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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
ben
66 posts
 
Teajay thanks for your input, I like harmonix powercord too
Kimber pk14 is also fine contender, strange to say but I prefer Harmonix HS 102 xlr digital cable over Stealth sextet
in my setup too.
ugamotz
13 posts
 
Preffered settings for the P03-D03?
Can someone please help me. I am a new owner of the Esoteric P-03/D-03 combo. The manual is less than helpful, as was Bob Harley's review, about the optimum settings.
Should I upsample at 176? What should the word clock setting be? Do I need to use the "DSD" mode to play SACD or can I use upsampling as described (i.e. 176). Should the digital filter be on or off. Really sad manual info for such expensive gear. Please help!!
Marty
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Marti, have you consider just experimenting and finding out what setting you enjoy the best? You can't break the machine no matter what settings you select. . . let us know your findings.
henryhk
648 posts
 
Has anyone tried Chord's DAC 64?

If one is using the DAC mainly to improve a music server, does the clocking mechanism gain in importance?

I have recently purchased the Sooloss music server system. Its sooooo much fun, and really allows you to re-discover your entire collection all over. Just amazing. Highly recommended. However cannot help but think that using an external DAC improve sound quality substantially (currently hooked up to a McIntosh pre-pro in a home theatre set up in the living room). The Chord DAC64 on paper is interesting to me given the buffer stage, small size and cost wide not as burdensome as some of he top tier DACs (I do use the Meitner DCC2 in another system in a diff 2 channel dedicated room which I love especially re SACDs). I also own the Benchmark DAC but that;s for my desktop set up where I use it for late night listening when I need to work (connected to my PC and AKG 701s). While quite good, not in the same class and looking for something better for the music server.

Any thoughts? Or other ideas?
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
I had the pleasure of being asked to bring my Accustic Arts Tube Hybrid DAC to a fellow audiofile's home so we could compare his new Reimyo DAP-777 DAC to the Tube Hybrid. Everything stayed the same, including using his Reimyo CDT-777, the new companion to the new Reimyo DAC.

Well, it was very apparent to all involved that the Reimyo was a very good DAC, but fell significantly below the Tube Hybrid in the following areas:

1) Less organic timbres 2) Did not throw as large and as deep soundstage and also lacked 3D imaging in the soundstage 3) Lacked the pure liquiity and ease of the Accustic Arts DAC

The Reimyo was a very good type 1 flavor, but was not on the same level as the AA Tube Hybrid which seems to offer the best combination of type 1 and 2 flavors that I ave heard so far on redbook cds.
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