Gopher and HiFial -
I think I speak for everyone here when I ask that you take this outside please.
I have noting to add until my DAC's arrive, so I welcome anyone elses input on anyting dac related that add's to this threads topic. But I don't think we all want to get in the middle of what you guys are doing...
Thanks. |
|
Hi Al,
I’m a laid back guy and enjoyed meeting you at Deepaks. I don’t want to get into an argument and appreciate what you tried to do for us. I know you had mentioned a stomach bug at the time, but wasn’t aware it was serious... I sincerely hope you are feeling better.
I’m not upset about how the meet went down or what happened in the past... Life happens! I also do welcome feedback and discussion good and bad. It’s a subjective hobby and we cannot win them all, but I felt some critical information was omitted.
1. You heard a prototype of the DAC and you absolutely loved it:
“After several hours of listening to the system including DSD from SACD through the EMM LABS Father Richards was gracious enough in letting Lukasz put in his DSD DAC. I brought some DSD files that Lukasz could add to what he planed on playing.
But before I describe what happens next let me tell you that Lukasz gave us a brief description of his work on DSD and thoughts on Audio. He also spent time in awe while listening to music through the system before we inserted his DSD DAC.
It only took a few bars of music for EVERYONE in the room to be able to hear what Lukasz's DSD DAC could do for the playback of music. You could hear people all over the room surprised at how well both Lukasz's DSD DAC and DSD done right could sound. AWE STRUCK is not significant enough to describe it.
Even Lukasz said he did not know it could sound that great.
ALL felt it OUTCLASSED the EMM LABS.”
2. After getting a dac to you we discussed it on the telephone and you informed me something was wrong and it wasn’t as clean as what you heard previously which led me to the immediate realization you had gotten the wrong unit (an experiment with very poor sounding Chinese polyp capacitors) with from our tech.
I admittedly did not ask you to remain silent with respect to what you or others heard, but I did explain there was a mixup and that was NOT what we wanted anyone evaluating. You understood fully and wanted to schedule another time to hear the Lampi in proper form (which I did and do appreciate!).
3. My Big 5 DSD was a finished product and what I wanted to be heard at the meet. There wasn’t anything funky about the DAC’s setup, but I was going to be unavailable by phone at the time of the meet, so I wanted to make sure you had our tech’s number in case you had any issues at all. I understand with your illness you didn’t get to it. I know your intentions were good and appreciate you trying.
Having said all that, my issue is that despite the above you chose to write about the prototype we never meant to be evaluated as if it were a finished product and rank it below Meitner and Phasure on a public forum. |
Winson, I have an update on the Meitner vs Phasure.
"Strange that HiFiAL says that the Meitner beat the Lampi DSD-Dac, when Bruce Brown said it beat his reference MPD5 (Playback Designs). I also concur after listing to both extensively"
Since my post about the above months ago I have found out why the Meitner did so poorly vs the Phasure. I also have had a chance to hear them both vs each other in two different systems, but one being the original system I first heard them in.
I will post my update in a few days |
Matt, sorry to have to use your thread to respond. |
OK Gary/Goper, lets get some things straight and clear the air.
1) YOU NEVER told me it was a very early prototype or that it was not supposed to be demoed by anyone and not a commercial DAC. I would have told you not to bother as I would have no clue what it would ultimately sound like.
I requested a DSD DAC that I could evaluate AND also have heard by fellow Club Members and at an up coming Club meeting. Weeks earlier when Luksz was at one of our meetings, from my invite, we discussed with him about coming back in January so we could dedicate a whole meeting to the Lampi.
The Lampi you sent me came much later then you had said I should expect it, I had to email you several times for updates. When it finally did arrive I started to have MAJOR health issues, which I have just started to finally get some relief from, I hope.
Because that DAC had NO volume control/preamp functions I informed you that I could not evaluate it in my system as I had no preamp. So I requested one with a preamp function.
2) That is also when I informed you that if you can get me a replacement ASAP it would be used at the upcoming Club Meeting that was about digital audio.
