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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
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Exlibis, because of the experience so far in your audition of the Acoustic Arts gear, it motivated me to run the following experiment this afternoon. I have a Acoustic Zen E=Mc2 with BNC connections that I used to use about three years ago with a different digital front end. So, I took out the Stealth Sextet and replaced with my old AZ cable and let it burn-in for a couple of hours before I sat down to listen. I immediately noticed the following: 1) A great loss of clarity and transparency. 2) A shrinking of the overall soundstage and severe loss of air around the players in the soundstage. 3) The overall sound signature was warm/smooth but a definite loss of details and dynamics. The Acoustic Arts gear not only sounded like a #2 with the AZ cable, but was pushed far to the pleasant/warm side of this flavor, but lost the "aliveness" that the pieces also have in their sonic signature when used with the right digital cable. When I went back to the Sextet, the balance between "musicality/liquidity" and clarity,details and dynamics returned to my system. So, I hope, since you went through the effort to set up your audition of the AA front end, that you will be able to get the right digital cable before you complete the process. My hunch now is, since I ran my little experiment, is that what you find lacking or unpleasant to a great degree is the limitation of the Acoustic Zen cable more so then the AA pieces.
exlibris
438 posts
 
I have sent an email to STEALTH in the hopes of securing a Vardig Sextet AES/EBU cable.

As it turns out, I will not be receiving a CDSD this month (maybe next month, or maybe not). I've been told that they will be showing a new version of the CDSD at CES(?)
teajay OP
1,705 posts
 
Just had a discussion with a fellow audiophile regarding his experience with the MBL1611E DAC, don't know what transport he was using, and he thought it was outstanding and one of the best DACS he has heard. I have never had the pleasure of listening to MBL gear in my own system, heard their speakers in show setups, so I was wondering if any of you GON members have? If so, could any one comment on the performance of the MBL DAC and what # sonic flavor it has to offer
exlibris
438 posts
 
Teajay,
I've only heard the MBL digital gear in a couple of all-MBL systems. I must have liked them because I ended up buying the speakers. :-)

By the way, I did manage to get a Stealth cable to try with the AA. It should arrive before Friday. Breaking in this cable will delay my report on the AA gear.

I'm actually thinking of taking a new approach to my system-building. I'm going to experiment with preamps before making any decisions on digital.

I have two -gut feelings- at this time:
1. the EMM Labs is very likely to stand up to all challengers.
2. if I do change, I will go to a tubed DAC.
branimir
236 posts
 
This weekend I auditioned MBL 1531 cd player in both of my systems. Unit was having around 600hours of playing so, break-in was not the issue... 1531 is good sounding #2 flavor player-good bass extension and definition, little bit forward lower midrange and almost sweet highs. But, in comparison with ARC REF CD7 things were not so good... CD7 has more authority, its bass is deeper and tighter(suprise!), midrange more organic and highs sweeter, yet extended. Very clearly CD7 was a winner over 1531. Weiss combo was simply in another league(honestly, I think CD7 is also). After that I called my friend and we brought MBL 1531 to his system(Krell Resolution1/FPB450Mcx/KCT) against Accustic Arts Player1MkII. It was more closer race but, again both of us clearly liked Accustic Arts Player1MkII better. MBL 1531 is good player(also excellent build quality) but, competitors like those mentioned above are better, IMHO.
My current single box #2 flavor favorites are Audio Aero Prestige SACD and Audio Research Reference CD7. For gear that is better than those two you need to spend at least $20K, IMO.
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