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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
 
Teajay,
I just listen to the Accustic Arts gear for about an hour. The Stealth cable should arrive in 2 to 4 days.
The AA is better than it was last weekend and much better than it was in the very early stages. At this point I can honestly say that it does something better than my front end: the soundstage is bigger and 'bloomier.' At this point I'll state the usual disclaimer: I'm not using the CDSD in my front end.
I can also state that discs that sound extra harsh and aggressive are more listenable on the AA gear.
I still have a long list of things that I prefer with my front end but I won't say any more until I've changed cables.
Thanks for the tip on the Einstein. The positive things that I've personally read about it have mostly come from dealers so far but I will add it to my list.
exlibris
438 posts
 
John,
Welcome to the thread and thanks for the tip on the balanced inputs. If I buy a Callisto I will keep this in mind when looking at DACs.
Have you ever compared your Manley DAC to some of the newer DACs that are being discussed in this thread?
jafox
1,477 posts
 
Exlibris: I have had the Manley Ref DAC for several years and for a long time, it was not at all close to the weakest link in my system. But this last year I have changed from a BAT 31SE to Callisto Sig, Wolcott Presence to CAT JL-3, Magnepan 3.5 to Soundlab A1, NBS Statement to almost all Purist Dominus and the addition of an Audio Magic Eclipse II PLC which was the biggest improvement of all. This is an insane amount of changes for me as I typically only have done one such change in the same period of time.

My system is heavy on tubes and the sound has been too much on the warm side mainly due to the Aesthetix Io, Manley DAC and NBS cables. But the Purist cables alone have brought me closer to "center". So I find I like the Manley even more now that I have a greater bass foundation and clarity with the Purist. In other words, even though I know the Manley is more grainy, less resolving, fatter in the mids, lean in the bass, softer on the top, etc., compared to today's new models, the Manley portrays music that for me at least brings on a level of involvement that will not be easy to give up.

Artg brought over his Audio Aero Cap II a few months ago and it clearly was a more refined unit, but it did not take the music to the "next level" that would give me an itch to change. But my system did not have the PLC then and so the AA Cap may have widened the gap with further resolution coming through. Art has since changed to the Reimyo so maybe I can entice him to bring that over and give me a real taste of today's models. And perhaps Jadem6 can bring over his supercharged modified SCD-1.

Hearing the EMM, Zanden, DCS, Spectral, MBL, etc., would be nice, but until I drop these in my system, and then can't give up what they bring to the table, I am a happy camper.

I just got the CD duplicator system and already I love this thing for its improvements in dynamics, clarity and giving instruments and singers more presence without bringing on any fatigue. So it's like I just upgraded the Manley. 8-)

John
exlibris
438 posts
 
John,
Thank you.
I haven't heard the two side by side but I would have thought that the AA Cap II would have been pretty much on par with the Reimyo and that significant difference in price could not be justified. Interesting.
Yes, the CD duplicator is very good. I've had a technician take out the switching power supply on mine and replace it with, what is essentially, two linear supplies: one outboard and one in the unit. The improvement was greater than I could have hoped for. I posted my findings in the "How come there is no thread on the RealityCheck?" thread.
jafox
1,477 posts
 
Wow! Already there are audio diehards upgrading the CD Duplicator. I love it. By some time next year I will throw in the towel and just leave well enough alone for a few years as was the case back in the mid 80s into the early 90s.

As for the AA Cap and the Reimyo, Art has posted some comments on A'gon indicating as wonderful as the AA is, the Reimyo is quite a step up in performance.

John
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