2. digital
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DACs and bass response?

I'm auditioning dacs in my system. One (COS) was way to analytical, overall, but had very tight bass. Another (Aqua La Voce) is what some would describe as "musical"  and sounds  terrific in all aspects except bass. My cdp alone does better in that regard. I have monitors and no subs. Can I expect that dacs that are hyper-detailed will also offer tighter bass as a rule?
stuartk

Showing 2 responses by worldwidewholesales

worldwidewholesales
137 posts
 
After trying over 70 different digital front ends including Total Dac/Total dac server combo, which were stunning, I now believe the source is more important than the actual dac. Two years ago when I was trying dac after dac, I would have said the dac had the most effect on my system but after playing with several different servers, including most of the top servers on the market, I now believe, in my system the server has more of an effect than the dac. I have also tested all Aqua dacs and both COS dacs. Now that I have a great server, great CAT 7 cables and a great USB cable, I can truly hear the differences between dacs.

 

Cheers and just my opinion.


worldwidewholesales
137 posts
 
Hi,

The servers we have tested include all the Lumin servers, 2 Antipodes server, DS and DX, 3 Aurender servers but not the top Aurender, Total dac server (very nice but only when using the matching Total dac) and several units like Cocktail and Auralic. Our favorite servers we have tested are the Sonore products. My reference server is the Sonore Signature Rendu SE model but even the smaller ultraRendu with an aftermarket linear power supply tested above many of the more expensive servers that we tested.

 

When we did our testing we did it on several higher end, very sensitive systems. We were testing for a lower noise floor, better soundstage, better harmonics and less digital glare. The Sonore products just produced a more natural music flow and sounded much more analogue than the other servers.

 

The other factor that really effects the sound of the server is the quality of the CAT 7 cable that you use and the quality of the USB cable that you use. Inakustik USB Reference cable and the Inakustik Reference CAT 7 cables are our reference cables. We have blind tested slightly over 400 different cable models over many years of testing cables.

 

Just a quick note; we are the Canadian and North American distributor for some of these products but we never take on new lines unless they beat our previous reference lines.

 

Cheers and enjoy your holidays.
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