Digital Drive: REVIEW: Audio Note DAC 5 Special DAC Processors by Bob Bales

Model:	DAC 5 Special
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$ ?????
Description:	1X oversampling tube dac
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Note
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Note

Review by Bob Bales ( A ) on August 25, 2002 at 09:48:31
IP Address: 213.107.253.120

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I recently decided to upgrade my digital again after a period of bliss listening to vinyl. Unfortunately much loved music is only on cd so I looked around for a good digital option. Having a Audio Note DAC4sig before I decided to start with these dacs as they are extremely good. Then as fate would have it a second hand DAC5 special for sale second hand was available.
As an option for a transport and also a cd comparison I also got a wadia 861 and a sony scd777es.
The wadia was a great upgrade for my bedroom system, and at a price I will get back if not wanted (as was the sony).
To cut a long story short, the DAC5 with the wadia as a transport is an astounding sounding digital combination. It is so close to my ref TT set up that I have to remind myself it is not vinyl. As cd playback goes this shows so much is possible from cd that most people have never heard half of what is on their cd collection. The Wadia on its own seems fantastic, living up to the very good press and reveiws it has had. However put the DAC5 into the equation and the wadia seems to revert to a digital playback system lacking in presence, musical message and full 3D size soundstage.
This DAC allows a contact with the music and musicians I have never heard before from digital. Players seem to have a seperate space to show their skills, blending with the ensemble around them to give music. This product is something way ahead of what I have heard, it seems to actually prove the reason it costs so much!
Anyway as I had the Sony SCD777es I thought right lets be brave and put on the sacds and prove new technology rules! Oh dear, the sony is a long way behind! I know the price difference is large but after all I have read I assumed sacd is unbeatable. This machine is not yet beating all cd players, it is a long way off the pace in my system. Good I have hundreads of cds to use and a sacd player for sale!

Product Weakness: cost
Product Strengths: stunning sound from cds, sound stage detail, musical message

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	AN Neiro
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none for digital M7 for TT
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Voyd reference AN DAC5special
Speakers:	Carfrae Big Horns
Cables/Interconnects:	AN siver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Brass
Room Size (LxWxH):	26 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Not a lot
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	JPS kaptivator mains leads
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	cost
Product Strengths:	stunning sound from cds, sound stage detail, musical message