DAC Showdown: AQVOX USB 2 D/A vs. Benchmark DAC1 vs. Lavry Black DA10

[Jon L]

Here's a little more information about AQVox from their e-mail reply to me.

AQVox DAC is not DC-coupled. It does use discrete, single-ended class A output stage, but it is AC-coupled using polypropylene output coupling caps, which are the big blue caps near the output jacks. They believe that proper AC-coupling is less stressful to downstream components and also advise against trying to "upgrade" the caps b/c they were selected after extensive listening.

Also, unfortunately, AQVox uses PCM2906 chip for USB, which does not have any I2S outputs. Therefore, PCM2906 generates an spdif stream from USB and sends it to the DAC chips. I'm still looking for USB solutions using PCM2706/2707 that use I2S to DAC that I don't need to assemble from kits...

[Iron_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Jon L

Here's a little more information about AQVox from their e-mail reply to me.

AQVox DAC is not DC-coupled. It does use discrete, single-ended class A output stage, but it is AC-coupled using polypropylene output coupling caps, which are the big blue caps near the output jacks. They believe that proper AC-coupling is less stressful to downstream components and also advise against trying to "upgrade" the caps b/c they were selected after extensive listening.

Hmm, that's very interesting, Jon. When I first pursued the Aqvox, one of the most compelling parts of its' claimed design, was that it was "output cacpitor less." Perhaps they have a different meaning of this term, but I took it to mean no capacitors in the signal path. I did always have my doubts as to what those large blue caps were for, and suspected that they were possibly output caps due to their size and position. Now that the facts are clear, it comes as no surprise to me that the Lavry does have a slightly more nuanced presentation which is more revealing of slight positioning cues, since it is DC-coupled. Now things are starting to make more sense

[Canman]

I just hooked it up a new Lavry DA10 to my system. I am using a Pioneer DV-414 as transport through rca spdif to the Lavry and XLR outputs to a Stax 007t amp / Senn HE-60 headphone.

I'll post impressions after a bit but after about a half hour of listening I'm excited about it. I look forward to comparing it to the high price one box players like the Meridian G08 at the New Jersey meet this coming weekend.

[Graham Maynard]

Yes, interesting.
The use of series capacitance assists in reducing low level shifts in single ended amplifier designs. Those shifts are channel specific, and thus not coherently related in a L-R sense.
Following amplifiers and loudspeakers might be less stressed without the amplitude response being notably affected ( ie. sub-bass driver cones don't slowly 'breathe' as much at sub-audio frequencies in response to overall audio throughput ), but there can then be a sub-bass phase linearity impact upon the reproduction of good source material, where the likes of kick drum pressure waves, auditorium ambience and outdoor recorded distant sounds become less realistic sounding.
The result is much more like 'good tube amplifier bass' which some folks actually prefer, and if reviewed in isolation or on lesser systems, this behaviour might never become apparent.
My comments are based upon amplification experience, not via AQVOX observation.
Anyone watch for sub-bass cone 'breathing' whilst being AQVOX DAC + good SS amplifier driven ?

[Canman]

The Lavry continues to impress with its balance and depth. Thanks again Iron_Dreamer!

[mshan]

Found an interesting thread at Audiogon.com: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...openfrom&1&4#1


"I own both the Lavry Blue and the DAC1 and like them both. Neither sound like a good tube DAC, but if tube DACs are not your cup of tea then the Blue and DAC1 come close to the best DACs around in a medium cost system. In a top class system however the difference between them and the best DACs is indeed significant. I prefer my USD1200 Lavry Blue over my DAC1. The Blue costs more and it has only XLR connectors, and no switching or volume control. But the sonic improvements are significant.

I agree with the comments that the DAC1 sounds relatively thin through the mids and upper bass, but it does so without introducing anything objectionable to the sound - and that is its trick. The result is a degree of clarity that is very engaging. It is not what I hear live, but it is very musical and sounds lively even when the recording is a bit flat. In that respect the DAC1 is coloured, but it does not offend one's musical sensibilities in any way. But switching to the Lavry the naturalness of the sound improves, images are more palpable, subtle details are more apparent, textures are more like live sounds, soundstage is larger, bass is fuller, dynamics are better, etc."

[elnero]

Originally Posted by mshan

Found an interesting thread at Audiogon.com: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...openfrom&1&4#1


"I own both the Lavry Blue and the DAC1 and like them both. Neither sound like a good tube DAC, but if tube DACs are not your cup of tea then the Blue and DAC1 come close to the best DACs around in a medium cost system. In a top class system however the difference between them and the best DACs is indeed significant. I prefer my USD1200 Lavry Blue over my DAC1. The Blue costs more and it has only XLR connectors, and no switching or volume control. But the sonic improvements are significant.

You do realize that the Lavry Blue and the DA10 are different designs don't you?

[slwiser]

Iron_Dreamer

I noticed that you built a cable between you RME Digi96 and you DA10 to use the AES/EBU signal. Do you know anyone around here that could build one for me?

Would you recommend your RME Digi96 for the interface with your computer or is there another solution that would be nearly as good and possibly cheaper that would use the AES/EBU signal? Or should I not be concern with that.

At the time that I was asking about the iHP-120 and the DA10 I failed to notice that you were using the RME Digi96 as your computer source. With that card no wonder it sounded better than the iHP-120. The RME is somewhat high ended and you have added a few mods if I am not mistaken.

Thanks

[Iron_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by slwiser

Iron_Dreamer

I noticed that you built a cable between you RME Digi96 and you DA10 to use the AES/EBU signal. Do you know anyone around here that could build one for me?

Would you recommend your RME Digi96 for the interface with your computer or is there another solution that would be nearly as good and possibly cheaper that would use the AES/EBU signal? Or should I not be concern with that.

At the time that I was asking about the iHP-120 and the DA10 I failed to notice that you were using the RME Digi96 as your computer source. With that card no wonder it sounded better than the iHP-120. The RME is somewhat high ended and you have added a few mods if I am not mistaken.

Thanks

Of the ones I've used, the only PCI soundcard I'd take over the Digi96 is the HDSP 9632, not much help, I know . The Lynx cards are reputed to be very good as well, again not helping in the budget dept. I am not familiar with any others that use AES/EBU, not to say they're not out there.

There are a number of competant cable builders around here, I guess it just depends on who you know and what you want. If you want me to recommend someone, just send me a PM.

[slwiser]

Thanks for the information...

If I may suggest one more test for you to do with your DA10 and the iHP-120. I know your shoot-out used the crystallock of the DA10 that has a great jitter reduction capability but the wide has the upsampling which is much more compariable to the DAC1 upsampling. I know you said the iHP-120 had more grain but have you compared it with the DA10 set on wide mode?

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer

Of the ones I've used, the only PCI soundcard I'd take over the Digi96 is the HDSP 9632, not much help, I know . The Lynx cards are reputed to be very good as well, again not helping in the budget dept. I am not familiar with any others that use AES/EBU, not to say they're not out there.

There are a number of competant cable builders around here, I guess it just depends on who you know and what you want. If you want me to recommend someone, just send me a PM.