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Thread: Aqua DACs

  1. #1
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    Aqua DACs

    Anyone own, or audition...either the La Voce S2, or La Scala mkII?
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  2. #2
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Chris

    After I pay off the new speakers that are incoming I will be saving my pennies for a La Scala. I have talked to Mark about it many times. Both are NOS DAC's with no DSD. If you want to try NOS DAC's and have the option of DSD without taking out a second mortgage you may have to look at buying direct from AudioGD in China. Something like one of these depending on the price point you are trying to achieve.

    http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DAC1911/DAC19EN.htm

    http://www.audio-gd.com/Master/Master-7/M7EN.htm

  3. #3
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Jack, I dont understand. Those Audio GD Dacs use the BB1704 which CANNOT playback DSD in native form. For that kind of pricing before shipping, I would look at the Schiit Yggdrasil ($2.3K) or the R2R upgraded Gugnir Dac for a lot less. Both are NOS Dacs and are getting good reviews.

    For DSD, i am biased to chipless, the lampi Eurforia being the cheapest offering they make, but the ifi IDac pro (or latest iDSD) with the BB1793 chipset that does DSD direct are relatively cheap and good options.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  4. #4
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Anyone own, or audition...either the La Voce S2, or La Scala mkII?
    Srajan and Darko of 6Moons love them. Tube NOS Dacs.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  5. #5
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Norman

    The lack of DSD doesn't bother me at all, for some it matters and maybe for Chris it would. I am using the Line Magnetic which is also no DSD. As for the Aquas, only the La Scala is tube. There is a new review of the La Voce at Soundstage. The AudioGD DACs seem to be favorites on some forums and with Darko.

  6. #6
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Thanks for the clarification Jack.

    Our good buddy AlRainbow has 2 Big7s, an MSB Platinum stack, a Direct Stream, a Hugo, ifi iDSD, a Mytek stereo 192, a Master 7 and maybe another Dac I forgot. He almost never uses the Master 7.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  7. #7
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Anyone own, or audition...either the La Voce S2, or La Scala mkII?
    I own the La Scala MKII. It is my favorite DAC in my possession. I am not one for flowery descriptions but it bested my Yggy by a good margin. It is worthy of at least a demo.

  8. #8
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Yeah...I'm convinced a La Voce S2, is in my near future. Just had to pass, on a good deal for a demo unit; too gear heavy...need to move some kit, and the selling-season hasn't kicked in yet

    If anyone is interested, in said demo (Black) at a good price; let me know and I can point you to my dealer.
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  9. #9
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Aqua La Scala MKII Optologic DAC — Audiophilia

    Still our favorite stand alone DAC under $10k


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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  10. #10
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    Re: Aqua DACs

    Aqua DAC looks interesting. And they make a CD player too. The combo might be very good together.

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Aqua DACs

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