Altmann Reference DAC

[minivan]

this dac is selling for $2100 aud in the local dealer,
it does not even have the case, i would assume people willing to pay $2100 aud for it would be more then happy to pay an extra $100 for the case?
it run off battery, u have to pay another $340 for the battery.
any1 heard of it? is it worth that much , $2100 aud + $340 aud?

Product Information

Altmann Micro Machines

This is probably one of the craziest things you will read on this website. If you want to push the envelope in digital sound to the maximum then one of the best things you can buy is our Altmann Attraction DAC (Digital to Audio Converter).

This DAC takes the data stream directly from your computer, music bank or CD player and converts it bit for bit at very high resolution to an analogue signal for your amplifier. It avoids doing any up-sampling, down-sampling or around the mulberry bush sampling of the signal. It outperforms virtually every other DAC that we have heard to date.

However there is a catch, bet you were thinking that. It is Zen like in its simplicity and runs off battery power so you will need to recharge the battery every so often. This is not really a big deal as the Optima battery we offer will run it for 220 hours before needing a top up. That is around 2 months if you listen 4 hours per day every day.

Battery power makes the Attraction DAC immune to line voltage fluctuations and takes mains pollution out of the equation.

Our Reference Version includes all available options including:

* Switchable JISCO “jitter reduction” option which significantly reduces the DAC’s dependence on the quality of the digital source. You can therefore choose an inexpensive player to act as the digital source.
* Toslink optical fibre input. Using the Toslink optical fibre interface eliminates electrical interference between the DAC and the Player, resulting in smoother sound.
* Multi format capability to enable you to decode CD, DVD, DVD-A & DAT.

The Attraction DAC is a performance bargain as it really does outperform virtually any other conventional DAC. You can add it to any of our CD players as an upgrade at any time.

Review: Enjoythe Music.com

"Bottom line: It should be clear that the Attraction DAC pushed all of my buttons. Anyone serious about music needs to audition this DAC. It will redefine your expectations of what is possible with the standard CD format.

What an enjoyable way to rediscover your CD collection. Simply put: a tour de force of digital design!

Overall rating: 5 blue notes out of 5."

Price: $2100.00 (Inc. GST)

review: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...mpling_dac.htm

 

[d-cee]

hot

i remember seeing a user on here recently with the DAC

do a search

http://66.48.80.139/~idemonor/ws/newrig.html

i can't remember his head-fi username but that's his rig there

 

[slwiser]

Over in the Asylum and on Audiocircle I have seen those who have been using this unit and I don't remember reading any negative posts unless you consider discussion about the looks of it negative.

 

[Bones13]

Actually this is a well reguarded DAC, and the AMP which looks similar. He believes in the specific wood base as important to the vibration resistance. That and the fact that he recommends healthy batteries to run his equipment makes these run pretty good, although the aesthetics leave a good bit to be desired - naked PCB, plank of wood, and the car battery...

Kidding aside, these have been around for awhile, and are very positively reviewed.

 

[PhaedrusX]

this looks new.
there is an older model called the altmann attraction dac which retailed for about half the price of this. i'm not sure if this is a new line, or if it replaces the older one.
same wood base and naked pcb design.
while many owners have cited this the last dac they will buy, there are a few detractors who have called it a marketing gimmick.
i'd love to hear one, though.

 

[minivan]

d-cee: thanks for the link, some very awesome gear there, so they do run the dac without the case.
slwiser: sorry , i should be a bit more clear about my post, if it sound good then look does not matter, still i think it should at least to put a cover on it to make it more user friendly.

phaedrusx, bones13: look like i might have to ask my local dealer to give me an audition on this unit.

any1 else got any inputs on this dac?

 

[Fing]

I want to hear one. I don't know anyone crazy enough to buy one unfortunately. Does he do demo units?

My initial feeling is one of disbelief that someone could be charging so much for seemingly so little.

It's the sound that matters though. I want to hear an impartial review against a number of well regarded high-end DACs (NOS ones as well).

 

[ezkcdude]

I actually love the simplicity of the build. It's definitely got the DIY look down. Only problem is most of the people who would pay that price are not DIYers. Anyway, I've been listening to my DAC uncased (still) for over a year, and I still love looking at it. Why put it in a case?

 

[The Pieman]

You might find more information here:-

http://www.mother-of-tone.com/attraction.htm

cheers
Simon

 

[PhaedrusX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fing /img/forum/go_quote.gif I want to hear one. I don't know anyone crazy enough to buy one unfortunately. Does he do demo units? My initial feeling is one of disbelief that someone could be charging so much for seemingly so little. It's the sound that matters though. I want to hear an impartial review against a number of well regarded high-end DACs (NOS ones as well).

on another audio forum [i forget which - google should come up with it easily enough], there was a member that sent his altmann dac on a review tour to 6 or 7 other members, just like asr did here with some of his gear.
the reviewers were allowed to put the altmann dac in their familiar home systems, and then submitted reviews in the forum.
i remember there was an issue with the external battery early in the 'tour' but eventually everything got sorted and the dac completed its journey.
the reviews, from what i remember, were quite positive.

 

[Fing]

Yup - I do remember reading that. The reviews were mostly positive but I feel that there was a fair degree of bias against it both because of how unconventional it was and because of its NOS design. Some of the reviewers preferred the more modern flavour of their DACs.

I felt it was damning by faint praise. If this DAC really was that good, they'd all be ordering one. I don't think any of those sent the review sample did.

 

[Turn&cough]

It may look cool, in a DIY way, but how much do you think it costs to make one of those?
You can get a Cambridge 840C with two Wolfson DACs in it for less than that.

 

[musicday]

Anyone still using the Altmann DAC those days?
Tell us about your system.
Cheers.
Musicday

 

[musicday]

Nobody?

 

[mainaman]

I haven't heard it,but the price seems too much.