Aries Cerat Helene vs MSB Premiere DAC vs Lampizator Pacific 2

[OnlySoMany]

Priced fairly close once fully maxxed out. I suppose you could add the Kassandra ll onto this list, but its priced slightly higher.

Looking strongly at these DACs, and finding it very hard to make a decision. I have access to either at a very good used price, but I have not heard anything from either brand.

This DAC would replace the DAVE/BLU, and I would move it to my 2 channel setup. MSB/Aries would be the DAC used for my Viva 845.

I'd really love any feedback on this. I don't want to make an expensive "mistake".

 

[Doug2507]

If they're both available used at "a very good price" then I doubt you've got much to loose tbh.

Audiogon / whatsbest might be the best places to ask this question...

 

[OnlySoMany]

If they're both available used at "a very good price" then I doubt you've got much to loose tbh.

Audiogon / whatsbest might be the best places to ask this question...

Well, a good price considering their starting price. Still super expensive all things considered.

 

[OnlySoMany]

Updated title based on another DAC being available. All right around the same price.

 

[Audio Addict]

I have the Kassandra Reference II which I upgraded from the Helene.

However, a friend recently changed from his MSB Premier to the MBL C-41. You may want to seriously look at this.

https://www.mbl-northamerica.com/en/electronics/cadenza-line/c41

https://www.mbl.de/en/news/details/review-c41-network-player

 

[OnlySoMany]

I have the Kassandra Reference II which I upgraded from the Helene.

However, a friend recently changed from his MSB Premier to the MBL C-41. You may want to seriously look at this.

https://www.mbl-northamerica.com/en/electronics/cadenza-line/c41

https://www.mbl.de/en/news/details/review-c41-network-player

Is the Kassandra a true upgrade from the Helene? Is it night and day noticeable immediately? Or is it one of those things you have to listen for?

What differences do you hear?

 

[Audio Addict]

Is the Kassandra a true upgrade from the Helene? Is it night and day noticeable immediately? Or is it one of those things you have to listen for?

What differences do you hear?

I did an entire system upgrade from the Helene / Incito S / Dartzeel NHB 108 to the Kassandra / Impera / Concero 25s so I can't isolate the change in DACs. My headphone system also changed from the RSA A-10 & Dark Star to the RSA B-21. The 2 channel preamplifier feeds the headphone amplifier(s).

 

[OnlySoMany]

I did an entire system upgrade from the Helene / Incito S / Dartzeel NHB 108 to the Kassandra / Impera / Concero 25s so I can't isolate the change in DACs. My headphone system also changed from the RSA A-10 & Dark Star to the RSA B-21. The 2 channel preamplifier feeds the headphone amplifier(s).

How did you like the Helene and Incito S combo? I was thinking of pairing Helene and Genus at some point.

 

[Audio Addict]

I will put it this way. If my dealer hadn't been so accommodating on upgrading, I was very satisfied to stay with that pairing.

The issue with Aries Cerat is the different approach on where gain is added. Most manufacturers put the gain on the amp end but Aries Cerat builds throughout the system with the focus on single ended, not balanced. The Kassandra has single ended outputs of 5v or 10v. The preamplifiers can be ordered with different output voltage. The amplifiers are typically only a 7v gain compared to 26v-28v for other manufacturers.

 

[OnlySoMany]

I will put it this way. If my dealer hadn't been so accommodating on upgrading, I was very satisfied to stay with that pairing.

The issue with Aries Cerat is the different approach on where gain is added. Most manufacturers put the gain on the amp end but Aries Cerat builds throughout the system with the focus on single ended, not balanced. The Kassandra has single ended outputs of 5v or 10v. The preamplifiers can be ordered with different output voltage. The amplifiers are typically only a 7v gain compared to 26v-28v for other manufacturers.

So help me understand this a bit. So the increased volts on the output side do what exactly? For example, I believe my Dave has a 6v output on xlr. Does a higher voltage output make the amp work less hard?

 

[Audio Addict]

So help me understand this a bit. So the increased volts on the output side do what exactly? For example, I believe my Dave has a 6v output on xlr. Does a higher voltage output make the amp work less hard?

I am no electrical engineer but the goal is to not overload but gradually building it. I think it is a design for sonic improvement. For example Stravos (AC designer) suggested to source into my headphone amplifier from the preamplifier rather than from the Kassandra DAC. He was right as the best of the two goes into the B-21.

 

[OnlySoMany]

Thank you for the explanation.

What about a Nagra Tube DAC in comparison to the ones I mentioned?

 

[Audio Addict]

Thank you for the explanation.

What about a Nagra Tube DAC in comparison to the ones I mentioned?

I don't have any experience with Nagra so I have no thoughts on it. Sorry.

 

[OnlySoMany]

If they're both available used at "a very good price" then I doubt you've got much to loose tbh.

Audiogon / whatsbest might be the best places to ask this question...

I tried to join Whats Best Forum, but could not get past the super outdated and annoying captcha. "They produce a super deep sound in a speaker". Tried bass, cables, subwoofer, cone, diaphragm, etc etc etc and it always said I was wrong. Any ideas?

 

[Doug2507]

I tried to join Whats Best Forum, but could not get past the super outdated and annoying captcha. "They produce a super deep sound in a speaker". Tried bass, cables, subwoofer, cone, diaphragm, etc etc etc and it always said I was wrong. Any ideas?

Ooh, woofer?