another thread on DACS/players...thoughts please

Mribob,

I have listened to and auditioned everyone of the pieces you mention, with the exception of the Ayon CD-55, and still have not heard a better sounding DAC then the Accustic Arts Tube Hybrid reference DAC.

Now there might be "two monkey wrenchs" for you: 1) the AA Tube Hybrid does not have a volume control, so you will still have to use a preamp. 2) I only care about redbook CD not high res material, and with no doubt the AA DAC is much more musical/natural sounding then the others on your list for me. This DAC can be setup so you can run high res material through it and I still thinks it sounds better then the other DACS, even when the bit rate has been taken down/back to redbook standard. The last piece I auditioned was the Playback Design and reminded very much of Meitner gear, which I still find very transparent/detailed but not as musical as I like.

Finally, you might want to take a look at my thread here on the GON on reference DACS that has a great amuont of information about what your asking about.

Sorry forgot to include this information for you. I recommend you E-mail Gon member Ted Brady, he has just got throught with an amazing six month auditioning process of some of the highest regarded DACS that do red book and high res material and picked as his new reference the Antelope Gold with its upgraded power supply and it has a built in preamp section which he believes sounds better in his system direct then with his very highly regarded preamp. This DAC might be just what you are looking for. Tell Ted I say hi, when you E-mail him.

Hi Jonathan,

Well I'm quite "shocked" that your "shocked" that the Playback design Dac reminded me of the latest Meitner gear. If you have ever read my thread on how I experience and group different DACS sonicly, what I call type 1 or type 2 groups, you would understand why your playback very much reminded me on redbook CD's of the Meitner gear. They are both excellent type 1, very transparent/detailed/dynamic, yet compared to the best in type 2 DACS like the AA Tube Hybrid or the CF reference DAC's they don't give you as much as the body of the harmonic and the timbres to me don't sound as rich and natural as the best tubed based DACS. I'm not talking about DACs like the Zanden or Audio Note which to me sound euphonic and somewhat rolled off both on the high and low ends.

The Playback Designs that I auditioned was your latest generation. I would rather not get into what the associated gear was that I heard the Playback DAC in for my reasons, believe me it was all reference level, on this thread. However, if you want to discuss this with me these details just E-mail me your phone number and it would be a pleasure to talk to you.

Finally, I know that you are a gentleman and are only standing up for your excellent DAC, it's quite good but just not my sonic cup of tea, and when I experienced it compared to other DACs it would not be the one I would purchase. Just my opinion, not an attack on your piece.