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Meitner Dac 6 vs. Theta CCll Extreme Dacs

I have a Meitner Dac 6 and am using a Theta CBll with extreme Dacs for my pre-amp in a 2 channel-HT set-up. I am running the Dac 6 thru the Theta in what Theta calls their analog direct mode. In this mode the Theta is being used for volume control only. Here is the problem. The Meitner dac 6 should smoke the extreme dacs in the Theta. When I switch imputs back and forth between the Meitner Dacs and the Theta dacs, its impossible to tell which dacs sounds better. My question is why doesn't the Dac 6 out perform the extreme dacs in the Theta? What am I missing. I am thinking of adding a Rowland Synergy lli pre with a home theatre pass thru into the system. Any help would be appreciated.
rivercitylad
nealhood
199 posts
 
I have not heard either but, my local dealer told me that he has not found a dac that outperforms the Theta. He told me that he was smitten by its sound and just did not expect it to be as good as it is.
audiofederation's avatar
audiofederation
69 posts
 
How resolving is the rest of your system? Sometimes the differences between two components can be obscured because they are 'filtered' through the cables and other components and the speakers in the system.

Also, switching 'back and forth' only tells some of the story - how well can you 'live with' the sound of each DAC? Over the period of hours do you become fatigued? Over the period of days do you lose interest in listening to your system with one DAC or another?

Or maybe the Theta is just a great DAC and the differences (and there are always differences) are too unimportant to matter for your particular tastes and system.

Enjoy!
-Mike (not a dealer for either of these well-loved DACs)
mikelavigne
2,200 posts
 
not having heard the Theta, it is difficult to question your results......but there are a few possibilities.

1. are you using the DAC6 with a modified Philips SACD 1000 to take full advantage of the performance of the DAC6? this makes a dramatic difference.

2. all HT pre/processors i have listened to will "dumb-down" the ultra-refinement of the DAC6......and who knows exactly the circut differences between the 'pass-thru' and the Theta's internal DAC's. my Lexicon MC-12 is really congested with it's 'pass-thru' compared to my previous Proceed AVP.......and the AVP isn't anywhere close to my 2-channel reference Placette passive. so unless you a/b your Theta with a high quality 2-channel pre you won't know it's contribution to the result.

3.also, as Mike mentions, the rest of your system may either restrict the benefit of what the DAC6 does.....or.....the Theta DAC's might simply synergise better with your system.

4. what do you mean by 'outperform'?

5. the Theta may just be 'that good'.

in my experience, the emmlabs DAC6/ modified Philips SACD 1000 is easily the best digital i have ever heard.....if the Theta DAC's within a HT processor are in that league i would be surprised.....but it's possible.
mejames
986 posts
 
try a preamp that isn't digital
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