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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
1,655 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!
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Branimir, regarding your question on the new Stealth speaker cable and power cord, I must admit my ignorance concerning them. However, I will check in with one of my audiophile advisers, who happens to be a Stealth dealer, after the CES show which he is now attending, and then let you know what I find out regarding these products.
branimir
236 posts
 
Thanks Teajay! Also regarding CES my brother just send me an info about new Krell EVO line-there is new Krell EVO505 universal music player($10K retail,available March 2006)-that one will land in my system ASAP!
henryhk
648 posts
 
Exlibris: sorry to lose you from SACD! personally I love the format though titles....ah well. One thing though on Meitner. Not sure if u have done so but at least in my exp CSDC is whole league above the midofied Philips transport and has real synergy w/ the DCC2. Using the Stealth btwn the two I think is doable but not sure if it would carry the DSD signal directly but also very importantly may lose the ability to slave transport to the DCC2 which I beleive blocks jitter but whatever the case sounds a WHOLE lot better than not doing so. Of course I have no idea who CDSD + DCC2 via optical glass link would compare on redbook CDs to some other combos you are investigating using Stealth as the link...However on its won redbook is very very good in this sort of set up: IMO perfer to dcS but also other redbook only set ups I have auditioned ...the thing I never tried are the Stealth cables which all of you guys luv. Anyway good luck on your search. For transports...I would recommend trying Esoteric and Metronome as well....the level of mechanical engineering appears to be outstanding to me, another notch above most others...
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