. A shame.
Esoteric X-01 D2 now has a web page: http://www.teac.co.jp/av/esoteric/x01_ux1/x01d2.html
The list price in Japan is Yen 1,400,000.

Upgrades of X-01 & X-01 Limited to X-01 D2 are also available in Japan:
http://www.teac.co.jp/av/info/v_up.html

According to the Audiotechnique magazine in Hong Kong, Esoteric has already sent them a X-01 D2 for review. The review will be published in their Jan issue.
Branimir,

Would you mind elaborating further on the differences between the Accustic Arts combo, Audio Research CD-7, and Lindemann 820 on redbook? Also, have you heard the Bluenote Stibbert? I'm looking for something closer to #2 sound.