Demoed Meitner, Weiss 202, CAD and AR Dac 8

[bonzo]

These dacs, when teamed up with an AR pre-po combo on Summit X:

All the other 3 were slightly more open than the AR Dac 8. This is noticeable when compared, but otherwise I wouldn't have noticed the difference. Weiss was detailed, but not to my liking - too bright for me. Meitner was extremely gentle and smooth. The CAD was good, more neutral

 

[User211]

Sounds like the CAD is the best bet then? I've heard it a few times at shows but I've never been able to work it out - always on at low volumes in a system with speakers I wasn't keen on. And a Meitner CDP - which I really liked - the CDSA which is old hat now.

An AR 7 (half upgraded to an 8) was easily bettered by an older iteration of an Audio Note DAC 4.1 - agreed by a room full of people.

I can recommend a Lampizator DAC but to be really good at least a Level 4 plus some special "foo" caps. V-Cap, Jensen or Dueland.

 

[bonzo]

Not sure, I might prefer the Meitner.

Didn't understand your last sentence, what do the caps do.

 

[User211]

Try this link

Bear in mind it has been written by a Polish man LOL. All the cap options will sound different, but these are all VERY high grade audiophile grade caps so all should be very good in their own ways. I used the Americansim "foo" as there are plenty of non-believers.

 

[bonzo]

Read this paper by the CAD founder on why USB after optimization is the best way, better than spdif or firewire http://www.computeraudiodesign.com/Windows Software Modifications V2_1.pdf

 

[User211]

I was trying to work out what USB interface he was using as the Amanera one seems excellent in my DAC.

There are some excellent cheap DACs around. Might be worth trying something much cheaper and see if you can save some money. You might be surprised at just how good some of them are.

 

[bonzo]

Please recommend some, I will audition them

 

[User211]

Although Jolida had some flak here recently, I really like the little Jolida Glass FX II DAC. It is now in MKIII form. The MKII sounded absolutely fine in my system. Plus you can fine tune it by changing the valves. I'd also try the Asus Xonar Essence One as it is clear, detailed and pretty amazing for £350.

I think Roberto here loves his Audiolab M-DAC into his CLX. The Rega DAC is very popular.

At this £500 odd mark, though, don't expect a really nice box and finish. If you can live with that, personally I'd get the Jolida. But you're not me - so try and listen first or just buy them 2nd hand on ebay and re-sell if you don't like them. Won't lose much doing so.

 

[bonzo]

I have the rega and the Dac 8 both at my place, the Dac 8 is better. though not worth the premium over rega dac.

 

[User211]

Wish you were closer - I'd bring mine around...

Yeah I'm not claiming any of those cheap DACs will better the DAC 8. But it makes you realise how much more you have to pay to get something appreciably better.

Need to do the cheap/expensive comparison to get things in perspective.