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Audio Alchemy DDP-1 (And Other Products)

Mar 7, 2016 at 4:43 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 25
InsanityOne

InsanityOne

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Hello Head-Fi'ers,
 
I was browsing through some of my favorite audio review websites and stumbled upon this beauty today, the Audio Alchemy DDP-1: ($1,995)
 

 

 
Apart from the only two reviews I could find on it, I couldn't really find any other opinions or comparisons on the device over-all. It has volume control and upgradeable firmware, which are really attractive features in my eyes as well. Has anyone here auditioned / tested this unit or does anyone own one and can offer some comments in comparison to other high-end DACs perhaps?
 
Another interesting option is the external PSU, the PS-5: ($595)
 




 
Along with the various other products they have available, the two reviews I read both stated that they have a dedicated music server in the works as well. You can check their website out at the link below if you want to view their other products. I will be curious to hear some of your thoughts on the DDP-1 especially!
 
Official Website: http://www.audioalchemy.com/
 
Review 1: http://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/review-audio-alchemy-ddp-1-digital-pre-dac-headphone-amplifier
 
Review 2: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/682-audio-alchemy-ddp-1-dac-preamp-ps-5-power-supply-review/
 
Thanks!
 
- InsanityOne 
o2smile.gif
 
 
Jun 21, 2016 at 11:14 AM Post #2 of 25
I have ordered one of these, and I will let you know what I think. I bought a demo unit from Audio Advisor along with the upgraded power supply. I won a cash raffle for a high school band fundraiser, if you must know! It will replace an Emotiva DC-1, about which I only have good things to say. Digital will be USB from Sonore Sonicorbiter SE and analog is a Hagerman Bugle 2 phono preamp. Headhones are Grado GS1000e and powered speakers are Dynaudio Focus110a.
 
I have mostly 44.1/16 files with a handful of higher res stuff. No DSD files yet, but I am sure I will try it out. I understand that Audio Alchemy might add MQA, so if that ever happens, that would be an added attraction.
 
Jun 21, 2016 at 11:41 AM Post #3 of 25
jchrisg said:
  I have ordered one of these, and I will let you know what I think. I bought a demo unit from Audio Advisor along with the upgraded power supply. I won a cash raffle for a high school band fundraiser, if you must know! It will replace an Emotiva DC-1, about which I only have good things to say. Digital will be USB from Sonore Sonicorbiter SE and analog is a Hagerman Bugle 2 phono preamp. Headhones are Grado GS1000e and powered speakers are Dynaudio Focus110a.
 
I have mostly 44.1/16 files with a handful of higher res stuff. No DSD files yet, but I am sure I will try it out. I understand that Audio Alchemy might add MQA, so if that ever happens, that would be an added attraction.
Click to expand...

Very exciting! I will be quite interested in hear what you have to say about this product compared to your previous Emotiva DC-1. I would have to assume that it should be a fairly significant step-up. But yes, I heard that Audio Alchemy is planning on adding MQA support as well via. a software update, so that will be a big plus!
 
- InsanityOne 
darthsmile.gif
 
 
Jun 30, 2016 at 1:29 AM Post #4 of 25
hi, all. glad that i find you guys talking about the first products kf the returning audio alchemy. i might find a store to try it out, but not sure if it is possible. so would you mind having a simple test on the headphone out? this is head-fi after all.
 
Jun 30, 2016 at 7:17 AM Post #5 of 25
I am enjoying mine a lot! I don't know if the headphone amp is broken in yet. But I will leave the headphone section playing for a couple of days and do some serious listening this weekend. I will report back...
 

 
Jun 30, 2016 at 10:20 AM Post #6 of 25
jchrisg said:
  I am enjoying mine a lot! I don't know if the headphone amp is broken in yet. But I will leave the headphone section playing for a couple of days and do some serious listening this weekend. I will report back...
 
Click to expand...

Ooh exciting! It looks pretty sharp sitting there on the dresser! I will be anxious to hear comments about the DAC section and the built-in headphone amp.
 
- InsanityOne 
biggrin.gif

 
Jul 1, 2016 at 12:18 AM Post #7 of 25
WOW, good for you.
 
