I have both the PrimaLuna EVO 100 & AudioMirro Tubadour III SE DACs in house for an actual listening test. Much research pointed me towards R2R NOS ladder DAC and tubes. Already own PrimaLuna HP integrated and love it, so PrimaLuna was a front runner DAC. Looking for warm, full bodied sound. I live near Vlad, AudioMirror owner. Have local dealer with PrimaLuna in stock. Both were kind enough to loan me a DAC to demo. 10 year old Rega DAC will also be compared. Will post listening results soon. 3 people will judge. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9757 |
Just for verification I hooked up my Rotel CD player which allows my to bypass its internal DAC using 75 ohm coax digital cable. So now the comparison was Rotel DAC vs AM DAC vs PL DAC. Same results. Could not tell the difference between the DACs. |
First testing is complete.
Rega 2010 Dac, PrimaLuna EVO 100, AudioMirror III SE into McIntosh MA6600 integrated into Magnepan 1.7 speakers.
Cables into PrimaLuna and AudioMirror were Monoprice.
Cables into Rega were Auqioquest Cinamon (supposedly an advantage, but nothing I’ve ever noticed).
Figured PrimaLuna would win since I have PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated and really like it. Initial impression was AudioMirror was best, other two pretty much the same. Felt AudioMirror was louder so loaded SPL meter onto iPhone.
Picked well recorded artists (Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, etc) and took song snippets via iTunes and put on repeat. Measured DB via SPL and adjusted volume level and flipped amongst the DACs (no it was not blind). The Rega & PrimaLuna were pretty much equal in DB, the AudioMirror needed to be adjusted down a bit.
The volume down on the AudioMirror pretty much evened things out.
No clear winner.
Moving gear over to PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated for testing. This is the amplifier where the new DAC I purchase will actually be used. The McIntosh system is solid state, the Rega DAC will stay there. Testing will be completed tonight and I will post results. |
PrimaLuna amplifier testing complete. The same - no clear winner that I could discern when SPL meter used. Other two listeners said the same about the McIntosh test, but were NOT there for the PrimaLuna test.
We are all in mid to upper 50s, so hearing may be affecting results.
I may bring in a cheap Schiit and Schiit Gungnir to compare against my Rega DAC. That is as far as I will take this test, if I even go that far. I may or may not post those results if and when I do such test(s).
During the tests, I listened very closely hoping to hear differences. That is NOT how I normally listen to music.
I just want to relax.
Sure I like details, but am more concerned about overall 'musicality' of the music. I would prefer a non-harsh, non-fatiguing (aka: headache inducing) sound. I could not hear any noticeable differences that made any one of the 3 DACs stand out.
As always, YMMV...
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Format is Redbook cd ripped to an external hard drive in .aiff format. Played back via iTunes into one of the 3 DACs hooked into the integrated amplifier. I use the Mac to select which DAC to use as playback device. I'm using USB input on all 3 of the DACs. Both AM & PL claim to have good USB input.
Any ideas?
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I’ve now demo’ed a Chord Qutest against my Rega. Same result. Qutest at best matches the Rega. Rega is slightly louder which most likely gives it the advantage. There’s really not much in the chain to go wrong (unless iTunes Player is somehow affecting things - but that's why I brought in my Rotel CD player - to rule out iTunes).
Rega no longer makes a DAC so considered Denafrips Ares or Pontus VS Schiit Bifrost or Gungnir. Two supposedly well respected reviewers on another thread didn't have much good to say about Denafrips, so I ruled it out. Bifrost 4 to 6 weeks out for shipping (I could see that extending in these times), so I pulled the trigger on the well reviewed Gungnir (aka: Gumby).
Really hope the Gumby betters the Rega, but I’m guessing it won’t... |
Nope, nothing at all wrong with sound in my system. I have a 2nd similar system (Magnepan, PrimaLuna, Rel, Rotel cd player). I want to replace the cd player with computer/dac so I have playlist flexibility, thus the search for a 2nd DAC.
Keep reading all these online reviews of KILLER DACs (primaluna, audiomirror, denafrips, spring, etc) so thought I’d see if one of them could improve sound even more. 3 DACs reviewed made NO DIFFERENCE in sound quality- as many folks claimed.
I pulled trigger on Schiit Gumby. Should arrive this week and will demo.
Hope it tops the Rega, my guess is that to me, it won’t. I think it will sound the same as the Rega.
What really makes a difference in sound quality?
Pick your speakers 1st.
Pick your amp based on your speakers.
Get your room acoustics setup.
Turntable & cartridge differences are HUGE, but I got rid of my vinyl collection back in the 80s so I’m not going back down that road. Vinyl => too much hassle. |
cal3713, you’ve got the right idea. I set a $3K ceiling and tried 2 DACs.
Lowered ceiling to $2K and tried the QuTest (often called DAC to beat under 2K). Tried QuTest and ruled it out (no difference again).
How’ed I arrive at Schiit Gumby? Just like all the others - online reviews, research.
Denafrips Ares or Pontus
VS
Schitt Bifrost or Gungnir
are my next 2 sub $2K DACs to try.
Want a silver colored DAC, that ruled out Ares.
Want the DAC within a week or two, that ruled out the Bifrost.
Pontus coming from overseas with MASSIVE amount of hardware parts.
Hardware looks impressive, why so many parts (others noted this).
Schiit made in USA, well reviewed, readily available, & cheaper.
I know someone that I think will loan me a cheaper Schiit model so I can compare it to the Gumby (not sure what model he’s got).
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Best bang for my buck I ever spent on audio related stuff (a book): https://www.getbettersound.com/storeI have no affiliation with the author Jim Smith. For less than $50 his book is a no brainer. Smith’s advice: other than speakers, your ROOM makes the biggest impact on sound quality. Stop chasing components- get your room setup as correctly as possible. |
Agreed.
Only way one will know for sure is bring DACs into one’s own home and compare. Figure out sound you like (warm & lush VS detailed & analytical or whatever), set a price limit, use other peoples’ recommendations to narrow down your list, and then bring a few DACs in house to demo with YOUR own ears. |
