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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
davebull
5 posts
 

I've just finished reading through this thread and decided to make an Audiogon account to thank @mitch2 and @fuzzbutt17 for the really invaluable posts and to be notified when there are new posts here.

Also, since @fuzzbutt17 is looking for opinions on new face plates, I figured I'd throw in my thoughts. The thing I don't like about the look of the current Mojo DACs is the large "Mystique" in papyrus font on the face plate, so this seems like a great opportunity to move to a cleaner design. I quite like the more minimalist design of Merason and Schiit DACs, so I would vote for "Mystique" to either be smaller and in a cleaner font on the front, or just not have anything at all on the face plate and have Mystique only on the back. Silver and black anodized on its own looks very nice.

My current DAC is the Merason Frerot with the Pow1 LPS. When I upgrade, it'll either be to a Merason Reuss or Mojo Mystique Y (barring any new Mojo models). This is for a desktop headphone setup so I care a bit more about aesthetics since it's on my desk staring back at me haha. If Mojo were to create a stripped down version of the Mystique Z Q with just a USB input like the Y, and with a new chassis, it would make my upgrade choice a no brainer.

prefab's avatar
prefab
66 posts
 
I apologize for not reading all 500+ responses, but I wanted to add that I went to Axpona this year and saw a lot of LTE Aero Dacs and Mojo Audio Mystiques. Apparently, many of the companies presenting their products preferred them for their systems. In each case, I have to say they both sounded fantastic.
devinplombier
1,637 posts
 

Some Audiophiles have hearing so extraordinary they can pick the sound of DACs in a bunch of show systems they've never heard before playing in rooms they've never been in before.

kirkwallace's avatar
kirkwallace
280 posts
 

@devinplombier as an admitted LTA Aero and Mojo Mystique fanboy (my new Z Quantum is just past the 80 hour mark of continuous play, and sounds great [in my room where nothing else has changed but the DAC]), can I say, at least in respect of @prefab ’s comments, that at a minimum one could say that the presenters’ choice of DACS in those rooms didn’t seem to hurt the overall sonic result?

acman3
4,420 posts
 

I also didn't think Prefab said he could hear exactly what the dac contributed,  but that a lot of good sounding rooms, choose to have the Lte and Mojo dacs in their room. 

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