*REVIEW* - Arcam rDAC USB (replacing Auzentech Bravura 7.1 PCI card)

 Just a quick review detailing a few aspects of this brand new addition to my audio arsenal..

 Purpose:-

 I initially wanted to replace my Auzentech soundcard for a dedicated stand-a-lone DAC

 that could transfer 24/96 over USB.

 Construction & Offerings:-

 Very nice. The aluminum shell is quite weighty and clean, it exudes a certain 'Apple' like quality

 in it's finish. No doubt Arcam were aiming this squarely at the Apple fanboys. For the record I'm

 using this on a fairly clapped out 4Gb RAM Intel Core 2 Duo Tower machine.

 Inside the box it is fairly sparse, you will find the DAC, the powerpack, Euro/USA/Asia adaptors

 and a manual.

Installation was a breeze with the native driver via USB (for the purpose of this review I have no need to

delve into the optical or coax connectivity) it instantly installed and I was able to find it straight away

in Media Monkey and Foobar. One thing of note, the source volume is set to 100%, already I am

finding that the volume only requires 9-10 o clock settings on my amplifier using a pair of Grado

325i's on the other end. The K601's take a quarter turn more.

Initial Impressions & Recommendations :-

Very sweet and musical, if you are coming off the back of a decent soundcard like the Auzentech Bravura

or ASUS Essence ST/STX then the added detail and refined layering will not jump out at you. The depth

and extra extension appears after a few tracks as your ears climbatize to the new source. Anyone

coming from standard on-board is in for a real surprise of the pleasant variety.

I don't want to jump the gun just yet as the unit is barely clocking past the 4 hour mark but I will

say this, anyone with an already warm setup such as a Senn HD 650 and Burson Audio 160 would

be wise to audition this DAC before purchasing. I was able to test it at the place of purchase

(Addictedtoaudio.com.au in Melbourne) using a Burson 160 and a pair of Ultrasone 580's.

My initial reaction was that it was far too laid back, luckily my naturally bright amplifier and

Grados came to the rescue at home to balance things out nicely. That said, any 325i owner

should consider this DAC as a way of taming the treble on some persistently shrilly tracks.

I will update a few more impressions as time goes on...

Price paid :- $598AUD

Please feel free to post your thoughts!

@Negakinu

That would be a good idea wouldn't it - can't believe I forgot. Here they are, apologies in advance, it doesn't look like I'll

be winning any photography competitions any time soon.

Back panel

Front panel

*UPDATE* Impressions @ 24 hours / All testing done with the Grado 325i on L-cush pads.

Let the Arcam unit burn in overnight playing a wide selection of material ranging from Jean Michel Jarre, The Who

to Fleetwood Mac.

The sound now appears to have opened up, the following recordings I believe really do reflect good reference

material for evaluating any new piece of gear.

Hans Zimmer - The Dark Knight OST 16bit/44Khz

First thing that strikes me with this recording is the profound depth, a real sensation that the sound-stage

has grown deeper, not necessarily taller or wider but effects appear out of the abyss and build up to

their crescendo without the slightest hint of harshness. This recording is complex with plenty of

opportunity for sub-bass, here it now feels richer, reaching lower than the Auzentech ever could

manage. Lastly, this recording did sound very muddled at times on the soundcard, as if it could

not keep up with the barrage of audio being thrown at it. I'm sure things could improve beyond the

Arcam but there is a definite added sense of layering and separation nonetheless.

Keith Richards - Main Offender Vinyl rip 24bit / 96Khz

One of my reference rock recordings for the simple fact that the production behind this is first

class - Keith did not cut corners and it shows here. Percussion is tight and snare-like, sub-bass

is layered and nuanced instead of being a single shade of rumble on 'Words of Wonder'.

On 'Bodytalks' the visceral intro of the high hat cymbal and bass guitar is simply glorious

and live sounding. Exactly how this record should sound.

The Chesky Ultimate Demonstration Disc Volume #2 Vinyl rip 24bit / 96Khz

Intro track 'Concerto for Bassoon 3rd movement' digs up some details I have not noticed

before such as a little xylophone medley in the background, I have not mentioned much

regarding detail retrieval in comparison to the Auzentech - the added detail is there but

perhaps my ears are still concentrating on the deepened sound-stage and immediacy

of the percussion and leading guitar notes. 'Angel of Harlem' again feels like a quiet,

street corner rendition of this barber shop classic.

It might sound simplistic in terms of expression, but these recordings along with

others sound very 'live' - I'm occasionally fooled that they are in fact studio recordings.

I'll probably conclude with a 100 hour final thoughts addition down the track..

I will say this, there is the slightest hum, ever so slightly audible when not playing music

- the background is not completely black. On the Auzentech, it was completely

silent.

Thanks for reading.

Final impressions @ 100 hours+

Ok, final post on the Arcam rDAC.

So is it worth the 300 pounds or $400-ish USD outlay?

Only those who've auditioned it or have owned/listened to many DACs

will be able to answer definitively. Rest assured that I feel it is a much

more practical, detailed, bass defined unit compared to my PCI

Auzentech Bravura 7.1. It has also smoothed out many recordings

with my Grados where the Auzentech (oem) op-amps failed.

I'll never know how far the Auzentech could've gone with an

omp amp upgrade, I am also only really familiar with the

Burson 160D as a competitor DAC - again, that unit

is difficult to judge for it's DAC because I find the

amp section so warm, I can say that the DAC section

in the Burson does not brighten things up and for

me the Arcam is the superior unit - especially if

using via USB for the 24/96 connectivity.

That's all folks - I'll stay fairly neutral on my

recommendations and say that it deserves

strong consideration in it's price range and

that anyone with a bright setup needing

a little warmth then perhaps the rDAC

is worth a shot.

 Even though my little rDAC is long gone - I'm still surprised that this i-Device savvy looking DAC never received the reception it deserved.

 Micro detail enthusiasts or those seeking absolute neutrality would never like this widget from Arcam, but the overall sound did work

 with modern pop, 80's spandex rock (think Motley Crue, Poison, Aerosmith) and other dynamic genres that are not necessarily well recorded or

 brimming with detail artefacts.