Accuphase dac 60

@duketbrd88

to answer your earlier question

xlr is theoretically the better connection, but for high end home audio 95+% of the time single ended (rca) connections work just fine with zero sonic penalty in a properly set up system ... especially using short (less than 3 meter) interconnect runs

then there is the matter of dac designers and how/what they optimize in their output stages.... two prominent, well respected designers of dacs... mojo audio (ben zwickel) and msb (jonathan gullman), both clearly state that they feel their dacs sound better, more natural, more harmonious, through their single ended outputs... even though they offer xlr’s for the convenience of their customers (ben charges extra for xlr as it involves more circuitry)

regarding lack of perceived bass at low volumes, you should search ’fletcher munson effect’, there was a recent thread here discussing that

always, always, compare two sources at the SAME volume when trying to hear sonic differences... your cell phone has easily downloadable ’db-meter’ apps, go to app store... play test tone, note volume settings to make two sources equal, then adjust before evaluating...

...and if you bought the accuphase dac card from a dealer, i would certainly push them to exchange a fresh one, so you can be sure yours in hand is not problematic

@jjss49 

Thanks, I tried the db meter app on my phone to compare. There is a difference. I sent the dac back to the dealer. Don’t think I want to try another one. I kind of like the fact there are so many choices and can sell or trade up, not so easy with the accuphase dac. Not much info out there on them at all and pretty hard to sell, it seems like.

What is your opinion on the link to the ps audio stellar gain dac? I really just use the xlr because I had two sets of the kimber hero in my system for so long. I have nothing against the rca hookup at all.

anyway, I can upgrade to the newer one in the link and get full price for what I paid a long time ago. Obviously I wouldn’t use the preamp section, but it is there if I need it someday.

What is your opinion on the link to the ps audio stellar gain dac? I really just use the xlr because I had two sets of the kimber hero in my system for so long. I have nothing against the rca hookup at all.

There seems more emphasis on its preamplifier capabilities than as a DAC. Doesn’t mean that the DAC section isn’t good. As has been said, at 2K you have numerous good options. 

I definitely agree with above comments about single end vs XLR/balanced connections. Most certainly depends on design focus, optimization and implementation. Don’t just assume that balanced is better by default. Not true, circumstances and specifics matter. 
 

Some of the absolute best sounding audio systems I have heard were  single ended (RCA) connected from one end to the other.

Charles

i don't have an informed opinion on ps audio's gain cell dac

i did have their former top-of-line fpga directstream dac for some time, with windom then sunlight firmware versions, it was a decent dac, but to my ear outperformed by others in its (admittedly high) price category

I am just wondering and probably should be at a step up from my current 18 year old  ps audio digital link iii dac? It’s a free 30 day in home trial before I have to return my older dac or the stellar dac. I just pay for shipping on the return, which ever I decide.

or… I could go a total opposite direction and upgrade my accuphase integrated to a Hegel h590 and have an all in one setup through my 1 year trade up program. Just throwing this out there. It is an option I do have. 
 

I can’t demo it as no one around me has hegel or Accuphase. When I bought the Accuphase integrated, I just took a chance hoping I would like it and luckily I did.

Any of you running the hegel h390 or 590? Every review seems positive.

thanks again everyone