2. digital
  3. 1126769860

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
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Hi Rokka,

I had the AA DAC-1MK3 and wrote a review of it here on the GON. It was quite good, however, it is not as musical and as natural sounding as the AA Tube Hybrid reference DAC that still is my reference in my system.
unsound
7,315 posts
 
Muralman1, "Every time the signal is switched, filtered, made to jump hoops, the more the signal looses bits and pieces." Very interesting comment comming from you, after you have so frequently posted so many positive comments re: your prefered switching amplifier.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Just telling it like it is. I make no bones about how I was lucky in most instances at the start. Then, it occurred to me, the winning path for increasing simplicity of the music's path was obvious.
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,067 posts
 
Teajay,

Have you tried the "SE" version of your dac?
teajay OP
1,655 posts
 
Tab110s, the answer is no for the following reasons:

1) For the increase of about $500.00 you get what AA calls hand selected NOS tubes. Well, I have some of the finest NOS 12AX7's and 5751's, about ten different brands, to tailor the sound of my system. So, this part of the upgrade is not worth it to me.

2) Yes, for the $500.00 AA put some were in the DAC higher tolerance parts, however, it was not proven to me this would make a sonic difference that would be a difference in a blind fold test.

I have talked to a couple of friends who ears' I trust that have heard both versions of this DAC and there conclusion was what tubes you use make more of a difference then anything else and there is really no clear difference between the orginal and SE version of this great sounding piece.
More to discover