DAC Comparisons using AI

I thought hard about the Kasandra Ref II, and wouldn’t totally rule it out if the right opportunity arises but I decided to be settled in with what I have for now.  The solid state Merason DAC1 MkII stays powered up all the time so I mostly listen through it while using the Helene occasionally when I have more time to listen and want to warm up the tubes.  The Helene is the better DAC in most ways but the Merason is very enjoyable to listen through as well.  One thing against the Kassandra is that it is just too big physically.  Although I could make it work, I would have to change my entire set-up.  Another thing is when I ask myself the question, what problem are you trying to solve?  There is really none.  The Helene sounds so musical and tonally rich that I wonder whether the little bit of this or that the Kassandra might improve on is really necessary for my enjoyment.  Besides, I could always add the Project X (Hronos) to the Helene.  Aries Cerat say their new digital interface is like a full DAC upgrade, which would probably be more than enough.  Also, the Hronos is very expensive, and about the equivalent cost of upgrading to the Kasandara Ref II. 

The other DAC on my radar is the Imersiv D-1, a multi-path DAC (link).  That would be much easier to add to my system and would likely take the place of the Merason, if I choose to add it.  However, instead of trying new DACs, I have been messing around with streamers for now (link).  Interesting, and relevant to this thread, I have been using AI to predict and verify the differences I am hearing between the Innuos Stream 3 and Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe optical and, so far, the predictions have been pretty much spot on.

Thanks for this info, @mitch2 ; sorry I missed until now.

I’ve got a Mojo Mystique Z “quantum” coming in May. I’m eager to hear that, but both the Helene and the new Mearson DAC2 (maybe not yet released?) continue to haunt my imagination. 

@mitcvh2, by the way, I did try out the Imersiv D-1 for about 3 days and ultimately sent it back to the dealer.  Just didn’t sound pleasing in the upper mids and treble.  I preferred the much cheaper LTA Aero (with very nice NOS tubes).  I do hope you get to demo it becuase i suspect you will be more rigorous  in your tryst out than i was and if you write up your take on it, it will be more nuances and detailed than what i wrote elsewhere on here about it.  I, and i suspect many others, would love to read that. .

@kirkwallace - Unless someone sends me one to try, I have decided to wait on the D-1. There was an interesting post over on WBF about how, regardless of how innovative the design is, it may not be fleshed out from a best home audio perspective. Even though the multipath technology is cutting edge, that doesn’t mean the parts, interfaces, and output stage are fully optimized for high end home audio. While I would like to hear one, I have been pretty happy with the sound of my Merason DAC 1 MkII and AC Helene.  I inquired about the DAC 2 upgrade but haven’t heard back yet from Merason.

It seems Merason is moving up in the home audio world by increasing the list price of the DAC 1 MkII to $11K (and rightfully so IMO, compared to other DACs I have heard), adding the DAC 2 (seemingly an upgraded DAC 1 MkII) for $14K, and releasing the new Mountain suite of products, including the Mountain DAC at about $20K.  I would like to hear more about the Mountain DAC and I would be curious about how it sounds compared to the Audio Mirror Wave DAC and a couple of others priced at around $20K +/-.

When I have discussions with AI regarding equipment, I ask that it not use information sourced from forums.  While I didn't use it to select my DAC, I'm satisfied that I could not have made a better choice for my system.  AI helps me understand ambiguous, audiophile-speak terms and concepts---it's certainly good for that.