You were very gracious to offer your brand new DAC and had it sent to me. I also extended in invite to you to the Club meeting so you could be there to make sure all went well.
You also informed me that there may be an issue when first setting it up and to call your tech guy if needed.
Yes, I never took your DAC out of the box. I really felt uncomfortable using your personal DAC and since the host for the meeting had a preamp we could use the DSD DAC. So we did use the DSD only DAC at the meeting and it was liked by about half the club. Not a bad showing for a (unknown to be) early prototype DSD DAC.
Because I was getting sicker and I had no way of knowing when I would have a good day or bad it took me a a little longer then I would have liked to return it. But it was not long by any means. And I did mention to you that I was not feeling very well.
I even mentioned to you that what I heard with Lukasz was so great but that what I heard at the Club meeting was good but just did not sound the same as with Lukasz. I asked you could there be something wrong with the DAC.
Not once did you say that it was an early prototype, as that might have explained it in my mind.
As an example as how bad I have been the last several months, I have not made any of the two Clubs meetings I belong too for the last six months until two weeks ago. I have also been on a leave of absence from work as it is very difficult to leave the house on most days.
Gary, if you had a beef with me you have my email and cell. All you had to do is talk to me.
And what is so wrong in with my posts?? You NEVER stipulated that I could NOT post my impressions or my fellow Club Members.
Is it that you want NO BAD/MEDIOCRE/WHATEVER impressions of the Lampi?!
Lets get something straight for not just you but for everyone.
I CALL THEM AS I SEE THEM. I HAVE NO ALLEGIANCE OR AFFILIATION TO ANYONE. IF AND WHEN I DO I WILL DISCLOSE IT.
BUT I DO RESPECT WHEN SOMEONE REQUESTS NONDISCLOSURE.
When finale thought. If I some how misunderstood you Gary I whole heartedly apologize.
Alright, one more finale thought. I still hope to hear a PCM/DSD Lampizator DAC with preamp function (not a top of the line one)in a worthwhile system. I epect to over the next few weeks/months, health willing. I would love to confirm the great sound I heard that day that Lukasz played his DSD only DAC at the end of our Club Meeting last fall.
|
Update:
My DirectStream is delayed. They are waiting for displays. Sigh.
They are expecting it to ship NEXT Monday (6/9). Maybe this Friday.
I asked the representative if they would be willing to keep it there and burn it in for 2 weeks, 24/7 through the USB port. To my surprise, she said she would. Then I have 30 days from the time I get it (with 336 hours already on it).
So my new arrival date is around Mon to Wed (6/23-6/25). I will be able to give it a decent listen upon arrival though, which is nice.
I may even have her keep it 3 weeks, at which time my Aeris will also be done so I'll be able to directly compare them. |
I'm sorry guys. I think I would be doing everyone (and myself) an injustice by rushing the reviews. I have spent a significant amount of both time and money to acquire these units. I want to do it right. I may not wait 800 hours Guido, but I think a good 3-4 weeks of constant zero's and one's is prudent to give each unit a fighting chance.
I may lose a few readers to the time delay, but those who want to know will follow along. I actually think we have developed a great group here. I, for one, am enjoying the ride. |
Agear,
As a point of clarification, Al's experience was with a very early prototype of the DSD DAC. This was not supposed to be demoed by Al for anyone and I informed him this was NOT the commercial DAC or even as recent as the revision Bruce had heard, but it was all I had available.
I loaned Al my own personal Big 5 DSD for him to evaluate and show to his friends and fellow club members, but he never even took it out of the box in the weeks he held on to it.
I am actually a bit upset to see his posts... |
Hi Charles and JaFox, my long break-in opinions are based on a break-in tracking spreadsheet correlated with a dated break-in log that I kept during listening sessions throughout the process... I largely applied the same test track that I tend to report on for published articles. As pointed out, memory of past events by itself is unreliable.
