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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
teajay OP
1,687 posts
 
Hi, Analogkid, I'll answer your questions in the order you asked them:

1) I have heard both the Reimyo CDP and the first generation DAC. I would put them into the type 2 flavor without having the microdynamics/clarity of the AA Tube Hybrid, which has great extension/dynamics and very natural timbres without the loss of dynamics of other tube DACS. Remember the AA does not use the tubes in the analog conversion stage, but upstream in the digital process.

2) I have never heard the Ref7 in my system, but have heard it in a system I was not very pleased with, so I really can't give you a very objective viewpoint regarding it's performance compared with the AA DAC.

3) The Accustic Arts DAC MK3 does not use tubes, and when I auditioned the Reimyo vs the MK3 I purchased the AA, still liking its overall sonics compared with the Reimyo DAC.

Hope this helps.
analogkid
23 posts
 
Thanks Teejay. If I had to be in one camp I always would choose the "type 2" flavor, especially with so many strident and poorly-recorded CDs out there. Sounds like the AA combines the best of type 1 and type 2.

Another player that looks interesting is the Abbingdon Research. Now that I've recently switched to a solid state amp (ASR Emitter I, which is great by the way) I wouldn't mind having tubes elsewhere in the chain - not because I want euphonic coloration - but I find that systems with neutral tube-based components somehow sound less "hi-fi".

Analogkid
ben
66 posts
 
Teajay thanks for your input, I like harmonix powercord too
Kimber pk14 is also fine contender, strange to say but I prefer Harmonix HS 102 xlr digital cable over Stealth sextet
in my setup too.
ugamotz
13 posts
 
Preffered settings for the P03-D03?
Can someone please help me. I am a new owner of the Esoteric P-03/D-03 combo. The manual is less than helpful, as was Bob Harley's review, about the optimum settings.
Should I upsample at 176? What should the word clock setting be? Do I need to use the "DSD" mode to play SACD or can I use upsampling as described (i.e. 176). Should the digital filter be on or off. Really sad manual info for such expensive gear. Please help!!
Marty
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Marti, have you consider just experimenting and finding out what setting you enjoy the best? You can't break the machine no matter what settings you select. . . let us know your findings.
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