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Cen. Grand DSDAC 1.0 (vs Pontus II)

Hi guys, 

I made an enquiry with a distributer here in the UK, with a view to ordering the Pontus II. However, he's thrown me a curveball by recommending the Cen. Grand DSDAC 1.0 - another Chinese brand, making FPGA based DACs with PCM to DSD up sampling (from what I can make out). There isn't a lot out there on the interweb - reviews, sound character, presentation etc, much of anything really. 

The distributor claims, or suggests that to him the Cen. Grand is "better" than the Pontus II; I've asked him to qualify and elaborate on this, but in the meantime,  thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has direct experience of this brand/DAC. Just for reference/context, the Cen. Grand DSDAC 1.0 is the Standard version at £2500 (the distributer has offered me 10% discount, so £2250).

Thanks in advance 👍

128x128painter24

Showing 2 responses by mpoll1

mpoll1
24 posts
 

I have one, very similar time to you. Just under a week, with about 70hours play on it. 
I have come from a Chord qutest with a separate power supply. The power supply moved it up a level. I was looking for something less harsh, I have a set of ZU speakers and they can punish some recordings. The CEN.GRAND has already really helped that issue. Soundstage has improved, instruments sound better. 

previous experience, from memory, not current side by side comparisons, include Bluesound node, marantz model 40 built in dac, and lyngdorf 3400 used as dac and streamer. The CEN.GRAND sounds nicer than these.

I am going to keep this one. The build quality also feels great. 

mpoll1
24 posts
 

@painter24 so far I would agree with your findings. Sound stage has grown in depth and width. Placement has also improved no end.
My set up with a Luxman integrated and Zu union supremes was a wall of sound and could be thin with the chord, this has helped fill it all out and softened the top end without losing any of the sparkle and detail. Orchestral has seen the greatest benefits so far. 
 

I am looking forward to the bass tightening up with more use. I wouldn’t normally count the hours of use, I was just trying to get as much use as possible before any return period ended. 
 

enjoy your listening 

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