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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 2 responses by larryi

larryi
4,188 posts
 
I've heard the EMM and Esoteric in a familiar system (but not at the same time) compared to a system with the Audionote DAC-5 signature DAC (sorry can't recall the transport). On strictly redbook material, the Audionote was distinctly more musical and "whole" (harmonically rich and integrated) without being sluggish. I find both the EMM and Esoteric, by comparison, a touch more analytical. But, they are both terrific, probably less prone to requiring maintenance, play high definition formats, etc., so they can be easily considered superior if those things matter more.

I own a NAIM CD555. This is a terrific, very musical and complete player. It actually does NOT have the typical NAIM sound, to me anyway. In one sense, it has less of what some call PRAT and sounds less dynamic. What it lacks is that artificial edge to the the attack of each note that becomes annoying by its omnipresence. I think this is what gives some NAIM gear its "Pace and Rhythm." The soundfield with this player is expansive, yet not everything sounds solid and grounded and not diffused. By the way, a CDS3 comes pretty close at a lot less money.

Which would I prefer, the CD555 or an Audionote DAC-5/transport combination? I don't know because I never made a head-to-head comparison in my own system. For practical reasons (space in the rack and cost) the NAIM won out.
larryi
4,188 posts
 
Sunandmusic,

I got to participate in a blind shootout between a 3.1, 4.1 and a 5 Special.  I have also heard the DAC-5 Signature in a friend's system.   These are all very musical sounding devices.  In the shootout, I thought the 4.1 was really the sweetspot.  It was considerably better than the 3.1, and only slightly less resolving and detailed than the 5 Special (at significantly lower price).  The shootout came about when a customer brought into the dealership a 4.1 he owned to compare with the 5 Special, and perhaps, to trade in the 4.1 to get the 5.  Another customer, who happened to be in the store at that time, ran home to get his 3.1 for the shootout, because there was the possibility of trading it in for the 4.1 if the owner of the 4.1 traded up.  As it turned out, both customers ended up executing the three-way trade.  

I have only heard a direct comparison between the DAC 5 Special and one other DAC.  That other DAC is something made by an Italian builder of tube gear (phono, preamps, linestages, DACs, crossovers and field coil power supplies) named Aldo D'Urso.  I thought Aldo's DAC, which is much cheaper than the DAC 5, sounded better in most, but not all respects.  The Aldo DAC was actually better than the DAC 5 in midrange texture and sounded more harmonically dense (more saturated sound), but, the DAC 5 was a bit more open and airy on the top end.  Overall, I would take the Aldo DAC, but, the comparison was pretty close.  If you are at all interested in the DAC 5 or the Aldo DAC, you can contact Deja Vu Audio (dejavu-audio.com) and speak to the proprietor, Vu Hoang (he sells both).

I admit that I have not tried to keep up with the latest developments in the DAC/digital front.  If it is like any other component type, I would not expect there to have been much in the way of real improvements for some time now.  The big changes have been more a matter of convenience.  I DO like very much the convenience of making music selections from a server (Naim NDS).
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