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DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend

Okay...in another thread I promised to do a side-by-side evaluation of the Audiobyte HydraVox/Zap vs the Rockna Wavelight. Due to the astonishing incompetence of DHL this has been delayed. At the moment, I have a plethora of DACs here and am going to do a broader comparison.

I am going to do a compare of the Rockna Wavelight, Rockna Wavedream Signature, Audiobyte HydraVox/Zap, Chord Hugo 2, Chord Hugo TT2, Bricasti M3, Bricasti M1 Special Edition, Weiss 501 and the internal DAC card for an AVM A 5.2 Integrated amp as a baseline.

For sake of consistency, I am going to use that same AVM integrated amp driving Vivid Kaya 45s. I may branch out and do some listening on other speakers (Verdant Nightshade of Blackthorn and/or Wilson Benesch Vertexes) but want to use the Vivids for every compare as they are the fullest range speakers I have here. For sake of consistency I will use a Chord 2Go/2Yu connected via an Audioquest Diamond USB as a renderer. The only exception is the Hugo 2 which has a 2Go directly attached to it. I will use a Roon Nucleus+ as a server in all cases.

My plan is to use the same five songs on every DAC; In a Sentimental Mood from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, Be Still My Beating Heart from Sting, Liberty from Anette Askvik, Duende from Bozzio Levin Stevens and Part 1 of Mozart String Quartet No 14 in G Major from the Alban Berg Quartet. The intent is to touch on different music types without going crazy.

I will take extensive notes on each listening session and write up a POV on the strengths of each unit. I am going to start this this Friday/Saturday and will be writing things up over the next month or so. If you have thoughts, comments or requests, I will be happy to try and accommodate. The one thing I am not going to do is make the list of songs longer as that has an exponential impact on this and make everything much harder. If and when other DACs come in on trade I may add to the list through time.
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verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio OP
1,469 posts
 

I have never heard the Manhattan II nor have I heard the Denafrips which is why they weren't covered off on.  

Based on your setup, I would look to replace the Mac Mini as part of any upgrade.  Even a Roon Nucleus will be a huge upgrade and will do more to improve sound than your DAC upgrade.  Over the weekend I had a customer swap in a Nucleus for a Mac Mini and he was just floored at the improvement.  

Regarding DAC, if soundstage depth is your concern, I would would avoid Rockna.  Rockna soundstage is very wide but not as deep as others.  Chord probably has the best soundstage depth, especially between the speakers, but a TT2 will do little to address the clinical nature of your sound.  

Bricasti is likely your best option.  It has great depth and width of soundstage.  Is detailed and very musical.  You might be able to find a used M1 or M1 SE on your budget.  You can get a new M3 on budget.  I would get either with the network card.  Either combined with a Nucleus will have a huge, positive impact on your soundstage.  

pgastone
77 posts
 

Thank you for your response-  very very helpful.  I kind of thought Bricasti would likely be the way to go- and have been debating between an M3 and an M1 SE (assuming I could find a used one and within my budget).  A straight M1 would probably be in range but then wouldn't an M3 with MDx be a somewhat better sounding DAC?
What I had not realized is that a Nucleus vs a Mac Mini would make such a difference- I simply assumed the Nucleus, while a more tailored solution, would still have the same characteristics of using a computer.  Also, I thought that once a Dac with a network card was in place + using an ethernet connection then the Mac Mini (or similar) issues would be taken out of the loop (I guess I was thinking mostly of Usb "noise").
As someone posted already getting digital right is as complicated as analog.  I am just starting to get up to speed all the intricacies and have quite a way to go.

 

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio OP
1,469 posts
 

I know it doesn't seem obvious a server would make that much difference.  Part of it is the quality of the parts.  Part of it is the higher processing power and parts selected specifically for audio performance.  Servers make a difference more than most people think.  Think of it this way.  I have had quite a few people order Nucleus's while being skeptical if they actually make a difference.  I have never had one returned on my 30 day return policy.  

The M1 SE is going to be a bit more detailed than the M3.  Soundstage in both cases is huge.  I have not sold an M1 and have not heard it.   Bricasti said few people ever buy it vs. the M1 SE so I ordered and M1 SE and M3 for my initial samples.  The M1 SE is quite a step up from the M3 though the M3 is quite competitive in its price tier.  

david_ten
5,480 posts
 

@verdantaudio   I'm curious how you attribute an aspect like soundstage depth to a DAC, in context of the uniqueness of various systems, the rooms these systems are in, the listener positions, and the use / lack of use of room treatment (for the purchasing party)?

I'm not challenging...just trying to understand and learn.

Thanks. - David.

"Regarding DAC, if soundstage depth is your concern, I would avoid..."

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,610 posts
 

I’m curious how you attribute an aspect like soundstage depth to a DAC, in context of the uniqueness of various systems, the rooms these systems are in, the listener positions, and the use / lack of use of room treatment (for the purchasing party)?

I’m not challenging...just trying to understand and learn.

@david_ten

am sure scott will answer, but my 2 cents, my own process:

- have my system set up ideally in my room (see my system page for pics)

- have my standard ’reference’ dac in place, know how music i know well sounds, how the soundstage is presented, in terms of size (width, height, depth) and separation / layering / relative distance of voices/instruments etc

- swap in new dac being evaluated, adjust for correct (same) volume level, listen and perceive how the sonic ’image’ is presented differently, if at all (don’t change anything else, even cabling)

- btw - having a well selected playlist of familiar music helps alot in this...

hope that helps

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