Between the 450 and 800 hours mark, the last remenents of treble peakiness and transient stresses in Aeris disappeared, while harmonic coherence, extension, imaging/staging, and overall musicality continue to grow.
G. |
I have read where owners of Esoteric K-01 players have to do 300 to 400 hours of burn-in time for each setting, a total of over 1000 hours before the player is completly done, It is strange to me too, after reading that, my interest of Esoteric was gone, I do not care how good it sounds, to many others out there that would sound good enough that you will not have to go through that kind of hard ship for less hours of burn-in! |
Jafox,
Yes, I don't own the Aeris DAC so have no first hand experience with its burn in process. Logically I really can't understand what on earth requires such excessive hours of use to reach its sonic peak. It would seem (I could just be wrong) 200 hours for synthetic material capacitors or large transformers should be sufficient. Guido documents 800 hours, he has one and I don't. From say 400 hours to 800 hours what is audibly changing? Why choose parts that demand extreme hours in order to finally sound good?
Charles, |
Component "burn in" times are purely subjective. Having to wait 800 hours is absolutely ridiculous! 50 or 100 hours might easily be enough time for the component to perform mighty fine. Unless a component is severely flat or lacking extension at X hours, I highly doubt you are going to be able to quantify the exact differences 100 or 200 or whatever hours later based on memory.
There are far too many attributes in the listening room, temperature, humidity, time of day, listener's mood, electrical power voltage,, etc. that can easily result in perceived changes. We all have experienced a time or two where something just did not sound right and we return another day for the magic again to be there.
One way to actually document differences would be to use a "fully-burned in" component as a reference, and do a comparison day to day, documented/detailed. This would determine if the differences are now constant or whether the additional day of burn-in time of the component under evaluation is truly "changing" quantitatively/qualitatively relative to the differences documented the day before. After a few days of no documented differences, it's time to end the "burn-in" process. To expect additional time to result in a black sheep suddenly becoming a golden unicorn at burn-in between day 33 vs. day 34 (800 hours) is silly at best. This comparitive process is far more objective than relying on personal memory of exactly how a component sounded or changed the day or days before.
When I first powered on the L6, I was very concerned about weak bass. In an hour or so, the expected low-end presence was there. This is very typical of tube products. I always turn them on an hour or so before I even sit down for serious music listening. |
I have a friend who slow roasts a Briscuit over 36h. And he does taste it to adjust seasoning along the way. So that blows my culinary analogy.
Trust me. I hate the wait!!! Especially in this case.
Sorry guys. Patience, as they say, is a virtue.... |
Hi Matt,
I get your turkey analogy, but is it done baking in 8 hours or 8 days?
Guido, thanks for your reply. Good thread.
Charles, |
Excellent question Charles. I freely admit of being pathologically picky when it comes to break-in process. I deem a device to be broken in only when I no longer perceive any further change in sound over the span of about one week of 24/7 operation, regardless of what the manufacturer has told me, or has published.
during the last 10 years or so, I have broken in a number of components, including 4 digital front end devices.. Esoteric X-01, GamuT CD3, Esoteric K-01, and recently Rowland Aeris DAC. Aeris is the very first front end that in my experience may have stabilized before crossing the 1000 hours mark.
Admittedly, Aeris does contain a lot of technology that is well known to take time to stabilize, like input transformer an 6-layer ceramic boards, yet break-in seems to have been a little faster than other front-end devices I have had in system. If you are interested, there are 27 mostly technical entries on Aeris hardware and firmware in the Rowland Knowledge base at:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=205
Salluti, Guido |
Lol. I don't even listen until it's ready. Especially a DAC.
DAC's on, getting source from computer on-line radio station, running into my powered on pre-amp, amps off.
That's why it helps to have people who know how long break in will be. I just let 'er run. And listen when she's done cooking.
You don't keep tasting your thanksgiving turkey before it's done cooking, do you? ;) |
I think if you listen to a component long enough like 800 hours you get use to the sound. Its not until another person hears the system and points out that the sound is thin or the bass is boomy or the midrange is dark. |
What is it about the design or part selection of the Aeris that requires an enormous 800 hour burn in? Just curious,Seems a bit over the top.
