@jimmy2615 i have tested the Weiss vs some of the more popular ~$5k and ~$10k DACs; Bricasti, Chord, Rockna, PS Audio, Audiobyte and I can say this it is far less compromised than those ~$5k units. It is definitely competitive with the Bricasti M1 SE, Chord Dave, MSB Discrete, etc…. It has its own sound signature which may or may not be preferred vs. the others but it is quite at home with those more premium DACs.
Weiss 501 DAC
With great caution, just set up my new Weiss 501 DAC. Why pray tell with great caution? Because I'm running ATC 40 actives and did not wish to mistakenly cook them by incorrect hookup while using the unit as a DAC and single source preamp/volume control.
Far too soon for evaluation, but not too soon to observe and appreciate the incredibly small footprint of it all. Naim Core server, Weiss 501, Decware power conditioner all sitting on Quadraspire Reference X stand, appropriate cabling, PCs and done. Compact civilized aural pandemonium!
- ...
- 36 posts total
@verdantaudio great info, thanks. That’s a very relevant/appropo concept - “compromised”, which better fits what I was trying to get at with things like “neutral” or “natural.” Many DACs sound mostly fine, but it seems many at a certain price point do something wrong - Grit or grain, timbre, tonality issues, etc. |
Update with perhaps 50 hours break-in and listening. I've never owned a piece so instrumental in organizing everything. It will seem odd to some, but it's as if a top notch business manager hired from outside the company has arrived and forced order onto the entire operation. Great recordings sound even better and less than optimal are at least made listenable. The Swiss have truly struck onto something special.
|
- 36 posts total