New Type of DAC

A much better description of the DACs than I wrote :)
 

While it does not match the amazing, best-in-class tonality of the Allnic D15000

^ One reason I may buy the cheaper Allnic ASRA DAC if it is as good as what I am told it will be. I can see the cheaper unit being rather good since both the Allnic D-15000 and the cheaper model will use an ESS chip. The sonic differences should be in the tubes used and the implementation of the OTL/OCL analog output.

Lucky for me I love the Imersiv D-1 and me not getting the ASRA Allnic (because of cost) still leaves me with a great DAC. The Allnic D-15000 was the gateway drug that got me into the financial hole of more expensive DACs. I was more than happy with the Schiit Yggi+ OG until the Allnic.

Having 3 systems and 1 DAC is a pain to flip cables. I am hoping the Schiit Byggy I that I am getting next week solves that issue. Though I think it will sound more like the Imersiv than the Allnic. It will cost me $1500 to find out so worth the effort.

 it delivers a LOT of information, including tonal subtleties in vocals and instruments, with great imaging and separation. I would call this ’musical’. 

This was a problem for me with my RAAL SR1a earphones. There is so much info coming from the D-1 that I think my RAAL VM-1a tube amp ($7k MSRP) was a bit overwhelmed. I say that because I had a bit of fatigue with the tube VM-1a. Now that may have been because I tested the VM-1a in the first couple of weeks while the D-1 was settling. Whatever the case, with the same level of burn-in I tried the D-1 into a used $400 Schiit Aegir v1 2-channel amp (Clas A 20 watts) and I liked it more than the VM-1a. Simple solution, I sold the VM-1a (for exactly what I purchased it for).

All 3 of the amps that I use direct with the D-1 are mostly Class A.

• CODA #11 (first 100 watts Class A)
• CODA #16 (first 100 watts Class A)
• Schiit Aegir v1 (Class A 20 watts)

Waiting to get my D-1 this week. Will post pictures and thoughts. I went ahead and got the balanced headphone connection and Subwoofer Breakout Box to go with it. I'm most curious how the voltage calibration will work with my Technics SU-R1000. I've always loved to black background of the R1000 and with the amazing specs of the D-1 wonder if I can create a black hole of silence.

Gonna A/B/C

Soulnote D-3 (X-3)

Mola Mola Tambaqui 

Imersiv D-1

Maybe the Cen.Grand DSD Deluxe DAC

Amplifiers 

SU-R1000

Luxman M-10x

Soulnote A-3 core

Possibly LTA Z10E

Have a listen to that Cen Grand Deluxe if you can. I keep hearing great things about it, but still a very under the radar brand that seems intriguing. Soulnote seems like a killer deal for the price. Especially compared to the other big Japanese brands (Accuphase, Esoteric, Luxman). 

I heard the D1 at a Florida audio show recently held in Tampa. The D1 was paired with the HiFi Ross streamer (RS130?), Pass Lab XP-12, and First Watt SIT-5 monoblocks. I always give the benefit of the doubt to hotel room acoustics, but unfortunately, the system did not impress me but it might be the room, setup and several other factors like synergy.