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LessLoss Echos End

Hey guys. I’ve been looking at dacs for what seems like an eternity. I’m heavily leaning towards the Denafrips Venus 2 or Terminator 2. I can’t use Holo Audio due to the high voltage output of 5.8 vrms of the balanced xlr’s. I was really hoping to love the Venus at $3000 but reviews are underwhelming. The Terminator seems to be universally highly regarded. But, at $5000, that introduced me to LessLoss Echos End. The hand made nature of this dac, as well as my Aric Audio Custom 300b PSET and Super 6sn7 Linestbe preamp, appeals to me. Tough finding reviews though from actual owners. Was hoping for some input from Audiogon members. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Earthbound

earthbound
earthbound OP
133 posts
 

Will do Charles. I was reading some of your posts over at What’s Best regarding streamers, particularly the Innuos Pulse. Constantin seems to like them and I like the idea of the beefed up power supply. Look forward to making the next step to improving the sound. 

mdrone
114 posts
 

Yes, I too have been hunting the "ideal " DAC for quite some time.

I would be interested in your thoughts on the Less Loss.

 

earthbound OP
133 posts
 

I chose to go a different route mdrone. The dac, if memory serves is a1.6v which I’m not sure is enough power for an 8/9 watt set amp. Also, having heard it compared to the Rockna, it sounded very mellow. My heart wants a bit more dynamics or liveliness, but I’m afraid in the end my ears will demand mellow. I’m going to give the Rockna Wavedream xlr a shot. 

earthbound OP
133 posts
 

So I’ve listened to the Rockna Wavedream Edition xlr for a few days now. I will have to say it has brought the sound to the level I expected a system of this level to sound like. The resolution, I would normally say clarity here but apparently I don’t know the difference, is amazing. The sound is so clear, precise and separate. With my aging and sensitive, tinnitus, ears, I was worried it would be too harsh or bright. Absolutely none of those problems. I will say though that there’s a lot of sound for my brain to process. I’ve had long sessions, about 4 or 5 hours with no fatigue, but kept the volume under control. I will have to continue and see once the volume increases if ear fatigue sets in. It did with the Topping quickly and the Cambridge after an album. I’m talking volumes I would not sustain all day. This is not a criticism on any dacs but my way to test sound. I lasted 10 minutes with Zu speakers. So, if I can have long low/medium listening sessions and an album or 2 of pretty loud and no ear fatigue=keeper for sure. Really is a beautiful sounding dac. Has nice flow and sounds very natural. It allows you to pick the tiniest sound and just hear it separately and so clearly. After some further listening this holiday weekend, perhaps I will swap some tubes and see what I get. 

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