Putting together a reference level system. My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's. For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.
I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.
Upsampling vs non-upsampling? USB input vs SPDIF?
All opinions welcome.
And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.
Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
The answer to your "...boost the headphone..." question is that, no, it's not possible to do this on the Comet. Honestly, we expected minimal use of the headphone output and so it's not so much that it was an afterthought as it was a conscious decision to do it the way we did. We expected the "95% Use Case" would be a customer listening to music through speakers and when the family went to bed, they'd plug in headphones to hear the last few tracks before they went off to bed, too. We were simply caught off guard by how many users were primarily headphone listeners. But, live and learn, we won't make that assumption again and anything else we build will get the same level of performance for the headphone as the other outputs.
Also, I saw a comment earlier regarding the cost of products in this market. It's really true that by the time it reaches the end consumer, each $1 of cost to the manufacturer becomes $5 at retail. The reason that happens is that the business has some overhead, the distributor has to get paid, and the dealer has to get paid. And hopefully there's some profit for each of those people as well. What happens when manufacturers sell direct is they are cutting out the distributors and / or dealers because they can't afford to pay these channel costs and it's the only way the manufacturer can make any money. If a dealer offers you a discount to make a sale, they're usually making a conscious decision to eat cat food for dinner instead of a tuna sandwich. They have tough businesses to run.
When we make offers like this, we can afford to do it because we built our business so we can afford to pay the channel costs. The reason is that our products are 95% built by robots. Humans don't touch them until we do final assembly and test. We did it this way because ultimately, this hobby won't really survive if the dealers die. (So at least buy a cable or something from them once in a while!) We wanted to build a product that dealers can sell profitably, even if they end up offering a discount.
When we make an offer like this, it's a Marketing expense for us. Even if you hadn't asked, we would (will) send Larry a cash "finder's fee" for each unit. We'd like him to become a dealer but he's under no obligation to do so. In addition, when we ship a unit to one of the forum members, we will also send a commission check to the dealer nearest that member (or one of their choice) in an attempt to get them to become a dealer if they aren't already. We don't want to be one of those companies that looks to screw the dealers - we want to be the one who helps them survive.
So if anyone is interested, contact us at sales@exogal.com and we'll take it off-line. Put "Audiogon713" in the subject line so we know it's one of you. (Don't worry, you'll all get the same deal!) But even if you don't take advantage of our deal, make sure you patronize your dealers once in a while!
This sort of sales talk should be reserved in private chat i think. Otherwise this thread will end up as a sales force for certain products. No Offense to Exogal or anyone else just a pleasant reminder.
This would give other Dealers/Manufactures excuses to do the same.
I’m hoping next Sunday is as fun as I’m planning it to be. I’m hoping to have a few stellar servers to compare and a fun group of listening buddies to help me out.
The list of whose who in the server selection is not quite finalized. But it will yield some fascinating information for one and all. Stay tuned!!
JWM - my muse to take the obsession plunge in any direction hits me at random and is then unstoppable. I’m trying to go to CanMania at the CapitalAudioFest. I plan on starting some IEM research there.
Dragon_Vibe - Agreed. I think Exogal-CEO was responding to a casual statement I made and has shown his respects to the Audiogon Admin, dealer/manufacturer relationship and Can obsessiva all in one quick and concise post. Thanks Exogal-CEO for the offer and the thorough post!!
Hey gang. I’ve been trying to find Uber servers and have only really come upon 3 (or 4) thus far. The Burmester 151 server/DAC/preamp and 111 Music Center (both of which are REALLY long in the tooth!) and the Boulder 2120 server/DAC/preamp. And The Memory Player. $22k-$55k based on configurations. That looks rather interesting and has some amazing reviews (constantly updated over the course of 11 years is pretty impressive, and their customer support is first rate from what I hear).
The 151 and 2120 are both $50k +++
then theres the $15-20k range of the Aurender W20 and the DCS Rossini Player.
Are there any others that I am missing?
i guess there is Request’s The Beast and BMC’s PureAudio server. The BMC product seems more lifestyle then high end. The Beast looks very intriguing but I don’t think has any US representation; like the CAD CAT, which also looks awesome but doesn’t have any US importer (you can buy and ship here, but service would need to be done back in England if needed). And the TotalDAC server/system which I have plans to audition, but has "limited" US presence (there is a dealer in the US but any service would still need to be done overseas).
