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DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend

Okay...in another thread I promised to do a side-by-side evaluation of the Audiobyte HydraVox/Zap vs the Rockna Wavelight. Due to the astonishing incompetence of DHL this has been delayed. At the moment, I have a plethora of DACs here and am going to do a broader comparison.

I am going to do a compare of the Rockna Wavelight, Rockna Wavedream Signature, Audiobyte HydraVox/Zap, Chord Hugo 2, Chord Hugo TT2, Bricasti M3, Bricasti M1 Special Edition, Weiss 501 and the internal DAC card for an AVM A 5.2 Integrated amp as a baseline.

For sake of consistency, I am going to use that same AVM integrated amp driving Vivid Kaya 45s. I may branch out and do some listening on other speakers (Verdant Nightshade of Blackthorn and/or Wilson Benesch Vertexes) but want to use the Vivids for every compare as they are the fullest range speakers I have here. For sake of consistency I will use a Chord 2Go/2Yu connected via an Audioquest Diamond USB as a renderer. The only exception is the Hugo 2 which has a 2Go directly attached to it. I will use a Roon Nucleus+ as a server in all cases.

My plan is to use the same five songs on every DAC; In a Sentimental Mood from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, Be Still My Beating Heart from Sting, Liberty from Anette Askvik, Duende from Bozzio Levin Stevens and Part 1 of Mozart String Quartet No 14 in G Major from the Alban Berg Quartet. The intent is to touch on different music types without going crazy.

I will take extensive notes on each listening session and write up a POV on the strengths of each unit. I am going to start this this Friday/Saturday and will be writing things up over the next month or so. If you have thoughts, comments or requests, I will be happy to try and accommodate. The one thing I am not going to do is make the list of songs longer as that has an exponential impact on this and make everything much harder. If and when other DACs come in on trade I may add to the list through time.
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Showing 4 responses by willgolf

willgolf
932 posts
 
This is a good shootout for those interested in DAC's at that price range although I wish the Op would include Lumin.  In my opinion, in that price range it will be hard to hear a discernible difference.  I had multiple Dac's in that range and until I got to the Lumin X-1, that is when I thought wow this is a great DAC. Now I have upped the ante with a Lampizator Pacific.  

I look forward to the shoot out!


willgolf
932 posts
 

I had the Lumin D-2, U-1 mini, A-2 and X-1.  I thought the X-1 was the best DAC I had heard under $18k.  I purchased a Lampizator Pacific and at first there was very little difference between the two.  Tube Rolling does come into play here.  I now have the Lampizator Horizon and will be going to an Aries Cerat Kassandra 2 Reference.  

willgolf
932 posts
 

@tsushima1 

Most interesting Will , I assume that you haven’t posted that consideration over on WBF where you would be burnt alive at the stake.

Are you referring to my observation that the Pacific was not that much better than the X-1 or the fact that I am going from the Lampi Horizon to an Aries Cerat Kassandra 2?   The funny thing is once I added the Lucas Audio LDMS music server to the Pacific and for that matter the Horizon my music took a major step in SQ.  Those comments were posted in WBF.  I do get your point though.....LOL.

willgolf
932 posts
 

@verdantaudio 

I have debated pre vs no pre for two years.  I got rid of my Pre when I got my Lampi Pacific and Horizon.  I could not hear any loss of sound quality.  That said, I did order the Aries Cerat Ianus Ageto Pre.  I can't tell you why except at 69 years of age, I basically said why not.  You only live once.  

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