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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
branimir
236 posts
 
Kops, more on new Audio Research Reference CD7 in few weeks...
Exlibris, regarding the future of digital audio-I belive that something else rather than hard-drives will replace cd transports. But, I will stop here because this thread is about RBCDP.
Only one very suprising thing: At CES2006 we will see introduction of at least dozen new DACs/Transport's/CDPs or Universal Music(only!) player's. So, what is this? Return of RBCD or what?
Point is that RDCDP is far from death, like it or not...
Few words about new Accustic Arts Player1(24/192)-it is organic,smooth but, with PRAT and nice bottom end. It better's my Esoteric DV50s in RBCDP(but, to my suprise-differences are not that big) and bulid quality is very good. Only problem is the price-unfortunately I think it is too high... Competition in this price range($4k-$8K) is huge:Audio Research CD3MkII,Ayre CX7e or C-5xe,Cary CD303/300 or CD306,Esoteric X-03 just to name a few...
New ARC REF CD7 is $8995 and it is maybe the most interesting new player on the market( and excellent sounding-#2 flavor but, wow! More in few weeks...), price difference to Player1(24/192)is just $1K.
My point is not that Player1(24/192) is bad choice, far from it! It is excellent player but, if you want best possible Accustic Arts sound go for DAC1Mk3/Drive1 combo. I belive it is worth the extra money over Player1(24/192) and it is using more sophisticated dac's inside as well as some other things unique to them.
Today, we insert Player1 to my friends system and he is very happy with it. I told him my honest opinion about Player1 and he told me:'Ok, but, for 90% of audiophiles Player1 will be the reference stuff!'
teajay OP
1,721 posts
 
Branimir, thanks for sharing your final opinion on the Accustic Arts CDP, and I'm glad that your friend is very happy with his new digital player. I do not remember if you have had the chance to listen to The Accustic Arts DACIMK3, but as you stated, it is a qualitative different DAC with a 32/384 sampling rate. I knew the player would be quite good, but did not expect it to perform on the same level as the DAC. I'm a little confused with your statement regarding the price of the Accustic Arts CDP, I thought it retailed for $6000.00, if I'm wrong please correct me, therefore the price of the new ARC CD7 would be not just a $1000.00 difference, but would be $3000.00. I will admit my ignorance regarding the ARC CD7, but you make it sound like it might be a very special piece. Have you heard it already, or are you waiting to audition one? I will thank you in advance for what ever information you will share.
exlibris
438 posts
 
Branimir,
I too owned an ARC CD3 mkII and thought it was a very good piece. I also thought (as you note in a different thread) that it was clearly not as good as the EMM Labs combo.
I'm very interested to hear your full opinion of the CD-7 (in a few weeks). The fact that it has a massive power supply and uses tubes has me very interested.
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay, price of new Accustic Arts Player1MkII(24/192) is $7700-check on http://www.aaudioimports.com/ New price is IMO little bit to high... Price of DAC1Mk3 is $6K and Drive1 is $5.5K so, I would definitely go for this combo over Player1MkII, despite price difference.
Regarding new ARC REF CD7, yes, I bought one. I am using it in my system No.2-Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario/ARC REF210/ARC REF3/ARC REF CD7 with Weiss Medea/Jason acting like a guest star! Speakers and ARC gear are new( I receive them one week ago) and they have only 150hours of playing. Until 500hours break-in time point no long comments.. But, allready I can say that Anniversario's with ARC gear was amazing choice! ARC REF CD7 is definitely more emotionally involving player them my beloved Weiss combo.
Also, I can say that my favorites in #1 flavor group are: Esoteric(X-03,X-01,D-70vu/P-70vu,D-03/P-03/G-0s and D-01/P-01/G-0s) gear and Weiss Medea/Jason combo; in #2 flavor: ARC CD3MkII and REF CD7, Accustic Arts Player1MkII and DAC1MK3/Drive1 combo and Cary CD303/300. There are(and there are more to come!) many other very good dac/cdt combos and players on the market but, these are my personal favorites.
teajay OP
1,721 posts
 
Branimir, my compliments to you in two ways: 1) That you are affluent enough to own two world class systems. 2) That you are a "golden eared" audiophile with very good taste. If the system you described is the second system in your home, would you be nice enough to share details about the gear in your first system. The only question I would like to ask you, is, did you buy the ARC CD7 outright, or do you have an audition period before the final purchase? I have never bought a piece of gear without a long enough home audition to insure it was right for me in my system. Thats why I'm curious about your situation, it seems like you have purchased it, and now well see what it will sound like as it breaks in, which I would find concerning, unless I'm mistaken and you are going through the audition process and will make the final decision. Hope, this is not to personal of a question, just curious, thats all.
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