First off, thanks to Jeff for making the offer (I have the best headphone amp I've ever heard in my Ayre QX5/20) even though I don't need a new DAC/amp. That's really kind and he's doing the opposite of some companies by NOT selling out the back door and screwing dealers. That's important as we don't have this thread without some great dealers who have helped Matt and others attain most of these products.
As for someone asking about good IEM's or CIEM's...I have been using a pair of Noble Audio Savants since they came out and they are awesome. Love them on my QX5/20 as well as through a basic AQ Red DAC on the iPhone for travel. They will show you the sound curves on their site. There are other nice ones out there, but for my money the Noble's have some of the best sound you can get in all price ranges. They'd match nicely with the Comet for sure.
Matt, I can't wait for you to get these servers up and running once the Davici gets put back into use ;). I'm really interested to see how the Burmeister and other very expensive units compare to the N10. Honestly, you are only using the N10 and not the W20, so that's not fair to Aurender is it? Ha....Seriously though, Wouldn't you want to try the W20 also or is that only if you want to use the AES/EBU out to the DAC? I was told it's virtually the same unit other than a better output connection (which made no sense). I've heard the W20 a few years ago and was blown away by how natural it was. Fully extended on both ends with a glorious mid range. I believe it was highly detailed with a very very low noise floor. It was awhile ago. I love the N10 and the N100H for their price ranges also. Never been a huge fan of the earlier ones though.
I heard a rumor that we could see the Aurender using both their app as well as......wait on it......wait.........still waiting.......ROON. Was told last night by someone who spoke with their rep that they are actually talking to Soon about being able to use the Aurender servers as a Roon core. If so, that gives them an even larger leg up. They really stand behind the units and the dealers love selling them as they never have problems and the company takes care of everything for them. Can't beat that business model and it's helpful for we consumers also. Not dealing with the SQ as Matt does, but to me, JUST as important. Customer service and supporting the product fully in both set up, use and in times of peril.
This is Larry of Distinctive Stereo. As this is my first time here I don't want to be accused of self-promotion, but I do want to thank Matt for his kind words on my listening room and system (I am the U.S. importer of German Physiks loudspeakers, which he forgot to mention-!), in particular the Exogal Comet. I also appreciate the Exogal head honcho for contributing to the thread.
Needless to say, anyone in the NJ/NYC area who has an interest in or questions about the Exogal, please feel free to contact me.
Peter, according to the Aurender rep, the W20 and N10 sound identical unless you are running an external clock. Then the W20 sounds better. I would imagine the battery power has to give the W20 an edge. But the N10 is awesome so I'm not complaining.
Thanks Matt. Yes, that was the deal. I just knew that they were identical other than a connection. Clock, not source connection, lmao..... What if your DAC has a great clock. How would that then work? Does it then get bypassed if you use an external clock? Why not use a great clock INSIDE said server? I just don't fully understand it, that's all I guess.
I heard the Brinkmann Nyquist DAC about a year or so ago (not totally sure, but it was just before it came to market). I was really impressed and have probably mentioned it in this thread, but I know I have told Matt multiple times that it was a really impressive session. I spoke with more than a few who heard it recently with the Vandersteen speakers at a show and were blown away by how great sounding the music was in that room all weekend. I was able to bend RV's ear about the sound that weekend. He told me that was the first time he enjoyed digital. Keep in mind that he works the shows and doesn't get out to hear all the digital gear out there. He's like Fremer, a true analog guy. He said that he was surprised at how good the sound was with the Nyquist. I thought it was a 14k DAC, but I immediately said that it was most probably better than my Ayre QX5/20, which is to my ears, a highly musical DAC and plenty detailed.
I just read Fremer's review of the Nyquist online for Stereophile. He too feels the same way that I did the first time I heard it. I did hear it with some MQA recordings that seemed to be very well recorded to show off MQA as well as the DAC. I thought I'd share the review with you guys. Hope you enjoy the read (this is for those who think I only like Ayre gear, lol).
