Audio Logic 24MXL compared to Audio Logic 34MXL

Pubul57, can you describe the pros and cons of the CAT Ult MK2 and Placette RVC comparison. What tubes did you use in the CAT? I have found that the stock tubes are crap.
I have done extensive tube rolling in the past year and have settled on some very rare and expensive tube types that take the CAT to a level of performance that is not even approached with the stock tubes. I spoke with Jerry Ozment again this week and he said that the upgrade would cost 300 to 400 and asked me to check back in a month to see if he was ready to take orders. He is overloaded with work and has recently moved. He does seem like a very nice and down to earth guy that doesn't hype his gear and try to rape you for upgrades. I think his gear is good value for the money. I'll post again when I talk to him in early January. Bart

I recently purchased the audiologic 34mxl by The great Jerry ozment. It is absolute music. Some audiophile's had an issue with bass on earlier models, but on the latest 34mxl, I find the bass absolutely musically and emotionally very satisfying. This dac is very musical and without a hint of digital artifact. The highs are realisticly extended, just like real life. The midrange is so lifelike until it is uncanny, not syrupy and artificially warm. to quote Goldielocks (it's just right).This is another one of those fine products that require a system of top notch quality to realize it's full potential. I owned the wonderful 24mxl, but this upgrade is just plain better in every way. I am waiting For my new metronome kalista transport, I expect it within a few weeks. WOW, I am expecting something exceptional in this combination. If you desire the best of dac's, tubed or solidstate, no hype, no chutzpa, but pragmatic and mature design philosophy,then the experience of Jerry Ozment is what you want. Just buy it, set back, relax, and enjoy music.

Audioezra,

Thanks for the post. I have been waiting for someone that has actually listened to both DAC's to respond. I guess you sold your 24MXL and purchased a new 34MXL? I have been calling Jerry relentlessly for 24MXL upgrade information but he hasn't finalized anything yet. I will probably wait for an upgrade to be offered. Can you name any high end DAC's you have auditioned (EMM, APL, etc.) and compare their strengths and weaknesses relative to the 34MXL?

Bart

I'm still comparing the 2400 (upgraded Mosel 34 with the transformer coupling and 24-bit chips) to the EMM Labs DCC2 SE. Can't say anything definitive yet, as the EMM is hooked up to its matching transport and the Audio Logic to my Forsell, but right now there's a definite similarity in terms of smoothness and naturalness of presentation and just plain listening enjoyment. The EMM has more deep bass extension and definition, more transparency, has more pronounced macro-dynamics (about the same in small shifts, though) and overall probably digs out a bit more information. Another, perhaps most noticeable, difference is in tonal balance, the Audio Logic being tilted towards the lower mids/upper bass, having a slightly "darker", "wetter" sound, while the EMM has a slightly lighter overall tonal balance. Not sure if it's the Forsell or the DAC that is the source of the differnces, though; that's the next test. The Forsell has an ability to mimic analog that all other transports I've heard can't quite match, and that may be a source of some of the differences. I'll try to report on that when I listen, but in truth, I like the EMM so much on SACD I rarely listen to CD on it. Right now, comparing apples to oranges, my feeling is that the Forsell/Audio Logic combination sounds closer to vinyl playback than normal digital, while the EMM Labs, especially on well-recorded, DSD SACDs, sounds closer to a master tape (and having heard 24 bit 88khx masters on my system last week, I am pretty certain about this comparison) than normal digital playback. I have not yet sold the Forsell/AL, because I really do like its sound on CD; I'm still using both of the digital setups, and enjoying them both. That should tell you a bit about how good the Audio Logic is.

Rcprince, Did you purchase the EMM combo? It will be interesting to hear what happens when you run the EMM DAC
on the Forsell transport and the AL on the EMM transport.
Are you using the same power cords and digital cable on them? The last time I talked to Jerry about the upgrade,
he said that he thought it may cost about a thousand but hasn't worked out the best (most cost effective) upgrade yet. He may have decided that there is more money in selling new 34MXL's than upgrading 24MXL's. Can't blame him, it is a business.

Bart