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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
exlibris
438 posts
 
Branimir,
Here's a tough question:
If you were only allowed to have one digital frond end to play redbook CDs, which would it be:
Weiss
ARC
Audio Aero
Thanks.
branimir
236 posts
 
Exlibris, really tough one!
Answer is not a simple one... It will very much depend on the rest of the system. Example 1. Audio Aero Prestige is excellent choice(in #2 flavor group) if you do not have enough money for(or simply do not need) preamp. Add amp like Pass X350.5 or Plinius SA Reference and Anniversario's and you have almost a killer system. Example 2. In my system No.2 ARC REF CD7 sounds more emotionally involving then Weiss combo... But, in my system No.1 Weiss has edge over ARC REF CD7.
Overall:
1.Weiss(second place in #1 group, first is Esoteric combo)
2.ARC REF CD7(first in #2 group, excellent value for price)
3.Audio Aero Prestige(second in #2 group, amazing value)
exlibris
438 posts
 
Excellent; thank you. I will always own a very good tube preamp because I view it as the heart of my system.
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Exlibris, I find your hunch regarding the possibility that you might end up with a tubed DAC very intriguing. When I tried a couple in my system ( very high level Audio Note and Zanden) that they had a very nice midrange, a type #2 flavor, but lacked extension on both the top and bottom, not very good PRAT, and finally not detailed enough for my personnal taste. So, if you like very much your Meitner gear, and so far have not been that impressed with the AA combo, still want to hear your final judgement with the Sextet cable, I would be surprized if you would like the overall sonics of some of the highly regarded tube non-upsampling DACS. The reason I mainly replaced my Ensemble DAC was to get some more of that "analog quality" without losing clarity, precise images with air around the players, and deep extended bass and did not find that with the above mentioned tube DACS, but did with the Accustic Arts DAC in my system. A final thought, with your tube pre-amp the AA gear might be to much of a good thing, going to far into a type#2 flavor, imagine what might happen with a tube DAC pushing your system's overall sonic signature way to right in this category!
exlibris
438 posts
 
Teajay,
My present tube preamp isn't flavour #2 enough for my taste. What I want to do is either tube roll or find a different preamp. Once I have the rest of the system in place I will then be in a better position to look into my source components. You're right, at that point a tubed DAC may turn out to be too much of a good thing.
By the way, I still have high hopes for the AA.
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