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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
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 
Hi Teajay, great to read that you are still enjoying the AA Tube Dac as I am. Have you made any further tube changes, if so what and your thoughts. I'm really enjoying my latest being the MBL 1621A but still feel the the Oracle 2000 I had surpassed it in musicality slightly, not a lot but ever so slight. In every other area the MBL's improvements are most welcome and obvious. You should check out the thread titled What is the best DAC ever made? I tried putting some info. here but for what ever reason again they would not allow it and didn't post the thread.

There are some interesting responses specifically one which has left me scratching my head, still trying to get some more info. but in the end just feel it's a different flavour thing which is okay.
teajay OP
1,703 posts
 
Hi Dev, I have not changed the tubes in the AA DAC because I still find the long plate Bugle Boys still sound best to me. I also have read what you posted on the thread regarding the "BEST" DAC in the world, which is so silly of question to begin with, and found your responses right on target. If any would find the AA Tube DAC shrill or disorganized regardless of what there system gear is, something very strange indeed had taken place some were along the line. That is not negating that based on personnal taste/synergy someone else could like the performance of other DACS better, but I find it hard to believe that the above descripters coming from the AA tube DAC regardless of what it's being compared to. As I stated on this thread I have listened recently to some of the highest regarded DACS/CDPS and none sounded better to me then the AA tube DAC, different yes, very good sound, but not to the point when you know you have heard something which is better then your present reference. And as Hamberg stated on the other thread if you want to customize the sound of the AA tube DAC you can roll the right tubes to get what you want.
bmckenney
91 posts
 
A question for the OP, Teajay. Did you have room treatment as part of your system when you auditioned all of the DACs? Bass absorbers and mid to high freq reflection point absorbers? Also curious how big your room is, and how far out in to the room your Maggies are.

Thanks!

Bryan
teajay OP
1,703 posts
 
Hi Bryan, here's the answers to your questions:

1)I do not use any room treatments except an Acoustic Revive wave generator tweek. My house is a post and beam home and was built to allow my MG-20's to really "sing" in this very large open space with the posts and beams being great to absorb/reflect the sound.

2) The acoustic space that my system projects into is 40 feet wide, about 60 feet long and the height of the totally open ceiling is about 30 feet.

3) The MG-20's are six feet off the front wall, have no side wall reflections and I sit about 12 feet away with no back wall for another 15 feet.
bmckenney
91 posts
 
Wow, that is a huge room and very high ceiling. And minimal reflective issues I would imagine. Sounds like a great room for the big Maggies.
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