DMS 600 Owner review
Media streams have become an integral part of most of us audio systems.
Today most of the music is no longer consumed on physical media but by streaming
(local or external jobs).
Beyond the convenience of streaming, the elimination of the need for
physical media and the endless and accessible catalog are benefits for most
people.
Those benefits were good enough for me that a few years ago I jumped to streaming
solution myself and all ought I keep a broad catalog of physical media like
disks and records 99% of the time I find myself using Tidal's streaming service.
Back to 2019, for about a week and a half I have been playing at home with
Cary Audio DMS 600 streamer/DAC that, it replaced the DMS 500 that has
accompanied me for more than two years.
Anyone who would like to read about the DMS 500 can find some reviews on
the net, its fine and recommended streamer for anyone looking for device that
knows how to do everything in a good to very good way.
During Munich 2019, Cary Audio announced 2 replacements for the DMS 500,
the first DMS 550 that took everything that was good in the 500 and added some
more - Upgraded DAC (AK4493EQ), more flexible setup options, additional
streaming services, headphone amplifier and a few other small changes that
caused a small increase in the outgoing generation price.
DMS 600 What's new.
Surprisingly or not, the people of Cary Audio decided to bring out a new
flagship this season for the DMS 600.
The major changes between the DMS 500 and the new DMS 600
A. changes in the external body, it's now more massive than the previous
model, the whole device stands
on spikes that sit on discs (to prevent resonance).
B. Separate internal cells (carrier, DAC, network cards)
C. Wider antennas allow improved
reception of WiFi & Blue tooth signals
D. Upgraded DAC AKM4497EQ VERITA that delivers natural sound and clarity
E. AptX ™ technology has been upgraded to aptX ™ HD so that HD content
can be streamed in Bluetooth as well
F. Enhanced dynamic range (130db) and signal to noise ratio (115db)
G. Support for additional streaming services
The above changes + the success of the previous generation + positioning
have resulted in a steeper price increase for the DMS 600 than it's
"little brother" the DMS 550.
Differences:
At first glance, anyone, who is unfamiliar with the previous device (DMS
500) will find it difficult to identify differences as the two resemble each
other with some outer design change.
Since I know the previous model. I immediately recognized the external body
changes the device has undergone, including a solid front panel connection to
the rest of the body (in the outgoing model and DMS550 which uses the previous
model body the front panel stands out of the device). Also, new
"legs" one that comes with spikes mounted on the base so that the device
sits higher than the outgoing model and suppose to eliminate resonance.
The back connections (with the exception of wider antennas) remained the
same (i.e. XLR, RCA ports) digital and optical ports, network inputs, and USB
connections that allow HD connection to the device directly (additional input
is on the front along with HD input)
The device's settings menu has been expanded to allow for more options,
the most important to me is the option to change a remote code - one of the
things I complained to Cary Audio as soon as I got the previous model that clashed
with my Marantz's AV7703.
With the exception of changes to Cary Audio software settings, it feels
the software remain the same (IOS, Android), but now works faster and more
stable than before (since I use Roon beyond the Cary app device setting, I stay
orphaned).
As in the previous generation and as in the DMS 550, here too, you can up
sample and convert any file format in the real-time domain to DSD (you can convert
up to DSD 512, depending on file and connection)
Sound:
The DMS 500 was characterized by warm sound with a certain roll off in
the high tones which result "tube" sound.
Thanks to the new DAC, the DMS 600 releases clear, natural and
homogeneous sounds that go beyond the previous generation, the difference was
felt to me as soon as the device was connected and continues to taper as the
device first 100 hours runs nearing completion.
All the good that was in the sound of the DMS 500 is here with a small audible
change – no more roll off in the high notes. The sound more detailed and more
natural (less on the hot side than before but still retains Cary's sound tuning
DNA).
I found that I get performance better than I knew on my previous
device, one that could satisfy me above and beyond, or at least until it found
spar budget for top of the line MSB or lampizator.
Honestly, after checking in the system DACS that cost some 18,000 usd,
the differences between DACs of a certain price level are not as abysmal as
they used to be (I have heard a number of DACs in the system, some are
expensive and found no significant differences if at all as the price
indicates).
The current upgrade allows my setup to show better ability than before
(it's not about drama, the sound is more clear and neutral than before). There
is a leap in performance and better results than before – evolution not
revolution.
Summary:
Anyone looking for a Streamer/DAC device that knows how to do everything
– play and convert files in real-time while able to connect to almost anything,
stop here - the DMS 600 is a "Swiss army knife" machine that knows
how to do everything and knows how to do it very well - it is also recommended
to compare devices that cost much more.
My feeling, if you take the DMS 600 to test drive you'll be hard to
return it to your dealer.
Rest of my System:
Speakers: Magico S3 MK2
Amplification: Luxman c900u and m900u
Analog Source: Brinkmann Audio Bardo Turntable
Phono: Zesto PS
Speake and Power Cables: Cardas Clear
