California Audio Labs Alpha DAC / Delta x-port Review by Stephen

Originally posted December 1997

First off, many thanks to all you have provided advice and encouragement in my quest to upgrade my cd source. Your consistent urging to listen for myself—despite geographically-related challenges—made for what I believe to be a well-taken decision. For the record, here is the system configuration prior to settling on the replacement:

• NAD Studio Monitor Series 5000 cdp transport driving Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2 via Cardas high-speed digitalal interconnect
• Audible Illusions M3 preamp (w/ gold phono board) recently upgraded to M3A status (and, by the way, well-worth the expense ... but that’s another story)
• Sunfire Stereo amp
• VPI HW-19 Jr./PT-6 tonearm/AT OC-9 cartridge
• Dunlavy SC-III speakers
• Tara Labs RSC Reference Gen 2 and Audioquest Quartz interconnects
• Tara Labs RSC Prime 1000 cables (in a discrete bi-wire configuration)
• Nakamichi RX-202 deck
• Tice Elite Power Conditioner
• Bright Star air mass
• VPI 16.5 record cleaner
• Navcom silencers, “tip-toes”, yada, yada, ...
• Larry (our five-year old golden lab), optimally positioned by the fireplace, outside of the direct radiation pattern of the speakers

Over the last six weeks I've auditioned several one boxers and separates:
Rotel RCD-990 ($1400?; borrowed from a friend)
Marantz CD-17 ($1200)
Rega Planet ($895)
California Audio Labs CL-15 ($1695)
CAL CL-10 ($1900)
CAL Delta Transport/Alpha DAC ($895/$1495; although it can be had for $800 at selected CAL dealers, as CAL is looking to move away from separates in favor of the one-boxers that the market appears to be demanding)

The Rotel, Marantz and Rega were soon eliminated. Each had its own sonic character. The Rotel struck me as well-balanced, with no major faults (other than being a bit too vivid in the top octove) ... it’s dimensionality was the best among these three ... alas, it was not a significant improvement over what I already had, and if pressed would stick with current reference simply because of its better sense of pace. The Marantz struck me as a bit cool, perhaps even clinical. Although highly detailed at moderate volumes, as you might expect from the previous adjectives, it also seemed to get congested when it came to the task of high-level resolution (on the second cut of Bill Frisell’s Nashville, things get very busy, and when played at house-cleaning levels, the harmonica and guitars just didn’t sound right anymore. The congestion also showed up clearly (so to speak) in the loss of image specificity when played at higher volumes ... a general smearing is best descriptor I can offer at the moment. The Rega, interestingly, didn’t seem to have a sonic texture, wet or dry. While very nice (perhaps even the most tonally accurate) at its pricepoint, it did not, in the end, engage me enough in the music. I found it a too laid-back and would have to characterize it as rhythmically-challenged, ‘cause I never caught myself very involved in the musical proceedings, and I know, that for me, the timing-thing is crucial to my enjoyment of the tunes.

Next came the three CAL components. The final decision was taken last night——after five days of hard-core comparisons with every familiar recording from my collection (which, to date, is only missing representation from the polka and rap genres). As I was listening to. Holly Cole singing “Take Me Home” this “silly boy” knew exactly which of the CAL litter was coming home to stay.

The CL-10 (a changer, for those of you not familiar with the line-up) a bit warmer and offered more instrumental palpability (something I could feel) than it’s single-disc stable-mate, the highly-touted CL-15. The 15 offered a level of image specificity (something I could see) that was better than the 10. But, hey, for $2,000, I want both, in the same package, OK?

The Model 10 did not offer as much low-level resolution as the 15, and the 15 excelled in portraying dynamic swings. The 15 better resolved low-level information. Neither improved on my current reference in the area of micro-dynamics, which I found disappointing.

It also struck me as odd (even annoying) that the CL-15 did not offer a digital out. Seems that CAL thinks so much of their internal DAC, that they only offered a digital in! Go figure.

Anyway, if I had to live with one, I’d take the Model 10 (even though I’m biased against changers). Fortunately, I had one more option. And, in the end, both the CL-10 and CL-15wound up being trounced (yes, I said trounced) by the Alpha/Delta combo (using the Illuminati D-60 cable).

