Digital Drive: REVIEW: M-Audio SuperDAC 24/96 DAC Processors by maxlorenz

Model:	SuperDAC 24/96
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$299
Description:	Pro audio 24/96 DAC
Manufacturer URL:	M-Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by maxlorenz ( A ) on May 14, 2004 at 09:40:29
IP Address: 200.85.205.246

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for the SuperDAC 24/96

The review unit is a Bolder modified M-Audio superdac 24/96.
After 2 decades audio engineers finally have learned how to get CD sound right. There's no hope that SACD arrives to my country at an affordable price soon (and it's probably wise to wait untill they perfect the format) so I decided to add an external DAC to my system. I was using a NAD T761receiver as DAC/preamp before.
Pro-way seemed to have good price/performance ratio judging by ART/DIO's success. I was looking for a DAC that had balanced digital input to take full advantage of my Monarchy Audio DIP upsampler capability and lacked DIO's signal locking problems. I found M-Audio's superdac 24/96 as the best option. Three digital input formats, balanced and unbalanced outputs, for $220, shiped. I convinced Mr Wayne Waananen from Bolder Cable to make for it a high current ("power is everything") 220VAC to 9VAC power supply and practice some basic mods inside: better rectifiers; change most caps to Panasonics; change single ended output opamps to AD825; change output RCAs to Cardas (I might forget some mods).
Mr Waananen had the kindness to show his friends the unit (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=8403) .
They seemed to agree that it performed at the level of Mensa DIO but with a more relaxed, "analog" sound.
After the long journey home I found that this little moded DAC was a very satisfying performer. It has: an open, extended sound, with sweet and detailed highs but without any hardness or false â€œdigitalâ€ brightness; articulate and communicative midrange; very punchy and dynamic midbass. I did some changes to my acoustic treatment and the lower bass is far better than with the NAD as DAC: heavier and articulate. I can hear better some trucks passing outside with some â€œADDâ€ recordings. Orchestral worksâ€™ sound is â€œfullâ€ but detailed.
Cables changes show immediately: in order to save some money I bought Signal Cableâ€™s analog2 and balanced digital ICs. The analog cables didnâ€™t work. They have a sweet, gentle sound but lacked bass (in my system/room). The balanced digital IC was a surprise. For $35, it bested my beloved unbalanced DH Labs Silversonic D75 cable in every aspect (so much that I suspect that itâ€™s a format difference) except in â€œweightâ€. In balanced digital mode the DAC sounded more relaxed, elegant and detailed. The most striking improvement came in soundstage width and player/instruments separation. Transitions and sound decay are also more natural now. Iâ€™m waiting for a PS Audio balanced digital cable. I expect this cable will bring more â€œweightâ€ to the sound as PS Audioâ€™s stuff often does. The superdac also has balanced outs for those who can take advantage of that. Changing opamps there will be more expensive, though.
Allow me to speak about my first DIY cables: to replace analog2 y did a 1 foot IC pair with a wide copper unshielded, interlaced speaker cable which sounded fatter and warmer but had less HF information and less texture differences. My second experience is a Homegrown Audio based hybrid speaker cable used as IC: 1 foot; 8 pure silver 22AWG as signal and 8/ 22 AWG OFC as return; on a complicated interlaced architecture; cheap connectors. This cable took VERY long to burn-in. Through it the superdac has a very detailed but natural, round sound, with excellent player placement with blackness between them, good PRAT and very low noise floor for an unshielded cable. Brass instruments sound very exciting trough the Tannoys. Drums sound with the appropriate tightness back there, where you can almost see them. Voice reproduction is a well known attribute of my Monarchy Class A amps. Now, vocal works (Iâ€™m an opera and sacred music lover) are astoundingly â€œliveâ€. Strings sound great also. I just listened to some Bachâ€™s violin/harpsichord sonatas (Kjuiken/Hogwood). You know harpsichord can sound tiring in the wrong setting. Not anymore. I could just relax and enjoy the music of â€œthe Masterâ€. I never felt the beauty and colour of wind wood instruments until now. This cable has better timbral accuracy so it allows to distinguish between instruments in a massive orchestral performance and it gave me the best low end until now.
Mr Waananen is well known for doing excellent mods so Iâ€™m not adding any new knowledge here.
As you may think I am very pleased with my little superdac (and its price). Whatâ€™s next? Possibly a pair of Bybeeâ€™s at signal input, better ICâ€™s and soon a TVC. The search never ends...
Ciao.

Product Weakness: at this price??
Product Strengths: price performance - extended open detailed punchy "analog like" sound - easily moded - versatility.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Monarchy Audio SE100deluxe monos
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	NAD T761 receiver
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	cheap DVD-> Monarchy's DIP upsampler-> M-Audio superdac
Speakers:	Tannoy Definition D500
Cables/Interconnects:	PS Audio and Signal Cable PCs-> amps / Cryotweaks Bybeed PC -> NAD / DH Labs D75-> DIP upsampler / DIY Homegrown Audio-> DIP to superDAC / DH Labs BL-1 to amps
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	6.8m x 3.3m x 2.4m
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Bass Traps/panels/room lens
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Quantum Electroclear Modules
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	at this price??
Product Strengths:	price performance - extended open detailed punchy "analog like" sound - easily moded - versatility.