overlunge
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Posts
- 1,060
- Likes
- 11
Overview
I have been pondering on purchasing a DAC ever since I joint the world of Head-fi in order to maximise/optimise the sound out of my headphones. I came across a thread early June pointed out that Ack! Industries were selling their old stock of 1.2e for a good bargain.
After emailing back and forth with Chris Own (from Ack!). I decided to purchase a unit. It was shipped two days later and was received last week. I felt the dAck! made a significant improvement for my system, hence I wish to share it with you all.
System Setup
A) Meridian 506.16>Nordost Blue Heaven>Chinese DIY Dual Mono Tube Headphone Amp> Grado HP-1000 (HP-2)
B) Meridian 506.16>Ack! Digital Connect>Ack! dAck! 1.2e>Nordost Blue Heaven>Chinese DIY Dual Mono Tube Headphone Amp> Grado HP-1000 (HP-2)
Build Quality
I have been admiring the design of dAck!'s external enclosure ever since I came across it on the website. The brushed metal casing with the vent opening on the top makes it very pleasing on the eyes. It can also be stand on the side to save the already crowded space on your audio rack. Choice!
dAck! is known for it's rechargable lead acid power supply (and the float charger). With my minimal knowledge in electrical engineering and in-experience in audio equipment, I cannont comment on its effect on the sound quality. But I did had some trouble sourcing a reliable float charger to be used in New Zealand. I had to settle for a step down transformer in order to maximise the safety and longivity of the lead-acid battery.
Sound Quality
Before I comment on the actual performance of the dAck! allow me to quote what Chris Own had to say about the dAck! 1.2e:
Quote:
Treble
The overall resolution improved with application of the dAck! and I found the presence of the treble energy was better in comparing with the A) setup. The extension of the high is similar I suspect it is because of HP-2's characteristic.
Mid-range
Like Chris's discription, the sound when comparing with the A) setup, the midrange gained more fluidity and sweetness. Especially when I listen to Norah Jones' Sunrise, the vocal was cleaner, less congested and the breathy sound was quite pronouced.
Bass
I have read somewhere that dAck 1.2e's lacking bass (so is the Meridian house sound signature). But I found it's not entirly true, with the setup B) the bass presence was palpable. With some Jack Johnson's tracks, you can almost feel the air moving around your cheek when he's percussing the guitar.
However, the depth and impact of the bass was less improved.
Soundstage
When I first hook the dAck up, the forward, compressed soundstage of the HP-2 was even more compressed. Though puzzled at the time, I decided to let it burn-in for a few days (recommended by Ack! for at least 2 weeks for the sound to stabilise), I was greeted by a widened sound stage on the fifth day (20 hours burn-in). For the HP-2, the X and Y axis (more so the Y) were noticibly increased. The Z axis was less so.
Instrument separation and positioning was also marginally bettered when compare with A) setup.
Overall
As I have stated in the beginning of the review, I felt the dAck added elements to my system for good, especially added more musicality to the dark, neutral sound of the HP-2. For the value of I paid for it, I value it more than my previous source upgrade from a Universal Sony DVD player> Meridian 506.16.
This is my first attempt to write a review of a decent length, any comments or questions are very welcomed.
Overlunge
*[The above review is based on individual's experience, your view might vary, comments are welcomed.]
I have been pondering on purchasing a DAC ever since I joint the world of Head-fi in order to maximise/optimise the sound out of my headphones. I came across a thread early June pointed out that Ack! Industries were selling their old stock of 1.2e for a good bargain.
After emailing back and forth with Chris Own (from Ack!). I decided to purchase a unit. It was shipped two days later and was received last week. I felt the dAck! made a significant improvement for my system, hence I wish to share it with you all.
System Setup
A) Meridian 506.16>Nordost Blue Heaven>Chinese DIY Dual Mono Tube Headphone Amp> Grado HP-1000 (HP-2)
B) Meridian 506.16>Ack! Digital Connect>Ack! dAck! 1.2e>Nordost Blue Heaven>Chinese DIY Dual Mono Tube Headphone Amp> Grado HP-1000 (HP-2)
Build Quality
I have been admiring the design of dAck!'s external enclosure ever since I came across it on the website. The brushed metal casing with the vent opening on the top makes it very pleasing on the eyes. It can also be stand on the side to save the already crowded space on your audio rack. Choice!
dAck! is known for it's rechargable lead acid power supply (and the float charger). With my minimal knowledge in electrical engineering and in-experience in audio equipment, I cannont comment on its effect on the sound quality. But I did had some trouble sourcing a reliable float charger to be used in New Zealand. I had to settle for a step down transformer in order to maximise the safety and longivity of the lead-acid battery.
Sound Quality
Before I comment on the actual performance of the dAck! allow me to quote what Chris Own had to say about the dAck! 1.2e:
Quote:
| ...with the 1.2e being more lush and sweet and the 2.0 being more exacting but also very warm. The 1.2's major strength is an unbelievably balanced midrange. The unit committed errors of omission rather than coloration, and focused its performance on reproducing the midrange extremely right. That's what most people knew the dAck! for, though most of our early customers were vinyl junkies or horn people as well, who are more likely to completely happy with the midrange voicing approach. |
Treble
The overall resolution improved with application of the dAck! and I found the presence of the treble energy was better in comparing with the A) setup. The extension of the high is similar I suspect it is because of HP-2's characteristic.
Mid-range
Like Chris's discription, the sound when comparing with the A) setup, the midrange gained more fluidity and sweetness. Especially when I listen to Norah Jones' Sunrise, the vocal was cleaner, less congested and the breathy sound was quite pronouced.
Bass
I have read somewhere that dAck 1.2e's lacking bass (so is the Meridian house sound signature). But I found it's not entirly true, with the setup B) the bass presence was palpable. With some Jack Johnson's tracks, you can almost feel the air moving around your cheek when he's percussing the guitar.
However, the depth and impact of the bass was less improved.
Soundstage
When I first hook the dAck up, the forward, compressed soundstage of the HP-2 was even more compressed. Though puzzled at the time, I decided to let it burn-in for a few days (recommended by Ack! for at least 2 weeks for the sound to stabilise), I was greeted by a widened sound stage on the fifth day (20 hours burn-in). For the HP-2, the X and Y axis (more so the Y) were noticibly increased. The Z axis was less so.
Instrument separation and positioning was also marginally bettered when compare with A) setup.
Overall
As I have stated in the beginning of the review, I felt the dAck added elements to my system for good, especially added more musicality to the dark, neutral sound of the HP-2. For the value of I paid for it, I value it more than my previous source upgrade from a Universal Sony DVD player> Meridian 506.16.
This is my first attempt to write a review of a decent length, any comments or questions are very welcomed.
Overlunge
*[The above review is based on individual's experience, your view might vary, comments are welcomed.]
