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.
@mitch2 - Thanks again for your thoughtful reviews. As mentioned earlier in the thread, I found myself looking forward to each installment! While I’m very happy with my Merason Dac1 MKii for the moment, I’m intrigued by the Mojo dacs based on your review. Out of curiosity, have you had the opportunity to listen to any of the Lampizator Dacs as a point of reference? If so, any thoughts on how they compare to the Mojo and/or Merason dacs? |
A quick update to my HiFi Rose 150B / Mojo X ’24 post, above. After much back and froth [sp. intentional] with Benjamin and a fair bit of additional research on my part, it appears that the Rose’s manual at 3.5 Connection Between USB 3.0 Audio Output and External DAC is, what’s the word I’m looking for here -- oh, yes: whacked. As far as I can determine, the two USB 3.0 ports on the right side of the 150B’s back panel (which the Rose O.M. describes as the connection point for an external DAC) are actually inputs for things like external hard drives, thumb drives, and the like. To connect a 150B to the Mojo, go with an AES or RCA coax, and you should be fine. Getting a Windows-based laptop to play nice with the Mojo via USB is another story (figuring out which of JL’s drivers you need, DLing/installing, and other assorted techcromancy is required; sadly, this was beyond the limited training I received at Starfleet Academy). That said, Benjamin notes that Apple products are plug & play via USB, as are Lenovo devices. They have the necessary drivers baked in, whereas it appears Mr. Gates is fine with MP3s and some stock earbuds he found at the back of his desk drawer. YRMV, but I thought this might save a few folks some gnashing of teeth & rending of garments. |
@bluethinker, I'm very keen on doing a side-by-side comparo with the Mearason, and we should be getting one in the shop (Alma Music + Audio East, Sterling VA) in a few weeks. The MKii is the only other DAC I'd seriously considered, but went with the Mojo based on the content of this thread, extensive reading (thanks to the exhaustive reading list provided by @mitch2), and the fact that the Mojo X is currently on sale. From all I've read, they're first cousins, and both offer exceptional sound. |
@bluethinker - Years ago, I owned a LampizatOr DAC 4 and thought it sounded pretty good except the deal-breaker, to me, was that the soundstage seemed overblown or larger than reality, sort of like an image imprint on Silly Putty that had been stretched out. The larger than life soundstage seemed to be accompanied by a reduction in the visceral impact that I was used to with other DACs and with the CD player I had at the time. However, that was a long time ago and I would enjoy trying a Golden Atlantic, Big Seven, or even a Baltic, to hear how they have improved. I probably never went back to LampizatOr mostly to avoid having tubes again, especially since I have been happy with the sound I am getting from an all solid-state system that I can leave powered up all the time to accommodate my sometimes sporadic listening habits. |
@zmann007 This reviewer discovered a solution to a USB3.0 connectivity issue with a USBe Perfect. I don’t know if it would apply to the HiFi Rose or not. Ask Walter @Underwood HiFi. I don't have any USB connectivity issues but adding a USBe Perfect to my Auralic streamer offered a more refined SQ. |
