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
Am shopping for a CD Transport /DAC system after my Audiomeca Transport became a door stopper. And came to this site after a long hibernation.

I am now using an Oppo BDP 105 connected to the Audiomeca DAC but just do not have the mood to listen anymore.

So I have narrowed it down to a few.

Nagra launched the HD DAC but I have not auditioned it yet. Neither have I auditioned their CD players

MBL Reference 16's is wow with their complete MBL setup, but I've heard from sources that it may not match well in other non MBL systems.

EMMLabs - very clinical, I hear voice, cymbals, drums, guitars but I did not hear the music.

Esoteric - not auditioned
Boulder - not available
Accuphase - no audition
MSB - not set up.

Most other vendors have crap set up for such high end products that they represent - it's a shame.
Hi Highfidelitea, what is your budget for transport? Budget for DAC? Are you looking for new or used?
Hi Guidocorona,
Because transport is mechanical in nature, I'd prefer to buy new. I am typically a non tweak person, so I'd prefer a system that I can hook up and just put the disc on the spindle and press play and beautiful music emanates into the room. I'm prepared to spend below 40K in a Transport/DAC.
My system is 3 Brystons Amps 14B, Brystons Pre BP26 and PMC XB2/MBD's speakers.

I'm also looking at a playback system that is well built with little need for repairs and service, an example of it was the Accuphase 80/81L, which I sold (big mistake?) and replaced it with Audiomeca's Transport/DAC that I had problems with in terms of quality, and now carrys no support whatsoever..
Check out the AMR DP 777, I've been blissfully happy with mine going on 4 years now :) before that I had the Octave Metrum with the Sonicweld Diverter 2 before that the MSB Power Dac and the Meitner Super Bidat and the Dynavox Dynastation 2. I've had the Ayon CD5 S in home for an extended period of time. I will honestly tell you that my AMR bests all of them and not by small amount. If the software is good it amazes close it can get to my analog rig. Listening to it as I type this :)

Whatever you get I hope you enjoy it.
fascinating read - to get such a long perspective on digital evolution.

i bought my first "great" cd player in... 1990? it was a denon 1290 (and not my first CD player). honestly, i got hands down better sound than i got from available (halfway affordable) turntables at the time, and i switched to buying CDs. i still own my vinyls though (but have digitized most of them, turntable is in storage).

in 1999 or so, i went upscale and got an Accuphase DP-65v. ah. *much* better. nirvana for so many years. even as i switched to listening to computer-stored FLACs i used the Accuphase for many years as a DAC, never having it play a CD again for years.

but it was big and unwieldly. so i finally in late 2013 replaced it with Benchmark DAC2-HGC. an *awesome* piece of gear.

here is my philosophy: i want my source to be as brutally accurate as possible. the sharper the better.

that way i can use the backend of the chain (amp and speaker) to tailor the sound to shifting preferences if needed.

the DAC2 is awesome. i am currently listening to Maalouf's awesomely recorded "wind" and there is *no* harshness there, just transparent musicality dripping out of the system.

i LOVE digital done right.