Audio Research Référence DAC "Digital Media Bridge"

bmichels · Dec 5, 2012 at 5:40 AM

I am very interested in this new baby from AR, but it seems that there is almost no tests ou review published so far, and nobody is really commenting on the "Digital media bridge" feature and nobody show the iPAD interface. This interface can be very usefull IF it is help to manadge the Music files stored on the Network or on the HD/Thumb drive connected on the front USB port.

I read somewhere that AR "craked" the Wifi protocole to make it really Audiophile audio !!! What does that mean ?

Any one already tested it ? Any one has more infos on the iPAD application and on the "media bridge" feature ?

wink · Dec 5, 2012 at 9:27 AM

And it only retails for 15 Large, so it must be good.....

Google is your friend....

http://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-research-reference-dac-digital-media-bridge

bmichels · Dec 5, 2012 at 10:08 AM

Thank you , but this is not really a review, just a "news"

I have on my side found this preview, but it is not super usefull since they ... did not use the "Wireless & media bridge" features.

bmichels · Feb 13, 2013 at 7:12 AM

A review here ... finally !

But does any HeadFier has heard it ? and tested the media bridge feature ?

Smeckles · Feb 13, 2013 at 8:20 AM

So for $15-20k, you get so-so jitter performance (which "will impact subjective performance", wth? on a "Reference" product?), no DSD decoding, and an off-the-shelf video display from a $1500 unit. But since it's ARC and they slapped a "Reference" badge on it, someone will buy it. At least the reviewer's listening notes make it sound like they're not using an off the shelf sigma-delta chip. Their score of 82/100 isn't exactly encouraging considering the price tag and pedigree.

Sorry, but my personal experience with ARC is that first generation roll-outs like this are to be avoided. Once they get two or three generations of this, then it should be stable.

bmichels · Feb 13, 2013 at 8:54 AM

Quote:

smeckles said:
So for $15-20k, you get so-so jitter performance (which "will impact subjective performance", wth? on a "Reference" product?), no DSD decoding, and an off-the-shelf video display from a $1500 unit. But since it's ARC and they slapped a "Reference" badge on it, someone will buy it. At least the reviewer's listening notes make it sound like they're not using an off the shelf sigma-delta chip. Their score of 82/100 isn't exactly encouraging considering the price tag and pedigree.

Sorry, but my personal experience with ARC is that first generation roll-outs like this are to be avoided. Once they get two or three generations of this, then it should be stable.

I have to admit that I agree with you...

Elberoth · May 13, 2013 at 3:10 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if they replace the Reference DAC with a new model rather soon ...

bmichels · Jun 6, 2013 at 2:14 PM

Little question: HOW can I connect a power Amp ( Ref 75 ) and a headphone Amp ( Eddie Current Balancing Act, with balanced imput) to this DAC ? ? Indeed the Ref DAC has only ONE balanced Analog output, and booth AMPs should use their balanced XLR Analog imput for best results.

--> One pair of XLR plugs is missing !?

(and I don't feel putting the Headphone amp in between the Ref DAC and the REF 75 is a good solution. I want Ref DAC DIRECT to the REF 75)

bmichels · Jun 29, 2013 at 7:37 AM

Any chance to get a new version of the REF DAC that accept DSD files ( native play )?

bmichels · Aug 10, 2013 at 3:08 AM

dead thread ?

bmichels · Jan 13, 2014 at 7:06 PM

I am disapointed that AR has not anounced any new gear at CES.
They should not neglet the DSD trend or they may miss the train. I was hopping for a Ref DAC V2 with DSD and may be an headphone amp !

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