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Are there any DACs that can go low?

I have a W4S DAC-2 (with Audiophilleo), I have also auditioned an Ayre QB-9, own a Cary Xciter, have owned a Peachtree Nova, and have an Oppo BDP-95. I try to use high definition files from a Mac Mini over Audionirvana.

None of these can approach the lows that my reference source can (a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage). My reference is a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage. The bass is so much richer and deeper with that as my reference and the midrange sounds fuller too. Highs never sound shrill either.

Are there any DACs out there that can approach a more neutral sound, at least as I see it?
128x128intermediatic
camb
164 posts
 
Simaudio 650d and 750d have an amazingly deep and granite-like bass. See Michael Fremer's review of the 650d in Stereophile.
intermediatic's avatar
intermediatic OP
72 posts
 
I thought audiophilleo was supposed to eliminate jitter??
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
From my research, jitter is never totally eliminated but can be significantly decreased.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
In your dreams. Any manufacturer that claims this is lying. Not possible.

Even small increments in jitter reduction at very low levels can be heard in a resolving system. See these jitter plots:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=115008.20

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
intermediatic's avatar
intermediatic OP
72 posts
 
So I was going to sell my Cary Audio Xciter DAC since

1. out of the box, the resolution (soundwise) on the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 that I got to replace it was slightly better

2. the Xciter's USB interface is its weak point, the W4S has asynchronous and is capable of 192

3. no remote (yes manufacturers, not all of us sit 2' from our gear).

In fact I HAD sold it, but the guy wanted $150 off AFTER the sale which I found weird, so I had him return it.

In the meantime I had added an Audiophilleo 2 to my W4S DAC-2. It did make the sound somewhat better on DAC-2. I had been pondering an Ayre QB-9 but had barely seen any difference between that (granted the original QB-9 version) and the W4S DAC-2 and the Audiophileo 2 in 3 weeks of testing.

Still that setup prompted me to this start thread. So many DACs to try

In the meantime I said to myself hmm if the Audiophilleo 2 has reputedly reduced jitter so much, what if I attach it to the Cary DAC, that has pretty good output stages right? Now my Cary SLP-03 was nowhere near as good as my Ayre K-5xeMP and like the SLP-03, the SLP-03 was an entry level Cary. I expected this to be disappointing. But, no whomp, there it is! Bass.

But no there it is base, a better soundstage It's all good.

I'll keep the W4S for TV and other lower fi sources and keep the Cary DAC on for computer sound.

Given how little the Cary Xciter is selling for these days, if you are interested in a USB DAC, this turned out to be a good way to go.

I guess the lesson is, check what's in your basement first, eh?
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