For a complete "Worlds Best" in the economical category how does the Odac compare, or is there a newer Odac now to replace that one from a few years back? Any others that seem really good in the budget category that can hold their own to some of the way overpriced offerings? I'm thinking complete plug and play finished models not diy etc, and under $300. I think a complete Odac is around $150 which sounds like a nice price point to me 🙂
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^ It's a very good implementation of the ES9023 DAC and, IIRC mostly stays out of the DAC's way (which means it'll be better than 99% of other offerings)
I'm actually testing on the tweeters only, and 4.2khz+ (!)
.. but that is, by far, where i have the most audible results.
Didnt try on the subwoofers yet, though.
Bytheway, i'm sorry i'm not testing DIY SOLUTIONS...
i'm fully aware it's a DIY forum, but i think it's a very good start to understand and test the commercial solutions first, then we can dig a little into the DIY solutions... 😉
i'm fully aware it's a DIY forum, but i think it's a very good start to understand and test the commercial solutions first, then we can dig a little into the DIY solutions... 😉
the way i see it, the only cost-effective solution (that sound ''World's best'') would be in the DIY.
I've tested commercial solutions from 30$ to 10,000$ and i must admit it pretty much follows the money invested/results delivered ratio. Unfortunately.
The Weiss DAC1 mk3 is crazy expensive, but it gives crazy results (if you're in a high-end system context).
To my opinion, it has nothing to do with the extremely poor ratio that you can get from cables and even amplifiers... the DAC is really a key element in a system.
speaking of big crazy machines... i'll have some serious beast in my hands this week-end:
Considered by many as THE reference in DAC manufacturers on this planet (even though that is their entry-level model.. *cough*cough*)
Considered by many as THE reference in DAC manufacturers on this planet (even though that is their entry-level model.. *cough*cough*)
Dave
They forgot to place most of the components- does it matter? Make it sound less terrible?🙄
2 analog ins and outs, instead of 4:
LynxTWO
speaking of big crazy machines... i'll have some serious beast in my hands this week-end:
Considered by many as THE reference in DAC manufacturers on this planet (even though that is their entry-level model.. *cough*cough*)
Super/Hiper sound-processor, tailored to make people extremely happy... for a while...
Before any final decisions are made, I always suggest going back to mid-range turntable (i.e. "nothing special" turntable) and having a listen to that for a while, but through a nice single ended valve amplifier with no more than 3 gain stages.... Then, going to a nice NOS design, and then back to a super sound-processors.
Just a suggestion....
Nick
discrete, balanced 5 bit Ring - DAC driven by a software burnt on those two DIL IC's at the front.... a lot of OP's as well. I had a pleasure listening to this DAC, but to me, the NAD M51 sounded better.
Unfortunately, JonBocani mentioned already that he is not testing DIY incarnations and he also apologised to all of us... I suppose he thinks we are at loss... or something like that...
Nick
It must be ordinary then, I've listened to the M51 fed with Redbook and my old Cary 303/200 PCM1704 with 3 stack AD844 I/V sounded so much more lifelike, made the M51 sound as if it had compressed dynamics, sweet enough but oh so boring.
Cheers George
Cheers George
Haha!
what i said is: it's good to test the market-available solutions, just to have some reference, you know.. 🙂
but i welcome all DIYers to ship their creations so i can test and compare to the commercial solutions 😎
I listened the dCS Debussy yesterday.
A bit disapointing, i must say. Especially for the price.
Not a bad DAC at all, on the contrary, but it's nothing like the Weiss DAC1 mk3.. not the same level of resolution and decay. Also, it's a bit dry on the high frequencies, too mechanical, lacks the ''analog feels'' of the Weiss DAC1 mk3.
But, again, keep in mind my context: i have an active EQ'd 4-way system and i'm testing the DACs only on the tweeters, which are also a bit unusual: ribbon RAAL 210-10D hyper high efficiency.
A bit disapointing, i must say. Especially for the price.
Not a bad DAC at all, on the contrary, but it's nothing like the Weiss DAC1 mk3.. not the same level of resolution and decay. Also, it's a bit dry on the high frequencies, too mechanical, lacks the ''analog feels'' of the Weiss DAC1 mk3.
But, again, keep in mind my context: i have an active EQ'd 4-way system and i'm testing the DACs only on the tweeters, which are also a bit unusual: ribbon RAAL 210-10D hyper high efficiency.
The NAD M51 remains, to me, the best value so far (I'm waiting for the Gustard X20 to take, maybe, the gold medal regarding Best value...) but the M51 is smooth, delicate and can, in fact, gives the impression of lack of dynamics.
But it's one of the most silent, neutral and transparent i tried so far. Not the extravert type, but a very good machine nonetheless.
There is 3 things absolutely sure in (my) life:
1. Taxes
2. Death
3. Won't ever have a turntable
I love too much music to get stucked with limited choice while we live in a digital world where everything is one click away.
Not too mention the user-friendliness of music server/ Apple remote V.S. vinyls.
Not too mention the fact that sound quality is NOT better with a turntable, when you have the proper digital set-up...
Some serious comparison test will happen this week-end:
1. dCS Debussy
2. Weiss DAC1 mk3 (pro)
3. Forssell MADA-2 (pro)
Can't wait to compare the 3 side-to-side in my own set-up. That will be very interesting since those are some serious DACs...
Also, i'll be able -FINALLY!- to try and compare the DACs on my midranges (which are crossed +/- 700hz-4.2khz) to see what kind of impact a good DAC can have on this.
One thing, though: i'll need to keep one DAC on the tweeters for all mid's comparison, otherwise it's impossible to focus only on the mid while changing the DAC on the tweeters in the same time (i know, i tried..)
So if i choose the Weiss to be on the tweeters, i won't be able to test & compare on the mids as well... I'm sorry but i don't have 2x of each 😀
1. dCS Debussy
2. Weiss DAC1 mk3 (pro)
3. Forssell MADA-2 (pro)
Can't wait to compare the 3 side-to-side in my own set-up. That will be very interesting since those are some serious DACs...
Also, i'll be able -FINALLY!- to try and compare the DACs on my midranges (which are crossed +/- 700hz-4.2khz) to see what kind of impact a good DAC can have on this.
One thing, though: i'll need to keep one DAC on the tweeters for all mid's comparison, otherwise it's impossible to focus only on the mid while changing the DAC on the tweeters in the same time (i know, i tried..)
So if i choose the Weiss to be on the tweeters, i won't be able to test & compare on the mids as well... I'm sorry but i don't have 2x of each 😀
One way you can get digital to sound like a good t/t setup is to mimic the channel separation of an analogue cartridge with a passive network across left and right cannels of your CDP or Dac that can be switched in and out.
A channel separation of say only 30db at 1khz and then getting worse, around 10db at 20hz and 10khz, this does wonders for the older Beatles and like stereo recordings that are very ping pong left and right with digital replay as it mono's the sound a bit and adds richness to the midrange.
I did it with a simple 1kohm across L&R which gave across the board 30db channel separation and it was wonderful for these recording, but it could have even been better if it were to mimic a phono cartridge channel separation.
Cheers George