End of the road DAC

Elberoth

Elberoth

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Poland
Just found one. Betters Vivaldi and MSB Diamond DACs big time.

That is all for now.
 
I thought a Linn was the end of the road? That's what Mark keeps telling me!

I find it interesting how digital audio for people really falls into two different camps: those that seek uber detail and those that seek analog, smoother, warmer sounding. In our own DAC shootouts, I found many people picked the uber detailed DAC's because they could hear more - but over time, became fatigued. Whereas the more analog sounding DAC's didn't get picked often, but seemed to be the most enjoyable to listen to - long term.

No right or wrong, just an observation.
 
Mike - as I wrote you in our email exchange, it indeed used to the the case for the last 25 years or so.

The main problem with digital, was that DACs used to be very grainy. You could try to cover that graininess with tube lushness, which would make the DAC sound 'analog' and fluid. The drawback was that you had also sacrified the details by doing so.

On the other side there was a resolution camp, which went for the maximum details (dCS, Theta etc). The drawback of going after maximum resolution, was that you also exposed the grain, which made long term listening a tiring experience ...

And that is how people got divided into two different camps.

In my experience, the best DACs can do both nowadays. Due to vanishingly low jitter levels, they are ultra smooth, fluid and grainless, exceeding best so called analog sounding DACs in that regard. But since they do not have to sugar coat anything anymore to sound smooth, they can also offer superior transparency and resolution.

The DAC I just found is just such a DAC. The most fluid and grainless DAC I have ever heard (by a wide marigin !) and at the same - the most detailed, articulate and dimensional one. It is just spooky real. A game changing product for me.
 
Elberoth said:
The DAC I just found is just such a DAC. The most fluid and grainless DAC I have ever heard (by a wide marigin !) and at the same - the most detailed, articulate and dimensional one. It is just spooky real. A game changing product for me.
Click to expand...

Can't wait to hear about what you found Adam.
 
Elberoth said:
Mike - as I wrote you in our email exchange, it indeed used to the the case for the last 25 years or so.

The main problem with digital, was that DACs used to be very grainy. You could try to cover that graininess with tube lushness, which would make the DAC sound 'analog' and fluid. The drawback was that you had also sacrified the details by doing so.

On the other side there was a resolution camp, which went for the maximum details (dCS, Theta etc). The drawback of going after maximum resolution, was that you also exposed the grain, which made long term listening a tiring experience ...

And that is how people got divided into two different camps.

In my experience, the best DACs can do both nowadays. Due to vanishingly low jitter levels, they are ultra smooth, fluid and grainless, exceeding best so called analog sounding DACs in that regard. But since they do not have to sugar coat anything anymore to sound smooth, they can also offer superior transparency and resolution.

The DAC I just found is just such a DAC. The most fluid and grainless DAC I have ever heard (by a wide marigin !) and at the same - the most detailed, articulate and dimensional one. It is just spooky real. A game changing product for me.
Click to expand...

Adam, when are you going to give us the name of the DAC? Btw, I really feel like I have as much resolution as I would ever want as well as an analog, dimensional/holographic sound coming from my EMM gear. I've heard the other contenders, MSB and DCS and they sound great to me as well. For me at this level it's not better, it's different and very system/room dependent.

I can't wait to hear something that is a giant leap from all of the mentioned dac's....waiting for the "magic news".
 
I am looking forward to hearing about it too.

I am in Mike's camp on the detailed versus smooth, but it doesn't relate solely to DAC's. The detailed versus smooth is also a preference in amps, pre-amps, and possibly to speakers. I have never heard a piece of audio gear that does it all. There are a lot that are close enough for me.
 
Absolare said:
For me at this level it's not better, it's different and very system/room dependent.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was expecting. Worst case scenario - slightly better or different to my MSB Diamond Plus DAC. I had absolutely no intention to buy another DAC, as I bought my Diamond just ... 2 months ago ! Plus the MSB has many features I like - analog volume control, upgradebility via module and software changes, many transport options, etc.

The magnitude of improvement, the way it bested my MSB took me completely by suprise. Afterall - the MSB Diamond Plus DAC is considered by many as the best dac there is ! How much better can you get than this ?

Not much. At least that was my thinking. And yet, the first moment I have heard the DAC I know that it is very special. This is not the kind of change you have to listen to for an hour to figure out the differences. We are talking about the difference you hear after 5 maybe 10s of on a familar recording. A quantum leap forward.

The more I have listened, the more depressed I felt. And the more I knew I had to buy it. I was eveluating the DAC for 3 weeks, waiting for the WOW feeling to wear out. But everytime I switched back to my MSB, I felt I'm missing all the magic, all the transparency and smoothness. The new DAC was an entirely different league.
 
So... ?
C'mon Adam, you're usually a straight shooter, and our "tastes" in audio are similar... Don't pull this old marketing trick on us :)

If it's guesses you want, here's mine: is it some new Lampizator Level 10000 ?

alexandre
 
"The more I have listened, the more depressed I felt."

I guess I'd be depressed if I just bought a MSB Diamond Plus DAC two months ago.

Hopefully this new "End of the road DAC," will keep you happy for more than two months.

Gee, I wonder if the "End of the road DAC" is made in Poland.
 
Ok, you want us to guess, is that it?
Not sure why you're holding back but i guess it builds excitement for some. Any chance you're talkin bout the Trinity DAC?
 
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