It may be system, or my ears, but I simply was not impressed (to the tune of $2,000) with the CL-10 or -15. I know that others think quite highly of them. While the -15 improved on the Rega’s level of detail retrieval, it was only marginally better at keeping me interested in the music. Where the CL-10 and -15 excelled, compared to the combo, was in the bottom-octave; they was a simply tighter and more authoratative than the combo. Overall, however, they both missed the boat when it came to the most realistic depiction of the distinct tonal characteristics of various instruments, micro-dynamics, rhythm, and the whole “attack and decay” realm of clues which live music imparts to me.

Simply put, the low-level detail, micro- and macro-dynamics, ability to sort out complex passages, and, most importantly, sheer musicality of the combo kept me fully engaged. Many folks speak of components having the ability to transport the listener to the venue, or, alternatively bring the performer into the room with them. While those of us who listen to live music know this is a bit of a stretch (he said with tongue-in-cheek), allow me to risk piling it on a little higher. IF IT WERE POSSIBLE to get the performer into your room, THEN Holly Cole was on my lap. The first words out of her mouth (and this is a recording I know very well) physically startled me, to say the least. Their immediacy and presence (which to me, are different from the concept of forwardness), were, as reviewers sometimes say, spooky.

I also listened to a good deal of classical, acoustic, world-beat, ambient, choral and rock selections. I was able to relax and listen to all of them. I did not feel the urge to get-up, clean-up and spin some vinyl, as I often do when listening to cds for extended periods. I came home early from work. I went to bed much later than usual. I listened a lot. I listened to ENTIRE cds instead of changing discs after one or two cuts. I think these things are excellent indicators of the likelihood of a component having a long term relationship with me and my system (not to mention, my checkbook).

Obligatory disclaimer: your results, mileage, interest, or experience may vary. It is an excellent match for my system.

A word of caution: The DAC requires some careful matching to some preamps (which would have to be able to handle an input impedance of more than 14,000 ohms). This was not problem for my AI which can handle a cd input of up to 100,000 ohms.

Also, the technology of the Alpha is a bit dated (Delta-Sigma 1-bit conversion; 18 bit resolution) but the sound, in the end, is compelling. If CAL chose to upgrade this product, that would be great, but I understand that is not likely to happen* as CAL begins to focus on meeting the market demand for one-boxers (and, if the rumor mill is right, DVD, among other things). Gasp ... shudder.

* Will wonders never cease? CAL did begin to offer an update in late 1998.
I will post on the improvements wrought by the 24/96 upgrade at another time.

An acquaintance who (hopefully doesn’t mind me sharing this) recently traded in his Alpha/Delta combo for a Wadia. In fact, it was his units that got from the dealer for audition. He now says "...and to be totally honest, the Wadia doesn't have THAT much on the Alpha/Delta. Considering the $4,950 price of admission for the Wadia, I have caught myself scratching my head more than a few times since I picked it up. It is better, but not by as much as you might think."

As always: Don’t take my word for it; listen for yourself. It is time well invested in the quest for sonic truth and beauty. (Unless, or course, you ask my lovely bride, who while happy with the outcomes—and, I suspect her ears are better than mine—detests the periodic ritual of replacing of the “weak link” in the system. She’s quite pleased that the upgrade bug has been vanquished (again ... for now).

She also said to tell Holly Cole to go back to her house and stay off my lap. Fair enough ... since I get to keep the CAL combo, I got the best part of that deal.

© Stephen Harrell, 1997

Product Weakness:	read the review, damnit!
Product Strengths:	read the review, damnit!

• CAL Alpha / Delta combo Sean 22:41:09 4/18/99 (1)
  • Re: CAL Alpha / Delta combo Stephen 08:34:42 4/19/99 (0)
• Re: REVIEW: California Audio Labs Alpha DAC / Delta x-port Dave F 10:30:48 4/18/99 (2)
  • Re: REVIEW: California Audio Labs Alpha DAC / Delta x-port Stephen 08:32:58 4/19/99 (1)
    • Re: REVIEW: California Audio Labs Alpha DAC / Delta x-port Dave F. 16:54:21 4/19/99 (0)
• Re: REVIEW: California Audio Labs Alpha DAC / Delta x-port Ed N 15:00:43 4/17/99 (0)