I might not have enough space for the external power block. Would it be a less competitive product without the power? I can always get the option to upgrade the power when I move.
 
Jul 1, 2016 at 8:22 AM Post #8 of 25
Yes, it's a full sized component when you add the power block. It would be right at home in an equipment rack, which I am trying to get away from. Luckily I have a small playback device and phono pre-amp hooked up to it. I haven't tried it out with the other power supply - reviewers all said the power upgrade was worth it so I went for it. But they all said it sounded fine without it.
 
Jul 1, 2016 at 12:21 PM Post #9 of 25
I would agree that most of the reviews I have read state that the additional power supply was well worth the extra money and space.
 
- InsanityOne 
gs1000.gif
 
 
Jul 5, 2016 at 6:03 PM Post #10 of 25
I am getting around to this review. It is taking longer than I thought it would. I am developing a playlist and trying to decide what to listen to and what to listen for.
Here’s my setup. Files are mostly ripped cd’s with a few 24/96 and other hi-rez downloads, stored on 1T hard drive on my laptop, running Roon. Streaming is the hi-fi option with TIDAL. Playback is through a Sonore Sonicorbiter SE network attached player. USB output from the SOSE to USB input on the DMP-1, and I am using a nice piece of Transparent usb cable, but by no means the top of their line.
I have a set of Dynaudio Focus 110A speakers on sand-filled stands but more to the purposes of this review, I have a set of Grado GS1000e headhones. They were the most comfortable and best sounding in their price range when I went shopping, but they were probably the best broken-in too.
The AA DMP-1 has replaced an Emotiva Stealth DC-1, which I have boxed up but I may get out for some comparison listening. I used an Uptone Regen with the Stealth DC-1 but my thinking is that I should not need to with the AA PS-5 attached
 
Jul 16, 2016 at 12:55 PM Post #11 of 25

 
I am mostly a speaker listener and I always have been. So I have had to learn a little bit about how to listen to headphones, what to listen to, and what to listen for in order to complete this review. I read this over at Innerfidelity which helped me out in my thinking: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/strengths-and-weaknesses-headphones-and-speakers#UZl43u3is3hDtdhR.97
I listened to the headphone outputs of the DDP-1, the Emotiva Stealth DC-1, and also a new DragonFly Red. I just equalized sound levels by ear as well as I could, although I know that makes a big difference. I listened to a lot of music, but I have just finished listening to two tracks in order to have fresh impressions to report: “Third Stone From The Sun” The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? and “The Poet Game” Ani Difranco: Going Driftless: An Artist’s Tribute to Greg Brown.
There is no question to me that the DDP-1 is the better DAC/headphone amp combo of the 3. Clarity is my foremost impression. I think “Third Stone” was probably meant to be listened to on headphones, the DDP-1 certainly makes it seem so. There is a lot of movement between channels, pedal effects, distortion, tape effects, etc. Things get congested with the other two DAC’s, the DC-1 more so than the DragonFly, I think. But things are wide open with the DDP-1, you can focus on any particular instrument or effect you want, or just let the whole song wash over you.
I really like the music of Greg Brown, so when I heard one of the songs on this album on Pandora I tracked the CD down. I highly recommend it. “The Poet Game” starts out all singer-songwritery with nice acoustic guitar and a very prominent string bass. But before long there is a bass clarinet in the mix. Surprise! Once you know it is there you can’t not hear it, but I think it is earlier and way more audible, spit on the reed and all, with the DDP-1. That is a lot of bass to balance against nice acoustic playing and the female voice. It’s really too much for the DragonFly and the DC-1, boominess and congestion result. But the DDP-1 sorts it all out easily. Midway through the song, an electronic instrument starts doing some subtle tone painting. Turns out Ms. Difranco is playing an omnichord. I have got to get one before my next gig with a band, and I have got to listen to more Ani Difranco. Anyway, it’s crystal clear with the DDP-1 and I think probably very close to what the artist wants us to hear.
I have also listened to “Sometime Ago-La Fiesta” Chick Corea: Return to Forever on LP and the DDP-1’s analog rca input. Absolutely great and Stanley Clarke’s long upright bass solo is mesmerizing.
So I really like the DDP-1. Can you tell? Probably the nicest piece of equipment I have ever owned. The only thing I don’t like is that it clicks quite audibly when it encounters different sample rates, like changing from 16/44.1 to 24/96. It seems to have something to do with the PLL system re-locking. The Emotiva and the AQ products don’t do this and I find it a little distracting.
Thanks for reading, I would love to know what others think.
 