Charles, |
Hi Matt, it is likely that Rowland Aeris will continue to bloom until, or possibly through, the 800 hours mark.
With any component, Until a device is fully stabilized, there is the danger of mistaking temporary early artifacts as sonic signature.
G. |
Mitch2, an acquaintance (who is in the "industry" and has had a ton of dacs through his system) recently acquired a $200 dac out of China called the WEILIANG DAC5 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAC-decoder-AK4399-WM8805-Coaxial-optical-input-Assembled-board-DAC9-by-weiliang-/1409397061030) and preferred it to the Metrum. I believe it uses an AKM chip.
Nothing sacred in digital! |
Hi Matt, I'd suggest using the IsoTek burn-in CD. You can buy it and rip it to your Mac to use for faster break-in of any audio component in the chain. Best wishes, Alex Peychev APL Hi-Fi |
I am enjoying this thread and look forward to hearing about more comparisons leading up to your final DAC choice Matt.
I feel fortunate to have started with the Metrum Hex which, at about $3.5K fully loaded, I believe may represent a sweet spot between outclassed lower priced DACs and the higher priced state of the industry DACs being discussed in this thread. I did try the Lampi L4G4 with Duelunds but, in direct comparison, I liked the sound of the Hex better.
I will be interested in hearing about your Rowland vs. Overdrive comparison since my next DAC upgrade will likely be another solid state unit. I will also be interested in hearing whether you believe the Offramp improves the sound of the DACs in your shootout. |
The Aeris will be done burning in on Tuesday 6/24. That'l put 600 hours on it, which apparently is what it needs to really shine.
Having owned (and still own - up for Sale) a Rowland Capri S2 preamp I can confirm that Rowland gear really takes a long time to reach full potential. Fortunately, Guido was kind enough to nicely burn in my Criterion before selling it to me.
I will post next when the OverDrive SE and DS arrive.
|
Matt, I sure hope to read that the Aesthetix makes it to the party here, My interest is because I am considering getting A Romulas signature in the near future, Really, If you get an Aesthetix digital product in these comparisions, Make sure you get the signature model, from what I understand, this up-grade is substantial to the performance of the Aesthetix product line up, cheers. |
Great thread so far and it is exciting to know there is more to come! Enjoy! |
This is not happening fast enough... |
Getting the most from CDs & break-in
I'm very interested in the review of DACs with a focus on Redbook CD. To me, the performance is more important than the medium and for a variety of works, my favorites (classical, opera, jazz) are often recorded in the 1960's, 50's, or even 40's, so getting the most out of them is my top priority.
I'm using the PSA PWD-II and am curious about the DirectStream, as well as the other DACs, since posts frequently comment on how much more information the DS retrieves from CDs than the PWD.
One comment. The PSA DACs (I had the MK-I and upgraded to the MK-II) need a very long break-in time. When I got the PWD, I was ready to return it after too weeks (thin bass, hard treble). When I called my vendor, he asked me to give it a couple more weeks and that after the first two weeks, the sound is at its nadir. Shortly after that, the DAC steadily improved and ended up sounding great. I don't know about the DirectStream, but it may need similarly long break-in period.
Thanks much for the shoot-out, I'm looking forward to your impressions. |
Hi Matt, I'd suggest using the IsoTek burn-in CD. You can buy it and rip it to your Mac to use for faster break-in of any audio component in the chain. BTW, did you receive my PM? Best wishes, Alex Peychev APL Hi-Fi |
I don't think the computer can output 2 different USB audio devices at once.
No biggie, I'll figure something out.
I'll keep everyone updated as things cook and stew.
The OverDrive SE should be here mid to late next week, as well as the DS. |
Like this http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Switches-HB-UMLS/dp/B00BWF5U0M/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401507819&sr=8-1&keywords=USB+hub |
Hey Matt, how about one of those inexpensive USB hubs? |
Glory's L5, which he replaced with the Phasure? That was a Gen 3 L5 with Ming DSD, not the new Chipless DSD from Lukasz. Not even close to being equivalent to a Gen 4 L5 with Lukasz DSD.
