The Directstream Dac in my system was no better than my current Fostex HP-A8C. The only real difference was that it’s presentation was slightly more rear-hall. Great if that’s your taste but less presence and immediacy in vocals. The noise floor seemed higher in the Directstream as well. I could hear more ambience with the Fostex. The Directstream was a touch softer and more rounded, but I can’t call that an improvement because it’s taste dependent.
The Aqua was just reviewed slightly poorly in Stereophile. If you haven’t heard an R2R and NOS Dac before, be sure to audition. Their sound isn’t for everyone (one man’s “dull” is another man’s “natural”). I believe the balanced outputs were riddled with distortion due to poor design.
The Aqua was just reviewed slightly poorly in Stereophile. If you haven’t heard an R2R and NOS Dac before, be sure to audition. Their sound isn’t for everyone (one man’s “dull” is another man’s “natural”). I believe the balanced outputs were riddled with distortion due to poor design.