Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems Millenium DAC II DAC Processors by PaulDB

Model:	Millenium DAC II
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1060
Description:	24/96 DAC
Manufacturer URL:	EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems
Manufacturer URL:	EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems

Review by PaulDB on August 09, 2001 at 13:18:33
IP Address: 204.160.183.18

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for the Millenium DAC II

It came as the most recent component upgrade to my music system. The entire CD collection now is more valuable than ever; I can enjoy the CD's that I couldn't stand prior to adding this DAC.
This DAC, with the built-in attenuator, beats the Meridian 518 and CAL Alpha in purity, naturalness, soundstage, and bass. I found myself listening at higher volume without any fatigue. Orchestral music suddenly became more spacious, dynamic, fast, and authoritative without the usual digital glare. An "ordinary" CD I bought back in 1989 (Telarc - #80196 Audio CD May 22, 1989) played with flying colors in my room last night. Sounds didn't come directly from speakers but all over me from a deep and broad soundstage; there were layers of chorus members and instrumentalists singing and playing wonderful Disney music in realistic voices and tones. And mind you, the music presentation was not forward at all; it seemed to expand well beyond the wall behind speakers.
Untightening the transformers' screws really makes music flow more easily; the sound opens up and becomes more extended; bass seems to acquire one octave lower. Midrange details seem to be reaching out to the listener in a palpable manner, not the "in-your-face" glare that I used to get when turning the volume to a "macho man" level.
This observation is just after 2 weeks living with this honey sweatheart, and 2 days after its atenuator was added.
To be fair, this DAC is playing in a good team of components, in my humble opinion. I am so excited about it and don't want to even try to A/B with any other configuration, because it makes the system sound oh soooooo good: RIGHT but not BLAND, VIVID and PALPABLE and DETAILED but not GLARING, DYNAMIC and AUTHORITATIVE but not BASS HEAVY.
Before becoming long winded, I'd like to list the associated components that help create such a tremendous joy in my room:
CAL Delta transport --> Kimber Illuminati coax
digital link --> EVS Millennium DAC II w/built-in attenuator --> Homegrown Silver Lace IC -->
3.6w Decware ZEN monoblocks SV83M --> Kimber Monocle XL
--> 93 db "The Horns" (from TheHornShoppe.com)
Every component is plugged into PowerSnakes Hydra. 2 PSA P300's should do well too. Dedicated power cords costing less than $150 being used on all components. A REL Storm III is also there to complete the spectrum. Common sense isolation applied to most components, starting from the sources. Casual room treatment applied to the 24 x 16 x 9 room.
Oh, this DAC made in 2001. Thank you all who posted and shared your experience with this wonderful DAC.

Product Weakness: Could be a long wait to order, forces owners to purchase more 16/44 CD's.
Product Strengths: Upgradable upsampling 24/96 DAC, minimalist and purist design, first rate parts, 30 day money back.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Decware ZEN SV83M monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Built-in to the DAC volume attenuator
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CAL Delta transport
Speakers:	The Horns (TheHornShoppe.com)/REL Storm III
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Illuminati and Monocle XL, Howgrown Silver Lace
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical orchestras, Erich Kunzel Disney, Jazz and Blues (Diana Krall, Patricia Barber, Holy Cole, etc)
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 16 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Medium/Casual
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks/3 hour session
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PowerSnakes Hydra/PSA P300's
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Could be a long wait to order, forces owners to purchase more 16/44 CD's.
Product Strengths:	Upgradable upsampling 24/96 DAC, minimalist and purist design, first rate parts, 30 day money back.