Strange that HiFiAL says that the Meitner beat the Lampi DSD-Dac, when Bruce Brown said it beat his reference MPD5 (Playback Designs). I also concur after listing to both extensively.
Different stokes for different folks. Personal taste is what really matters. |
Can I use an iPod somehow? |
Got a couple of extra laptops, or old desktops you can use ? |
Update on Aeris:
I just confirmed that the Aeris is essentially brand new. It has between 45 and 90 hours on it. Typically Rowland gear needs 500+ hours to really blossom. Crapburgers!!! I was really hoping it was burned in already.....
That will delay things significantly regarding my reviews.
The OverDrive SE will be burned in already when it arrives mid to late next week. So that will be the next up to compare with the Lampy. The DS will be arriving at the same time next week, but it needs at least a week on it before I can compare.
Any ideas on the easiest, uninterrupted source for USB music to burn in 2 DAC's simultaneously????
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! |
'OK, let the criticism begin!!! lol....'
I muck around with, listen to, and have heard a lot of DAC's.
There is no right or wrong, simply what suits you and your system best.
My favourite DAC (at the moment - things change fast in the DAC area) is a hand build DAC called a Killer. But it is very musical and that is not everyone's preference - some are in my camp - others prefer say the extremely clear, clean, and pure Phasure which I find a bit bland.
A DAC that impressed me recently was the PS Audio - it blew my Chord out of the water - but it was a lot more expensive so that's not an earth shattering revelation - you would hope you get something for the extra dosh. It is going to be upgraded to the Direct Stream soon and we will be having a GTG to see how it fares against some of my other DAC's such as the Playback Designs and Killer.
Always a lot of fun.
Anyway by checking them out and posting about it you are doing the right thing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Bill |
Jafox,
Calling the Sylvania VT-99 trash is really crazy, unless your system has to have one particular tube to shine. I settled on the National Union VT-99 in combination with the staggered Tung-Sol rectifier because the overall sound had better extension and treble. But to say the Sylvania is flat and distant is super surprising, but that very well be the case in your system. In mine the Sylvania sounds great, a bit more chill but still damn fine and 3D sounding. The Tung-Sol VT-99 has a more 3D/holographic presentation and just as extended than the Nationals in my system, but is a bit lean in the mid-range. To my ears, all the VT-99's I tried were pretty darn good in the Big Six, none of them were "trash". The rectifiers make a contribution to the sound as well so Matt should try that too.
Goes to show you how differently we all hear... |
Mattnshilp: as I posted here, if you are using the stock tubes, you're in for a shocker if you try the National Union VT-99. |
Matt,
Sounds like the Big Six sounds more effortless at this point than the Aeris. Though constriction is often times cured with further break-in. The Big Six needed lots of time to open up, at least in my system. But it sounded "natural" right off the bat.
Interesting results so far, keep it coming...
Is the heavyweight champion Empirical DAC next in line? |
4orreal, I think the Phasure tends to get excluded due to its cumbersome setup requirements. Also, did you see the recent computer audiophile shootout. It was bested by the Killer dac and PBD depending on the listener....
Hifial, I thought you were a Phasure convert. Is it Meitner now? Bruce Brown re-reviewed a current DSD Lampi with Duelund caps (versus the cheap Russians that were in the original unit), and he said its the best DSD he has heard. He has had both the Meitner and Phasure in-house. |
4orreal - sorry. There are dozens of DAC's. If anyone wants to send me a DAC to add to the shoutout, feel free.
I have already been contacted by one small manufacturer to get his product in my shoutout. I'm happy to listen if anyone wants, but opinions will be honest and unrestricted....
I chose the small list for my specific needs, from opinions and suggestions from you guys and reviews in print and on-line. I am confident I will find a keeper.
