Aqua hifi La Voce s3.....anyone audition it yet?

@grannyring

When will you be comparing the 2 DACs, and will you provide your impressions back on this thread, or create another?
Will you be doing the cap swap, and if so before or after you compare the 2 DACs?
Thanks

@grannyring

Thanks for your initial impressions, look forward to your further impressions on the weekend

I ordered  a La Voce S3 a few weeks ago and it was delivered today. I did not audition it before ordering ,and had no prior experience with Aqua DACs to base a purchase off of. I hooked it up in my main system , pulling my Modwright Elyse out for the time being. I only have 5 or 6 hours on  the La Voce S3   so I won't comment at this juncture other than to say that it is very nice sounding even with limited break-in.

I presently have the LaVoce S3  coupled with an IPOD Classic (wav recordings) and Wadia 171, Line Magnetic 518IA 845tube based integrated; Daedalus Audio Argos V2s speakers; digital and analog ICs are Silnote Audio; power cables are Audio Art Cable. ( I haven't used either my Modwright LS100 KWA100SE pre/power combo, or Finale Audio 7189 MK2 integrated with the La Voce yet. I did use it initially with my Cambridge CXC transport and they synced well).

I only have 20-25 hours or so on the LaVoce S3,  my understanding is that it takes about 200 hours for full break-in , but below are my initial impressions which are based upon a variety of genres/tracks I listened to this morning:
Old school R&B:   Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody   Billy Stewart - I Do Love You
Soft Rock:     Beach Boys - Warmth of the Sun; In My Room
Rock:     The Who - Eminence Front; The Song is Over ; Getting In Tune; Won't                       Get Fooled Again
     Metallica - Enter Sandman; Where Ever I May Roam
     Led Zeppelin - Whole Lot of Love     Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight
Alternative Rock:      Haircut 100 - Boy Meets Girl
Blues Rock:      Alvin Lee - Lost In Love; Help Me
Smooth Jazz:      Marcus Anderson - Enigma      Pieces of a Dream - I Fell Like Singing      Maysa & Club 1600 - Give Love A Chance      Boney James - Ride      Greg Karukas - Time Could Pass
Hip Hop:       Nelly - Hot In Here
Thus far, to my ears this is a very balanced DAC, its sound is not pronounced in any area, rather it is articulate across the board , and non-fatiguing. I don't notice any lack of bass that according to others the S2 apparently had. The S3 has a broad soundstage with clear separation , placement and depth; the pace, rhythm, subtleties,  energy, slam and dynamics of tracks are all evident; notes decay;  male and female vocals are equally engaging.  I'd say that, while my Modwright Elyse is a very musical and enjoyable DAC, the LaVoce S3 sounstage offers somewhat more separation and placement of instruments. I have no experience with the Orchid so I can not comment between the two.
     


              

@jackd 
Thanks for the insight, I'll happily wait  that long given what I have heard thus far. Very happy with the purchase

@ biketony
What tube(s) including brand are in the La Scala?
Txs

@biketony
Thanks, be interested in your experience if you try a different brand of tubes