Digital Drive: REVIEW: Kora Hermes DAC Processors by Eldragon Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

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Model:	Hermes
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$3600
Description:	Tube DAC
Manufacturer URL:	Kora
Manufacturer URL:	Kora

Review by Eldragon ( A ) on April 26, 2006 at 12:27:11 IP Address: 74.227.63.208

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The search for the new DAC began since my original processor started acting up, and was sent to U.K. to be fixed. It was one of the only 30 units made, by now defunct Welsh company DPA. The price, in 1994 was $10,000, and was touted by the UK Hi-FI reviewers as one of the best at the time. I felt, if I couldn’t find the unit that would sound as good as my DPA 1024, I should find at least something that would sound at least close enough to remind me of a detail and palpability of DPA.

My music preference is mostly classical piano, but also Latin and World music. I chose four CD’s that were in heavy rotation in last few weeks: Richard Goode “Bach Partitas NOS. 1, 3 & 6; Arvo Part “De Profundis”; Ian Bostridge J S Bach Cantatas & Arias and Compay Segundo “Calle Salud.”

I prefer detail and transparency without listening fatigue. That’s the reason I like non-invasive soundstage that develops in between speakers, or even a step behind. The worst thing about stereo is if music is right into my face. If upon the listening, the first thought is to turn the volume knob down – I am running away!

Kora Hermes was used unit that I bought from one of the reviewers that wrote about the original Hermes in 1998. It’s been in my system for almost a month, and as mentioned earlier, replaced the flagship DPA 1024. The performance was better than I could have ever expected. With the Hermes I experienced biggest improvement in imaging and for the first time experienced the 3-D sound. Maybe because the sound was brought just nearer than what I was used to but still - it wasn’t in my face. Instead soundstage expanded further behind the speakers and closer to the listening chair. The most noticeable trait that performer was “full size,” and not three feet tall. The detail and transparency were there, and yet I could have listened it for hours at the time without any fatigue. The greatest weakness of my system is bass. It wouldn’t be fair to single Kora Hermes out, because that could easily be attributed to my speakers or any other component in the chain.

Will I keep Kora Hermes or DPA DAC, when it returns? That will yet to be seen once I compare them side-by-side. So far, Kora did so well that I am not sure anymore.

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Product Weakness:	don't know yet
Product Strengths:	Soundstage, Imaging, detail...

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pass Aleph 3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Cary SLP-50
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Dpa T-1 transport
Speakers:	Diy Watt/puppy clones 91db 8ohm
Cables/Interconnects:	Discovery 1-2-2, Kimber PBJ, Canare Digiflex
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Latin
Room Size (LxWxH):	26 x 16 x 12
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Less than one month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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