Eastern Electric DSD DAC
- Thread starter CDLehner
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rrwmd
Member
I had one of the original EE (tube) DACs as well and really liked it.
CPP
Active member
I had a EE DAC Plus, nice sounding little DAC.
I wonder how it sounds compared to a Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 DSDse or a Bel Canto DAC 2.5 or 3.5. I am in the market for a new DAC and am considering the Wyred 4 sound after a friend brought his over for me to hear in my system.
rrwmd
Member
I also had the Wyred DAC2 (not DSD version). As I recall...Wyred is a more bold, chisled sound, EE a bit more romantic though still with plenty of detail.
Yes, the Wyred is very dynamic and musical. Chiseled is a great description as it has razor sharp detail. The bass coming from the Wyred is explosive, deep, fast and well controlled. I am currently using a Van Alstine hybrid tube DAC that has been upgraded with better op amps and NOS 1950's Raytheon black plate tubes.
CDLehner
New member
- Thread Author
- #8
+2 that "chiseled", is a great adjective for the Wyred DAC-2. Of course...I've found most Sabre-based units, are pretty detailed.
If you guys don't know about them...Resonessence Labs is intriguing. From what I've read...the 9018 is a MONSTER; but hard to implement. Well...Resonessence Labs, is the off-shoot of guys from ESS (much in the way, Wyred...came out of cast-offs from PS Audio).
Who better...to know the ins and outs, of the 9018 (and now, 9018-II); than the guys, that were formerly responsible for building it! For $5k...the Invicta Mirus, is suppose to kick much DAC butt. I can't roll in that cost-range; but I have a Concero in my 2nd rig, and am mighty impressed for the cost.
Joe...what's your DAC-du-jour? Maybe we need you to try a Mirus, and report to the group for us (and then...I'll give ya like $2k for it
If you guys don't know about them...Resonessence Labs is intriguing. From what I've read...the 9018 is a MONSTER; but hard to implement. Well...Resonessence Labs, is the off-shoot of guys from ESS (much in the way, Wyred...came out of cast-offs from PS Audio).
Who better...to know the ins and outs, of the 9018 (and now, 9018-II); than the guys, that were formerly responsible for building it! For $5k...the Invicta Mirus, is suppose to kick much DAC butt. I can't roll in that cost-range; but I have a Concero in my 2nd rig, and am mighty impressed for the cost.
Joe...what's your DAC-du-jour? Maybe we need you to try a Mirus, and report to the group for us (and then...I'll give ya like $2k for it
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CPP
Active member
+2 that "chiseled", is a great adjective for the Wyred DAC-2. Of course...I've found most Sabre-based units, are pretty detailed.
If you guys don't know about them...Resonessence Labs is intriguing. From what I've read...the 9018 is a MONSTER; but hard to implement. Well...Resonessence Labs, is the off-shoot of guys from ESS (much in the way, Wyred...came out of cast-offs from PS Audio).
Who better...to know the ins and outs, of the 9018 (and now, 9018-II); than the guys, that were formerly responsible for building it! For $5k...the Invicta Mirus, is suppose to kick much DAC butt. I can't roll in that cost-range; but I have a Concero in my 2nd rig, and am mighty impressed for the cost.
Joe...what's your DAC-du-jour? Maybe we need you to try a Mirus, and report to the group for us (and then...I'll give ya like $2k for it
not really an off-shoot of guys so to speak. Mark Mallinson, was former Operations Director for ESS Technology and he took a few ESS engineers with him and bingo Resonessence labs. Mark is easy to chat with...
Rantzmar
New member
CD...which Concero did you get.....the HD?
CDLehner
New member
- Thread Author
- #11
LOL; Chris, maybe your idea of an "off-shoot" are different from mine . To me...working for one company, and taking some guys from that company to start a new one; that's exactly what an "off-shoot" is. But I didn't mean to imply, they were somehow still under ESSs wing, if that's what you meant.
