2. digital
  3. 1126769860

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
1,655 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)
exlibris
438 posts
 
Teajay, Excellent thread. Your friend with the EMM Labs gear, is his transport the CDSD or a modified Philips SACD 1000? Is his amplification tubes or solid state?
I am using EMM Labs DCC2 DAC but your review (and the Dagogo review) of the AA DAC1 mk3 has me wanting to try an all-Accustic Arts digital front end before committing to the purchase of an EMM Labs CDSD transport.
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
Exlibris

You haven't even begun to tap the potential of your DCC2 without a Meitner CDSD. You are already 1/2 way there. You just need the CDSD. Your system will sound so much better with it than with the modded Philips SACD 1000. I have owned both. IMO there really is none better than the Meitner stack.
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Exlibris, my friend's system is powered by Lamm pre and mono block tube amps and he uses both a CEC TL-0 and the Meitner CDSD transport to drive his DAC. He likes the sound of redbook cd better on the CEC transport then the Meitner transport. I just replaced my digital cable (Artistic Audio vacuum reference) with the new Stealth Varidig Sextet reference which brought my system to a new level of sonic resolution. I posted a review with more details if you are interested and want more information. Finally, when I read a post like Oneobgyn, I have sad feelings, not about his educated opinion regarding his own gear, but the "absurd" position that there is one BEST anything in high end audio. There are many wonderful pieces with different flavors, along with personnal taste and system synergy, therefore there is in no absolute BEST. This type of statement, "there really is none better", just leads to elitism and ego jocking in our fun hobby. It's fun/pleasurable to share what we hear with other audiophiles who then decide what they find the most pleasing by using their own ear's.
More to discover