akwok
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- May 16, 2005
- Posts
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Hey all,
My VDA-1 + VAC-1 DAC/PSU combo came in today (http://www.ciaudio.com). Since my Headamp GS-1 still isn't here, I won't be able to comment too much on the sound quality for the next few days as I'm just using a PAV2 at the moment. I bought the combo used, so it should be properly burnt in (but in mint condition!).
Here's a picture of it (sorry for the bad quality... the T1 takes crappy pictures indoors)
First impressions :
Build Quality :
Amazing. Out of the box I was amazed at how small these guys REALLY were. I estimated them to be a bit bigger, but not this small! The amp is very solid, and looks very modern and chic. The faceplates are brushed aluminum, the text silk-screened and the case itself is hard plastic. A very subtle but 'sexy' blue LED is shown when a source is 'LOCK'ed.
The power supply is the same thing as the DAC, but without an LED. It is quite heavy considering it's small size, and is able to be stacked on top of the DAC (or below) without scratching or rubbing the faceplates together.
Preliminary Sound Quality :
Equipment used before : Glass TOSLink w/ Enlightened Audio Designs DSP-1000 DAC, Onkyo SE-90PCI Digital Output as source playing FLAC (ALE).
The DAC I was using before wasn't anything to sneer at either, as it was pretty good considering it's age (about 10 years old I think? Still goes for about $250 on the 'gon). It was a pretty big gain from my Onkyo SE-90PCI sound card, improving on the soundstage mostly.
When I A/B'd the CIAudio DAC against the EAD, the CI improved on almost every aspect of the EAD. The soundstage is again VASTLY improved (on a Pocket Amp V2 even!). Detail is also improved significantly; I could hear many imperfections in AC/DC's Back In Black. The bass is much tighter, and it seems to have tamesd the highs / brightness of the SA5000's a bit (they are not as painful anymore). Speed seems to be the same (using Queen's Another One Bites the Dust as a reference).
I going to spend a few more hours listening to this sweet combo, and will post more in depth when I get a better amplifier (the GS-1 is stuck at Customs right now)
Tadah
My VDA-1 + VAC-1 DAC/PSU combo came in today (http://www.ciaudio.com). Since my Headamp GS-1 still isn't here, I won't be able to comment too much on the sound quality for the next few days as I'm just using a PAV2 at the moment. I bought the combo used, so it should be properly burnt in (but in mint condition!).
Here's a picture of it (sorry for the bad quality... the T1 takes crappy pictures indoors)
First impressions :
Build Quality :
Amazing. Out of the box I was amazed at how small these guys REALLY were. I estimated them to be a bit bigger, but not this small! The amp is very solid, and looks very modern and chic. The faceplates are brushed aluminum, the text silk-screened and the case itself is hard plastic. A very subtle but 'sexy' blue LED is shown when a source is 'LOCK'ed.
The power supply is the same thing as the DAC, but without an LED. It is quite heavy considering it's small size, and is able to be stacked on top of the DAC (or below) without scratching or rubbing the faceplates together.
Preliminary Sound Quality :
Equipment used before : Glass TOSLink w/ Enlightened Audio Designs DSP-1000 DAC, Onkyo SE-90PCI Digital Output as source playing FLAC (ALE).
The DAC I was using before wasn't anything to sneer at either, as it was pretty good considering it's age (about 10 years old I think? Still goes for about $250 on the 'gon). It was a pretty big gain from my Onkyo SE-90PCI sound card, improving on the soundstage mostly.
When I A/B'd the CIAudio DAC against the EAD, the CI improved on almost every aspect of the EAD. The soundstage is again VASTLY improved (on a Pocket Amp V2 even!). Detail is also improved significantly; I could hear many imperfections in AC/DC's Back In Black. The bass is much tighter, and it seems to have tamesd the highs / brightness of the SA5000's a bit (they are not as painful anymore). Speed seems to be the same (using Queen's Another One Bites the Dust as a reference).
I going to spend a few more hours listening to this sweet combo, and will post more in depth when I get a better amplifier (the GS-1 is stuck at Customs right now)
Tadah
