Cen. Grand DSDAC 1.0 (vs Pontus II)

Thanks @soix 👍

Christmas was busier than I envisaged, so didn't get to spend as much time with the new DAC as I would have liked, but I did squeeze some listening in.

Apart from the observations I've already highlighted, I'm starting to hear a wider dispersion of little effects on tracks, like little high percussion hits, subtle guitar plucks; track dependent, but sometimes these seem to originate quite far outside of the lateral plane of my speakers, quite startlingly so sometimes, to the point I'm not expecting it even though I'm very familiar with the material.

There is also greater sense of a 3D presentation, rather than a flat 2D plan/wall of music sat just in front of the speakers. 

All in all, so far, I'm feel far more immersed and engaged with my music withe Cen. Grand. It's a relaxed sounding DAC, but that doesn't mean it's not resolving, it most certainly is, but, and here's where my descriptive skills fail, it's resolving but doesn't throw track parts at you, it's all very civilised, but very engaging. 

Forgive my descriptions, I'm a bit rubbish describing what I'm hearing, and the above is my best effort at approximating what I am hearing/experiencing 😜

@mpoll1 congrats on the Cen. Grand; I hope you're enjoying it so far 👍. Ive lost track of how much play I've had through the DAC, probably pushing 100hrs.

Id be interested to hear your thoughts so far 👍

Thanjs again guys 😊

I have heard a Brand New, Out of the Box, Pontus II during a demonstration at a HiFi Group meet up.

It was demonstrated as a A/B against an older Technology DAC and a Valve CDP.

The Older DAC and Valve CDP both had a presentation where there was a perception that the upper frequencies were not with a bite, there was a softer edge, when compared to the Pontus II.

It could be a analogous impression being made when there is a perception that there is lots of detail being delivered, but the ears are not feeling a forced presence. 

As a preference I was not attracted to the Pontus, but was well aware it was in need of time to settle in. 

One attendee, who was has a 'die hard' history with Hi End Vinyl and has rolled DAC's with a value of £600ish, in their system regularly, shortly after the demonstration purchased the Pontus, they seen something on offer that was worth the jump in purchase value.

The former  owner of the sold DAC purchased a Venus. 

I would very much like to receive a demonstration of the CEN.GRAND, it does seemingly be a very capable DAC and to hear the outcome of the previously claimed different  circuitry at work would be an interest as well.

There is never going to be a one device suits all preferences scenario.

@pindac You’re kidding right?  You pull the Pontus outta the box and compare it to DACs that have already been broken in and you think your initial impressions are worth anything???  Go home and come back after the Pontus has at least 100 hours on it, otherwise your first impressions are utterly useless and possibly even misleading.  

@soix I like your defensive and negative response to a very accurate report offered up by myself of a experience had. It as a report concealed nothing about the how the Pontus was presented and as it was a demonstration in another's home, it was a short lived experience.

I was not the individual who believed the Pontus straight out of the Box was going to win favour, but it did and was to end up in a new home. 

I made it known that a attendee at the demonstration purchased the exact model demonstrated, that info' in itself informs there was one present who see merit in it compared to other owned DACs that have been cheaper models from other Brands.

The owner of the Pontus who carried out the demonstration has a vast experience of DACs up to substantial purchase prices for Models owned. The fact the Pontus was sold on and Venus purchased as the replacement gives another perspective of how the Pontus was received.

As a offer has not been made to be demonstrated the Venus, maybe there is something not wanted to be presented to the usual attendees. Who knows though the invites might come forward for 2023.

@painter24 so far I would agree with your findings. Sound stage has grown in depth and width. Placement has also improved no end.
My set up with a Luxman integrated and Zu union supremes was a wall of sound and could be thin with the chord, this has helped fill it all out and softened the top end without losing any of the sparkle and detail. Orchestral has seen the greatest benefits so far. 
 

I am looking forward to the bass tightening up with more use. I wouldn’t normally count the hours of use, I was just trying to get as much use as possible before any return period ended. 
 

enjoy your listening