Digital Drive: REVIEW: Eastern Electric MiniDac Plus DAC Processors by jonbee

Model:	MiniDac Plus
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1100
Description:	Sabre based DAC
Manufacturer URL:	Eastern Electric
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee on September 25, 2011 at 13:25:38
IP Address: 24.19.134.241 Add Your Review
for the MiniDac Plus

This is the "upgraded" version of the very well regarded EE Minimax dac. It shares the 32 bit Sabre ES9018 dac, and the switchable tube/ss outputs. It drop the volume control, and has a redesigned board layout, new tube output stage, and separate power supplies for the analog and digital stages. The USB input is now Async to handle a 24bit 192KHz signal, thanks to a built in M2Tech interface.
I used a variety of medium price dacs/reclockers, etc. until about 7-8 years ago, when I discovered the ModWright Signature Truth modded Sony 999 player. It sounded more like music, more analog-like than any digital front end I'd heard, so I dropped out of the DAC race. 4 years ago I went with the ModWright Sony 9100, and I've not wanted any changes since.
However, I recently have been reading about the Sabre chips, and am seriously thinking about setting up a music server, which the Modwright won't support.
This new EE "Plus" model looked like a good candidate at an attractive price, so I ordered one.
The stock unit comed with a basic Shuguang 12AU7 tube.
After 80 hours or so of burn-in, here are my impressions, using only cds and dvds as material.
I listened several hours last night to some very familiar benchmark recordings I've use for a long time. The stock tube sounds ok to me, and I appreciate the spatial qualities of the tube, and it has a bit more body, but in other ways this tube doesn't do it for me. Fat on the bottom, rolled off on top, and a bit opaque for me. I ordered a pair of PSVane tubes, which several other owners have enthused about vs. the stock tube.
Through the ss output, though, I can say that this is the most detailed and 3-d sound I've heard from any digital front end I'm familiar with. It also has the least coloration from top to bottom. Ultra smooth on top, with a silky smooth backdrop to the music.
There is simply more going on, more to hear. Details, ambience and spatial cues that were slightly audible on other players are now clearly audible.
Very subtle vocal elements and overtones of instruments that I'd not heard clearly are now crystal clear.
Notably, cymbal crashes are more natural and realistic than I've ever heard before, dynamically (sounds less compressed) and in the harmonic balance (the metallic body and shimmer seem more like the real thing) and airiness. I've been long wondering why cymbal crashes always seemed to sound muted compared to the real thing even on audiophile uncompressed recordings, and this DAC provides part of that answer.
It's taking a bit of an adjustment to get used to all these musical elements being served up so distinctly.
Comparisons of the EE SS outputs to the the much more expensive Modwright is interesting.
The Modwright player is famed for its massive tube output stage, powered by a tube rectified power supply that alone weighs ~15 lbs.
While the EE dac has very deep, supremely detailed and open bass range, the Modwright 9100 has it beat in sheer bottom end power and slam. The EE dac is a bit more highly detailed throughout, but the Modwright is a bit easier on the ears, a bit more organic and comfortable, one trait of the 9100 which I've not heard equalled. The top end on the 9100 is slightly more distant and a touch smoother, which contributes to this.
These are not big differences. In truth they sound more alike than not, and I could easily live with either of these.
Also note that a better tube in the EE might bring up the "organic" quality to the sound and make the comparison closer yet. I'll find out in a few days.
I've been using modwright/sony Signature Truth players for the past 7-8 years, so I've not had experience with current SOTA DACs or how they might compare, but taken just on its own terms I'm very pleased with this new EE DAC.
If I make the jump to a music server I'll feel that I'm not giving up any overall sound quality compared to my beloved Modwright, which was my goal in purchasing it.

Product Weakness:	Stock tube doesn't work for me.
Product Strengths:	Supremely detailed and open, deep, tight base, great 3-d soundstage and imaging. Very attractive price for the quality. Well made.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: cullen modded PS audio GCC-500 (Icepower)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony 9100/modwright sig. truth CDP
Speakers: Selah audio Tempesta/ James EMB1000 sub
Cables/Interconnects: Zu- Libtec, Mission,and Mother
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 17 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: two walls of glass- eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition: one week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS audio Quintet
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	cullen modded PS audio GCC-500 (Icepower)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony 9100/modwright sig. truth CDP
Speakers:	Selah audio Tempesta/ James EMB1000 sub
Cables/Interconnects:	Zu- Libtec, Mission,and Mother
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	17 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	two walls of glass- eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS audio Quintet
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner