First testing is complete.
Rega 2010 Dac, PrimaLuna EVO 100, AudioMirror III SE into McIntosh MA6600 integrated into Magnepan 1.7 speakers.
Cables into PrimaLuna and AudioMirror were Monoprice.
Cables into Rega were Auqioquest Cinamon (supposedly an advantage, but nothing I’ve ever noticed).
Figured PrimaLuna would win since I have PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated and really like it. Initial impression was AudioMirror was best, other two pretty much the same. Felt AudioMirror was louder so loaded SPL meter onto iPhone.
Picked well recorded artists (Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, etc) and took song snippets via iTunes and put on repeat. Measured DB via SPL and adjusted volume level and flipped amongst the DACs (no it was not blind). The Rega & PrimaLuna were pretty much equal in DB, the AudioMirror needed to be adjusted down a bit.
The volume down on the AudioMirror pretty much evened things out.
No clear winner.
Moving gear over to PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated for testing. This is the amplifier where the new DAC I purchase will actually be used. The McIntosh system is solid state, the Rega DAC will stay there. Testing will be completed tonight and I will post results.
Rega 2010 Dac, PrimaLuna EVO 100, AudioMirror III SE into McIntosh MA6600 integrated into Magnepan 1.7 speakers.
Cables into PrimaLuna and AudioMirror were Monoprice.
Cables into Rega were Auqioquest Cinamon (supposedly an advantage, but nothing I’ve ever noticed).
Figured PrimaLuna would win since I have PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated and really like it. Initial impression was AudioMirror was best, other two pretty much the same. Felt AudioMirror was louder so loaded SPL meter onto iPhone.
Picked well recorded artists (Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, etc) and took song snippets via iTunes and put on repeat. Measured DB via SPL and adjusted volume level and flipped amongst the DACs (no it was not blind). The Rega & PrimaLuna were pretty much equal in DB, the AudioMirror needed to be adjusted down a bit.
The volume down on the AudioMirror pretty much evened things out.
No clear winner.
Moving gear over to PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated for testing. This is the amplifier where the new DAC I purchase will actually be used. The McIntosh system is solid state, the Rega DAC will stay there. Testing will be completed tonight and I will post results.