Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe - ending point in my search for a new reference

[project86]

Did you make arrangements to review the GLD-version? Though recently switched to the Ideon Audio Absolute Stream I am still interested in the synergy between the Cen.grand devices

Nothing set in stone but we've talked about it and I'm pretty confident it will happen... just don't have the details or anything at this point.

Very curious to see how well the new transport does, especially with Cen.Grand's own matching DAC.

 

[Vincent_Amsterdam]

Nothing set in stone but we've talked about it and I'm pretty confident it will happen... just don't have the details or anything at this point.

Very curious to see how well the new transport does, especially with Cen.Grand's own matching DAC.

I must say: the Ideon Absolute Stream (via USB) is a superb match with the Cen.Grand DSDAC surpassing the Grimm Audio MU1-Cen.Grand combo in all audiophile parameters. In a couple of weeks my Cen.Grand will be compared A-B to the Ideon ION DAC (approx. 19k USD).. nice shoot out

 

[ken6217]

I must say: the Ideon Absolute Stream (via USB) is a superb match with the Cen.Grand DSDAC surpassing the Grimm Audio MU1-Cen.Grand combo in all audiophile parameters. In a couple of weeks my Cen.Grand will be compared A-B to the Ideon ION DAC (approx. 19k USD).. nice shoot out

Yeah, all for 20 grand. Sounds like a bargain. Especially for a headphones system.

 

[project86]

The Ideon Ayazi MK2 with the matching Master Clock was a really fun combo for around $8k. I liked the DSDAC1.0 Deluxe better, but it was definitely a worthy choice. However I'm not sure I am on board with their more expensive stuff... it's getting into MSB territory at that point, and I don't care for that sort of thing.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

The DSDAC Deluxe has arrived! Definitely sound as good as I remembered.

Tested with (currently) my most favourite albums ever: Nameless from Dominique Fils Aime, Miss by Xiaoyuan, and Country Croonin' by Anne Murray.

There are 3 things that I feel really improve from Chord TT2:
- How natural DSDAC render each notes. It's just "easier" to listen, more fluid, effortless, and melodious. The edge of notes seems denser with more lifelike feeling
- Resolution, I can hear more detail here and there, the texture from harmonica, more "vibration" on choir voice at the back, more texture notes for bass guitar, and so on.
- Soundstage! Not just DSDAC expanse the soundstage through all direction, but all separation and imaging quality also improve nicely

All in all, it's nice to have more organic tonality, with higher technicalities as well at the same time. There are some differences in character, but it seems my chain adjust nicely to it. TT2 deliver harder punch on bass impact (with more or less similar bass quantity). DSDAC Deluxe has a little more prominent midrange, with smoother and more liquid treble.

 

[Vincent_Amsterdam]

The DSDAC Deluxe has arrived! Definitely sound as good as I remembered.

Tested with (currently) my most favourite albums ever: Nameless from Dominique Fils Aime, Miss by Xiaoyuan, and Country Croonin' by Anne Murray.

There are 3 things that I feel really improve from Chord TT2:
- How natural DSDAC render each notes. It's just "easier" to listen, more fluid, effortless, and melodious. The edge of notes seems denser with more lifelike feeling
- Resolution, I can hear more detail here and there, the texture from harmonica, more "vibration" on choir voice at the back, more texture notes for bass guitar, and so on.
- Soundstage! Not just DSDAC expanse the soundstage through all direction, but all separation and imaging quality also improve nicely

All in all, it's nice to have more organic tonality, with higher technicalities as well at the same time. There are some differences in character, but it seems my chain adjust nicely to it. TT2 deliver harder punch on bass impact (with more or less similar bass quantity). DSDAC Deluxe has a little more prominent midrange, with smoother and more liquid treble.

I can totally echo your findings! Interesting to read that we all have kind of similar experiences

And thanks for your album suggestions!

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I can totally echo your findings! Interesting to read that we all have kind of similar experiences

And thanks for your album suggestions!

Saw your signature and now make me wonder how DSDAC Deluxe perform with speakers. If I remember correctly actually Cen Grand DAC is more famous in home audio market.

When I attended the high end show (home audio) last month, some vendors used Dominique Fils Aime albums to showed the capabilities of their products ($50k-400K set up). The album has amazing sound quality and fortunately with good music to enjoy as well (not just a lifeless sound for speaker test).

