bpw
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According to the distributor you tube rolled in both units. Maybe your memory of email you sent is lacking.
AMR DP-777 (dual dac).... NEW SE version
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cmalak
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Good idea....so on that front, notwithstanding the operating issues with the DP-777 that you experienced, can you offer up a comparison of the sonic attributes of each unit as you heard them in your specific system? I think that would be an interesting comparison. Of course, all caveats apply in that these are your listening impressions in your system, etc...
CDLehner
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Guys, can you save me 7 pages here? Does the DP-777SE not do DSD?
I had hugo on loan for a bit, and own the QuteHD (w/linear Power Supply)...I'm one of the few that likes the Qute HD (w/ linear power supply) slightly better than Hugo, so the hugo went back. To me the Qute HD combo is a bit more natural with more body, but Hugo does has some knock out characteristics, in terms of detail, speed and dynamics. 2qute is coming this month though..
When my AMR isn't playing little tricks with me, I prefer it over the two because it's the most natural, slightly warm and more inviting, and still digs up enough detail and dynamics to compete with good solid state. I do notice sometimes when playing Rock music (or anything with heavy chords, or average vocal recordings) that the overall sound is bit thick/warm...but I also have the VAC in the system. So I go back and forth with the chord. I'm hoping the SE takes things up a notch in terms of transparency, refinement, bass and dynamics, so I don't have the need to swap.
I was surprised to hear the earlier comment that the AMR SE didn't sound much better than Hugo, because to me that would mean it took a step back, or didn't greatly improve. But I guess it all depends what you're looking for in a sound, and what you're used to. I would expect it to wow though given the timeframe and pent up expectations.
CDLehner
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OK, thanks.
cmalak
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Thanks. That was helpful. It sounds like for the money, the Chord Hugo (and QuteHD for that matter) are great bang for the buck DACs but like all SS DACs in the sub $3K category have a bit less body and perhaps a slight digital sheen to them as compared to a more fleshed out tubey DAC like the AMR.
And do we know if AMR is coming out with either an upgrade to the DP-777SE which will allow it to do DSD down the road, or if they are coming out with a separate DAC/Transport that will do DSD/SACD? Given the time it took for the SE version to come out, this may be a while but from what I have read also, the chief designer at AMR is not a big fan of DSD? Am I remembering this correctly?
bpw
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I wouldn't say that, in part because of the iFi Nano and Micro iDSD DACs and Pro iDSD which is due out very shortly. The Mk II upgrade of the DP-777 will be much less involved than the SE upgrade (which involves gutting the machine, replacing pretty much everything inside) and is said as supporting DSD, in all likelihood up to DSD512 (8x). There will be some technology shared between AMR and iFi over time, although AMR will remain the premium brand.
cmalak
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bpw
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Yes, SE only. No idea on pricing and date for the Mk II upgrade at present since the SE upgrade has just started to get rolling, although the Mk II upgrade should be relatively inexpensive and something the dealer can install in the field. That's my understanding.
Just an update on this. I didn't get it upgraded. Avatar emailed saying before they would do the upgrade that I should go take down negative feedback left online.
In the meantime, I did have a great chance to A/B some other DAC's including Berkeley Alpha DAC series II. I would have to say that it beats the AMR. They are close but to me it makes the AMR seem a bit sloppy in it's delivery (i.e. cheating the decay of voices, etc...) - something the Berkeley DAC handles flawlessly. It also has a wonderfully analog sound to go along with its accuracy. Nice timing as well. When I say timing, I don't mean "rushed" like naim tends to do, but nice and patient and natural. The best part is that it's a "set it and forget it piece". I don't even think it had an on/off switch. They bring similar tone and weight.
My experience with AMR and it's distributor was nothing short of awful. I know other people that went through the same thing over the past year. If you are interested in the AMR, my recommendation would be to also research and/or audition the following: Totaldac, Lampizator, Berkeley, Audio Research, Moon Audio, and yes even Jolida has a great DAC (which I own the fully upgraded version and sometimes swap in without much of a difference at all).
Always found in business that It's easy to be likable when you're selling stuff and chatting it up, but character is how you respond and behave when you have to manage problems and customer service when things go wrong.
In the meantime, I did have a great chance to A/B some other DAC's including Berkeley Alpha DAC series II. I would have to say that it beats the AMR. They are close but to me it makes the AMR seem a bit sloppy in it's delivery (i.e. cheating the decay of voices, etc...) - something the Berkeley DAC handles flawlessly. It also has a wonderfully analog sound to go along with its accuracy. Nice timing as well. When I say timing, I don't mean "rushed" like naim tends to do, but nice and patient and natural. The best part is that it's a "set it and forget it piece". I don't even think it had an on/off switch. They bring similar tone and weight.
My experience with AMR and it's distributor was nothing short of awful. I know other people that went through the same thing over the past year. If you are interested in the AMR, my recommendation would be to also research and/or audition the following: Totaldac, Lampizator, Berkeley, Audio Research, Moon Audio, and yes even Jolida has a great DAC (which I own the fully upgraded version and sometimes swap in without much of a difference at all).
Always found in business that It's easy to be likable when you're selling stuff and chatting it up, but character is how you respond and behave when you have to manage problems and customer service when things go wrong.
getting pretty close...have some final questions out on some used units...if those fall through, I'll likely go with a new unit from innovative audio in NY. He was nice enough to come over and do the A/B, without blabbering and hype in my ear...just listening...
we had one of those moments, where we just looked at each other, like "wow, that sounded really good" (slow female vocals with long reverb and decay floating just above the speakers, dead center)
we had one of those moments, where we just looked at each other, like "wow, that sounded really good" (slow female vocals with long reverb and decay floating just above the speakers, dead center)
Lunchy
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I got my DP-777 back from being upgraded to the SE version last week. I have about 150 hours on the reburn-in (I'm assuming it needs another burn-in with so many new components). It sounds absolutely spectacular. The way I would describe it is like setting your computer display to a higher resolution. Everything seems improved, top to bottom...to a degree I wasn't expecting. Complicated passages in certain songs use to be a little jumbled together. Now those passages are clear as day. The clarity is just stunning.
I'm extremely pleased with the performance upgrade for the price. The wait has been worth it IMHO!
I'm extremely pleased with the performance upgrade for the price. The wait has been worth it IMHO!