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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
1,702 posts
 
Exlibris, I always find your comments interesting and led me to more questions after reading them. 1) Did you have have the chance to audition the Audiomat reference Dac which does not upsample? 2) Did you audition the AA DAC1mk3 with the Sextet or did you have to return it before you got the Stealth cable? 3) If you liked the non-upsampling DAC would you attempt to audition DACS from Audio Note or Zanden?

My personnal experience has been that the non-upsampling DACS, in my system, did not sound as "musical" as the best upsampling gear. I had a ML-360s that was quite good but when I added a DCS Purcell and upsampled to 24/96 the performance was taken to another much higher level in all sonic aspects. When I auditioned a high level Audio Note it was ok, but not better then my reference at that time. My hunch, after getting to know your taste in sonics, is that you really like a type 2 flavor that sounds more like real music to your ears.
Finally, great idea posting a thread on the sonics of reference transports, hope theirs lots of discussion and sharing.
branimir
236 posts
 
Exlibris and Teajay, first-my Sextet Digital(AES/EBU) is on its way here... I will have it in two weeks time, more in one month... Second, very best non-upsampling digital gear is(or one of) ARC REF CD7(and CD3MkII is also non-upsampling). You both should try to audition it. I would even say that ARC REF CD7 is more enjoyable in some areas than my reference Weiss Medea/Jason combo. I currently have Accustic Arts DAC1Mk3(Balanced)/Drive1MkII combo on trail and I can say that Teajay's description of AA combo sonics was right on the spot. For the money it is excellent buy but, it is IMO not better then ARC CD REF7. And I have to say that Weiss combo is well, a lot better. But, since Weiss combo cost more than two times more it must be better! Anyway, in normal price range(read till $15K) Accustic Arts DAC1Mk3/Drive1MkII combo deserves highest respect. Other excellent contenders are ARC REF CD7,Esoteric X-01 and Audio Aero Prestige SACD.
Teajay, Accustic Arts combo is IMO worth extra price over also very good Accustic Arts Player1MkII!
exlibris
438 posts
 
Teajay,
I'll try and answer your 3 questions:
1) Did you have have the chance to audition the Audiomat reference Dac which does not upsample?
Not yet, but I will try and get that one in.

2) Did you audition the AA DAC1mk3 with the Sextet or did you have to return it before you got the Stealth cable?
The latter; but I will be sure to do so before moving in another direction.

3) If you liked the non-upsampling DAC would you attempt to audition DACS from Audio Note or Zanden?
I really want to hear the Zanden in my system but it is pretty much impossible to do so where I live. I'm so anxious to try it that I'm having a hard time not buying it without hearing it first (always a bad idea). If someone wanted to trade me a 5000 LE for my DCC2 I would probably go for it (another bad idea).
teajay OP
1,702 posts
 
Branimir, I will find it very interesting what your experience of the Stealth Sextet cable will be in your systems. At this point some people would have to think I own stock in the Stealth company because I'm always sharing my excitement about the virtues of the Sextet cable. Well, let's see what happens when you audition it in the next couple of weeks.

Would you be nice enough to share more specifically what you find are the differences between the Weiss front end and the Accustic Arts front end. I know already that the Weiss gear is more a type #1 flavor and the Accustic Arts a type #2 flavor, but what else do you hear that is different in the two digital front ends.

Lastly, in your post you refer to the Accustic Arts transport as Drive1 MKII, is this a new generation of the orginial Drive1? If so, what changes did they make to the transport and does it sound significantly different/better then the first generation transport? I was not aware that Accustic Arts had made any changes in the Drive1 since it came out. As always, I will thank you in advance for any information that you will share with us.
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay, I think you did very good job in sharing with us your opinion about Stealth. If this will help Stealth as the company-then be it!
Weiss vs. Accustic Arts: Weiss combo is more powerful in bass(as I said before in bass Weiss and Esoteric combos are in class of their own), little bit more upfront in midrange(very,very small differences) and more extended in highs without sounding bright. The biggest difference were in microdymanics(and level of microdymanics details), simply said you can here a lot more through Weiss combo.
Also my wife said that music sound faster through Weiss...
Accustic Arts is warmer(but, not to much!), little bit easier on ears and for me it has some kind of charm that I like a lot! To my suprise my friend(the one who owns Accustic Arts Player1MkII) also liked Weiss more-IHO Weiss has more analogue like qualities then Accustic Arts!
Regarding Drive1 it is normal version(my mistake, it is not MkII) but, I was very suprised how picky it was about power cords! Very best sound was with Siltech Signature G6 and Accustic Arts own Power Cord Ferrite II(DAC1Mk3 was not that picky about power cords...).
Unfortunately, because of new car delivery no CES for me this year but, my brother is there right now and I will have his first report this afternoon.
Teajay, do you have any(sonic or whatever) info about new Stealth Dream speaker cable and power cord? Thank you in advance!
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