And no, I haven't called John at Audio Connection yet. I've been bad. I will though, I swear. |
OK. First impressions.
I think everyone knows my system. If not, check out my Virtual System, I am pretty sure it's current.
Thanks to Merrill of Merrill Audio for lending me a pair of his 2 meter single ended and balanced interconnects to compare dac's with as little variation as possible.
I use a variety of songs (preset list on Amara)including pop, rock, classical, broadway, movie soundtrack, jazz and blues. About 28 songs total; but I don't listen to the whole song sometimes.
To me, the gold standard is to forget I'm listening critically and get lost in the music. I will point out hifi characteristics, but my final choice will be the one that makes music the best IN MY SYSTEM, TO MY EARS. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I am not a professional reviewer.
Aeris vs. Big 6:
I am trying to give each unit the best chance possible, so burn in is very important. My Big6 has plenty of time on it, so that's cooked. As I started to listent to the Aeris it became apparent very quickly that it is younger then I thought it would be. I think the last owner didn't use it that much. I am waiting to get a number from him to know for sure, but I am pretty sure it needs a lot more cooking...
Jeff Rowland is well known to require almost 1000 hours to really sound it's best. I started cooking the Aeris today. I'm hoping its got at least a few hundred hours on it, but it doesn't sound like it does yet (or it's not as good as I thought it was going to be). So all of my comments are made on what I am assuming is an not yet burned in Aeris. Please keep that in mind. I will continue to offer comments as it burns in.
Frist impressions:
The Big6 is clearly hand built. The front plate is nicely finished and looks professional. The box is wood and the top is acrylic, all well put together. The point to point is well executed and the tubes are well seated; it's built with passion and love, but NOT built in a high tech facility. I was surprised how light it was.
The Aeris is heavy ! It weighs as much as a VW Beetle and is built like a Breguet watch (and is just as beautiful). The external power supply is equally heavy and well built. It looks as if it were built in the MacLaren or Ferrari plant.
Not that any of that really matters. But it does suggest reliability.
The Aeris locked in the moment I hooked it up (USB only)and worked flawlessly. It took a bit of figuring out to get the Big 6 to work. That may just be due to the fact that the Big 6 came first; I think I needed to figure out the order of USB plug, close Amarra, re-assign USB output, and re-open Amarra. I'll find out when I hook the Big 6 back in again if that protocol works or it needs some fenagling.
The Big 6 is what everyone says it is. It stomped on my PS Audio PWII, chewed it up and spit out transistors and copper. From the moment I turned it on, music poured from my speakers. I could have stopped the shoot-out before it even started. With this design I found no limits on top or bottom end. The highs flowed with no sibilence, brightness or restrictions; very musical and engaging. The lows were surprisingly extended, reaching even lower then the PS PWII although I think there was a teeny bit of unbridled power down there; the reigns were held but not as tightly as with the Aeris.
Mids were magic, as you would expect. Not colored. Not dark. Not warm. Just right. Female vocals were simply stunning and deep male voices resonated just right. The only style of music it struggled with was pop/electronic. it seamed to lose a bit of grip with a complex drum kit rhythm, synthesizers blaring and electric guitar jamming. But with more classic Rock it came right back in line. Jazz, Blues, etc were equally wonderful and engaging. I forgot I was listening several times and cauhght myself tapping and singing along, eyes closed, lost in the music. Classical was defined and expansive, with nice dynamics (although not what the Aeris provided from a dynamic standpoint).
The Big 6 had a wider soundstage but the Aeris's was deeper. Big 6 put every instrument and performer where it belonged and defined it nicely. I could use a laser pointer to identify performers with the Aeris. The Big 6 threw sound outside the speakers, the Aeris did not.
I used the stock tubes with the Big 6 to be fair, although I have heard that it just gets better once swapping tubes (and I have a few to play with).
The Aeris was the picture of accuracy. Highs were extended, but bright at times and mid's had an added presence, almost like a reverb to be honest. Lows were tight, very well controlled. There was music for certain, but something was in the way; like eating pasta thats just a bit harder/less cooked then Al-Dente.
