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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
yr44
57 posts
 
Hi Jafox,

Last time I was there was also 2002. If memory serves correctly, they put the Burmester Rondo system in window display on the easter side of the store. I think it was on the 4th fl that they have the MBL and Burmester side-by-side. I hoped they didn't notice the drool I left there ;D.

Robm,

That DAC is actually stretching my budget A LOT. As a result, my system is rather unbalanced right now. I have great front-end that performs also as pre-amp, great cabling, great speakers (B&W Sig 805), but a so-so (but excellent for the money) mono amps, Denon POA6600. But it's still hugely enjoyable.
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Great question Steve, I'll be brief but hopefully informative. The CEC TL-0 added great smoothness/liqidity/warmth to any DAC that it was linked to. However, it's PRAT/bottom end was not as good as either the Levinson or the Ensemble transports. The Levinson 31.5 added great details/speed/clarity and an excellent bottom end, was not as warm/organic as the CEC transport. The Ensemble Dirondo was almost in the middle sonicly, great details/speed/extension top-bottom with a nice sense of ease/smoothness, but not as lush/romantic as the CEC transport. The transports themselves could fit into the sonic categories that I used to group the overall "flavor" of the DACS I was comparing.The Levinson 31.5 would go into bracket#1,the CEC TL-0 would go into bracket#2, and the Ensemble Dirondo would be a "middle path" between #1 and #2. All are wonderful transports, remember the TL-0 is no longer in production, the 31.5 I believe is just now again being produced and the Ensemble is the current reference and in production. Hope this helps.
audioezra
37 posts
 
TEAJAY YOUR ESSAY IN MY OPINION HAS SET AN INDUSTRY STANDARD. YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR INTELLIGENCE AND COURTESY.STAY THE COURSE.
henryhk
648 posts
 
Generally agree with the categories. Another key parameter is then if so should the rest of system designed to accentuate or counterbalance such sonic character? I guess it depends on the extremity of the character in the first place but worthwhile when considering. For example for category 1, should one try to aim for tubes in the amplification chain? For category 2 should one aim for somewhat more analytical speakers?
gliderguider's avatar
gliderguider
294 posts
 
Teajay,

Nice essay, and I have to say it agrees with my experience with DACs in general - I haven't had a lot of exposure to the heavy-hitting reference class, beyond my own Audio Note and a friend's Wadia 861.

What Audio Note DACs you listened to? The reason I wonder is because of your comments regarding frequency extension from tubed DACs. While my judgement is constrained by lack of adequate comparisons, I certainly don't feel that my 4.1x Balanced Signature is lacking in those departments.

One has to be cautious when judging top end extension of course, because a top end that's free (or at least freer) of artifacts will sound less extended. And as always, system synergy will play a role, especially in judging bass quality and extension.
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