Not sure why Brinkmann opted for tubed output stage but it sure didn't help their measurements. But JA has measured many a piece of kit that sounds damn good and measures damn bad.
Audio products that sound terrific per the Stereophile viewers and yet measure poorly per JA. This dilemma has been noted by quite a few observers over the years. Charles
This paper is presented at the Brinkmann site and seems to amount almost to a point-by-point rebuttal of the concerns JA expressed. And in doing so I note that the paper goes considerably beyond what is said in the manufacturer's comment section of the Stereophile issue which presents the review.
IMO most of what is said in the paper is persuasive. The only issue I would take with it, at least in the case of a DAC, is in relation to the statement that "over-damping (i.e., filtering) the incoming power might result in better measured values, but often kills the life in the music." While lightening up on the filtering of incoming power might in some DAC designs result in sound that is subjectively preferable, it certainly won't make the sound more true to the source IMO. But in any event the numbers cited in the paper and in JA's measurements are suggestive of that not being a significant issue in this case.
Regarding JA's measurements more generally, they are IMO of inestimable value in identifying possible or likely mismatches or incompatibilities between components, and often in diagnosing sonic issues as well. I couldn't begin to count the number of times I and many others have referred to his measurements in responding to questions and issues that are posted here. In that sense JA performs a uniquely valuable service to the audiophile community, especially given the thoroughness of his measurements relative to those that are provided in some other publications, and given the much higher probability that he has measured a component that is being considered, compared to other publications that provide measurements. And every now and then some of his measurements raise legitimate concern about the quality of the engineering that went into the design of a product. Beyond those benefits, though, I would certainly agree that they generally provide little if any insight into how a component will sound.
Al, + 1 in regard to the value of the Stereophile measurements as a very effective "initial screening step and assisting in narrowing the field of potential audio candidates. My only observation was the measurements just don't correlate well with a product's sound quality Charles
I agree somewhat, but I feel a good sounding product should still measure somewhat decent. There are dac's out there that measure great and also sound wonderful. An example is the MSB mark II.
Brinkmann sounds outstanding to me. My ear isn't what everyone else's is and visa versa. Matt knows my ear fairly well by now I think (we have discussed our differences). It's like most great audio products. It gets better and better the more time you spend with it.
I've never bothered with looking at measurements. I know that they are important to some degree, but I will listen to anything. that way I can make up my own mind about a product.
Just a word of caution regarding Light Harmonic Labs in the following thread I came across and thought it would be of interest here. I have no personal experience with them but thought that potential buyers of their product should be aware of their history. If there's another side to the story it would be helpful if others would share it, TIA. https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/34857-light-harmonic-labs-rip/
Wow, this is nuts. I've heard that they had many problems with the Geek'd line, but didn't realize how bad it was/is.
Matt, just got the Davinci mk 2 through a NJ dealer. Hope they don't go under for his sake as that's a lot of coin for no warranty. I know of two dealers who didn't want to carry their DAC's, but they never said why. I wonder if they didn't like the owners. Now I need to find out, lol.
This is one of the biggest reasons I usually only buy from companies that are established with strong reputations. It's one reason I stopped having friend buy Krell gear as well as Levinson back in the day. I won't buy Pass now either as I hate companies that screw over the BnM businesses or customers. To me, that shows that they won't be there when you really need them.
Folks call me a Vandersteen fan boy or an Ayre fan boy, but those two will stand by their products for years and years and I have no worries about that. These products eventually do have something go wrong. Electronics always do.
We are the dealer for Matt, and we were also concerned after reading the computer audiophile post.
We did contact the owner Larry Ho, who was out of the country and he is aware that there have been some problems with production and is working to fix some of these issues. Part of the problems they have been having is getting some of their suppliers to deliver consistent boards.
The boards they are using in some of their products are difficult to build and this is leading to delays as well as shortages.
On a positive note people who have actually heard the Davinci including the older versions have stated it is the best digital they have ever heard.
In our tests the Davinci was substantially better than a very well rated $25k dac that uses some of the most advanced technology in the industry the issue with LH Labs has been their limited production capabilities, as well as getting good sub assemblies.
