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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
 
Teajay, I will try to compare Esoteric D-01/P-01/G-0s combo in my system No.1 with my Weiss Medea/Jason combo.
Also I am interested in new Krell Evolution Three universal music player(three pieces-transport,dac and power supply) which is using Krell cast connection. It will be introduced at CES2006 and in showrooms in next spring.
Since it was my former pair of W/P7 that dealer used for demo I was pleasently suprised with sonics. Pass X350.5/X0.2 sounded excellent with W/P7 bringing warmth to Wilson sound but, with very good bass control and extension. Your review is spot-on in describing X350.5 sound quality! In its price range(and above!) it is one of the best stereo SS amps available. I hope that you agree with me. In fact I think that new X.5 series is very good choice for small Wilson's(new Duette,Sophia2 or W/P7).
Although sound was very good it was not as good as sound of my systems... I am curious about new Pass XA60(maybe for my office system)? Do you know anything about thier sonics?
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Branimir, the Pass Labs XA series adds even more "warmth/easyness" to the overall sonic signature of the .5 amps. If you like what must people would describe as a tube like quality, then the XA amps would be very pleasant sounding to your ears. Because, the XA amps do not double down into lower impedence loads, they did not work as well in my system as the 350.5, which does double down into lower impedence, when driving my MG-20Rs. My hunch is that audiophiles that love tube-SET's or an amp like the Dartzel would really enjoy a pair of XA amps. As far as I know the single chassis XA-60 has not been released yet by Pass, unless you know something I don't. For my budget and my ear's the 350.5 is a wonderful sounding amp in my system and replaced a highly regarded Edge NL-10. Great dynamics/clarity/extension with a "warmth/liquidity" normally associated with tube amps.
treemed67
6 posts
 
>...This weekend I will put ARC REF CD7 against Weiss combo in my No.1 system as you suggested. I will also add Esoteric DV50s from my office system"

Branimir, I'm very curious if you did this comparison/auditioning. I was thinking to buy Esoteric DV50S, as my budget would probably not allow now to go for super expensive digital front.
exlibris
438 posts
 
The AA drive and DAC arrived new-in-the-box on Saturday so I will not be able to comment on it until later in the week.

Teajay, how much burn-in do you recommend before doing any serious listening?
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Exlibris, my experience with the AA DAC was it sounded pretty good after around 30 to 40 hours, but really opened up and significantly changed right around 250 to 300 hours of playing time. I never noticed it sounding worse before it got better, just a steady improvement untill it fully burned in. I'm still very interested what your opinion of this gear will be, respecting your ear's/experience with digital front ends, so I know you will share what conculsions you finally come to in your audition process. What, digital cable are you going to use during your audition? I have raved about the significant difference the Stealth Sextet made in my system, along with my experience that any cables I have used, including the Sextet, brought the performance of my digital gear to a higher level with BNC connections. I don't know if in your system if you use single-ended or balanced wires, so the above information regarding the BNC's might not be useful, if you use balanced wires.
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