Dan Clark Audio Stealth Review, Interview, Measurements

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

So with the model I'm listening to now...this one goes quite easily to drive

And in DC mode the Stealth makes a not so bad performance

NOMAX

Ha I was just writing post that you have something different than Stealth connected to M17

 

[ok computer]

Dude, how can you listen to these headphones using that? You need atleast a nuclear fusion reactor powered headphone amplifier that delivers 1.21 gigawatts for these headphones man.

Nuclear energy is probably not wise in the context of portable audio. A hamster running on a wheel seems much safer and will likely be way more power than you could ever need for the Stealth’s/Susvara.

 

[Nomax]

I switched from LCD-5 to the Stealth. No regrets.

But as this hobby is subjective it's always the best to try listen to the gear without any commitments. Especially because Stealths do really sound different than other headphones. So as always YMMV.

Yes the LCD5 is simply missing too much...for my ears

What I wonder...what is the point of a better Dac if the transducer can't show it at all?

For details and subtleties....for which just a model must bring enough illumination/brightness...the LCD 5 is a 5000 Euro Headphone️
The Stealth would have to cost 6000 euros in comparison

NOMAX

Ps. But everything I do not have to understand....I am only human

 

[xirxes]

Just hopping back by after long bit away! Been rocking DCA stealth since I think day one, one of the early pickups and I still love them dearly as a daily driver.

Current chain is pc-Chord TT2-Enleum amp 23R-stealth. All wires are handcrafted by Wywires.

Been doing mostly gaming with sporadic long listening sessions, but I am going to play around closely soon with the differences if any between low and high gain settings on Enleum to get that very last oomph out of the set.

I have been tempted lately to audition a Holo May KTE vs the TT2 with the stealth, can anyone speak to this direct comparison for dac swap? Does the R2R work wonders vs the heavy tap magic of chord? TiA

 

[801evan]

With the Soekris dac1321 on toslink + custom psu, it really is rewarding with the Stealth. It's one of the biggest soundstage of any dac I've tried. Fast, zero congestion,smooth. I hear new stuff on it than any other setups but I still owe it another visit to reconfirm but haven't gotten to it yet as I'm still doing a round of tests before I get back to it.

 

[vonBaron]

Just hopping back by after long bit away! Been rocking DCA stealth since I think day one, one of the early pickups and I still love them dearly as a daily driver.

Current chain is pc-Chord TT2-Enleum amp 23R-stealth. All wires are handcrafted by Wywires.

Been doing mostly gaming with sporadic long listening sessions, but I am going to play around closely soon with the differences if any between low and high gain settings on Enleum to get that very last oomph out of the set.

I have been tempted lately to audition a Holo May KTE vs the TT2 with the stealth, can anyone speak to this direct comparison for dac swap? Does the R2R work wonders vs the heavy tap magic of chord? TiA

May KTE easily beats TT2 almost in everything.

 

[xirxes]

May KTE easily beats TT2 almost in everything.

May KTE been out a bit, is it still a reigning champ in the DAC arena when I’m looking for a non-sterile and as naturally expansive a DAC I can get?

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

People who self-identify as "objectivists" have a tendency to oversimplify science. They often strawman arguments to trivialize them and then assert their correctness by stating some surface-level information based on "science."

For example, I have often heard the phrase that "all audibly transparent amplifiers sound exactly the same." So-called objectivists then use this line to argue that there is no difference in sound amongst amplifiers when volume matched. This is an oversimplification.

True, if you had two perfectly flawless amps of supreme build quality then they would sound exactly the same. However, no such amp exists. I have never heard of an amplifier designer saying that their amp sounds exactly the same as amps of wildly different topologies from different manufacturers. If that were the case, there would be no reason for different amplifier companies to exist. We would all just use the same handful of amps no matter what headphone/speaker/iem we wanted to drive.

I am neither an objectivist nor a subjectivist. I inform myself with measurements, listening, and the impressions of others. No one source has all of the answers. People like to use bad science to support their arguments and then claim that they are objectively correct and that those who disagree with them are objectively incorrect. They then claim that they are the ones who are truly following the tenets of science. This is not the case.

I am not directing this comment at anyone in particular, but it is behavior that I have observed within the audiophile community that I think needs to be addressed. Both on headfi and on other websites "objectivists" are too quick to trivialize differences among gear. They claim that everyone who hears a difference is biased without recognizing their own biases.

 

[vonBaron]

May KTE been out a bit, is it still a reigning champ in the DAC arena when I’m looking for a non-sterile and as naturally expansive a DAC I can get?

Well, for my taste i prefer Sonnet Pasithea over May KTE.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

I never tried the LCD-5 but maybe there are some points worth noting on weight, confort, power needed, follows a pure harman curve traget (which can't suit every body's taste) ?

So comfort is definitely on the Stealth side. LCD-5 is good, not like top of the top but nothing bad. (assuming that you have new headband. First production batch had headband with very strong clamping force, and oh boy it was way too strong). Stealth is on par when it comes to the comfort with Meze Empy.
Power wise LCD-5 is easier to drive, but still you need some amp that can handle 14ohm drivers, as sensitivity is not high (about 90db). So depending how loud you are listening.

As for tuning - as I said, it's very different. Stealth is very balanced across whole frequency spectrum. Nothing steps out.
LCD-5 is mid-centric headphone, on some tracks it could be a bit too much in the 'vocals' area making it a bit shouty sounding - depending on the track/mastering/type of music.

For my music choices I much preferred Stealth. The only thing that I'm slightly missing from LCD-5 is that initial crack of the transients. To me they seemed to have more pronounced transient response which gave that raw power to instruments.

A lot of depends on what type of music do you listen and what you expect from your system. If you answer for these two questions you will know if Stealth is going to be good fit

 

[ericx85]

May KTE been out a bit, is it still a reigning champ in the DAC arena when I’m looking for a non-sterile and as naturally expansive a DAC I can get?

Really depends on taste, though as an owner of one I have to mention that you'll pretty much want to have hqplayer ready for it. The dac really is at its best with NOS mode and it's definitely worth upsampling anything thats below 88khz as the rolloff is pretty big.

 

[Trance_Gott]

On the terrace outside with view of the lake


NOMAX

PS.lol

What focal stock cable no crystal double Duett? Or too much bass with new Utopia?

 

[xirxes]

Last question then: Is it pretty damn close between May KTE w/o hqplayer and TT2 with Mscaler? This is the other option I’m exploring

 

[Andrewteee]

Nice to see this thread getting back on track. I listened to the Stealth this past weekend and it's always a very satisfying headphone.

Regarding the Holo Audio May, I have never heard one, but it is the DAC that keeps popping onto my radar. I'm not directly in the market for a new DAC, but I feel someday I should give this one a try. People generally seem to find it a very satisfying DAC.

Never heard the TT2 either (but I have a Mojo 2, love it) but I know many like it too. I'm the Chord and Holo Audio DACs are both going to be very good but different presentations.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

'm the Chord and Holo Audio DACs are both going to be very good but different presentations.

Exactly that.