Review: Apogee Mini-DAC vs AQVOX USB 2 D/A MkII vs Stello DA100/HP100 vs Corda Opera

[Riboge]

Thanks for the review. As always I learn from what you have to say.

[Iron_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by darkless

If you're looking only at the D/A aspect, how would you say the AQVOX MkII and Stello DA220 compare when they're used balanced?

They're quite close sounding, the difference comes off to me as the Stello sounding slightly more forward and full; whereas the Aqvox MkII is slightly laid-back and drier sounding by comparison. I must underscore the closeness of these differences, it's certainly not a Grado vs. Senn magnitude of difference, even if similar adjectives are used.

Originally Posted by Asr

Thanks for the excellent informative review. I realize that you reviewed these as combo DAC/amps, but if used as DAC alone, what would be your ranking? Would you say that any of these would be worth using as DAC alone?

Of these three units, the three from my last review, and the DA220, I'd rate the field as:

1a) Stello DA220 / Aqvox MkII / Lavry DA10
1b) Stello DA100
1c) Meier Opera
2) Aqvox MkI
3) Benchmark DAC1 (older version)

The explanation of the ranking is as follows. All the units under the heading "1x," I believe offer similar levels of sound quality (albeit with differing flavors). However, being that the first three have balanced output, they have the potential to be used in a better sounding SYSTEM than the following two. The Opera is further differentiated for its' lack of a true line output. The original Aqvox is demerited slightly for the lack of fine detail and air, along with a somewhat colored midrange, as compared to the top rank. The DAC1 brings up the rear, with issues of treble grain, more limited soundstage, and so on, as I discussed in my other big review.

If one isn't going to have a balanced rig, the DA100 is the best sound for the money of the group, for use as a DAC only. A used DA10 or DAC1 can do well in this regard depending on the price. I think it would be a bit silly to buy the Opera and not use the headphone amp, as to significantly better it, one would need a balanced or tubed amp, depending on preferences. So my picks as a DAC only would be limited to the 1a&1b levels, 1a only if balanced output is needed.

[milkpowder]

Again, superb impressions and great advice. Thanks a lot

[vcoheda]

Thanks for the additional information about the units strictly as DACs. I am in the market for one for computer use and the Benchmark, Lavry, and DA100 are at the top of my list. This answers a lot of my questions. The DA100, since I'm not balanced, seems like the winner at this point. I am curious about the new Benchmark, but it is pretty costly ($1250). And of course the Lavry has no USB connection, which is a drawback.

Some people really earn their title as Headphoneus Supremus.

[Asr]

Thanks for the further insight, much appreciated. The specific unit I'm eyeing seems like it has exactly the features and sound quality that I'm looking for.

Also, since you didn't expressly mention it in your review, would you say you were impressed by all three? As in, do you think each is worth its price? Are these empirical "outperformers" for their price category?

[Iron_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Asr

Also, since you didn't expressly mention it in your review, would you say you were impressed by all three? As in, do you think each is worth its price? Are these empirical "outperformers" for their price category?

I'd absolutely say that all three are quite worth their costs, given that the feature set is right for the user. "Impressed" is a tough word to toss around, since I've become normalized to the level of sound quality these guys can deliver. However, I'd say I'm impressed by the improvements the Aqvox has made from the MkI model, impressed by the Stello's build quality (for what they consider an "entry-level" product), and impressed by the headphone amp of the Opera (and the DAC, frankly it was much better than I had expected).

I don't have a lot more serious (i.e. non-meet) experience with similar units in the price range, so it's hard to say that they outperform the competition. Sure they all do better than the DA10 and DAC1 (as all-in-one's), but they all also cost more. The Grace M902 is an all-in-one I've spent quite a bit of time with, and while it's put together in a nifty and attractive manner, it's certainly not the DAC that any of the three in this review are. It's headphone amp might be better than the HP100, but it's certainly not the Opera. And the Grace costs a lot more (at least MSRP) than those in my review.

Bottom line, the subjects of my review all offer a DAC that performs well for the $800-1500 segment (i.e. most relevant DAC's, until you go up to the insane price catergory of EMM Labs, DCS, ML, etc.). That they all also offer a headphone amp which compares well to at least the $400-500 segment (much more for the Opera), makes all three a bargain relative to the amount of sound quality in both devices.

[Asr]

Good to know that they're all solid units in the price range, and that's a strong recommendation if I've ever seen one. I think if you found something to like about each one that probably speaks for itself too.

Btw, this review deserves sticky-ing into the Featured Full Reviews!

[Omom]

Thank you for your review. Nice reading about Opera

Originally Posted by Asr

Btw, this review deserves sticky-ing into the Featured Full Reviews!

2x

[Zoide]

Great review!

I currently have the Bel Canto DAC-2 and the Stello HP100. I really like both, but they're a bit too bulky for traveling. It's usually for 1-3 months, so I prefer to take the big boys rather than just an iPod. So I think an all-in-one like the Opera might be ideal.

I've gotten a pretty good idea of the Opera vs. my Stello amp. But has anyone compared the Opera DAC to the Bel Canto? How would the Opera compare to a Stello + Bel Canto in terms of size/weight?

Thanks

[Patu]

Thanks for the review Iron_Dreamer! Awesome reading.

The result surprised me though. I've owned Corda Aria and when my Stello's arrived I made a comparison between DA100 + Aria amp and Aria DAC + Aria amp combos. DA100 was like light years ahead of Aria's DAC. It seems that there has been a huge improvement with Opera.

I'd like to know what are the differences in sound quality when you directly compare Opera DAC + amp and DA100 + HP100 combos. You described them individually in your review but I'd like to know the basics like which one has wider/deeper soundstage, warmer sound, more detailed sound, neutrality etc.

This review makes me want to audition Opera so badly. I wonder if anyone in Helsinki owns one.

EDIT: I forgot to ask that can you hear that background hiss in Opera with full size low impedance headphones like Grado's?