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I thought I'd write a bit about my experience with the DAC, since
I'm sure there are many interested people out there. My system
consists of a Pioneer 727 DVD changer fed into a PT P-1A connected
to the EVS DAC. The DAC feeds a small Krell integrated which drives
Monitor Audio PMC 705's. Digital cables are also EVS and the speaker
cable is Dunlavy Z6.The P-1A converts any non-24 bit data to 24 bit and also upsamples
to 96 KHz. A result of this process is ultimate jitter reduction
since the data is actually reclocked. (I've experimented and find
varying but consistently improved sound using the P-1A in this mode)The system prior to the EVS was identical save for the DAC was a
MSB Link DAC (II I guess) with Ric's free "Snip" mod.The difference with the EVS DAC is nothing short of astounding. The
system as a whole is far more clear, musical, and full-bodied.
Breakin over a few days of hard playing has improved the situation
even more with a slight mellowing of the sound and an expansion of
the soundstage. Imaging could be better, but that's the fault of
my (limited by WAF) speaker placement.If you're want more info see www.tweakaudio.com. Go to What's New
and click on the www.audioreview.com link.One of my favorite parts of all this is that with EVS I'll
have access to affordable upgrades. I guess I'm not in a position
to really know for sure, but I believe I've got at least a piece of
true highend for not too much money.I'm enjoying the DAC.
Ken
I've been reading posts about this DAC since I found this forum, and I'd like to know more about it. The problem that I have is that the EVS website is impenetrable, at least in terms of any description of the DAC. It is listed in the Products section, but no link to that product exists. I've clicked everywhere on the damn website, but no link to the Millenium DAC. Help? - TIA - Pat
nt
The EVS website is a rambling mess. Sprawling 'stream-of-consciousness' text; AWFUL photographs; rarely updated. EVS products may be the world's best for all I know, but I can't hear the stuff (try ordering to find out what the latest waiting-list is...IF you manage to get someone to reply!). All that's available is a disjointed cyber-mess saying "WE SUCK!".I wanted to audition the Millennium DAC, but the wait was ridiculous. You can't have confidence in a product based on promises and hyperbole.
> > EVS products may be the world's best for all I know, but I can't hear the stuff (try ordering to find out what the latest waiting-list is...IF you manage to get someone to reply!). All that's available is a disjointed cyber-mess saying "WE SUCK!". < <How do you know they suck? What do you mean by suck? Come on... we are grown-ups here. At least I'm assuming we are. Yes, the EVS website needs to be updated. If you call EVS they will admit it. However, Ric is a one-man show and does not have the production ability of a major high-end manufacturer. Stereophile may never have a chance to hear his Millenium DAC. I do not think Ric would care if they did. He does this because he loves high-end audio and pursues the simplest approaches to design and signal path. If you have the time, patience, and can depart with $650 for a few months, give the DAC a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Randy P
Thanks Randy P and MRoadster for your responses to my post.My comments concerning EVS are not aimed at Ric Schultz, nor are they directed at the sound quality of their products, how could they be? I've heard neither.
I should clarify myself then. My "WE SUCK" comment is directed at the EVS website. In the absence of equipment to listen to, the only way a prospective buyer can get hard information on their products is through www.tweakaudio.com. Let me state here-and-now: I WANTED to audition the Millennium DAC, but I had no response via email or telephone. Their website proudly boasts that it is added to daily -- yet has been updated only once in four months. The labyrinthine copy is tortuous to wade through and is bafflingly organized. The images are truly gruesome! (switch the flash off, lose the shadows, and save your images as JPEGs if you want to lose the warty look guys!! -- they will download in half the time, too!). SOMEWHERE on their site EVS have expressed a desire to seek investment in order to expand production (such is the cyber-chaos, I was unable to find the exact quote). Financial backing will prove difficult to find if their shop window and their "vapourware" (another Asylum critic's expression, not mine) in any way resembles their business plan.
So my extrapolation is this: If EVS do not answer the phone, and if EVS do not respond to email, and if EVS do not care enough about their products to present them reasonably, then I am forced to reason/suspect that EVS is a company that simply doesn't care, or is negligent, or is incompetent. Therefore the message -- their own projected Public Image -- is "WE SUCK!". Perhaps then 'suck' is too strong a word, maybe "WE'RE NOT VERY GOOD!" or "WE'RE AMATEURS!" would have been sufficient. (and before you take umbrage at that, remember that the root of amateur is the French amator meaning lover: audio needs more genuine amateurs!). Please remember that this deduction is based purely on the evidence of their self-created publicity website. They CHOSE to do this.
So to answer you MRoadster: "who cares if the [EVS] site is not well organized". I do -- its all I've got to go on.
And to you Randy P: "Stereophile may never have a chance to hear his Millennium DAC. I do not think Ric would care if they did." Frankly neither would I. It would only be more words about a product I cannot hear.
Unlike (apparently) many Asylum Inmates, $650 is an enormous amount of cash for me to spend on anything, but there are so many Ric Schultz apologists out there, that my interest was peaked and I REALLY REALLY wanted to hear the Millennium DAC. In the end I got a good deal on a brand new MSB Link w/Full Nelson & power supply. But......I'll still need a new transport for my CDs (I have around a thousand of them and I don't think I'll be reformatting in the future -- unless the new format's extra cheap). So after I have paid off my outstanding debts, I REALLY REALLY want to hear Ric's CD Transport!! If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him.
Good luck Ric. Audio needs your like.