We have also been having withdrawal symptoms, once you have heard a Davinci it is intoxicating and is so musical resolving that it is very hard to listen to anything else. Our new MK 2.5 dual dac is also waiting for one of these new boards.
The unfortunate nature of many of the small companies is that they can suffer from similar issues, some of the larger ones have also had giant issues, Krell almost went away same as Levinson, Classe is also having some development issues with new products. Spica died, Infinity died from what they were, and so on and so on.
Dragon, I kind of agree. I purposely didn't mention the name of the dealer as I didn't want things to 'go there'. The post has nothing to do with the sound of the product. I don't think any of us are saying it's not a great product.
My thoughts are about dealing with companies that can't deliver what is expected of a customer. If they can't keep up with basic delivery of their product, then how would they ever be able to fix what gets broken. If a company that is selling a 35k plus DAC (or whatever the high cost is) and they can't deliver a product that isn't DOA, then what kind of QA do they have?
As I stated above and in other posts over the years, I usually stay with named companies who will be there to service their products over time as I keep things for a long time. I notice that many stores change their products (companies) like underwear. Flavor of the day. What product is on the cover of the current mag.....we have all seen this at many stores.
Looking back at where I've purchased over the years (many stores as I know many owners, lol), nearly all of them have been carrying the same lines for a long time. They will bring in a new line or two over time, but only after the lines prove that they will support their products.
It's just alarming that a company who's selling gear in this stratosphere treats anyone the way they have been and continue to do. LH isn't the only one either. There have always been companies who are not on the up and up regardless of why. Buyer be ware I guess. Not even trying to get anyone to buy into my personal feelings, just sharing them.
audiotroy....As a dealer...are you saying with the knowledge in concern of Light Harmonic that you still give full credence to that company in a complete and whole manner? Even to the point of making the perspective buyer of such a product whole again if the need arises? In other words...are you putting your money where your mouth is?
Im staying away from the Light Harmonic discussion right now. If/When my product is delivered and no issues arise I will post my experience. I can say that as of now Dave the Audio Doctor had been supportive and communicative (and I believe he would do what needed to be done to make things right if a major issue were to arise, because he has shown me nothing but sincerity, passion for gear and music, and active support).
Matt, we've spoken so much about it all. Yes, IR a fanboy for all the reasons stated that don't even deal with my feeling that for the price the SQ is the best for ME. They just stand by their products even out of warranty if needed. I love that about any company ;).
Aolmrd brings up a serious point. I'm sure they will make you happy Matt, but there is a lot of money involved. How many folks could they take care of if problems arise and the company is gone or won't stand behind the products. It's scary for any of us when purchasing an expensive product. That's one reason I don't buy used that much anymore. Been burned a couple of times already. Thankful that companies like Aesthetix and Empirical have stood behind their gear, but it's expensive lessons we all learn.
Accurate Reproduction of Music has nothing to do with something that is emotioonally engaging, just saying. If you want super Acurate sound why not setup a Studio monitor instead since they are built for accuracy.
True Dragon_Vibe. Accuracy is an objective measurement. That's what we have JA for. Lol.
Emotional engagement is as subjective as it comes.
I always find it fascinating to see how different listeners listen for different things to hit their emotional target. Imaging, soundstage, leading edge, trailing edge, dynamics, scale, noise floor, subtlety, low frequency extension, etc etc. We all want it all, but one or two things in particular hit that personal spot and make us sink into nirvana.
I just love this hobby! And the people who share it with me!
Studio Monitors setup correctly will give you very accurate sound reproduction, I use Studio monitors in the office and bedroom. Does it give you that magical sound audiophiles tend to refer too. No....
Horns or High sensitive Single Wide band Speakers do this better paired with Tube Amps. We all have our own opinion iv lived with super expensive gear and large Solid state amps. Now I’m using High Sensitive Speakers and lower powered Amps. Listening to music is now shifted from the realms of just listening to feeling emotional waves from it. It is a different feeling altogether.
What is it that Tube Amps paired with high sensitive speakers do that large Solid State Amps driving inefficient speakers cant do? I have yet to figure that out.
