2. digital
  3. 1259897750

Softone Model 2 DAC and Model 3 Transport

I'm looking at incorporating a new transport/DAC in a second system and stumbled across this combination from Softone in Japan. I want the DAC to also be able to accomodate a second source (coaxial perferably) which is why I prefer to look at transport/DAC rather than standalone CD player. The system will be combined with a Musical Fidelity A300 and/or a Cayin A88-T and a pair of Lenehan ML1's. I listen to a wide range of music, from classical through jazz to pop and rock and value neutrality without sterility. I particularly enjoy full but not overblown mids and a tight bottom end.

Does anyone have any experiences with this Softone combination or with either piece individually? Any other contenders in the $1500 to $2000 (for transport and DAC) budget range? Thanks for any advice.
hens

Showing 3 responses by hens

hens OP
173 posts
 
Cool - thanks for the feedback, Arj! Much appreciated. Was beginning to think that no one had ever heard of this outfit. Cheers.
hens OP
173 posts
 
Hi Yioryos,
Thanks for your view. I actually quite like that very basic, almost industrial DIY look. I shot them an email to see if they might be flexible with the DAC in terms of providing two coaxial outputs instead of one coaxial and one optical. Their reply was simply that the DAC came with one of each and no flexibility. Also, almost all of the effort for the DAC appears to have gone into their very intricate 'error measurement' with a bunch of LEDs indicating every error, etc. Perhaps more a design for the recording industry where they need to monitor the integrity of the digital conversion. So I've decided against Softone for now.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Northstar transport. Unfortunately, after reading the Lampizator website about this model, I could never part with the sort of money they're expecting.
hens OP
173 posts
 
Yioryos, thanks for that - interesting site. If I had any DIY talent in my genes, I'd think about giving their CD transport a crack. The main difference seems that Softone also offer their products fully assembled - not even sure if they offer them as kits. I'm now thinking that i'll put more emphasis on getting the DAC right as it will also provide conversion duties for a server based system as well as CD based. Thanks again!
More to discover