Stello DA100 (show-off/impressions thread) - Page 16 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

jules650 · 07-05-2007, 10:33 PM

I think using an optical out is theoretically better but in reality the differences are not really audible. I haven't AB-ed the two and am speaking just from casual listening.

diego · 07-05-2007, 10:52 PM

I've heard optical produces more jitter but I'm not sure. In any case, I use the USB connection and it sounds great. I'm sure it's bit perfect and it supports ASIO4ALL. On the other hand, I have an audigy 2zs which supposedly supports asio and I don't think it's bit perfect because it sounds with some distortion and lack of dinamics. I think using USB would be a safe bet for you.

Regards,
Diego

pianomav · 08-29-2007, 10:49 PM

Has anyone tried using the optical input of this dac and an external cd player and notice the static/distortion on 'hot' mastered CDs?

PhaedrusX · 09-16-2007, 04:53 AM

bump for post-honeymoon impressions.

i'm in the market for a dac and the stello da100 is the leading candidate.
now that you guys have had them for awhile, have any weaknesses revealed themselves?

do your initial enthusiastic impressions remain the same?

and more specifically, any opinions on how well the da100 pairs with grados?

MaloS · 09-16-2007, 06:18 AM

I suggest being careful with Grado/DA100 pairing since both have high treble energy. If you have a warm amp in the chain you should be fine though.

GS1000 + DA100 is not a suggested pairing.

Otherwise, I stand by what I said here.

PhaedrusX · 09-16-2007, 07:04 AM

Thanks for that MaloS.

You told me what I wanted to hear and what I didn't want to hear. I was really hoping that all these comments about accentuated bass and warmth might be a good match for Grados.

Due to current circumstances, I wanted to avoid tubes in any of my components, but I may have to reconsider them in an amp.

Andrew_WOT · 09-16-2007, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by PhaedrusX

Thanks for that MaloS.

You told me what I wanted to hear and what I didn't want to hear. I was really hoping that all these comments about accentuated bass and warmth might be a good match for Grados.

Due to current circumstances, I wanted to avoid tubes in any of my components, but I may have to reconsider them in an amp.

Don't jump to a conclusion, that's just one opinion that is not supported by everyone. I, for instance, cannot hear any "high treble energy" with DA100. GS-1 and GLite, that I use, are too transparent to hide such thing if it was there. And all my "bright" phones: W5000, DT880, as well as, gone now, MS2i, pair extremely well with DA100. I also do not remember of anyone else describing DA100 highs as overly bright.

Sorry, Stas, seems like we might have another disagreement.

snejk · 09-16-2007, 07:42 PM

Thats good to hear, as I'm planning on getting one as soon as I recover from my upcoming wedding.

LeChuck · 09-16-2007, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT

Don't jump to a conclusion, that's just one opinion that is not supported by everyone. I, for instance, cannot hear any "high treble energy" with DA100. And my amps, GS-1 and GLite, are probably the most transparent on the market to not hide such thing if it was there. All my "bright" phones: W5000 and DT880, as well as gone now MS2i, pair extremely well with DA100. I also do not remember of anyone else describing DA100 highs as overly bright.

Sorry, Stas, seems like we have another disagreement.

Likewise, I hear no pronounced treble in my setup. In fact, I find it remarkably neutral.

MaloS · 09-16-2007, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT

Don't jump to a conclusion, that's just one opinion that is not supported by everyone. I, for instance, cannot hear any "high treble energy" with DA100. And my amps, GS-1 and GLite, are probably the most transparent on the market to not hide such thing if it was there. All my "bright" phones: W5000 and DT880, as well as gone now MS2i, pair extremely well with DA100. I also do not remember of anyone else describing DA100 highs as overly bright.

Sorry, Stas, seems like we have another disagreement.

Differentiate here a bit, treble energy is a term based around perception. Grados have over-pronounced treble. HD650 has high treble energy. Stello lays on the neutral side of things, but there is a strong sense of prat, which results from strong pronunciation of bass and treble energy. The brighter DAC1 does not have the same 'energy' sense.

Just a bunch of examples describing what I mean.