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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
 
Jordan, many thanks for your kudos to me and the rest of the guys on this thread. I too have enjoyed the wealth of information that has been shared in a friendly, respectful,and very knowledgeable way.

A question for the Esoteric experts: Everything I have read has clearly stated that to get the very best performance out of the X-01LTD it MUST be run with balanced cables and not single ended wires. So, if its not possible to run balanced, how much does this damage the absolute performance of this player?

A question for Branimir, somebody loved the sound of my Accustic Arts/Ensemble duo, but cannot afford these pieces. So, in your opinion, which would come closer to this type 2 signature, the Acoustic Research reference CDP or the Accustic Arts CDP? I don't believe that the AA CDP can match the performance of the AA DAC1 MK3, but which do you like better between the Audio Research reference CDP and the Accustic Arts CDP?
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay,
Esoteric gear looses around 10% of its performance if you use single-ended connection. Same is with my Audio Research Reference CD7!

Accustic Arts Player1Mk2 or Audio Research REF CD7? In absolute terms REF CD7 is better player but, there are few issues... First, Accustic Arts Player1Mk2 sound the same in balanced as in single-ended mode. That is advantage if your friend can not use balanced connection. Second, REF CD7 runs very warm(7 tubes inside!) and user will have to change its tubes someday... Third, price difference is around $2K and while REF CD7 is better player how many CDs can you buy for $2k?? So, if money is no object(in $10K range) and your friend wants the best #2 flavor sound and he can run it balanced then Audio Research Reference CD7 is the answer. But, if he needs to use single-ended connection only and wants to save some money(more CDs!!) then, although not that good, Accustic Arts Player1Mk2 is a good solution.
kops's avatar
kops
478 posts
 
Branimir , Teejay, don't forget Cary 306sacd and Ayrec5xe.
In many tests Cary 306sacd outrunned Esoterix x03. IMO and several friends opinion
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>Esoteric gear looses around 10% of its performance if you use single-ended connection.<<

Not true. I am an Esoteric dealer and have used the X-03, X-01LE, and P-03/D-03 with both single ended and balanced cables. There is no discernible difference.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Audiofail, could you qualify your statement further? What where the components downchain from the Esoteric gear with which you experienced no difference running balanced or single ended. I do admit I am slightly surprised at your findings. X-01 for one is a fully differential balanced design. I am personally running it on a fully differentially balanced system comprising of an X-01, ARC Ref 3 and Rowland 7M monos with Audioquest Sky XLR ICs. If I turn off the balanced signal on the Ref 3, there is a huge sonic difference. Admittedly, I have not tried to use a single ended length of Sky between my X-01 and the Ref 3 for validation.
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