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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
4,007 posts
 

@bluethinker - Years ago, I owned a LampizatOr DAC 4 and thought it sounded pretty good except the deal-breaker, to me, was that the soundstage seemed overblown or larger than reality, sort of like an image imprint on Silly Putty that had been stretched out.  The larger than life soundstage seemed to be accompanied by a reduction in the visceral impact that I was used to with other DACs and with the CD player I had at the time. 

However, that was a long time ago and I would enjoy trying a Golden Atlantic, Big Seven, or even a Baltic, to hear how they have improved.  I probably never went back to LampizatOr mostly to avoid having tubes again, especially since I have been happy with the sound I am getting from an all solid-state system that I can leave powered up all the time to accommodate my sometimes sporadic listening habits.

steakster
1,890 posts
 

@zmann007 This reviewer discovered a solution to a USB3.0 connectivity issue with a USBe Perfect. I don’t know if it would apply to the HiFi Rose or not. Ask Walter @Underwood HiFi.   I don't have any USB connectivity issues but adding a USBe Perfect to my Auralic streamer offered a more refined SQ.

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
188 posts
 

@zmann007 - Let me how things go with the comparison between the Merason and the Mojo Dac. And congrats on your purchase of the Mojo Dac! 
 

 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
188 posts
 

@mitch2 - Thanks for your thoughtful reply. The audiophile bug or malady, depending on the day or if my wife is in included in the sample respondents, draws me in with the persistent quest for that elusive auditory nirvana state. 

The Lampizator’s seem to have a near cult life following, so thank you for the perspective. 

devinplombier
164 posts
 

Benjamin notes that Apple products are plug & play via USB, as are Lenovo devices.

Linux devices. Lenovo is just a hardware brand.

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