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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
exlibris
438 posts
 
Teajay,
Here is a short report from the 124 hour mark. The sound has opened up considerably.
It really does sound quite a bit different from the EMM/Philips combo. It is darker, softer, and each image is more closed in (soundstage dimensions are about equal, however). This may have to do with the level of break-in and/or the AZ cable. Some listeners may welcome the black background and the softer feel of the AA pieces. On bad CDs it is certainly less sibilant than the EMM/Philips. Personally, I like the vividness, immediacy, and breath of life that the EMM offers.
IMHO: Right now the AA sounds like a great stereo; the EMM sounds like real life (warts and all).
I don't really want to say more because, as you said, we really should give the AA stuff at least a week or two to break in. It may continue to improve to a level beyond that of the EMM stuff; who knows?
I have no plans to try and borrow or buy a different digital cable for the test so we are stuck with the AZ.
Rest assured that power cords and everything else in the system are exactly the same when going from player to player.
branimir
236 posts
 
Fcrowder, I am glad that you liked Esoteric UX-1 player and as Guido said X-01 is better... Also, Shunyata power cords are working excellent with Esoteric players, specially new Anaconda Helix Vx. But, IMO even better results are possible with Acrolink Mexcel cables, their power cord 7N-PC7100 is awsome(Esoteric sells Acrolink Mexcel in Japan).
Exlibris, I heard that very best sound of Accustic Arts combo is via AES/EBU connection(and a good one!) so, your setup unfortunately may have shortcoming... Alternative is BNC connection and give it at least 300hours before second critical listening session. Did you get CDSD?
exlibris
438 posts
 
Branimir,
I don't have a CDSD yet.
I'll see if I can borrow a good, broken-in, AES/EBU cable.
I won't report again until Friday Dec. 6 (the 300 hour mark).
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Exlibis, because of the experience so far in your audition of the Acoustic Arts gear, it motivated me to run the following experiment this afternoon. I have a Acoustic Zen E=Mc2 with BNC connections that I used to use about three years ago with a different digital front end. So, I took out the Stealth Sextet and replaced with my old AZ cable and let it burn-in for a couple of hours before I sat down to listen. I immediately noticed the following: 1) A great loss of clarity and transparency. 2) A shrinking of the overall soundstage and severe loss of air around the players in the soundstage. 3) The overall sound signature was warm/smooth but a definite loss of details and dynamics. The Acoustic Arts gear not only sounded like a #2 with the AZ cable, but was pushed far to the pleasant/warm side of this flavor, but lost the "aliveness" that the pieces also have in their sonic signature when used with the right digital cable. When I went back to the Sextet, the balance between "musicality/liquidity" and clarity,details and dynamics returned to my system. So, I hope, since you went through the effort to set up your audition of the AA front end, that you will be able to get the right digital cable before you complete the process. My hunch now is, since I ran my little experiment, is that what you find lacking or unpleasant to a great degree is the limitation of the Acoustic Zen cable more so then the AA pieces.
exlibris
438 posts
 
I have sent an email to STEALTH in the hopes of securing a Vardig Sextet AES/EBU cable.

As it turns out, I will not be receiving a CDSD this month (maybe next month, or maybe not). I've been told that they will be showing a new version of the CDSD at CES(?)
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