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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
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.
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Audioezra, thank you for your kind words regarding my post. Next,Henryhk, your statement is totally about synergy in a well put together system that would shine sonicly. Thats why its so silly to call any DAC the "BEST" in the world because it leaves out the important factor of system matching to get the correct synergy. Lastly, Gliderguider, I audtioned a fully broken in Audio Note 4 which I believe is an older model than yours, along with that your wonderful DAC is a step higher in the Audio Note line. As I stated in my post, I did not confuse a lack of what you call artifacts in the high end means a lack of details or extension. However, in my system, The Audio Note DAC had wonderful warmth/musicality in the midrange but did not have the top/bottom extension of the other DACS that I audtioned. As you stated it just might have been lack of system synergy in my rig or your model Audio Note retains the virtues of the older and less expensive DAC but adds the extension on both ends.
henryhk
648 posts
 
Teejay: I was not referring what was the best DAC at all: but merely a question: that whether in your own exp whether one should accentuate the DAC sound color, if you will, with a speaker of similiar ilk or go the other way and try to counter-balance? Obviously depends on the degree from which the particular unit diverges from the golden mean, so to speak. I have been trying to think about this for awhile and I know the best way is to audition in my home, but still would like to save some time so seeking your learned opinion.
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Henryhk, sorry if I misunderstood your statement/question, however I think we are saying the same thing just using different semantics. My opinion would be is that if you have a warm, layed back sounding speaker, such as a Sonus Faber, a DAC from category #2 would be to much of a "good thing" and would not lead to good synergy. However, your Kharmas, which are great speakers, I believe would be a great match with category #2 solid state DACS such as the Reimyo or Accustic Arts were you would still get great dynamics and top/bottom extension but would add more warmth and musicality to your system. I don't think I have to tell you that your Meitner front end is world class stuff, but it would be very interesting, on redbook, what you would think if you audtioned one of these other DACS in your system and see if a different "flavor" would be more to your personnal taste or better synergy with your overall gear. If SACD is important to you then the above information would be irrelevant because the DACS I'm talking about are only redback. One final note you might find interesting. I have a good friend who also has Kharma speakers and he chooses to use a CEC TL-0 belt transport on redbook instead of his Meitner transport to feed his Meitner DAC to add more warmth and liquidity to his system. He likes that combo much more then the straight Meitner setup and only uses the Meitner transport to play SACD.
henryhk
648 posts
 
thanks....I was thinking perhaps getting a second player for redbook, category #2 ilk, but at this juncture its an excess....going to first experiment with amps.....but perhaps one day....do need SACD and overall like Meitner on redbook too. (though perhaps again a player like Reiymo may just add that incy bit of warmth that may be lacking)
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