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Six DAC Comparison

I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.

Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.

Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.

My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.

mitch2
mitch2 OP
4,043 posts
 

Benjamin brings up a very important point in that with any of this stuff, the subjective opinions of reviewers, manufacturers, equipment owners, and others are predicated by the personal experiences and preferences of the individuals providing their point of view, as well as their partnering equipment and music choices.  I can only refer to the "Disclaimer" portion of my post from 9/14 at 10:38pm, where I said, in part, 

"my subjective observations will be biased" and 

"The write-ups I will post are not intended to be interpreted as an authoritative “last-word”"

I do not expect everyone else to view things the way I view them.  However, keep in mind that I have twice owned the Mystique X SE DAC at the same time as I owned the Mystique EVO Pro DAC, and I currently own the top-of-the-line, flagship Mystique X SE NCZ version as well as the EVO Pro (with Z-chips) that was the subject of my write-up posted on 9/14.

I am currently focused on the LTA Aero but, as I stated in this thread previously:

I will save the Mojo Audio Mystique X SE NCZ until last and provide a comparison between the two Mojo Audio DACs.  My initial impression between those two DACs favored the EVO Pro but because of the many positive reviews of the X SE, my discussions with Benjamin, and my purchase of the NCZ version of the X SE, I will revisit my comparison between the two Mojo Audio DACs to find out if I reach the same conclusion.

brbrock's avatar
brbrock
61 posts
 

@mitch2 I don't think you have to worry about people thinking you are biased.  You have been very transparent about your comparison.  I am interested because I have an smc amp and may get a preamp from smc so our systems might be very similar.  Have you ever thought about swapping the chips in your DACs and putting the z-chips in the new X SE NCZ?

mitch2 OP
4,043 posts
 

The “Z” in X SE NCZ means the X SE unit I own already has the Z-chips, as well as nano-crystalline chokes (“NC”) making it essentially Benjamin’s current “flagship” DAC.

I did talk with Benjamin some time ago about moving the Z-chips from my EVO Pro to a non-Z, X SE but he said there was more involved than simply swapping the chips so I didn’t go forward with that.

zmann007's avatar
zmann007
21 posts
 

I'd just like to say that this is brilliant, and greatly appreciated... particularly from the perspective of someone who's in the midst of searching for an extremely high quality DAC that won't break the bank. Products in the Mojo Audio line-up hadn't been in the running before, but they certainly are now.

mitch2 OP
4,043 posts
 

@zmann007 - My thoughts on the $4K LTA Aero should be posted by tomorrow, and the $2K Benchmark write-up is also almost done and will go up shortly after.  I have started listening more seriously to the Merason, which will follow, then the SMc Audio DAC-2 and finally the Mojo Mystique X SE NCZ.

Benjamin’s Mystique Y would be a good one to also look at for $4K, but I haven’t heard it.  Here is a link to a review.

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