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Re: I could really use a DAC suggestion!

Posted by aljordan (A) on April 26, 2007 at 18:06:37

In Reply to: I could really use a DAC suggestion! posted by budburma on April 20, 2007 at 10:15:23:

Hi Art,

I own the Audio Aero Prima SE DAC. I use it as my preamp also (I sold my Audible Illusions Modulus 3A since buying it). The DAC is very musical, and the preamp section sound very good as well. One nice aspect of this piece of equipment is that it can drive any amplifier I mate to it, even ones that are notoriously difficult on preamps.

Interestingly, the Audio Aero sounds different depending on whether the single ended or balanced outputs are used. The single ended outputs sound a bit thick in the mid bass, while the balanced outputs have a less bloated mid-bass. Directly driving an amplifier, the dac and preamp sounds very musical, fast and snappy in the highs, nice texture in the mids, with a slight thickness in the bass depending on what outputs I use. Ergonomically it is very good; lots of digital inputs, two analog inputs, full finctionality via remote control, and a very good volume control (balance control too, but I don't use the balance much).

I originally bought the Audio Aero because I wanted to feed both my CD player and computer into my system and retain a nice tube-like texture. Since then I have dropped the CD player from the system because the computer gives more presence and detail with the capability of DSP based room correction, and sounds extremely musical with the Audio Aero.

I also have a Lynx Two B semi-pro card in the computer that has highly regarded DACs (for a computer card anyway). Sometimes I will use it to drive the amps directly or use it to digitally feed the Audio Aero DAC via an AES/EBU connection. The Lynx DACs are more detailed all around with more impact in the bass. The Audio Aero imparts a more analog sound with a slightly softer, hazier deep bass, but the tubes make the mids and highs sound glorious with while still retaining excellent detail.

The Audio Aero DAC is not particularly transparent in that the upsampling and tubes definitely impart their own signature, but that signature is very nice. The DACs in the Lynx card sound more transparent, but in the same manner can sound a bit harsh conpared to the tubes.

I do think the best sound I have acheived using the Audio Aero is with a balanced AES/EBU digital connection. I have also tried it using coax from an M-Audio card, and both coax and toslink from my CD Player. The AES/EBU sounds full and smooth coming from the Lynx card. I don't think a DAC like the Audio Aero requires a card as expensive as the Lynx because the reclocking and upsampling offers excellent jitter immunity. The AES/EBU connection of the Audio Aero does sound a bit better to me than the other connections, which is why I like using the Lynx card.

Regarding preamps, I own a Transendent Sound Grounded Grid, I owned an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A, and had a Cary SLP 98 (F1 version) in the system for a good long time. All have their strengths but I think the Audio Aero preamp section is the most well rounded of them all, and tosses in the ability to drive pretty much anything. I would love to have the opportunity to try an Audio Note DAC, but unfortunately can't give any feedback with a comparison.

Hope this helps,
Alan

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