Fascinating. Larry of Distinctive Stereo came over to my office last weekend to play. I bought a Wells Innamorata amp from him (just WOW! It's the best "affordable" amp you've never heard of!!!) to match up to the new Scansonic 2.5 speakers I just got. Sounds AWESOME!!
We used his Aurender A10 (which is a single unit combo N100H server and built in DAC) and compared that to using just the A10 server portion output via USB to an external DAC (Axogal Comet and Playback Design's Merlot).
The A10 with internal DAC readily beat the A10 server feeding either the Axogal or the Merlot. Seriously! The internal DAC in the A10 sounded the best is probably a result of being a good DAC, using a linear power supply, crazy short I2S jumper between server board and DAC, shared clock and just good design and synergy.
Also, the A10 server sourcing the Axogal DAC sounded BETTER then sourcing the Merlot!!! Not huge, but considering the $3+ K difference it still says a lot. That Comet Plus is a damn good DAC for its crazy affordable price!
Thanks Larry, for a super fun day! And thanks for helping work your magic to get my 2.5's dialed in perfectly!
Talking about dealers, I want to shout out to Paul Hovenga of Many Moons Audio who has provided exceptional customer service on a purchase that had some functional issues; and who will be arranging a TotalDAC Uber DAC/server audition for me in the coming months!
And a well deserved shout out to Dave, The Audio Doctor who just received my Davinci 2 today and has stood behind Light Harmonic and made sure my product was delivered without drama or issue! Can't wait to get that in my rack!!!
Matt, that is awesome news about your DaVinci DAC. As I mentioned to you I had heard the DaVinci Dual DAC at the NYC Audio Show a few years ago. I was blown away by the quality of the sound and this being at a show. So I am anxious to see how good the current version is.
You must be like an expecting father waiting for the baby to arrive 😉
Thanks for the input Glory. The Merlot is an excellent DAC and shines in my main system, outperforming (to some) my prized ODSX. I think I preferred my ODSX over the Merlot, but didn’t have enough time to truly listen. I have wanted to hear the Rockna as it has an exceptional reputation.
In my office system, the Comet (which has well in excess of 700 hours on it and is well burned in) bettered the Merlot; but not by much. I made sure to say what gear was being used so people could pass their own judgement on my report. No tin ears in the room, nor was anyone sitting on a synergy stool. Both were bettered by the A10 with internal DAC. I would not consider my "inexpensive" office system the ultimate in resolution but the results were what they were. The Comet "belonged" in that level system, the Merlot did not. It may be a case of putting bicycle tires on a Porsche if you know what I mean; the office system may simply not have allowed the Merlot to stretch its legs and show it’s stuff. I never even tried the Comet in my main system as I borrowed it exclusively to try with headphones, and it excels in that regard. As you said, it’s an "entry level" DAC (and a damn good one) and I had not considered trying it in my reference home system. I did try the Merlot at home and several felt it was exceptional. Makes me want to try the Comet in my main rig just to see. I can say that one of the guys present did try the Merlot and Comet in their main rig and he preferred the Comet over the Merlot there as well. Again, no stool or atomic #50 ears, just opinion. And the beauty of an opinion is that you can take it or leave it with no cost or obligation.
Contradicting opinions and reports like yours are what makes this thread so valueable to everyone. I have said over and over, I just report what I hear. I welcome disagreeing views and the expression of those views. It makes this a better and more useful thread for all involved.
Sincerely sorry to see you go. Hope you check in and continue offering credible differing opinions!
Matt, Please give the Comet Plus a go in your big rig before the DaVinci arrives, I'm betting it will surprise (in a good way) when running with the big dogs.
