Dan Clark Audio Stealth Review, Interview, Measurements

[DuncanDirkDick]

I personally use DSP in my main rig but my speaker setup doesn’t have a way to do that. Analog is the only option. I think a fair amount of people on the forum aren’t computer based. Or even digital for that matter. My speaker rig is all physical media.

I was talking about the Zähl amp btw, since the reference was missing. I'm into vinyl as well (talking about all physical media) and using an adi2 as preamp/ADC was the biggest audible upgrade to my system so far. Really recommend trying.

 

[DarginMahkum]

I was talking about the Zähl amp btw, since the reference was missing. I'm into vinyl as well (talking about all physical media) and using an adi2 as preamp/ADC was the biggest audible upgrade to my system so far. Really recommend trying.

By the way, I am not a vinyl guy so cannot comment much on it but the new ADI-2 Pro 2/4 has "...RIAA mode for directly digitizing vinyl discs in highest quality." I see you like ADI-2, so I wanted to mention. Apparently they also improved the ADC of the unit.

https://www.rme-usa.com/adi-2-4-pro-se.html

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

By the way, I am not a vinyl guy so cannot comment much on it but the new ADI-2 Pro 2/4 has "...RIAA mode for directly digitizing vinyl discs in highest quality." I see you like ADI-2, so I wanted to mention. Apparently they also improved the ADC of the unit.

https://www.rme-usa.com/adi-2-4-pro-se.html

I had it on pre-order but I didn't want to wait after they told me it would be 2023. RIAA seems nice on this one and -90db SINAD and low noise is pretty sweet, too. But in the end I didn't want to spend 1000EUR extra on it, if I would've sold my old pro. Ended up buying a phono-preamp instead. Cartridge SINAD and the vinyl itself is the limiting factor anyway. Looking forward to see ADC measurements with the linear power supply. I work with ADC/DAC ICs on a daily basis and the new PSU might bring better performance but on the other hand we're talking about 2 LSB maybe, probably just a stable LSB. In my opinion negligible for audio, especially recreational playback.

 

[Nomax]

Stealth is awesome on the CMA 15. It really breathed new life into it. @Nomax convinced me to try it and I had no regrets. I thought it would have similar synergy with the Expanse, but that turned out to be a bad match for it.

No amp can make the Expanse look (sound) good either for me
(And about the CMA15 I have said everything...the DAC/AMP par excellence with the best price-performance ratio )

NOMAX

PS.Lol

 

[801evan]

No amp can make the Expanse look (sound) good either for me
(And about the CMA15 I have said everything...the DAC/AMP par excellence with the best price-performance ratio )

NOMAX

PS.Lol

I agree...

Most of the HQ chains I've tried, Stealth sounds more open than Expanse. As mentioned before, the only time Expanse sounds good is on a mid-fi chain that gives poor blacks on the Stealth, like Fiio m17 on battery.

 

[801evan]

As proof you don't need a lot of power for the Stealth, I modded the dp5 to receive 5vdc and is powered by a multi-stage filtering chain. The dp5 is only 89mw@32ohms and it delivers deeper bass and a bigger sound than 5w-16w amps. Volume only at 88. Easily drives Susvara with no clipping too ofc.

 

[DarginMahkum]

I had it on pre-order but I didn't want to wait after they told me it would be 2023. RIAA seems nice on this one and -90db SINAD and low noise is pretty sweet, too. But in the end I didn't want to spend 1000EUR extra on it, if I would've sold my old pro. Ended up buying a phono-preamp instead. Cartridge SINAD and the vinyl itself is the limiting factor anyway. Looking forward to see ADC measurements with the linear power supply. I work with ADC/DAC ICs on a daily basis and the new PSU might bring better performance but on the other hand we're talking about 2 LSB maybe, probably just a stable LSB. In my opinion negligible for audio, especially recreational playback.

Yeah, I waited maybe two months for mine, with some delays. Even in Germany it was not available everywhere, with notes like "available in March 2023", then it suddenly popped up and disappeared again. There is a measurement review for the RIAA mode.

Anyway...back to Stealth.

 

[Spawn300Z]

No amp can make the Expanse look (sound) good either for me
(And about the CMA15 I have said everything...the DAC/AMP par excellence with the best price-performance ratio )

NOMAX

PS.Lol

Well you haven’t heard the Stealths paired with the Riviera AIC-10 running of the speaker taps. These scale up so well. It turned the Stealths in to a monster of a can. I’m enjoying what I’m hearing.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Well you haven’t heard the Stealths paired with the Riviera AIC-10 running of the speaker taps. These scale up so well. It turned the Stealths in to a monster of a can. I’m enjoying what I’m hearing.

Seems like you quoted the wrong Post. It's well known that Nomax also likes the Stealth especially with the CMA15.

He doesn't like the Expanse in comparison, no matter the amp.

 

[ra990]

I have a need for a closed back (and my CMA Fifteen isn't selling), so I'm tempted to get my hands on the Stealth again. If anyone would be interested in trading their excellent condition Stealth for an excellent condition Meze Elite, please hit me up. Thanks

 

[Spawn300Z]

Seems like you quoted the wrong Post. It's well known that Nomax also likes the Stealth especially with the CMA15.

He doesn't like the Expanse in comparison, no matter the amp.

I meant to say Exspanse. But I was listening to the Stealths at the time of typing.

 

[Nomax]

@Spawn300Z
The Expanse has simply too much body, really bloated, and this has for me purely nothing to do with the realistic reproduction of the recording for me personally

NOMAX

PS. Even the Stealth moves already at the border, where I can still raise the thumbs ,in no case should it be more for me
(I visited one of the Philharmonic musicians, and he shared my opinion about the exaggeration in this area with the Expanse Headphones)

 

[Spawn300Z]

@Spawn300Z
The Expanse has simply too much body, really bloated, and this has for me purely nothing to do with the realistic reproduction of the recording for me personally

NOMAX

PS. Even the Stealth moves already at the border, where I can still raise the thumbs ,in no case should it be more for me
(I visited one of the Philharmonic musicians, and he shared my opinion about the exaggeration in this area with the Expanse Headphones)

What are you using to power the Exspanse. It seemed that way to me. Until I went from my TT2/MScaler Combo to using the Riviera AIC-10. It changed I believe it scaled with more power. I also am using the Black Dragon Cable. Im waiting on my adapters so I can try with my new to me Danacable.

 

[rsbrsvp]

For those who have heard the Stealth and HD800S, which has more sonic density, fullness?

 

[JLoud]

The Stealth. I always thought the HD800 was a little thin and analytical. I currently own the Stealth and sold the HD800S.