Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Atoll Electronique DAC 100 - Any opinions?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Atoll Electronique DAC 100 - Any opinions?

post #1 of 15
3/31/11 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 

I saw this apparently french DAC in a shop here in Sweden a while back and the seller said it was by far the best DAC he'd heard for the price (~$800). It wasn't a DAC I was after at the time so I didn't think very much about it.

 

I'm looking to replace my DAC now though and remembered the Atoll. I will most likely go for a VDA-2, but the Atoll looks pretty good on paper at least: http://www.atoll-electronique.com/uk/convertisseur-dac.php

 

Anyone had a listen? The brand doesn't seem to have much of a following here.


Edited by th0m - 3/31/11 at 1:55pm
Reply
post #2 of 15
3/31/11 at 10:57pm
Thread Starter 

Screw it, I just placed an order for one. If I don't like it I'll just send it back and get something else. Would still love to hear some impressions though.

 

Here's a pic of the insides if anyone's interested: http://www.hifimusic.co.il/images/articles/atoll-d100/atoll-d100-8Large.jpg


Edited by th0m - 3/31/11 at 11:26pm
Reply
post #3 of 15
4/1/11 at 2:23am

I didn't listen to it, but i read many reviews in french forums. It seems to be a very good dac for the price. Atoll house sound is very clear, detailed and dynamic. If you like something very sweet and warm, it is not for you. I think the review by 6 moons can give you a good idea :

 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/atoll2/atoll.html

 

This review says the same things I read in forums from french owners.


Edited by pasgod - 4/1/11 at 3:10am
Reply
post #4 of 15
4/1/11 at 5:26am
Thread Starter 

Actually, I'm looking for something to tighten the sound of my otherwise quite warm equipment. The Atoll sounds like it might fit the bill perfectly.

Reply
post #5 of 15
4/1/11 at 5:34am

It seems to be a very interesting choice for your system. The synergy should be good with your quite warm equipment.

Reply
post #6 of 15
4/3/11 at 1:24am

Here's a link to a discussion in a French forum - seems to confirm the above :

 

http://www.audiophilefr.com/Site/forum2/musique-dematerialisee-f25/atoll-dac-100-t8275.html

Reply
post #7 of 15
4/4/11 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 

Ok, so I picked up the Atoll at the post office this morning and have been using it for a few hours so far. It sounds completely different from the Keces in every single way. The Keces is quite dense, round and analog sounding, whereas the Atoll is a lot more analytical, airy and punchy. I haven't quite gotten used to the more shrill highs and "in-your-face" presentation yet, but maybe it will calm down a bit after the initial burn in. Overall, it sounds more "digital", which I'm not sure I like yet. The detail and separation is superb though. Will try it out for a couple more days before I decide to keep it or not.


Edited by th0m - 4/4/11 at 1:50pm
Reply
post #8 of 15
4/6/11 at 3:10am

I wish I saw this thread earlier, I have an Atoll DAC 100 and I love it, great for brightening up warm sounding amps.

Very detailed, smooth, clear, dynamic, fast and airy, I pretty much agree with the 6moons review.

I bought a demo model, so mine had been burned in I suppose.

I don't think the highs are shrill at all, to my ears they are extremely dynamic, clear and detailed, it makes fast high hats really fun with it's bubbly speed.

Digital sounding? I can't relate to that either.

 

Edit: now that I think of it, I have caught my self thinking the Atoll was rather vintage sounding on several occasions.


Edited by Adda - 4/6/11 at 3:13am
Reply
post #9 of 15
4/6/11 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 

The shrillness disappeared after about 20 hours or so and I'm liking it more and more. Now when I listen through the Keces, it sounds more murky and unfocused (still a bit more soulful though).

 

It looks like I'm keeping the Atoll after all. I find the analogy likening it to champagne in the 6moons review to be very fitting. Clear, airy, dry and sparkly.

Reply
post #10 of 15
4/6/11 at 9:40am

I agree, 6moons are spot on with that one.

I love my DAC 100, and have read more then one reviewer say that this DAC takes a long time to burn in, 200 hours+.

 

Atoll have made changes to the DAC 100 since 6moons review, here is a pic:

 

e9fce114_Atoll_DAC100.JPG

 

Notice that 'framed' part, to me it looks like Atoll have improved the USB interface or something like that.

Also some components are not the same as the one 6moons reviewed.

My DAC 100 is a version 1.4, it's printed on the PCB near the power socket, I'm a bit curious to know witch version you have?

Reply
post #11 of 15
4/6/11 at 10:09am
Thread Starter 

1.4 aswell, so I'm guessing that's the most recent version.

 

Btw, I've become something of a Denmark fan since I bought my Dynaudios. Amazing speakers for that price.

Reply
post #12 of 15
4/6/11 at 11:04am

Yea I guess it is the latest version then.

There are a few good Danish audio products AIAIAI is Danish too, B&O and TC Electric but these Swedish ribbons are a completely different league http://www.transmissionaudio.com/home.html

They make a headphone module too!

Reply
post #13 of 15
2/28/12 at 9:24am

Where in the States can I purchase one of these DAC's?

Reply
post #14 of 15
2/28/12 at 9:58am
Any one have any experience with their cd players or pre-amps? Also bump for the question above, re: where to purchase?
Reply
post #15 of 15
2/29/12 at 8:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigg35 View Post

Any one have any experience with their cd players or pre-amps? Also bump for the question above, re: where to purchase?


I used to have their pre-amp/amp they were too harsh for my taste even though some dude from the Stereophile really recommended. My dealer tried to sell me the Atoll CDP ( forget the model) but I ended up to find out , their CDP was a re-badged of the $75.00 Technic CDP with the exception that they revamped the power supply. I was sure in for a real surprise Atoll would do the re-badged game that Lexicon follows Atoll footsteps with the Harmon Kardon AVR.  

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Atoll Electronique DAC 100 - Any opinions?