Look here everyone, Lets give credit where credit is due. Glory, what DAC retails fr $3K that is even close to the engineering inside the Comet plus its very Analog presentation ? You are comparing it to a $10K DAC for Petes sake.Which by the way has plastic feet.. They are Apples and oranges. I know its nice to realize you are living in the Stratos, but to laugh at the Comet is not fair nor a comparison whatsoever. Methinks Ive got a $6500 DAC that is absolutely as good as and possibly better than Rockna to my ears in my room with whatever electromagnetic pull is at this GPS coordinate plus all my mental hangups about how audio "should" be or sound..aaaand OCD.. When Jeff first asked me about how I liked the comet I was like... mmmmmehh.. then said something about my $15K balanced differential 45 triode DAC and the 3 others, but after opening his piece up to inspect, I honestly called him Yoda. Exogal are freaking design Jedis. I have never once in my life seen a piece of gear so brilliantly laid out and put together. Its nothing short of a genius product. You called it a beginner DAC.. I think you nailed it. Its about the smartest market position I could think of with all us tweaky fogies going to pasture. We use "my dads stereo" not the cool, hip product for the times. These guys nailed it square in the kisser. Brilliant, I applaud the Comet and Ion. So I bought them.. Because they are so cool. and portable, and light, and clean..etc.. They are there to loan and or backup. I was going to buy them even if they were never used. Just to remind myself how to think when I design gear. So take a chill pill brother on whacking the company of guys that as far as I am concerned, started high end digital... didnt you ever hear some of those insane WADIA DAC’s ? dude...its one of the founding fathers.. Respect. Honestly If I were to go through the build with you and show you how and why things were dome a certain way... youd get it.. I called him yoda because as usual I was busting balls right off the cuff about certain elements.. one was the plexiglass bottom. Plexi holds static energy. not so good for DAC’s.. So as I was giving him a hard time I faintly remembered metal sphere feet, but my lips kept bumping.. then I said to him, dude, if you freaking set those metal marbles through the plexi into the ground plane, (which by the way is the ENTIRE bottom of the unit), I’m just calling you Yoda.. sure enough.. grounded .. OK, I surrender... I am your student oh Obi Wan.Teach me the ways of an audio CEO. So the Comet is the bomb little beginner DAC that will open this market to the people just starting the hobby... the fresh blood... While we all put on our Beaker glasses and I make some Beaker Wire and try to hear the difference between 68 degrees in my room and 68.3. Laugh at my ass man.. I’m the OCD purist freakster bozo.. These guys are the real deal. True smart businessmen taking our ridiculous hobby serious thank God.. So anywho... I’m off to plug in a magical voodo slab and listen for the leading edge of a music piece and try to determine if it was as defined as before, or did I hear it ever so slightly relax and move rearward. Then I’m going to contemplate if thats something that will keep me in my chair or if I’m going to get fatigued which would just be such a bummer.. but wait, perhaps I could open up the box and poke around in there and stick some stuff here and there...hmmmm lets see what material ???... I know ! Rare earth elements!! Yes ! Thats it ! I know from science class some of them react and shit, so let me go Google research that until the sun comes up and my eyes are bloodshot and Ive ordered hundreds of dollars of stuff from God knows where....LOL, laugh at me bro, laugh at me.. Not these guys..
First, I have read may of your posts, glory, as they frequently pertain to products of interest to me. Your opinions of products/manufacturers are strictly binary (1 or 0) and your posts are unfailingly condescending to others. Not just a bad day here and there as happens to us all, but always.
Second, I own the Exogal Comet Plus. I have found it to be a product that requires time to appreciate and was tipped on that by the friend that recommended it to me prior to my purchase.
I have also found it to be perhaps the most sensitive component I have owned to cabling. Different power cords, USB cables, and even upstream Ethernet cables (in that order) will swing it significantly in a favorable or unfavorable sonic direction. Its sonic character becomes that of the accompanying cord/cable to an comparatively large extent. This, to me, indicates its intrinsic neutrality/transparency/revealing nature, but it is what it is regardless of labeling. I regret that Exogal chose to discourage buyers from experimenting with cords/cables in the product manual and suggest that Jeff reconsider that position.
My usual favorite line of power cords, the "tunable" Synergistic Research active type, drives it from semi-warm to ice cold depending on the model. The usually overly-bass-ripe Tesla T3 UHC power cord is the best I have yet tried with the Comet as it adds low-frequency heft to its sound, which I feel to be the primary challenge in getting the Comet to really sing.
The very fast and ruthlessly revealing WW Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable between my Aurender and the Comet was unlistenable (however that USB cable was magic with the Modwright Elyse). Substitute the Shunyata Venom USB and the sound is somewhat dull, as it was with the other DACs in the comparison. Then, a Curious USB and the porridge from the Comet is nearly just right.
