vidarm
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2007
- Posts
- 7
- Likes
- 0
My HiFi system: Marantz 7200 amplifier (Classs A mode), Klipsch RF-52 speakers, Pioneer DVD player and a modded Audio Alchemy 1.1 DAC.
Overall, the system delivers a very dynamic and entertaining sound, but sometimes struggles in the high ranges. The Audio Alchemy really opened up the system, and now I'd like to take that one step further by upgrading the DAC.
I have been reading up on the various Chinese/Asian DACs, mainly Great March 1/2 and the Musiland MD10. For comparison, I tested a very expensive Shanling DAC. The soundstage was excellent, and overall imperssions were very positive, except that it revealed everything in the recording, both good and bad. It was, in fact, too transparent and revealing.
There seem to be a general notion that the newer "bargain DACs" often are more analytical/clinical in their presence, than older "proper" DACs, which often are labelled "warm", "rich" etc.
So ideally I would like a DAC with more "analogue/vinyl" qualities, a warmer, more relaxed sound, to balance the rest of my setup.
The DM-10 is described by Pacific Valve as a "Detailed, Warm and Dynamic DAC", and the Great March 2 is "designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for audiophile quality high end playback systems."
Initially, I was going to buy the GM2, but then I read about the MD10, and I started thinking that perhaps the GM2 would sound more along the lines of the Shanling.
As I cannot verify this by testing first, I would very much appreciate your opinions and suggestions in this matter.
Thanks!
Vidar
Norway
Overall, the system delivers a very dynamic and entertaining sound, but sometimes struggles in the high ranges. The Audio Alchemy really opened up the system, and now I'd like to take that one step further by upgrading the DAC.
I have been reading up on the various Chinese/Asian DACs, mainly Great March 1/2 and the Musiland MD10. For comparison, I tested a very expensive Shanling DAC. The soundstage was excellent, and overall imperssions were very positive, except that it revealed everything in the recording, both good and bad. It was, in fact, too transparent and revealing.
There seem to be a general notion that the newer "bargain DACs" often are more analytical/clinical in their presence, than older "proper" DACs, which often are labelled "warm", "rich" etc.
So ideally I would like a DAC with more "analogue/vinyl" qualities, a warmer, more relaxed sound, to balance the rest of my setup.
The DM-10 is described by Pacific Valve as a "Detailed, Warm and Dynamic DAC", and the Great March 2 is "designed for maximum transparency and is well suited for audiophile quality high end playback systems."
Initially, I was going to buy the GM2, but then I read about the MD10, and I started thinking that perhaps the GM2 would sound more along the lines of the Shanling.
As I cannot verify this by testing first, I would very much appreciate your opinions and suggestions in this matter.
Thanks!
Vidar
Norway
