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Finding ways to make it work: DNA, Weiss, Musician, ZMF

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by purr1n, Apr 13, 2024.

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  1. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    Back when I was working at Questyle and showing off the gear with the bias switch, it was kinda funny how it seemed like at shows it would be universally agreed High Bias mode sounded the best. Thought maybe at a certain point in future models suggesting we ship without the switch since it seemed like folks would just always leave it on High Bias mode!

    For the Weiss, first time I heard their products was on the big ole flagship of the DAC502. Sounded great but at the price point it did not do itself favors as the competition would gravitate towards the Chord Dave or other 5 figure DACs. DAC204 is much more reasonable but think it doesn't have enough traction or a design that appeals to the usual audiophile crowd yet. Haven't had many people reach out asking/inquiring about it but can certainly link them to this post for impressions!
     
    netforce, Apr 22, 2024
    #21
  2. Failed Engineer

    Failed Engineer Friend

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    I've found I prefer good DS DACs actually, but it seems like the 2-3k-ish market is lacking in great options. The price bracket that the usual R2R suspects reside in have not much competition from DS designs.
     
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    Failed Engineer, Apr 25, 2024
    #22
  3. goodvibes

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    Probably has more to do with pre and post processing than DAC type at this point. The stream is so well corrected and filtered that 'characteristic' of type has become rather moot. It's funny how the market works. HiDef digital becomes really great and then turntables become popular again. D/S DACs get boogie and R2R becomes more popular again. It's like there's a few years lag of perspective.
     
    goodvibes, Apr 27, 2024 at 7:04 AM
    #23
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Review up. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/weiss-dac204-review-and-measurements.14405/

    Berkeley Alpha and Chord DAC, but way past the $2-3k mark. Weiss is good, make sure it's tonal balance works for you, but at the asking price, I would have expected a companion power supply cube.

    Burl B2 Bomber is a DS DAC in that price range, if you like the sound. Same with the Dangerous Music Convert-2. I like both of them and own the B2 myself.

    I feel like R2R has become like orthos. You know my bitching: yet another shitty ortho -or- yet another high-end ortho, one step forward, two steps back

    R2R is like this. With one or two exceptions, lots of shitty Chi-Fi R2R DACs. Just garbage. Expect more as China implodes, making a ton of random shit under cost with felons on organ harvest lists, to dump into the marketplaces of the West. I will take a decent DS DAC over most R2R DACs today.
     
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    Last edited: Apr 27, 2024 at 7:48 AM
    purr1n, Apr 27, 2024 at 7:40 AM
    #24
  5. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

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    So what I’m getting out of this is maybe I should grab a pair of the Telefunken tubes and try them on my SFD-1 MKII SE+. I’ve been meaning to grab a pair for my Manley Chinook and think I’ll try them out in the DAC to see when I do.

    At this point, I feel like I’ve hit the end of the road for headphones - best to leave it alone and focus on 2ch now. With the SFD-1/BA/ JAR600 everything is very well paired and any future improvements are very far off on the land of diminishing returns. Improving this set would involve multi-thousand dollar investments on both the DAC and Headphones to improve - but it's still worth refining my systems sounds with cap and tube rolling.

    [​IMG]
     
    Vansen, Apr 27, 2024 at 11:03 AM
    #25
  6. goodvibes

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    My experience is with the Naim NDS and ND555 streamers and their R2R DACs are fab but $$$.
     
    goodvibes, Apr 27, 2024 at 3:51 PM
    #26
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