2. digital
  3. 1126769860

Reference DACS: An overall perspective

There has been many threads the last few months regarding the sonic signature of some of the highest regarded reference DACS (Dcs,Meitner,Ensemble,Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts) here on the GON. I have been very fortunate to audtion many of these wonderful pieces in my home or friend's systems. I wanted to share, in a systematic way, my impressions/opinions with you GON members for a two reasons: 1)That my experiences might be helpful to fellow members interested in audtioning these DACS. 2)Starting an interesting discussion regarding the different "sonic flavors" of these reference digital front ends. I totally agree with the statement, "if you have not heard it you don't have an opinion". Therefore, I have no comments regarding DACS from Weiss,Goldmund,Audio Aero and Burmester because I have never had the pleasure of audtioning them. I would love to hear from members who have and share their experiences with us. My overall impression is that these DACS(Dcs,Meitner,Ensemble,Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts) can be grouped into two molar categories regarding their overall sonic signature. By the way, all of them can throw a large/deep soundstage with excellent layering in the acoustic space with "air" around individual players on that stage. However, than they start to part company into two major categories. Category #1) These DACS "flavors" revolve around pristine clarity, fine sharp details,speed,very extended top/bottom frequencies,and great PRAT. These DACS never sound "etched" or "in your face" but are more "upfront" then "layed back" in their presentation. The DACS, to my ear's, that go into this bracket are Dcs,Ensemble,Meitner. My personnal favorite in this group is the Ensemble, which I owned for two years. These DACS remind me of the sonic signature of speakers such as Wilson,Thiel,Dynaudio, Focal/JM Labs. Category #2) These DACS "flavors" revolve around a "musical/organic" sense, natural timbres,and an easy flowing liquidity. Their "less forward" presentation my give the impression of less detail, but I think in this case its an illusion fostered by their more relaxed/organic manner. The DACS, to my ear's, that go into this bracket are Audio Note,Zanden,Reimyo,Accustic Arts. I did find that the tube DACS did not have the top/bottom frequency extenstion and PRAT of the SS DACS in this bracket. For me, the Accustic Arts DAC1-MK3 gave me the best of both categories, therefore it is now the resident DAC in my system. These DACS remind me of the sonic signature of speakers such as Magnepan,Von Schweikert,Sonus Faber. Well, it's all just my opinion regarding these digital pieces, but I hope this post was at least informative/somewhat interesting and would lend itself to other GON members sharing their impressions, not about what DAC is the "BEST" in the world, but your personnal taste and synergy with your system.
teajay

Showing 8 responses by branimir

branimir
236 posts
 
Article that Elberoth2 mentioned by Arthur Salvatore is pure crap IMO. One of the "reviewers" were Isreal Blume... Go to audioasylum and read current not very nice debate about that article...

Apparently Ken Kessler, some respected members and I are deaf since we all think that ARC REF CD7 is warm sounding player...
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay,

I am currently enjoying AA Tube-DAC II/Drive I Mk2 combo. Still, it is IMHO bettered in several sound aspects by my current digital reference Esoteric D-03/P-03U/G-0Rb combo.

In short Esoteric is better at bass depth, speed and articulation. Midrange on AA combo is more creamy but, I like more natural Esoteric presentation more(Piano for example sound faster and more real on Esoteric). AA highs are nicelly extended and sweet, no fatigue at all. Soundstage depth is not as good as on Esoteric. Here I have to say that both Esoteric and AA combos are world class here(for digital playback).

All in all IMHO AA combo although very, very good is not in the same class as Esoteric combo. But, to clarify my opinion AA combo is IMO better then ARC REF CD7 for example(in fact clearly better!) and it replaced ARC in my systems.

Since I am in process of changing speakers and electronics I need to reevaluate them after I put up my systems(in mid Februar)...
branimir
236 posts
 
Henry,

Esoteric D-05 is excellent DAC but, you will get most of its capabilities only with matching P-05 CD/SACD transport.

