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.
I just recently bought the Mystique X-24AM and am absolutely loving how it sounds in my system. I can't imagine it sounding any better... different with the NCZ yes, but better - I have no idea. I'd be interested in your thoughts on how they differ in sound, if you ever have the opportunity to compare them side by side. Best wishes, Don
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@no_regrets good to hear you are loving the X-24AM. If I am not mistaken, X-24AM and X SE are exactly the same DAC ? I agree with you that NCZ, though have a better quality choke, need not sound better in one's system. It's a matter of finding the right balance that suits one's taste I guess. However, I am not sure at this time if I would buy a new NCZ or have the X SE upgraded if that's possible. I would get in touch with Ben at some point to see if he could ship me a pair of NCZ chokes for me to upgrade if that's simple enough. |
@debjit_g If I understood your post you have a Musetec005 and a Mojo Audio X SE. If so I am excited to hear what you have to say about the comparison of those DAC's. |
NCZ refers to the Lundahl nano-crystalline chokes (NC) and AD-1862N-Z DAC chips, which were a special version of the AD-1862 chip used in higher end Denon CD players. I don’t believe the Z chips are available any longer. The NC chokes sound nice but IMO so did the amorphous (AM) chokes. The X-24 AM should be a very nice sounding DAC. |
Yes, you are correct. The X-SE is identical to the X-24AM. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the NC chokes are a better quality choke. They are simply made with different materials and cost more. Due to the different materials being used, they offer a different sonic flavor. Which one is better between the AM and the NC will depend on the rest of one's system/room acoustics, etc. Mitch is also correct. The last time that I had spoken with Benjamin regarding the Z-Chips... he was out of stock, so "upgrading" your existing dac is not an option. It seems that there may be a lot of Mystery behind the "Z-chips" I believe that both chips are basically the same chip, but that the "Z-chip" might have tighter tolerances. Whether those tighter tolerances of the Z-Chip alone can be heard in a reliable and consistently blind test method - I have no idea. I think hearing a sonic difference between the AM and NC chokes would be much more easily heard. Whether those sonic differences are a plus or a minus would depend on the rest of your system - the whole system synergy idea. I agree with Mitch that the X-SE; X- 24AM (both of which are the same), and the X-NCZ would all be excellent dacs. It's just a matter of getting the correct flavor of sound to gel with your system/room. Best wishes, Don |
