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Six DAC Comparison

I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.

Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.

Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.

My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.

mitch2
mitch2 OP
3,966 posts
 

To all, it seems we want to read that our latest/greatest, or next/greatest, purchase will be universally acclaimed and will suffer all scrutiny without any identified flaws. It just doesn’t work that way. As an example, look at all the subjectively positive reviews of the Mojo Mystique X SE DAC and then John Atkinson comes along and craps on it based on the measurements and, to make matters worse, writes a follow-up where he hears issues with the DAC that he believes are consistent with the measurements. Does that make all the positive reviews by experienced reviewers invalid?

We are all preconditioned both inherently and by our experiences, including professional reviewers. Am I qualified to write about a DAC that provides a sonic presentation that is different from what I have come to appreciate and from what I most often listen to? In addition, most of my listening is done through $10K’ish DACs so is it surprising that I didn’t walk away with an Aero for my main system - not really. This is why I did my best to stick with what I actually heard, which was mostly very good yet not exactly aligned with what I am used to hearing. This is also why folks need to keep in mind that any review, post, or subjective opinion reflects the perspective of somebody looking through their own lenses, which is bound to be at least a little different from how the reader would perceive things.

@stuartk - I suggest trying to hear one or, if you like most of what you read about the Aero from both my write-up and from other reviewers, then take LTA up on their 14-day trial. Even with return shipping and fees if you choose not to keep it, the cost of an audition is less expensive than traveling to attend an audio show and you would have the benefit of hearing it in your own room. As I said in my write-up, it really is worth a listen. I don’t know where else you go in the $4K new range although several options have popped up lately. Benjamin’s new Mystique Y might be an option, although he hasn’t said any more about sending me one to try out and I am not going to buy one just to hear a lesser version of two Mojo DACs I already have here. You might want to read the Ken Redmond review.

@sls883 - Good thing I took pictures when I boxed it up, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to answer you question. The one tube box that shows up in my pictures indicates it is a GE12SX7GTA

FYI all, I am wrapping up my write-up of the Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which I will post by this weekend, and moving on to more detailed listening to the Merason DAC1 MkII.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Did you compare the LTA to the Benchmark or Merason DACs?

mitch2 OP
3,966 posts
 

@soix - Absolutely.  I had all six DACs here at once over the past month and the LTA Aero is the only one that had to be returned.  I own the others. 

I had five of them powered up and on my stand and three or four of them connected through the DDC at any one time.  At first, the only one out of the mix was the Mojo Mystique X SE NCZ.  I listened to all of them off and on for a couple of weeks and then began focusing on whichever DAC that I was preparing a write-up for. 

The three you asked about offer three quite different presentations, IMO, so at least for me an apples to apples comparison would be difficult.  They all bring their strengths to the table, but not the same strengths.  That is why it is important for buyers to think about which sonic attributes they value most, since no one DAC is likely to fully cover every base.  

I am trying to write about the strengths and limitations of each unit, as I hear them, and then at the end I will consider preparing a short summary comparison of all six.  However, I cannot tell a prospective buyer which unit would work out best for them.  As we read many times in these threads, you really do need to hear stuff for yourself.

soix
9,456 posts
 

then at the end I will consider preparing a short summary comparison of all six.

That would be super interesting and helpful if you could.  Very nice write ups so far!

stuartk
2,764 posts
 

@mitch2 

Thanks for your comments. I look forward to reading your impressions of the remaining dacs. 

 

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