 
Jul 16, 2016 at 5:20 PM Post #12 of 25
jchrisg said:
 
 
I am mostly a speaker listener and I always have been. So I have had to learn a little bit about how to listen to headphones, what to listen to, and what to listen for in order to complete this review. I read this over at Innerfidelity which helped me out in my thinking: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/strengths-and-weaknesses-headphones-and-speakers#UZl43u3is3hDtdhR.97
I listened to the headphone outputs of the DDP-1, the Emotiva Stealth DC-1, and also a new DragonFly Red. I just equalized sound levels by ear as well as I could, although I know that makes a big difference. I listened to a lot of music, but I have just finished listening to two tracks in order to have fresh impressions to report: “Third Stone From The Sun” The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? and “The Poet Game” Ani Difranco: Going Driftless: An Artist’s Tribute to Greg Brown.
There is no question to me that the DDP-1 is the better DAC/headphone amp combo of the 3. Clarity is my foremost impression. I think “Third Stone” was probably meant to be listened to on headphones, the DDP-1 certainly makes it seem so. There is a lot of movement between channels, pedal effects, distortion, tape effects, etc. Things get congested with the other two DAC’s, the DC-1 more so than the DragonFly, I think. But things are wide open with the DDP-1, you can focus on any particular instrument or effect you want, or just let the whole song wash over you.
I really like the music of Greg Brown, so when I heard one of the songs on this album on Pandora I tracked the CD down. I highly recommend it. “The Poet Game” starts out all singer-songwritery with nice acoustic guitar and a very prominent string bass. But before long there is a bass clarinet in the mix. Surprise! Once you know it is there you can’t not hear it, but I think it is earlier and way more audible, spit on the reed and all, with the DDP-1. That is a lot of bass to balance against nice acoustic playing and the female voice. It’s really too much for the DragonFly and the DC-1, boominess and congestion result. But the DDP-1 sorts it all out easily. Midway through the song, an electronic instrument starts doing some subtle tone painting. Turns out Ms. Difranco is playing an omnichord. I have got to get one before my next gig with a band, and I have got to listen to more Ani Difranco. Anyway, it’s crystal clear with the DDP-1 and I think probably very close to what the artist wants us to hear.
I have also listened to “Sometime Ago-La Fiesta” Chick Corea: Return to Forever on LP and the DDP-1’s analog rca input. Absolutely great and Stanley Clarke’s long upright bass solo is mesmerizing.
So I really like the DDP-1. Can you tell? Probably the nicest piece of equipment I have ever owned. The only thing I don’t like is that it clicks quite audibly when it encounters different sample rates, like changing from 16/44.1 to 24/96. It seems to have something to do with the PLL system re-locking. The Emotiva and the AQ products don’t do this and I find it a little distracting.
Thanks for reading, I would love to know what others think.
 
Click to expand...

 
Nice one! I really enjoyed reading what you wrote about the DDP-1. I would be very curious if a review ever comes about that can compare it to some other DACs in a similar price range like the Schiit Gungnir Multibit. I think several people will always be curious about how the DDP-1 with the external power-supply compares to the DDP-1 without the external power-supply.
 
- InsanityOne 
dt880smile.png

 
Jul 17, 2016 at 11:11 AM Post #13 of 25
I almost always used the DC-1 with an Uptone Regen between the source and the usb input, I probably should have used it in the comparison between the two combos. My recollection is that the Regen cleaned up the sound of the DC-1 considerably. I really wanted to try a Schiit multibit DAC, but the combo nature of the DDP-1 was what I needed for the space I had to work with.
 
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