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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 4 responses by aplhifi

aplhifi
515 posts
 
When it comes to separate Transport and DAC boxes, an external clock is beneficial as it syncs them all (frequency, not phase).

When it comes to stand alone unit like UX-1 and X-01 for example, external clock is of a little to no benefit. It will sure make the actual clocks in the player rock solid in terms of long term (and temperature dependant) frequency stability, but that's about it. This does not have any sonic impact as the long term frequency stability affects the playback speed only. Since the clocks are very high frequency, the usual long term frequency change results in speed fluctuation that can not be even measured with precise meters, not to talk about your ears.

External Clock will not improve the peak to peak (short term) jitter performance of the stand alone player internal Clock Generators (or transport and DAC internal clocks) which actually is the most important when it comes to clocking digital.

Regards,
Alex
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Exlibris, DAC6, DAC6e and DCC2 have absolutelly identical DAC sections using the top line DSD only DSD1700 DAC by Burr-Brown.

Regards,
Alex
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Guido, the Esoteric vision/objective was/is to design a digital transport in such a way that ALL the information possible is retrieved from the actual disc and I have to say that they have done an OUTSTANDING job!!!

While the top line Burr-Brown laser trimmed ladder DACs in the UX-1, X-01 and D-1 would give you very accurate and airy presentation, the top line AD1955 DACs by Analog Devices in the CHEAPER combo would provide more rounded and bottom heavy sound. This might be to the liking of some but not to everyone, especially those who own truly revealing systems which are not in the need of "smoothing out". The fact that Esoteric have decided to use the Burr-Brown in the top line and Analog Devices in the cheaper line is more than self explanatory. “Oh, but it sounds better”. Sure in that audio system to those ears.

In conclusion, Teac Esoteric VRDS-NEO is hands down the LEADER when it comes to a digital transport today. What is behind the VRDS-NEO in terms of electronics just suits different tastes.

Regards,
Alex
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Looking at the X-01 schematic diagram, it appears to be fully balanced design with 8 parallel/differential mode DACs per channel. These are 4 physical DAC chips but each of them has 2 paralleled DAC output sections inside. This equals total of 8 DACs per channel.

The fully differential Balanced output uses different Op Amps and is free of capacitor coupling - all DC coupled.

The Single Ended output uses a different phase summing Op Amp which is capacitor coupled on its output.

Knowing how the two configurations and different parts used will affect the sound, I have to say that there should be (and there is) a good difference between the SE and Balanced outs sound quality in favor to the Balanced.

Regards,
Alex
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