I’ve been experimenting with DACS lately, and it’s been a real learning experience, to say the least. This may be a known thing, but bear with me as I’m just diving into the world of “real” HiFi.
As I’ve progressed through these various DAC “upgrades” I’ve noticed more clarity and detail which I’ve loved and appreciated.
Here is my DAC history:
-Node 2i Built-in DAC
-Chord QuTest
-MHDT Orchid
-Weiss 204
Personal Discovery:
I recently plugged in my previous Orchid DAC and I was surprised how much emotional engagement I have with that DAC that I miss with the Weiss 204. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the clarity and detail of the Weise, BUT…there is something to be said for warmth and emotional engagement! I’m learning it’s not all about the clarity which can sometimes feel a bit analytical or sterile. I’ve discovered that I want more emotional engagement when listening to my system. I think that translates to clarity but warmth, and holographic imaging.
Best Direction?
I’ve ordered the ModWright LPS for the Weiss and although I’m looking forward to hearing what it will do, I doubt it will change the Weiss’s presentation and character significantly.
I’m wondering if the better place to create the “emotional engagement” I’m referring to is in the pre-amp section (eg., an all-tube integrated amp) rather than the DAC. In other words, let the DAC provide the clarity and micro-detail, and the pre-amp provide the warmth and imagery.
OR…would a warmer, more holographic DAC sound even better through say, an all-tube amp?
Interesting, I see it differently, I perceive my Weiss DAC204 as emotional and with a touch of warmth, vs the dry and analitical presentation of the Chord Qutest it replaced. To my ears the Weiss sounds a whole lot like music, just right as I like to call it, in contrast to the “good HiFi” of the Chord. Different systems, different ears, would be my guess.
You seem to have a habit of asking open ended questions, leaving them hanging and starting another…
That aside, with DACs all I can say is that through my limited journey I discovered that the Chord DACs I’ve heard, starting with Hugo, to be more natural sounding than the Naim DAC I had (in ND5XS), which was quite similar sounding to that of the CD player it replaced (Shearne Phase 7), and that similar to the only one I’d had prior, in Sinclair CD2. I can’t define natural sounding other than music sounded more like the real thing than it had before. Some people described it as analogue sounding. Chord TT was better, but not hugely, but Dave was a wow factor, Literally: my cellist son sitting next to me when I first heard uttered “wow” under his breath after just a couple of bars of music, echoing what I felt. And without losing the natural character what that did that was clarity. The music just sounded unbelievably good because it was so clear - no longer any feeling of listening to a recording, but to musicians. Engagement in spades: how could it not with an open conduit to the musicians playing?!
Analytical? I’ve no idea: I don’t analyse music, I just listen and absorb it, Emotional? That is music, and if listening to music through one’s replay system doesn’t stimulate emotion it is either not good music (snd there’s plenty of that) or an extremely poor replay system as even bog TV sound can convey at least some of the emotion in music. The better the music, the stronger the emotion, though a poor system can make it more challenging (e.g. with some music emotion can be reinforced by low bass, but all too many systems can’t reproduce low bass!).
My first DAC (and pre) was a Cyrus DACXP+. I then got a Bel Canto 3 VBS with a separate Bel Canto pre. When I got a Bel Canto 3.7 with VBL I added a passive pre (Music First Baby) and sold the Bel Canto pre. Really happy with the sound : plenty of clarity but lots of emotion too.
I do feel the ‘emotions’ tag of a product s associated with the eq and compression characteristics of the device or system.
A gently attenuated high end - with a touch of lower mid boost below 400 Hz - and a bit of subtle compression in that range I believe gives a warm ‘emotional’ type feel. Some gentle harmonic distortion can also add to the saturation of the sound and make it feel warmer, emotive and cosier. Faster attacking type compression can give a faster more energetic emotion.
Now I think much of this is determined by the analogue filter and output stage design of the DAC or source - as well as the coupling to the preamp
For me when you say DAC Analytical vs Emotional, the first thing I think is your typical delta sigma DAC vs R2R. For me, a good NOS (non over sampling) R2R DAC gives you that emotion that many delta sigma based DAC’s lack. They typically get you closer to that natural/analog sound, that many are after.