No...I just got the base model. The idea was to try it out, and then go HD if I was happy with the sound. The DAC is great for the money, or more even; and I would get the HD, without hesitation...if I were going to stay on the RL path (and have no problem believing the reviews, and sentiment...that the Mirus, may well be the BEST DAC, to come in under 5-figures).
But this is in a second system...and I might go a different direction with it (because that's what you do, with 2nd systems; or at least I do anyway
)Two really cool thing, about the little Concero: 1) it's USB powered; which means you don't have a cheapie wall-wart...which is what you'd likely get otherwise, at this price point. Now...you could power it, right off your USB source; but why would you...when you can get a battery, for pennies! I power mine, with an Anker 2nd-gen Astro3 12000; so I'm off-the-grid...for $50!
2) It's like a swiss-army knife. It auto-detects USB or s/pdif; has selectable filters, with a cheapie Apple remote (and rumor has it, if you're using it with a USB source...you can also control files with it, back through the USB and with the same Apple remote. I used s/pdif, so I can confirm nor deny). And...supposedly; it's a FANTASTIC USB > s/pdif converter, to boot Resonessence Labs Concero DAC review | Digital Audio Review by John Darko
Do I sound like a commercial? LOL; I do like it very much...but admittedly, I'm also laying the ground-work if anyone is interested in trying it. As I said...2nd system, time to shake it up.
Rantzmar
New member
Thanks for the info...I've always wondered about it.
CPP
Active member
yep kinda thinking that LOL
Cd, the little Concero, a nice little until for the price, I had that but went with Chord, but in all things DAC under $1000 the EE Minimax plus was a nice sounding PCM dac. I just might give this new EE DSD DAC's a try
highEndguy
New member
Just came across, Eastern Electric's new DSD-capable DAC.
I've always had a soft spot, for EE kit. Their original DAC, is probably #3 in my top-3 ever tried. And as god is my witness; I will try an M520, before I am through with this hobby!
What's the Retail Price ?
highEndguy
New member
I like the look
I hope they go to RMAF
I hope they go to RMAF
Kt77
New member
They also have this nifty, Junior version. ESS Sabre 9018 and DSD capable; for $850!
I'd love to give it a spin...but I can't go USB-only, because I just haven't been able to let go of my SBTs. NOTHING that I've found...streams services better.
Hi Chris,
As you might recall?, I'm a newbie to the Hi-Rez game, yet would certainly appreciate your take on said DACs under $1.000, and was wondering what's your gut instinct on how the older Eastern Electric Mini DAC Plus or even this Mini Max Junior might compare against say your Resonessence Labs Concero basic unit?. I've my heart set on the Aurulic Aries, and am trying to get my feet wet, before swimming out into deeper waters, so would love any advise of said DACs within said price range.
And know that a few of you here, have great ears on said matters, so please chime in on my account, as I'm totally clueless as to where to even start looking.
Please advise.
CDLehner
New member
- Thread Author
- #19
Oscar, I have nothing but fond memories and high regard...for the EE DACs. If you need s/pdif, but not DSD; I think a Plus would serve you just fine. Need DSD, but not s/pdif; try the Junior (and let me know what you think!). Need DSD and s/pdif; the DSD DAC.
That being said...I am selling my RL Concero; so if you want to wade-in "cheap", let me know...and we can discuss if it's a good fit.
That being said...I am selling my RL Concero; so if you want to wade-in "cheap", let me know...and we can discuss if it's a good fit.
Kt77
New member
Chris,
First off, thanks for the advise, as I see it as very solid recommendation wise, and will in fact be going after an older Minimax Plus, and ride it out until my collection has approached you 1TBs worth. Maybe I'll venture out as far as $1.800 for something like the Line Magnetic Audio LM-502 CA in the new year, but as it stands, I've to wade-in the waters for now..........., and thanks for the offer on your RL Concero, but I'd far rather have something to which I can plug into an AC Outlet, and be done.
Yet, I'd also use a good brand for said S/PDif to purchase, anything I'd know here?.
Thanks again.