Was wondering the same thing. I have no idea how it sounds other than few reviews. From what i have heard nothing really sticks out and ever so slightly a touch warm. I would say competes with Aurlic Vega. I like to hear from some real owners. |
I use Wadia myself but I do find them to be musically involving. Similar brands you may want to consider are Ayre, Aesthetic and Resolution Audio. I would consider them to be Wadia alternatives. |
Probably Chord 2Qute or Schitt Yggsdrasil. |
Several reviews of the Exogal have been published. Should turn up in a search.
Sounds like $500 optional power supply is necessary for optimal results. |
The Exogal Comet is one of the most musical dacs I have owned. Very enjoyable and the Bluetooth app. for volume works excellant. My dac search is over. |
Anyone using the Exogal Comet, I strongly urge you to maximize the software used for playback of PCM files. In my review of the Comet at Dagogo.com I point out that using HQPlayer Software I am able to take a signal from a modest stock Mac Mini and via HQPlayer up convert it to 32bit/6.1MHz. The Comet LOVES this up conversion, and so will your ears!
Remember, all cables are critical, and yes, the power cords and USB cables as well. |
Doug,
Can you explain what the HQPlayer Software is and how it works for the Exogal. |
Thankful, it is an up sampling audio player which is highly configurable. For lack of better terms it lays over the top of iTunes and uses the library of files, but up converts the file to be played according to the setup specifications. See the Signalyst.com website, the maker of HQPlayer. I had a guy who builds audiophile servers visit my home. He offered to set up my Mac Mini with HQPlayer, and an hour later we were listening to my Mac Mini with HQPlayer. It may not be a pretty interface, but wow does it vitalize PCM files.
He also told me about Splashtop, a $5 app for Mac that we installed onto my iPad. Now I control the entire Mac with the iPad. I open up Splashtop, then open HQPlayer and boom, it's off and running! I also can run Sonos via the Splashtop software. Intoxicating control and convenience.
I think I've taken Sonos about as far as it can go. I think a trial of Tidal is next.
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Exogal DAC owners, what power cord are you using on the upgraded power supply? Any recommendations?
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Thankful, I demonstrate and recommend the Clarity Cable Vortex power cord with the Exogal Comet Plus along with the Aurender N100H server.
Dealer disclosure.
Brian Walsh |
Thanks Brian. Currently using the stock cord so I know there is room for improvement.
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I have both the Wadia Intuition 01 bought when it first came out and the Comet/Ion which I just recently acquired the Ion and have had the Comet for about a year. As much as I've enjoyed the Intuition I would trade it in for another Comet/Ion in a heartbeat! I have yet to do a side by side comparison BUT the Comet/Ion just makes the music come alive with feeling that grabs you such that you want to hear more and more and like a drug you can' t seem to get enough. And afterwards nothing else I hear can hold a candle to it. I recommend a test drive but the price/performance will be difficult to pass up. Exogal doesn't really promote use of PLCs or PCs which is bonus if your on a budget but I use RSA PLCs & CH Acoustic cables exclusively with both of these PowerDACs. When I do a side by side sometime soon I will provide my input but that being said the dagogo review is truly spot on Exogal may just be a game changer and start a paradigm shift from Analog to Digital. I can't wait to see what these guys come up with next because they have already literally rocked my world. |
A follow up to the above discussion with poster named thankful; I migrated away from the Mac Mini and the use of HQ Player with it. This is still a great option for those who cannot afford a proper server. I am now using the Salk StreamPlayer Gen III following its own review, which has no need of enhancement software such as HQ Player.
Geekster, glad you liked the review; I think traction on discussion will pick up substantially as more people try the pairing of Comet and Ion. I don't typically do a sales job on friends, but an audio buddy who followed me voluntarily with the Comet as he heard it in various systems I called and told simply, "Buy the Ion." He did and is ecstatic. Exogal does not recommend use of USB enhancement devices, etc. as they are moot; the Comet makes an entirely new signal anyway.
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Thankful, Oh, goodness, my friend, GET going on an aftermarket power cord! You will gain so much more performance, and this is also true of the Ion PowerDAC.
I have made many systems, both review and personal, with the Clarity Cables and they continue to find favor. I also very much enjoy their USB cable. |
I have mine on the marketplace right now, because I have the same preference in sound as you do.
The Comet doesn't have the treble energy I'd like and falls to the warmer more saturated side of the spectrum without sacrifcing micro-detail by going too thick. It's smoother and has less fast attack than my older NOS dac(save for the bass where the NOS becomes flabby.) The man I bought it from said "Think Vega but better, maybe more color."
Technically it's solid, the only other DAC in the price range I've heard was a Quest yle and it's dryer than that, far more detailed. But as I say above its far enough from my preferences that performance ceases to matter, I prefer a more top-down kind of sound. |
redfuneral, did you do comparison of cables? You can change the character of any DAC quite a bit by using alternative cables. For instance, I have three USB cables which change the character of the system dramatically, and placement of different power cords alters the sound for either top or bottom end enhancement.
It sounds like you like the Comet, but wish there was more upper end energy. That is relatively easy to come by with cable changes, and I think you would avoid shrillness, or stridency, in the process.
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