Any opinions on the AMR Digital Processor 777 Dac?

Guydebord: I can say with authority (I have broken in 2 AMR DP777 units) that if you do not have about 300 hours on them what you are describing is EXACTLY one of the characteristics I experienced. Before full run-in the DP777 almost had a mono character and left to right realization was not very good; hence instrument placement was off. Once it got past the 230 hour mark all that was an after-though.

With that said, the unit is sublime, I have literally sat and stared at it because the way it makes music is uncanny. I thought my Bidat and the Dynavox Dynastation made beautiful music and they do..., but quite frankly the AMR makes them sound dated.

I actually used the stopwatch function on my iphone and my mac mini with pure music to take note of the changes in sound at various points in time. I have broken 2 of these units in. One for a buddy and then my own personal unit.

I said it before and I'll say it again, it is better than my buddies USD ~ $38K analog front end and that is NO hyperbole. I have listened to that system multiple times and each time it fails to deliver the musicality and sheer enjoyment of the AMR.

Also note that the line stage portion of the AMR HAS to be engaged in order for it to break in along with the dac and power supply.

Hi Audiofun,

I'm curious about what your opinion is on the 16bit NOS vs 32bit playback when you play ripped CDs.

cheers,

K

All my music is ripped into the AIFF format. I have noticed that there is a very subtle difference between using the NOS dac as compared the HD dac. The HD dac has a bit of a very very very subtle airiness as compared the NOS chip whereas the NOS chips seems to be ever so slightly more solid sounding than the HD chip (of course we are talking redbook). I would not say that one is better than the other, just a very slight difference I have noticed after scrutinizing the dac over the break in periods (I have broken in 2 DP777 units). It is in my opinion so subtle as to not warrant any effort on my part. I allow the dac to choose NOS for redbook and HD for my hi-res files. I am actually planning on purchasing another DP777 for one of my other systems... it is that good. I hope that helped, let me know if you have other questions. Hrx files on this thing are incredible sounding!

Kschiu,
My two cents here re 16-bit NOS mode.
The AMR 777 is excellent with high rez, but I wouldn't say it is that much better than competitors. The mode that sets it apart is the 16-bit NOS mode. I had several NOS DACs before, all of them would give you that liquid mid range and palpable timbre. The instruments just sound more real. However there are not enough air and usual the size of the soundstage would be relatively narrow. The AMR's NOS mode just retain those NOS qualities with lots more openness and "air". I think this quality is very unique in the market. If you listen much to 16/44 and like NOS sound, then this is the perfect DAC.

Beat the MSB Powerdac and the Metrum Octave hands down on high res and redbook. I am still shocked by what it offers for the money, 2 dacs, a linestage (71 steps) with 2 analog inputs and a total of 7 inputs. Master clock with a 28 million options selection to choose the closest clock for the incoming signal (all done automatically of course) completely seperate transformer for the display...etc. The tubed VD-i digital input. When I look at what the other guys are offering for 5K or even 4 times the price... it just becomes a no-brainer. Couple all of that goodness LOL with the sound this thing produces and you have a winner. This dac has a lot of manufacturers shaking and I have already caught one very very very big shill on this site trying to throw veiled disparaging remarks about where it is built (very non direct) LOL. I happen to know this individual has a silent partner role in the product he is extolling. I HATE shills.

My uncle also purchased the AMR and found it far better than a slew of his former digital purchases some of which were the Concert Fidelity ($10K) the Esoteric (ludicrous money LOL)P01 vu/D01 vu/G-0rb, (more crazy money) Wadia Series 9, ($20k)Stal-tek Vekian...

If i sound excited about the product I am. I take the enjoyment of my music very serious and names don't mean anythig to me if the product can't produce that certain ineffable experience which is very difficult to achieve. The Bidat could do it, the Dynavox Dynastation could do it. The MSB Powerdac could do it ... sometimes :) the MSB was very good, but it was not a consitent performerm, sometimes it would be downright scary good and other times it was just better than most :) The Metrum Octave... for $1k... NO BRAINER... that thing is scary freakish good with the right USB/SPDIf converter (if you are using a computer) I would reccomend the Sonicweld Diverter HR or the Kingrex UC192 both of which I owned.

The AMR DP777 tops all of the aforementioned dacs (in my opinion) :)

Ok, back to work, I have to write some code :)