So this is my first DAC, so to be fair, I have nothing to compare it to except for the sound from the headphone out of my basic macbook's headphone out, but my first impressions are that it is a HUGE improvement to what I had before.
My computer setup (and only setup as it is right now) currently is macbook (ALAC) (slightly EQ'd to lesen bass, increase treble)-> MusicStreamer+ -> Gini iTube 2.1 speaker/tube amp combo. If I had a headphone amp, I would also test it out with headphones, but I do not at this time (cmoybb parts in mail), so can't.
I'm still not particularly good at describing what makes sound 'better', but I definitely know what 'good' sound is like. I'm sure that with time I will get better at knowing what I'm hearing that is making the differences. But I will do my best to describe what I'm hearing.
So I'm breaking it in as I'm typing this with some Coheed and Cambria (rock), and Claudio's voice in 'Mother Superior' seems to be refreshingly clear, the cymbals strike me to be extremely lifelike, and quite pleasant. The drums in general in fact, seem to be very reproduced using the musicstreamer+. In terms of the acoustic guitars, I feel like I can almost hear the pick hitting the strings, I'm not 100% sure, and it may just be in my head, but I think I can ALMOST hear it, but I'm sure i will find out in time.
The bass is accurate and smooth, and full. For a bassist, I have surprisingly little to say about the bass. I suppose thats a good thing? For those of you who like to find what a component 'does wrong' I can assure you that this DAC doesn't do the bass wrong.
Onto some Gruff Rhys (umm.... alternative jazzy stuff... very nice music) Again, vocals seem to be the first thing that strike me as being strong. I am noticing things in the music that I hadn't on my many prior listens. Clarity with the musicstreamer+ is one of the biggest things that I am noticing. I truly enjoy being able to hear the detail of the bassists fingers hitting the strings (this I definitely notice more than without the musicstreamer+), It makes me feel like I'm in the room with Gruff Rhys & band. Very satisfying.
One downside, is that music recorded or produced to a lower standard sounds just like that... from the headphone out, the drum machine M83 used on Saturdays=Youth sounded as realistic as real drums in better recordings, but with the musicstreamer+, it is very apparent that M83 is using a drum machine (although it does sound like a very high quality drum machine.
Also, it is an extremely simple component, and tucks in nicely between my amp and incense burner, very small, and aesthetically pleasing.
I did get this on a very good deal, $200 CAD, brand new, but had I known what I was really buying, I would've spent double, if not triple that. What I was really bought today, was a HUGE improvement in sound quality, and would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for a DAC in this price range. Of course, I don't have any knowledge of how others sounds, but I can't (currently) imagine much better sound. As I progress further into my audio habit, I'm sure that one day I will use a different DAC, but for now, this is definitely worth it.
p.s. This is my first thread start on Head Fi, and am quite a fan of this little online community. Everyone's contributions seem to be very tasteful when compared to some other forum sites that I have used before, and the entire community seems quite enjoyable. Thanks for making Head Fi how it is!
