Check This Out!


Just wanted to make audiophile community aware, anyone looking for a DAC must check out Galle DAC from Cinnamon Audio. The feedback from two recent buyers was very inspiring and they bought the DAC after listening.

"The Galle DAC: we’ve crafted a DAC that delivers a natural, lush sound with remarkable dynamics and harmonic richness"

Cutting edge R2R, 27 bit ladder, laser cut the resistors to hit 0.1% tolerance; installed directly into the circuit board for a bargain price of $12,995

You can hear this DAC at Capitol Audio, courtesy @gestalt audio.

https://cinnamonaudio.com/components/galledac

lalitk

Showing 7 responses by hchilcoat

@grannyring Great to hear your review of the Cinnamon Galle DAC. I also have the Mojo Audio Evo Pro DAC for the past 3 years and have enjoyed it very much. I started getting fixated on the Playback Designs Dream DAC, but in the meantime I tried out some more expensive DACs including the Weiss Helios ($22k) and the Grimm 2 (with streamer built in). Both sounded good in my system, particularly the Weiss but I wasn't sure the difference in sound was worth the investment over the Mojo Evo, which really does sound pretty damn good. The thing that has intrigued me about the Playback Designs is how people, particularly those with extremely high end analog and even super expensive digital systems consistently rave about the PBD's musicality. I've been talking to Colin about the Cinnamon Galle and he has offered to send one to audition. However, I wanted to wait until I was really  ready to purchase something. although if I really liked it, I'd probably find a way! (Recently got a new TREK Madone bicycle that cost the same as the Galle so need to let the dust settle on that purchase).

I don't know if you still have your Mojo, but do you have a sense of the differences in sound with the Galle? The Mojo Evo Pro is a very nice DAC and I am very happy with it. ,At this point I don't want to buy a DAC that is a stepping stone to top end and would rather wait a while to get something like the PBD. BUt if the Galle is a transformative change I would be very interested in moving forward with auditioning and possibly purchasing it. As others have said, Colin at Gestalt has an impeccable ability to select superbly musical components and reading your comments as well as others' here so I suspect that this is a very special component. 

@grannyring Thank you for your response re:Mojo EVO. I’ll definitely have to audition the Cinnamon.

I talked to Colin yesterday and he will be sending me a Cinnamon Galle DAC for audition.

I realize that this is a new product from a brand that is relatively unknown, so we'll see how their business develops and product awareness grows. Of course, resale is likely to be better on products for well-know products, but audio products are not the greatest financial investment and the main goal is exceptional sound. I haven't had a chance to listen to the Playback Designs DAC, which costs twice much as the Galle, but I have auditioned the Weiss Helios, which is also costs considerably more, as well as the Grimm 2, and I was impressed with their sound.  So I'll have some reference to compare the Gelle to a couple of more expensive and well known pieces (of course the Grimm is a streamer/DAC). 

One other place I have found useful discussion about the Galle is Whats Best Forum: (1) Munich HighEnd 2024 | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet! Here is a quote about the Galle that is interesting: 

I know Miguel quite well, he and the guys (Rui, Mesquita) at Ultimate Audio in Lisbon Portugal, he got me on my audiophile journey in earnest, and I will be forever grateful, he has a great ear, presently he carries Aqua, Wadax, Playback and Lampizator Dac's, so for him to say the Galle is a great Dac is indeed high praise, and it's good to see another Portuguese manufacturer join the Audiophile community....

Approximate translation from Portuguese :

It's no secret that I love Cinnamon Audio!
A very well kept secret of European Audio.
It comes from a country with little pedigree on the international audiophile scene but this brand is here to win abroad too!
My recommendation is no longer enough… It's simply the dac you need to listen to now!

Coming from him it's indeed "High Praise"......
 

 

@mclinnguy To be honest, I don't remember what they sounded like  re: soundstage on the floor. I only had them there for a few days until Colin came to set them up and we agreed that the Sons sounded better on the Sistrum stands and then I upgraded to the current LiveVibe Rhythm Junior stands. Soundstage height is great on those stands. And of course WVL is now offering their own stands for the SON speakers. 

@lalitk I finally have reached a point of truly high end sound, especially with the addition of sound treatments to the room. Although I could certainly be happy with my current set up, I am now curious to see what the Galle can add on top of that given what I’ve heard about the Galle from people I trust!

And yes the HIJIRI cables are wonderful. Colin really knows his stuff. 

@grannyring Glad to hear the Conica stands are working out for you. I have my SONs on LiveVibe Rhythm Junior stands and they sound great. I wonder how they compare to the Conicas.

I traded the Circle Labs amp/pre for the New Audio Frontiers 211 SE amp and Stradavari pre and they sound wonderful with the SONs.

I look forward to hearing more about your impressions of the new Galle. Saw a bunch of them ready for shipping on the Cinnamon Facebook page. Maybe yours is in that batch. How long have you had to wait for it?

@grannyring That is impressive that all are going to Gestalt. You must be very excited! Keep us informed.