My advice is to look at Accustic Arts DAC I Mk4($7K) since TUBE-DAC II($10.5K) could be marginally outside you target price range.
I think that AA DAC I Mk4 is better then Chord DAC64. But, that is my personal opinion...
branimir
236 posts
 
Teajay,
I am not in tube-rolling... AA Tube-DAC II was designed with Chinese tubes.
I compare AA combo against ARC REF CD7 pretty extensivly and IMHO AA combo is better. BUT, in most areas it is marginally better(Ok, you can hear the difference. Just IMO it is very small for average audiophile). AA use much bigger digital processing power then ARC but, IMO ARC analogue stage is better and more elaborate then the one in AA.
Also beside my Esoteric D-03/P-03U/G-0Rb combo I had on hand Esoteric D-05/P-05/G-03X, Weiss Medea/Jason combos and Esoteric X-01 D2 player.
AA combo did not better either of Esoterics! I would personally choose Esoteric D-05/P-05/G-03X or X-01 D2 over AA combo as a single digital playback in MY system.
Weiss combo was bettered by AA combo. Here margin in some areas(midrange articulation or soundstage size, specially depth) was big.
Problem is that AA, although very, very good is NOT SOTA in current digital playback.
When I compare AA to Esoterics I invited two other person to get their respective opinions. One is true audiophile(and AA Player I Mk2 owner...), other is Classical Music Piano player. All three of us agreed that AA combo is adding something artificial to the music, specially to single acoustic instruments... Piano for example had some syrupy quality that it do not have in real life(or on Esoteric). To cutt the point-Esoteric sounded closer to real sound with Classical music. That "thing" that AA combo is adding(source-tubes?)is in fact very, very pleasing stuff. I like that way AA combo sound and it is much more #2 sound then #1 sound.
If any of you seek slightly warmer sound then typical #1 combo or player then simply go for AA Tube-DAC II! It is the best #2 sounding combo that I heard(if memory serves me well it is better then all mighty Metronome combo based on Kallisa!). Just one problem-AA sound signature is not fully my cup of tea. I will keep it anyway. Just as a warning to all future owners(potential as well) of AA Tube-DAC II, if your system(specially speakers) is already on the warm side of the spectrum look elsewhere... AA combo is fully, organic sounding stuff as Teajay described it in his review, I would just add that you got the impression how Teajay's system is sounding via his AA reviews.
BTW, Teajay-you really did a great job with your AA Tube-DAC II review!
branimir
236 posts
 
Ben,
First about violin, Itzhak Perlman Stradivari sounded much more clear and alive via Esoteri D-03/P-03U/G-0Rb combo then via AA combo. There were also more details apparent like Mr.Perlman hand moves and his breathing while performing. Since I heard Stefan Milenkovic live playing one of the Stradivari's I know what I am talking about. Wood, body but, also nice string clearance is IMHO key to good violin perfomance-Esoteric combo is hear closer to real music then AA combo.
Human voices:Male-Andrea Bocelli for example sounded less chesty with more articulation and power on Esoteric then on AA, Female-Sarah Brightman sounded also way more powerfull and real on Esoteric with NO "Whiskey" like signature in her voice(that signature is apparent on AA but, I know her voice very well-it is a fake signature made by AA).
Cello is fuller but, way more clear on Esoteric then on AA.

All in all Esoteric produce classical music and voices closer to real music then AA. Live performace of classical music is(when really good) in my personal experience never syrupy or slow, in fact it is always very dramatic and entertaining!
branimir
236 posts
 
Kops,

Yes, I used Varidig Sextet. I tried something else(cables) and got similar results.
Esoteric D-05/P-05/G-03X combo is marginally better to my ears then single X-01 D2. But, there is a difference in price as well.

Dev,

My P-03U is normally noisy... I heard one P-03 at show that was more noisy then my P-03. BTW, IMHO build quality of Esoteric gear is at much bigger level then AA for example.
My new speakers will be in my house in mid February so, you can expect my review here in late March...
branimir
236 posts
 
I audition it and honestly do not know what all fuss is all about. Some reviewers may like it but, appart from clean and powerfull sound it is nothing special. It sound just too 2 dimensional for my taste. In fact I do not like Naim sound at all. BTW, Naim is single-ended and your ARC gear will not sound very best(specially REF3) in SE mode.
branimir
236 posts
 
I asume that you audition Naim 555 with single ended connection and Accuphase DP-78 via balanced connection(BTW, ARC use PIN2+ and Accuphase PIN3+). Just to tell you DP-78 is not even in top ten digital playback systems that I audition, same thing about Naim 555 despite its price tag.

Accustic Arts combo is a must for you to audition as well as Esoteric X-01 D2.
More to discover