Branimir -> you must be the only person on AgoN using the Weiss combo.
Is it #1 or #2 flavor ?
Is it #1 or #2 flavor ?
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.
Showing 14 responses by elberoth2
Exlibris -> is EMM still plagued with problems ? When I got a chance to evaluate it, there were sudden bursts of static noise which you could hear from time to time in the speakers. Also display on the CDSD have had mind of his own from time to time. Other users reported those problems too. I was wondering, if EMM managed to iron them out since that time ? |
Glad to hear that. I think I will have to investigate the EMM combo once again then. BTW - I'm surprised that you have found the ST Galss connection to outperform the AES/EBU one. Many ppl (me including) have found otherwise, as you can read in EMM Lab DCC2 & CDSD Better connection? thread. |
I have had the EMM combo on loan the whole past week. IMO there is not really much I could add over what other ppl have already written about EMM sound, but I just wanted to say, that this time, I have had ZERO problems with CDSD. No static noise, no display problems, no disc reading problems. Nothing. It seems that the problems have been solved by EMM with a transport replacement. Hope to get the Audio Aero SACD prestige next week. |
I'm a bit surprised that noone mentioned the MBL stuff. I recently tried their new integrated CDP - the 1531 - and I'm very, very impressed. So much in fact, that I have pulled the trigger and ordered one for myself. I have been looking for a new player for some time now. After selling my AA Capitole mk II SE I have tried several different players from all price points, including - among other things - the whole Audio Aero line (wanted to stay brand loyal at first, so I tried the new Capitole Reference, Capitole Reference SE and SACD Prestige) and also the non signature EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 combo. None of them impressed me so much as the MBL. It came as a surprise, since I have never really cared for any german Hi-Fi. The first time I switched it on, I was floored. It was by far THE most natural sounding player of the lot, with HUGE soundstaging and very good resolution. But among other things, this player presented music in a very unprocessed, free flowing way, as If it had a non-os dac hidden inside. The music was just ... real. True - it gave up a bit in resolution department and HF air comparing to EMM Labs gear for example, but it had better stage depth, more solid bass, and oh so much more belivable midrange that it was a no brainer for me. And best of all - it only costs $9000. That is right - just NINE grand. I cannot imagine how their more expensive combinations (1511/1521 and 1611/1621) must sound. |
There is some interesting reading on Arthur Salvatore site reagrding Reimyo CDT-777 and DAP777, Ayre CX 5E, AMR 77, Oracle CD 2500 MK II, Accuphase SACD/CD DP77, ARC REF CD 7 and APL Denon 3910 players: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html#Oct I'm surprised that (amog other things) ARC CD-7 review mentioned "a slight leaning out of the harmonics in the upper midrange accompanied by a slight tendency towards stridency in this range" since this player was described as Flavor 2 in this thread. |
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. I have to disagree with you. To my ears, CD555 doesn't sound like a typical Naim at all ! Simply put, the $32k Naim CD555 is the best RBCD player I have tried so far. However, the difference between the 555, and Accuphase DP-78 in RBCD mode (which is another excellent player, BTW) although noticable, was not huge by any means. I was expecting to be (literally) blown away, but what I got instead was a bit better bass, better PRAT, slightly wider soundstage with better defined outer edges. Nothing really major. I have to say though, that the player is VERY complete sounding. With all other players, there were things that I did like and which I could identify almost instantly (Accuphase may be a bit too smooth and safe sounding at times, EMM has problems with bass and PRAT), things that in a long term may eventually lead to the lack musical satisfaction. The 555 was different. It doesn't have the obvius "flaws" or sonic traits. It is just ... complete. Having said that, I have problems with persuading myself that the player is actually worth that much of money. The price premium over the Accuphase DP-78 (which costs ~ 1/3 of 555) is hard to justify, unless you are you have money to burn or are looking for the best of the best, irrespective of cost. It is also worth mentioning, that I have not have a chance to try some of the very best players discussed in this thread (Esoteric and AA stuff), so my comments are based on my expirience with EMM Labs DCC2 se / CDSD se and Accuphase DP-78. |
I auditioned the DP-78 via a balanced pair of 1,5m AQ Sky XLR ICs. The Naim 555 was auditioned via its unbalanced outputs (there are no balanced outs) using 1,5m AQ Sky RCA ICs. I know about the different pin assigment on the Accuphase gear, so I used the INVERT mode in Ref-3 to re-invert the phase. I'm not claiming that DP-78 belongs to the top ten, but EMM DCC2/CDSD combo, at least for some ppl, certainly does (build quality aside). And since the EMM is so popular among AgoN users, I just thought that they may find this comparo useful. But as I said - I haven't heard the higher end Esoteric or AA stuff. So it is perfectly possible, that Esoteric and AA are simply better performing products than both EMM and Naim CD555. |
sunandmusic, I had owned the MSB Diamond DAC IV Plus and had the TotalDAC D1 Dual on loan. If you are after AN kind of sound, I would definately look into the TotalDAC. The MSB is much more resolving, but less saturated in the midrange. At the time I prefered the MSB for its overall transparency, but a fellow forum member from New Zeland that visited me at the time, much preferred the TotalDAC. Since then I have sold the MSB and moved over to Lampizator Big 7, and now Golden Gate. Their sound signature is similar to the TotalDAC, but to my ears thay are even more real and palpable sounding. |