REVIEW: Keces DA-151 DAC 800+ hours burn-in - Page 19 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Maniac · 07-09-2008, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by zaen

Just got my 131 in the post today....only took 2 days to Melbourne....same as when I got the 151.

Wow. Straight out of the box...this sounds amazing...the detail difference is noticeable....can't wait to roll the caps in about a month when I get used to it....

I was skeptical about going with the 131 just for the 24/192 capabilities....but Im currently listening to 24/96 vinyl rip of Aja by Steely Dan...and its amazing..so clean clear and dynamic!

Perfectly content....just waiting on the acoustical engineer now to finish off the listening room/studio...

Cheers!

Just a note on the cap rolling, since DA-131 does not have caps in the signal path, it does not have the two big-o cap that DA-151 have. That's one of the reason that the detail increase is achieved.

If you would like to try some cheap and easy rollings, fuses is one of the things that people try and seems to work in some situations. (Like generally slow blow seems to work better than fast blow in terms of sonic performance.) If you can find good quality fuses like Littlefuse or Bussman, they are cheap and generally good sounding.

(I know, those people who were after me on the cable thread might be after me again for saying the fuse could affect sound...)

Maniac · 07-09-2008, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by jojoarmani

I mean, it's Pioneer. it has to be good, but maybe not as good as a dedicated headamp.

Any other comments?

Thx Whuffor!

It will work fine, no doubt about it. How well it work will be up to you to judge, since I haven't used a Pioneer integrated amp before.

jojoarmani · 07-09-2008, 02:56 PM

Thanks Maniac. Next step:

Now, i am searching the net to find out what Pioneer circa 1995 system i have... model numbers... YAY

Screamager · 07-10-2008, 09:32 AM

Should work fine. Depends on the quality of the headphone amp in the pioneer.

I have my DA-131 plugged into my Stereo NAD c740 amp and have noticed a very big improvement through my speakers (which I was beginning to doubt were a good match with the amp), and the headphone amp in the NAD is all I would need I think, very good quality in my opinion.

oicdn · 07-10-2008, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by jojoarmani

I mean, it's Pioneer. it has to be good, but maybe not as good as a dedicated headamp.

Any other comments?

Thx Whuffor!

HUGE misconception....just because of a brand doesn't mean it HAS to be anything. All of the big manufacturers have their crap...Pioneer is no exception. But it's probably decent.....just don't ASSUME it's anything, as that can lead to HUGE disappointments down the road.

jojoarmani · 07-11-2008, 08:20 AM

I will keep that in mind, Nate. Brand names DO sell prices and not good quality.

It looks like this setup will work very nicely. :-) I don't know for how long I've waited for something like the Keces.

jojoarmani · 07-12-2008, 01:21 PM

Dump question and maybe better in the audiokarma, but do you plug the DAC into the amp, or the receiver?

malldian · 07-12-2008, 07:23 PM

What do you mean? Receiver is a tuner and amp, put it in the AUX input.

jojoarmani · 07-13-2008, 04:03 PM

Thanks Malldian. I have to reaccustomed with my 1995 hifi system.

Receiver = tuner (radio) + amp. Gotcha.

Mine has this, plus a CD player and Cassette player. Man, when i get this with a Keces, ... Well, lets say i can't wait to tell you guys how it sounds and post pics. I'll have this accomplished when i finish a job here in france and return home, and pull it out of storage :-)

G.Kennedy · 07-14-2008, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by jojoarmani

I mean, it's Pioneer. it has to be good, but maybe not as good as a dedicated headamp.

Any other comments?

Thx Whuffor!

I hang out here at headfi cuz I listen to my Senn-600's ... but I use my iPod to run that rig 99% of the time.

My 151 is running between my Mac and my 300B tubes feeding La Scalas ... it is ideal for HiFi use !!!