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Which DAC? Levinson, Theta, Sonic Frontiers

I'm considering upgrading from my Theta IIIa Dac, and wonder what the sonic characteristics are of 3 highly respected Dac's: The SFD-2 Mk. II, ML No. 36, and the Theta Gen. Va.

My system is: SFT-1 & ML 37 transports, SFL-2 preamp, DNA-225, & Vandersteen 2Ce Sigs.

I've looked at many reviews of these pieces, & although all reviewers liked them all, there were criticisms:

SFD-2: Bass a bit bloomy, not as tight & defined, but warmed up the sound. Upper mids prominent, with female voices displaying sibilance. Some treble grain, not as open as ML. A forward sound.

ML 36: Bass tight & defined, but not up to Theta's. More detailed & open & airy highs. Slightly laid back perspective. Vocals not as exciting. Big soundstage with great delineation of individual instruments, but not palpable like the SFD-2.

Theta Gen. Va: Best bass of all. Soundstage & imaging quite good, but ML 36 still better. Not quite as airy & open at the top, less well defined space around and between instruments.

What is your experience?????
kevziek
phild
603 posts
 
I agree with the above regarding the Millenium DAC 2 trial. For $1050, what have you got to lose?? It is a great DAC, and mine keeps getting better and better as I improve my transport. That's a good sign. You may end up preferring one of your three original choices, but perhaps not. Why spend the extra money if there's no improvement?

Ric said that he finally has enough employees and they are almost caught up on production. He claims that anyone ordering now will receive it in 10-14 days.

Phil
drewfidelity
178 posts
 
Here is another opinion for you. The Classe Dac 1 is available on Audiogon for less than $1500. I thought that it was the by far the best value when it was new at $4000 three years ago. Excellent dynamics, not bright, strong bass response, and realistic presentation are adjectives that I would use to describe the unit. Just a thought.
kevziek OP
323 posts
 
Can this EVS Millenium be better than everything? It seems there are so many raves about it. Anyone compared it to the Levinson, Theta, Sonic Frontiers?
classicjazz
153 posts
 
I've owned the Theta Gen Va balanced, SF Processor 3 and Levinson 360s, the latter two being in my possession until quite recently. I would say the Theta has a spectacular sound with incredible driving bass but is both a bit bright and very high in output, which may drive you nuts with your SFL 2 (I actually had an SFL2/Gen Va combo). You lose your volume range. The P3 is also a bit high but not so bad. Very good sound, wide clear soundstage that I preferred head to head vs. Audio Logic 34 and Wadia 16. The 360S is very liquid and diffuse. I like it and think you can't go wrong with the Levinson 36/36S/360S variant. All the same, I sold all the above for something (not named here) which makes me forget about sound and care about music.
keis
176 posts
 
I like the SFD-2 M3, that's the 24/96 upgrade to the unit in question. It improved detail, base, and gets ride of those sibilents.
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