@veroguy - I am glad to hear you are enjoying your EVO. I am (sort of) an EVO owner....I just haven't received it yet. Did you previously own a v3? I would be curious to hear how the EVO improves on the v3 since I will be sending my v3 in to Benjamin as a trade-in, as soon as the EVO gets here - but that is weeks away yet.
To your questions, the 2021 version does indeed have new boards and a new chassis. I was able to purchase the 2021 B4B model with the new boards, but in the 2020 aluminum chassis, which allowed a bit of a savings. We did not have any discussion about different DAC chips so I do not know whether he is doing that or not. I do remember owning a Lector CDP-7TL with the PCM63 chip and I later purchased the newer 7TL that used the PCM1704. An audio industry insider purchased my older Lector with the PCM63 chip and told me in his opinion it would sound better than the newer PCM1704 version. I didn't understand his thinking at the time...Duh!
The new 2021 chassis is constructed from ferrous metal, which will provide better shielding on all sides from EMI. The current aluminum chassis may have better resonance characteristics, which is probably more important for my set-up.
I am curious how you are getting the signal to the DAC and which input you have found to sound the best. I have the ability to use either USB, S/PDIF-BNC, or AES/EBU and I am considering different network bridge options depending on which input sounds the best. Of course I will try them all myself but I am still curious what other owners are hearing. |
Thanks @veroguy and all for keeping up this thread and for providing the feedback about optimal connections. I am planning to use AES/EBU out of a Metrum Ambre Roon endpoint. I used I2S with my Metrum Adagio but AES/EBU sounded just as good. With the Mystique V3 I have here, USB sounds better than S/PDIF-RCA in my system but I know Benjamin has improved the inputs significantly in the EVO. I will also try USB with the EVO and will keep an open mind. I have heard the Adagio has a crappy USB implementation, which may explain why I didn't like it as much with that DAC.
I am glad the EtM reviewer liked the EVO 21 so much since the unit he reviewed was pretty much exactly what I have on order, i.e., a 2021 B4B inside of a 2020 chassis, including the Class A output stage, Lundahl chokes in the analog power supply, and ERS paper shielding. Benjamin is also providing the correct sized footer openings to accommodate my Stillpoints that are left over from another project. I really look forward to hearing it - if it is even 10-20 percent better than the V3 it will be very good indeed. |
Pretty much the same deal here as with @thaluza except I am not sure where I am in the queue. My Mystique v3 is also going in on trade but continues to impress until the EVO gets here.
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I had the Aqua La Scala (not Optologic) here for a couple of weeks and IMO once you reach a certain performance level, the equipment is mostly good, but there are sonic differences and trade-offs. There is no universally "best" DAC because like art, bourbon, and your choice of spouse, taste is personal. In my system, I enjoyed the La Scala, the Metrum Pavane and Adagio, and also my current Mojo Mystique v3. However, to my ears and preferences, the Mystique provides a sense of musicality and muscular dense tone that the other two just didn't have. |
@thaluza , congrats on receiving your EVO, and I am glad you like the sound. Keep sharing what you are hearing. I am still looking forward to seeing my unit get here. I understand they have had some parts delays. I hope the popping sound from your unit resolves. That would be unacceptable for gear at this level. I have never heard anything like that from my Mystic v3 so I hope you figure out it is something other than the DAC.
I have been looking at servers to update my Antipodes DX3 and Mojo’s Deja Vu EVO is for sure on my list but I am going to wait until my DAC gets here before I start down that road. |
The things I typically look at when judging value of this stuff include: - Is the sonic performance well-respected by both reviewers and owners
- Is the build quality substantial for the price being charged (i.e., quality parts, solid power supply, quality casing and connectors)
- Do I like how it sounds
- Does it meet my needs and desires for connectivity and appearance
- Does it compare favorably to similar-priced competitors
Of course I am not thrilled the price went up but, based on the build quality and sound of the Mystique v3 I have here, I believe the EVO B4B21 is still reasonably priced given its comparison to the above criteria. I am also not thrilled at what it may cost to upgrade/replace my server, which will apparently be at least as much as the cost of the EVO. |
I agree the streamer/server does make a difference. I have been thinking about upgrading an older but still very functional and good-sounding Antipodes DX3 server that I use to run Roon/Tidal and store/play a small/moderate sized CD collection. I am wondering how much better things can sound. Are any of you EVO DAC owners using Benjamin's Deja Vu EVO server? |
My Mystique EVO B4B 21 continues to sound very good here and what I consider incrementally better than the v3, although not a night and day change. To be clear, to my ears, the v3 and B4B 21 share a "house sound" that is organic, natural, fleshed-out, and robust, while the B4B 21 adds a bit of clarity, nuance, and realism, while maintaining the sound I enjoyed so much from the v3. Both make it fun to listen to a wide range of music.
BTW, are any of you using the EVO Media Server yet? |
Benjamin would be best person to answer your question, depending on your specific EVO. When I spoke with him about my EVO B4B unit, he replied that in his opinion, USB was pretty much as good as it gets or, at least as good as the other options. That made my decision easy, even though I am not in general a huge USB fan. |
@divertiti - I had to go back to some email to try and figure it out and the answer is, I believe so based on what I could find from Benjamin... Lundahl
amorphous core, Vishay Nude, Furutech S/PDIF signal path upgrade, On the other end, in my Deja Vu EVO Server, he gave me the really good JCAT XE OCXO USB Card so I really don't have a good reason to try anything but USB. Someday, I might do some listening comparisons but pretty happy with the sound through USB for now.
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For those of you with one of our 2019-2021 EVOs you will be able to get this S/PDIF upgrade by the spring of 2022. We’re also going to offer a PCM63 DAC chip upgrade. Hey Benjamin, if you want to hit it out of the park, make those upgrades user-installable! |
