Review: Concert Fidelity DAC-040 DA converter


Category: Digital

Starting in 2005 I worked myself up the chain of the very fine DACS built by Accustic Arts of Germany, finally ending up with their Reference Tube Hybrid. I have auditioned over six very highly regarded DACS in the last couple of years and found them to be quite good, but none of them exceeded the performance of the AA Reference Tube Hybrid in my system. I do not use high resolution material, only Redbood CDs, so these auditions were only based on this format because my large collection of music is composed totally of this material. Well, I know nothing is the "BEST" in high end audio, there are many fine pieces of gear when you get to a certain level of excellence. However, I thought that maybe the evolution of DACS that play the standard format had got to the point that it could not get really that much better. Each DAC might offer different slight flavors but not a qualitative shift to a much higher level of performance. It has turned out that I was very wrong regarding this assumption after auditioning what has become my new reference, the Concert Fidelity DAC-040.

The designer of the CF DAC-040, Mr. Masa Tsuda believes in very short and clean circuits in all of his designs. The analog section of this DAC is very similar to what he uses in his highly regarded reference LS-080 linestage. They both use 12AU7's and a 6CA4/EZ81 full-wave rectifier tube. It took over two years of on-going listening tests for Mr. Tsuda to find the NOS DAC chips to use in his DAC, there is no over or up sampling and any type of digital filters to be found any were in this piece, that delivered the sonics he was looking for. Which DAC chips he finally decided on are confidential and not disclosed. All the Concert Fidelity and Silicon Arts, same company, pieces are beautifully built to an exemplatory level including the DAC-040.

Why was I taken so aback by the sonic performance of the CF DAC-040, here's the reasons:

1) By far the most natural timbres and harmonic colors I have ever heard coming from a digital front end.

2) The microdynamics and prat of this DAC are amazing, yet it still allows the listener to relax into the music without giving up the punch and kick of the music.

3) What I refer to as image density or a 3D quality, what most would just call palpability, of each player with air around them on a layered soundstage was the best I have ever had in my system.

4) The CF DAC-040 creates a very open and deep soundstage with great layering in a natural way that allows you to have the illusion that your in that acoustic space.

Believe me, the AA Reference Tube Hybrid DAC is no slouch in these sonic qualities, yet, it was no were close to having these special attributes that the CF DAC-040 was providing in my system. To use very subjective terms this DAC has the most musicality/naturalness that I have experienced that just draws you into the music. Dare I say that a lot of listeners could be fooled into thinking that they were hearing an analog front end, instead of a digital source, I think so.

I end all my reviews by sharing that there is no "BEST" piece of any kind of gear, but many terrific ones. Personal taste and system synergy always comes into play. If your looking for one of the best Redbook DACS around today I highly recommend you audition Mr.Tsuda's "baby", you will be in for a sonic treat.

Associated gear
Click to view my Virtual System
teajay
It was the Kallista integrated CD player, the cd8 i was referring to was the ARC, i just noticed that MT do a CD 'Eight' also, but no, the one we were using was the Kallista with the external PSU. A very very good sound was achieved via ARC ref5se and 150, with both Wilson Sophia3 and Sonus Faber Amati Futura, utterly gorgeous looking speakers. We also ran it from AES out to the Devialet, and into the Amati, not quite the Arc's, but still impressive. The Devialet is a remarkable feat of electronic engineering.

I'm expecting the 040 in the next week or two, so will update, very keen to hear this baby!
Hi Paul,

I understood that you made the comparison with ARC CD8, but I thought that you could do it with a MT CD8 as this is a new brand.
The Kalista Integré is a stunning CDP but not at the same level as Kalista CDT with a good DAC.
If possible, I suggest you to try a MT T2A Signature; It’s a beautiful transport with the same CDM PRO Philips of Kalista and an excellent external PSU.
Take note: the best production of this gear is the last one, before its stop.

Best wishes for your expecting baby ;-)

Piermauro
Wow, i cant imagine how the 040 and MT Kalista reference T would sound, it must be truly truly stunning..
I may well try out the MT Transports, is the current version the T3a? I see that they use the CD pro 12 mech, whereas the MBL uses the costly higher spec pro2M, so it could be an interesting test. I can get a loan sample to try when the CF040 arrives. I spoke with Masa today, shipment imminent ;-))
Hi Paul,

the MT 3A is a very good CDT but, excluding the Kalista, the best MT drives are the T2A or the T2i used as transport:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/metronome_t2i.htm

Best regards,

Piermauro
Hi Paul,

I hope you are well.

Are there news about it?

We are waiting for your feedback.

Regards,

Piermauro