After then comparing three upstream Ethernet cables between my router/modem and my Aurender using the Comet, the excellent SOtM dCBL-CAT7 ethernet cable with its built-in noise reduction network and NASA-level connectors, I found to be not organic enough for the Comet, the SR Ethernet Active UEF SE about the same, but the gray UEF tuning bullet vs the overblown-sounding silver one was very good at adding some needed warmth, yet the Purist Ethernet cable is the best combination of the bunch in this chain in my opinion. Organic, musical, detailed, balanced, beautiful. VERY good cable period, that Purist, and the least expensive (and complex) of the three.
I still, to this point, find that the Comet slightly lacks "Meat on the Bone" harmonic texture and can sound lean compared to robustly rich (in a good way) DACs I have compared it to. However, it showed such promise as a potential keeper from nearly the very beginning in resolution, detail retrieval, PRAT, listener involvement, and tweakability that I will recommend it to those that cannot buy a $$$ "plug and play" DAC and enjoy/are willing to work with it regarding ancillaries.
Hi Matt, long time reader, first time poster (I think... actually maybe I have posted in this thread once already?). So glad to hear you love the Wells Audio Innamorata. They truly are good aren't they? I own the Innamorata Signature. It's twice the price but talk about special. So clean and so musical with absolutely no transistor artifacts to speak of, yet with all the tube like harmonics one would ask for... I too am surprised the Innamorata amps are not considered more. Just another excellent audio company that not a lot of people are aware of, I guess. I hope you enjoy it for a long time. Jason
Color me misinformed, but I thought the Merlot was $6500-
With the Comet Plus at $3500- there’s not a huge difference in price here.
Both are excellent choices in their price point. But I consider the Comet a HUGE value for the money, I mean H U G E!!! The Merlot is properly priced and is an excellent DAC for the money.
I don’t think I would suggest someone with a $95k system to audition a Comet Plus as their primary DAC. The Merlot would do their system proud. But I will openly admit that in my small Wells audio/Scansonic sub 10k office system, the Comet did sound a scootch better then the Merlot. And the A10 internal DAC sounded better then both. I was shocked. But go figure......
Interestingly, we did swap power cords and USB cables to make things as fair as possible because everyone was so surprised with the results. It didn’t make a difference. We used a cheap crappy belkin usb and the TotalDAC USB. And a few different power cords. I do think that the Comet (like most DAC’s) requires massive hours of burn in to truly sound its best. And this Comet was well burned in.
As I say, opinions vary and the only way to hear if something works in your system is to try it out.
Thank you for sharing your opinion and your results, Matt. The context of different findings in systems of varying resolution is important here as you say.
As an update, I have upgraded every power cable in my main system from Shunyata Alpha digital, analog and HC to the all new top tier Shunyata Sigma NR power cables. I also have replaced my older Shunyata Hydra AV conditioner with the newest Denali D6000s. The guys at Shunyata know my system well (I’ve been a big supporter and long time customer of theirs) and they recommended the D6000s over their more expensive conditioner for my system. Because of its physical layout (rack on side, amps up front). The power cables are here. The D6000S is arriving Wednesday. I can’t wait!
Alwo, my Davinci mk2 has arrived at the dealer and he will be delivering it on Wednesday.
So lots to report coming up.
I also secured a Lumin S1 and will be comparing it to the Aurender A10 at the office and the N10 in my main system. THAT should be a fun comparison!!!
Thanks for the comment Jason. The Wells Audio gear is VERY good and VERY unknown. They make some of the best high end headphone amps on the market as well. Their Majestik integrated is amazing and their stereo amps are just flat out awesome. Larry, from Distinctive Stereo, introduced me to them. I had never heard of it before. Worth an audition for anyone looking for a great stereo amp or integrated in the $4k to $14k range. And I can't overstate how much I love Merrill Audio's Veritas monoblocks. I happily owned them until I upgraded to my Burmester 911 mk3 monoblocks.
glory, Did you use any of dlcockrum's solutions? What USB and which footers did you use to get the Comet synced to your system? I also noted tha Mike of Verastarr held back and didn't even mention he's developed a few improvements for the Comet.
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