Hello everybody,
I have recently received many E-mails regrading my post on my impressions of the new battery powered version of the Concert Fidelity DAC-040. There seems to be either a misunderstanding or a distortion of my position by these readers of what I wrote. So, let me be as clear as possible:
1) The upgrade of the battery power supply took the CF DAC-040, that I believe is one of the finest if not the most musical redbook DAC on the market today, to even a higher level of performance. The major changes were in the areas of transparency, decay trails, even more liquidity and an ease to the overall sonic perspective, slightly more air and extension on top and finally a touch more refinement in the layering of the sound stage and the position of players on the stage.
2) Yes, the above stated are real improvements, however these are refinements of what the CF DAC-040 already offered at a very high level, so it's an evolution of this piece, not a revolution. However, this seems to have been misinterpreted by some folks that the battery powered power supply upgrade was not a step up in performance of the DAC when I clearly stated that it was. Remember, when you start at the reference level of performance that the CF DAC-040 offered already the changes are subtle not whole sale differences, because if they were that would imply something was quite left out or was wrong to begin with in the piece.
3) Mr. Tsuda will never make a change in his pieces unless he believes/hears that it leads to a higher degree of refinement and musicality. Unlike other companies that come out with a new generation very quickly because they did not take the time to get it right the first time when they released their product or it is time to promote their "latest and greatest" for marketing proposes, Concert Fidelity and Mr. Tsuda over time keeps working on refinement and the evolution of the performance of his gear. So, when he comes out with an upgrade to his pieces they really do offer a qualitative improvement.
Well, I hope the above stated comments clear up any misunderstandings of my original statements regarding the new version of the CF DAC-040. My system with the non battery powered version of this DAC still provides me with a wonderful musical experience every day. However, as soon as it's in my budget, I will be purchasing the new battery powered version to get the refinements it has to offer to me in my system.
I have recently received many E-mails regrading my post on my impressions of the new battery powered version of the Concert Fidelity DAC-040. There seems to be either a misunderstanding or a distortion of my position by these readers of what I wrote. So, let me be as clear as possible:
1) The upgrade of the battery power supply took the CF DAC-040, that I believe is one of the finest if not the most musical redbook DAC on the market today, to even a higher level of performance. The major changes were in the areas of transparency, decay trails, even more liquidity and an ease to the overall sonic perspective, slightly more air and extension on top and finally a touch more refinement in the layering of the sound stage and the position of players on the stage.
2) Yes, the above stated are real improvements, however these are refinements of what the CF DAC-040 already offered at a very high level, so it's an evolution of this piece, not a revolution. However, this seems to have been misinterpreted by some folks that the battery powered power supply upgrade was not a step up in performance of the DAC when I clearly stated that it was. Remember, when you start at the reference level of performance that the CF DAC-040 offered already the changes are subtle not whole sale differences, because if they were that would imply something was quite left out or was wrong to begin with in the piece.
3) Mr. Tsuda will never make a change in his pieces unless he believes/hears that it leads to a higher degree of refinement and musicality. Unlike other companies that come out with a new generation very quickly because they did not take the time to get it right the first time when they released their product or it is time to promote their "latest and greatest" for marketing proposes, Concert Fidelity and Mr. Tsuda over time keeps working on refinement and the evolution of the performance of his gear. So, when he comes out with an upgrade to his pieces they really do offer a qualitative improvement.
Well, I hope the above stated comments clear up any misunderstandings of my original statements regarding the new version of the CF DAC-040. My system with the non battery powered version of this DAC still provides me with a wonderful musical experience every day. However, as soon as it's in my budget, I will be purchasing the new battery powered version to get the refinements it has to offer to me in my system.