@stuartk FYI, I'm still working with this site to fix my messaging issues. I haven't forgotten about you 
Sorry for the interruption... Now back to your regular programming,
Best wishes,
Don
Six DAC Comparison
I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.
Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.
Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.
My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.
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Michael Lavorgna just came out with his additional review of the Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC - Part 2 Tube Rolling. Fairly short and succent (generally a good thing), he tried five different tubes, in addition to the original tubes supplied by the manufacturer, and determined he liked three of the tube pairs better than the others, with his favorite being a pair of NOS Tung-Sol JAN-12SN7GT – Round Black Plate, Oval Mica tubes. He found that the Tung-Sol tubes,
Lavorgna contrasted his favorites with the original GE’s that came with the Aero, about which he said,
Interestingly, LTA offers two levels of Ray Tubes 6SN7s, Select and Reserve, for purchase separate from the DAC. Lavorgna ended with,
I find it nice that he took the additional time to share how changing tubes can change the sound of the LTA Aero DAC. It gives the current and future owners of that DAC something to think about.
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stuartk, Allow me to help you develop appreciation for classical music. You have great potential to enter this fabulous world, since you already appreciate its abundance of melodic and harmonic content. I'll cure you of boredom with a short 4 min example. It is the solo piano piece, Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor, performed by one of today's top pianists, Valentina Lisitsa. Peter McGrath made a wonderful CD of her playing, titled "Virtuosa Valentina." https://youtu.be/4QB7ugJnHgs?si=qWP6Dfx-c8DX9kSN This popular piano showpiece has everything--gorgeous melody, harmony, exciting rhythm, subtle and large dynamic contrasts. The rhythm is flexible and varied to suit the changing moods. Listen particularly from 1:15 to 2:20 where she melts into a lovely melody as a respite from the strong rhythms that precede it. Note her delicate touch combined with dynamic strength in the loud passages. On youtube, listen to other performances of this piece. There is room for many interpretations according to the style and personality of each performer. For more common classical music, The familiar opening movement of Beethoven's 5th symphony illustrates the architectural complexity of the basic kernel of 4 notes everyone knows--dadada-dum. It is repeated hundreds of times by various instruments in combination at all dynamic levels and in different keys. There is an amusing recording by the famous musicologist dubbed PDQ Bach aka Peter Schikelle about this movement. PDQ plays the role of an announcer at a football game to show how the ball is repeatedly tossed around and fumbled. It is like a football game in 6 min. Beethoven was history's greatest master of building towering musical structures out of the barest essentials of notes and rhythm. It takes an education to fully appreciate anything in life. Classical music was my first language through exposure from the radio. I spoke my first words of English at age 3, but by then already knew lots of classical music. I started playing the violin at age 9, and continue to improve over 60 years later. Playing the violin in orchestras and chamber pieces has further increased my appreciation. Right now, I am bored with watching football, simply because I never took the time to learn and understand the game. Everything is an acquired taste. I hope you further discover classical music. |
stuartk, Good background. I don't know where you live, but for decades in NY, radio station WQXR has had the classical countdown before New Years Day, starting about 1 week before, from about 8 AM to midnight. It was the top 100, but then it became the top 105 when the NY Times owner dropped WQXR, and it went public on 105.9 FM. You can now listen online. No. 1 is always Beethoven's Ninth. No 2 is either Beethoven's Fifth or Dvorak's New World Symphony. This is an excellent way to re-introduce you to the great classics. Lately, the list has included smaller scale chamber music. Small scale chamber music is my favorite, because there is only 1 player on a part compared to orchestra where there are as many as 16 players on 1st violin, 14 players on 2nd violin. I dislike the chorus effect of many players on a part, which creates sonic smear. You can appreciate more nuances if there is only 1 player on a part. Of course, there is less loudness, but in return you get more subtle varied dynamics and of course more overall detail. Enjoy. |
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