 

[project86]

I've tried out my DSDAC1.0 Deluxe in a few nice speaker rigs (Revel Ultima Salon, Usher Mini One Diamond, Salk Soundscape 10, and some nice Genelecs) and it always performs just as well as it does with headphone setups. The preamp capabilities are legit as well - I would happily run it directly to a speaker amp or active speakers, assuming I didn't need a bunch of additional inputs or something like that.

I love EgglestonWorks speakers (had a few sets over the years, most recently the little Emma) and I'm sure that makes a killer combo as well. Would love to see pics of that system!



Switching gears, I just got more info about the upcoming streaming devices. It's now confirmed that there are actually multiple models in the lineup.

First distinction is like we talked about earlier with the GLD now being the dedicated transport and the GLS being the integrated transport/DAC. The initial info from months ago was just about the GLS and there was no mention of an internal DAC, but they seem to have expanded and reworked the idea somewhat. So now we have several options.

Each one will also have a standard version and a Deluxe version, with each model using similar enclosures as the DSDAC in those respective versions. I'm told the GLS Deluxe will contain the DSDAC1.0 for D/A conversion, while the standard model will probably have an AKM-based DAC (but that's not finalized yet). But I don't know exactly if the GLS Deluxe will truly be the same as having separates of the Deluxe DAC and the GLD Deluxe streamer, or if there's some necessary compromise involved to make everything fit into one enclosure.

The standard versions of both GLS and GLD will be based around an Intel Celeron processor. Which should be a good choice as far as balancing noise, heat, and adequate performance for audio playback. Meanwhile the Deluxe versions will use a powerful i7 which will give the necessary brute force for things like DSD upsampling or just indexing massive libraries. They will use a mobile version of the i7 which means lower TDP but still plenty of power.

The only pricing I have available so far is the GLD1.0 standard edition will be around $4k and the GLD1.0 Deluxe should be in the ballpark of $6,200. That puts them in the same general price range as devices like the Innuos Pulse/Pulsar, Aqua LinQ, Lumin U1/U2, and various models from HiFi Rose, Aurender, etc. So definitely not budget components but also nowhere near the most expensive either.


There are some other interesting aspects that I'll discuss later but not sure I'm allowed to quite yet. I'll eventually start a new thread just for the GLS/GLD once they get closer to release, but for now this info is probably best left here.

 

[Vincent_Amsterdam]

Would love to see pics of that system!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pic...same-rules-apply.655961/page-66#post-17680496

 

[Vincent_Amsterdam]

The DSDAC performs outstanding in my speaker setup - regardless of the output used (since a month USB out only before having used the AES/EBU output with the Grimm Audio MU1)... re-reading through John’s extensive opening post I more and more understand what he’s is talking about: the DAC grows on me every day!

Thanks for the info on the CG streamers!

 

[bodhidharma]

My DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe arrived today

 

[hafzz123]

The DSDAC Deluxe has arrived! Definitely sound as good as I remembered.

Tested with (currently) my most favourite albums ever: Nameless from Dominique Fils Aime, Miss by Xiaoyuan, and Country Croonin' by Anne Murray.

There are 3 things that I feel really improve from Chord TT2:
- How natural DSDAC render each notes. It's just "easier" to listen, more fluid, effortless, and melodious. The edge of notes seems denser with more lifelike feeling
- Resolution, I can hear more detail here and there, the texture from harmonica, more "vibration" on choir voice at the back, more texture notes for bass guitar, and so on.
- Soundstage! Not just DSDAC expanse the soundstage through all direction, but all separation and imaging quality also improve nicely

All in all, it's nice to have more organic tonality, with higher technicalities as well at the same time. There are some differences in character, but it seems my chain adjust nicely to it. TT2 deliver harder punch on bass impact (with more or less similar bass quantity). DSDAC Deluxe has a little more prominent midrange, with smoother and more liquid treble.

Congratulations on your new DAC! I still remember the soundstage really impressed me from the last time i tried it. Did you get the black or silver color?

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Congratulations on your new DAC! I still remember the soundstage really impressed me from the last time i tried it. Did you get the black or silver color?

As Henry Ford said: “any color so long as it is black”

will wait for your turn to get a new DAC lol (and @K3cT as well)

 

[project86]

I love mine in silver but whenever I see a pic of the black version I have doubts... something about the yellow display contrasted with the black enclosure just looks so good.

 

[hafzz123]

will wait for your turn to get a new DAC lol (and @K3cT as well)

Looks like it will be sooner than expected, just you wait