This DAC is the reference for my feiend Guido Corona who is a self-proclaimed Rowland groupie, but has a great ear that I have learned to trust over time; and he IS a professional reviewer. With his urging to hear the Aeris, I have to assume that my Aeris is young and will grow into something special. I WANT to like the Aeris. But what I heard was more Hi-Fi and less Music. Considering the multitude of top notch reviews about the Aeris, I have to assume it needs more time to show it's true colors.
if I had to chose now, the choice would be obvious. But I don't (since I own both of them) and I want to give myself and you all a true comparison. So I'm running Sirius Sat through the computer via USB to the Aeris and I'll let it simmer for a week or two. Hopefully the previous owner can get back to me and tell me how much time it has on it.
Let me know if there are any questions.
OK, let the criticism begin!!! lol.... |
Matt.. New review of the DirectStream. They LOVE it on redbook :-) http://bitperfectsound.blogspot.ca/2014/05/directstream-i.html |
Wisnon - I am intrigued by that Allnic DAC. But I am going to wait and decide amongst these for now. As the thread states, my primary goal is the best Red Book/16-44 sound I can get.
HiFial - I will call Merrill and see if he will donate his MA-1 to the round-up. He offered once already so I'm sure he will oblige. I want to wait until I'm done with the ones I have. I need to re-claim some of my investment...
Guido - Thanks! |
I wish the Phasure NOS1a (current model) is part of this shootout considering the older version (NOS1) replaced the followign according to the Phasure site, and I am not even sure if this list is up to date.
Emm Labs CDSD SE/DCC2 SE
Emm Labs (various types)
MSB Gold Link III
Empirical Audio Offramp 4/Overdrive
Empirical Audio (various types)
Audio Note (various types)
Metric Halo LIO-8
Berkely Alpha DAC
TwinDAC+
CrazyT
Pacific Microsonics Model I
Pacific Microsonics Model II
DACMagic 2
Wired4Sound DAC2
Weiss Minerva
Weiss Medea
Weiss Medea+
Weiss (various types)
dCS Delius / Purcell (?)
dCS (various types)
Ayre QB-9
DAD AX24
PSAudio Perfect Wave
PSAudio Perfect Wave MKII
Twisted Pear Buffalo I
Twisted Pear Buffalo II
CEC TL51 CD transport / AudioMagic
Altmann DAC
Cantatis Ouverture 24/192
Bryston BDA-1
Lampizator L5 with DSD |
Also the Meitner has out performed a Lampizator L4 DSD only DAC and a Phasure DAC. Those two I heard for myself.
The Phasure gave a good fight and lost by only the smallest of margins.
A higher level/newer Lampizator DSD might make a difference.
All of the above was by more then one set of ears. |
Hi Matt. I am going to ask you to add another DAC to your comparisons. But you will not have to pay any money. Meitner MA-1 DAC
Explanation below.
Two of my Audio buddies, who have a lot of experience in Audio have had a chance to compare the DS to several other DACs, one being the Meitner, in more then one system.
Lets just say you need to do the same. One of those friends you and I both know and I am sure he would be willing to bring his Meitner over for you to compare.
My suggestion is to compare the other DACs first and get your one or two favorites and then compare it/them to the Meitner. |
The Lampi L7 is the first tube Dac on the market using DHT tubes (since Nov 2013). It is flattering to them that Allnic is comign out with a DHT Dac now. |
Anyone here tried the Lampi tubed SBox transport with a Big 6? I have heard good things about this combo, especially going Ethernet vs Wireless.
Lampis also undergo continuous tweaking, so I suspect the current Big7 may be even better that older demo L7s.
The French TotalDac uses tubes and gets good feedback. I heard one once, but didnt blow me away vs my L4, though it was good. What really impresses me is DSD128 on the Lampi DSD Dac! Pity I only have the equivalent of 13 DSD2x albums. |
