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Six DAC Comparison

I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.

Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.

Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.

My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.

mitch2
mitch2 OP
4,753 posts
 

I also look forward to the opportunity to hear the new Mystique Z and compare it to the other two but it is my understanding that we are still at least a few weeks out on production of the Z.  It seems the DAC is complete except that the chassis is close but not quite across the finish line.

I have had fun comparing the X SE NCZ with the Helene.  They are both R2R DACs using Analog Devices chipsets so there are sonic similarities.  However, the tubed output stage of the Helene likely influences what I am hearing compared to the solid state output stage of the Mystique X SE, and I am sure there are other design/construction differences that affect how they each sound.  I plan to post a more detailed summary of what I am hearing but, in short, I like the same things about both of them and I find them to both to be good examples well-designed and constructed R2R DACs.   

brbrock's avatar
brbrock
168 posts
 

@mitch2 Have you ever listened to any of the ANK DAC kits.  I have always been curious about those.  A bunch of people have taken them and made some changes here and there.  The upper models are loaded with transformers and chokes.

mitch2 OP
4,753 posts
 

No, I haven’t heard one. Don’t they use the AD1865 DAC chips, same as the Helene?  Based on my time with the Mojo DACs (most use AD1862, except the Mystique Y uses AD1865), I find the AD1862 a bit more musical and the AD1865 a bit more forward.  Of course, the implementation and the output stage will also have big influences on the sound.

brbrock's avatar
brbrock
168 posts
 

@mitch2 It does use the AD 1865.  They are kits you can have built or build yourself.  They are loaded with transformers and chokes and the higher the level the more chokes and transformers they have.  Many people mod and upgrade the kits by with nicer caps and resistor.  Some will even upgrade the transformers and chokes.  

mitch2 OP
4,753 posts
 

@brbrock  - I too was curious about AN Kit DACs a few years ago but my general sense of things (without having direct knowledge) is that there are now plenty of offerings from manufacturers covering a pretty wide range of sound signatures and sound quality so it is no longer such a good deal to construct a DAC yourself.  Also, resale on kit gear is pretty crappy so in the digital world that keeps evolving and moving forward toward even better sound, most of us are probably not yet purchasing end game DACs - just my random thoughts.

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