I can understand your frustration of having to wait for a product or having to call or e-mail twice to find out how long the wait is for our products. I am getting financed and will be expanding production and hiring some people to help. However, our products are so desireable that we may never be able to keep up with the immediate demand, no matter how fast we expand(we will not be seeking formal reviews in magazines until we know we can keep up with the demand it would create). If you really want to try one of our products, you must put your name on our waiting list. Currently there is no other way.
The website will be totally revamped shortly (1-2 months). It will have even more tweak info, be more organized, have question and answer sections and have very, very clear pictures and descriptions of our products.
Hang in there. One person doing everything now----later, many people doing even more, even better.Ric Schultz
EVS
...and give the guy a break. This ain't no factory fellas.(One of those is making me very happy.)
I'm also in the same boat as many others. I tried emailing you back about a month ago with a few questions and to find out how long the waiting list was at that time. Like the "deaf ear" above, i never got any response. Like many others, we don't know if we should take this as to you being run ragged and short on time or if your just plain blowing us off.As it is, i'd like to purchase one of your Milleniums. I would also like some idea as to how long i'll have to wait for it ??? No need to get specific, but a ballpark guess posted here would probably reduce the amount of emails that you get asking this question. Any ideas ??? Sean
>
There will be two new upsampling to 132K Millenium DACs. The cheaper one will be about $800 and the more expensive one about $1400-$1500. The production is slated to start in about 6-7 weeks. If you put your name on the waiting list now, you would get one in about 10 weeks. The waiting list is growing longer every day. Hint-put your name on now. There will be more info on the website within the next two weeks when I have time (working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week presently). Sorry you did not get a response. Please keep trying. I now am answering every e-mail every day first thing.Ric Schultz
EVS
Thanks Ric for your reply to my posting, its nice to hear from you at last. I wish you every success in your new venture, and I WILL be looking for a new transport in the future so our paths will cross again. I look forward to that.
Who cares if the site is not well organized, this DAC is the real deal. Well worth anyones wait!!! I have had mine for three months and enjoying every minute of it. If you have questions just call Ric up and he will answer them. This was probably one of my best purchases in high end audio.
Hi:Go to www.tweakaudio.com. The Millenium DAC is pictured there. Go to "What's New" and read all about the incarnation of the EVS Millenium DAC posted by date. There are several pictures of it as you scroll thru the page. There is also a link to read reviews in Audioreview.com. Cheers,
Randy
Thanks Randy, but I did all that. I really know nothing about the DAC from the description. Call me goofy, but I'd like to know the chipset, the filtering scheme, and other details about the product before I send off a check for $650. A picture really doesn't do much for me in that regard. - Pat
I was #1 on the waiting list and have had my Millennium for 5 months now. This thing is amazing, the likes of Meridian or Wadia?The following is from the What's New section on Ric's "site":
(Someone should re-do Ric's site in exchange for some gear...)
Millennium DAC 1
We are moving in an exciting new direction. We have our own DAC out in our own chassis. It costs $650 and is far better than our $500 mod to the MSB!!!
Some of the features of the new DAC are:
1. The EVS DAC features the new Analog Devices 24bit/192K capable DAC chip. This DAC chip has both current output and differential outputs. Most DACs, like the Burr-Brown PCM 1716 used in the MSB, have an op amp built in the DAC chip that runs on +5 volts. By having true current output, we can use our own outboard current to voltage converters (running at plus and minus 15 volts) for much better sound.
2. Super parts and execution: It has the same type of parts as our $500 mod to the MSB (Caddocks, Vishays, Infinicap Signatures, AuriCaps, Elna Cerafines) but it also has a better DAC chip, more regulators (now 8), more soft recover diode bridges (now 4), more film bypass caps and OFC (oxygen free copper) jacks.
Two different types of damping material are utilized in damping many parts, the chassis and the circuit board. The digital chips are shielded with grounded copper foil.
3. One hardwired (no switching-for best sound) digital input: either a coax, BNC or AES/balanced (as requested). Sorry, no Tos-Link, Glass or I2S. We may add I2S later (possibly even hardwired into the DAC with a plug at the other end to attach to the Perpetual or a transport).
4. Two 30 watt split bobbin transformers (one for digital and one for analog). Transformers are located inside DAC chassis. No separate power supply needed.
5. IEC connector for using super power cords.
6. Standard output voltage is 3.5 volts RMS unbalanced and 7 volts balanced (plenty to run passive). The voltage can be lowered for preamp use at customers request.
7. Output impedance is 121 ohms. Extra set of single ended OFC output jacks are $25.00
8. Optional balanced outs ($150).
9. Optional rear mounted passive volume control ($100 for unbalanced, $200 for balanced-our Ultimate Attenuators, natch).
10. Black Anodized Aluminum chassis measuring 14" by 11" by 3.25".
11. The EVS DAC will be fully upgradable (with new factory installed boards and possible chassis mods) to all the new formats when the digital send and receive circuits are decided. The DAC currently can handle up to 24/96K sources. This means you can buy from us knowing that your DAC will always have the latest and best sounding chips, technology and tweaking. We will be adding MLP decoding and any other technology to make this DAC play all the new formats with world class transparency at prices that are way, way below the commercial high-end units (our upgrade boards will be very affordable). The EVS DAC
does not decode HDCD. It will play the discs superbly. My sense is that an HDCD disc interpolated to 24 bits and upsampled to 96 or 192K will sound much, much better than just standard HDCD decoding. If the Perpetual Tech P1A performs as advertised, it should totally transform your listening experience with CDs. I will be receiving a P1A shortly and report on its performance.
nt
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