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Are there any DACs that can go low?

I have a W4S DAC-2 (with Audiophilleo), I have also auditioned an Ayre QB-9, own a Cary Xciter, have owned a Peachtree Nova, and have an Oppo BDP-95. I try to use high definition files from a Mac Mini over Audionirvana.

None of these can approach the lows that my reference source can (a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage). My reference is a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage. The bass is so much richer and deeper with that as my reference and the midrange sounds fuller too. Highs never sound shrill either.

Are there any DACs out there that can approach a more neutral sound, at least as I see it?
intermediatic
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Interm... - The optimum way to use the W4S DAC2 is using I2S. The Off-Ramp 5 provides HDMI I2S output specifically for this. The reason that I2S sounds better I believe is that it bypasses the clocking that occurs with S/SDIF input to Sabre DAC.

Steve N.
Emporical Audio
intermediatic's avatar
intermediatic OP
72 posts
 
Steve, that's interesting. Then again, I think that the output stages of the Cary may be better than on the DAC-2 and that makes a huge difference.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I have really good outputs to feed it with also. Not good enough. I2S beats it hands-down using a good cable like the HDMI-12. I have lots of customer feedback on this as well.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I agree with the suggestion that you pay attention to the output stage of your DACs. Best output stage I have heard on a DAC was from the analog maestros at Yamamoto, on their YDA-01 DAC
dhl93449
455 posts
 
Lets not forget that an analog turntable can produce some subsonic info that a digital source of the same recording will not. Sometimes added subsonics can influence the bass perception heard by the listener.

Further, I believe a analog produced sound image will be different than a digital reproduction of the same source in part due to the reduced channel separation of a phono cartridge. The best channel separation in a cartridge will be many dB lower than a digital source. Notice I say different, not better or worse.
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