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
Thank you very much Branimir. Yet it would be interesting to verify if the comparison with the P03/D03 still held when the X-01 is replaced with the X-01 Limited, which is in itself a significant improvement over the original.
I have had the EMM combo on loan the whole past week. IMO there is not really much I could add over what other ppl have already written about EMM sound, but I just wanted to say, that this time, I have had ZERO problems with CDSD. No static noise, no display problems, no disc reading problems. Nothing. It seems that the problems have been solved by EMM with a transport replacement.

Hope to get the Audio Aero SACD prestige next week.
I've just received my Metronome Kalista Reference transport and Boulder 2020 DAC. This combo literally burried my EMM stack (CDSD + DAC6e) even at their first 5 minutes of playing. There was no comparison at all. Gone was the metallic harsh sound of the EMM's. This combo has everything you wish for, very analog sweet sound, big, 3-D soundstage and all the detail and clarity of EMM stack. The setup/tweaking will take another week but I could say that I've reached the audio nirvana.
Guido, the Esoteric vision/objective was/is to design a digital transport in such a way that ALL the information possible is retrieved from the actual disc and I have to say that they have done an OUTSTANDING job!!!

While the top line Burr-Brown laser trimmed ladder DACs in the UX-1, X-01 and D-1 would give you very accurate and airy presentation, the top line AD1955 DACs by Analog Devices in the CHEAPER combo would provide more rounded and bottom heavy sound. This might be to the liking of some but not to everyone, especially those who own truly revealing systems which are not in the need of "smoothing out". The fact that Esoteric have decided to use the Burr-Brown in the top line and Analog Devices in the cheaper line is more than self explanatory. “Oh, but it sounds better”. Sure in that audio system to those ears.

In conclusion, Teac Esoteric VRDS-NEO is hands down the LEADER when it comes to a digital transport today. What is behind the VRDS-NEO in terms of electronics just suits different tastes.

Regards,
Alex
Thank you Alex, this is the first time I read a good characterization of the AD sound. A twist to the whole matter though is the fact that TEAC adopted the AD chips for the $25K P03/D03 combo. Have you heard it. I wonder at this point if TEAC is abandoning Burr Brown in favor of AD throughout its Esoteric Line for the sake of facile euphony.