[dkpaul]

There is a big Darkvoice hype ongoing.
Today I found it @ Ebay... $480 or so shipped which is not too bad.

I bought a Move and I like the sound. So, I had in mind the Opera for my next home set up. Now that everyone's excited about Darkvoice I wonder how it compares to a similarly priced Meier amp - Cantate.

My guts tell me that Skylab might have listened to both...

But for those who had a chance to appreciate both, can you tell me what the differences are?

I mainly listened to jazz and classical.

 

[Gradofan2]

Just so you know... its not "hype" - its fact.

And... you can buy it for around $400 shipped... if you choose "make an offer" from Jasmine... or... simply email Jasmine and Casque with your offer.

 

[dkpaul]

Really? $400 shipped... hm... that sounds very tempting...
What would be a decent CDP for such an amp?

 

[tomjtx]

If you are using a computer as source the Cantate is an excellent choice since it's dac is very good. It is a terrific amp and likely competitive with anything in it's price range as a stand alone amp as well.

I am very happy with mine. If you don't have a DAC it is hard to beat the Cantate.

I have ordered a darkvoice337 but that is quite a bit more and is competitive with the Opera.

 

[nautikal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjtx /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you are using a computer as source the Cantate is an excellent choice since it's dac is very good.

That's not what I've heard. From the research I've done, you're usually better off getting a standalone ~$200-$300 DAC than a DAC/AMP combo. The sound quality is better as is the upgrade path. It will be more expensive though, especially when you factor in the RCA interconnects needed.

 

[tomjtx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nautikal /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's not what I've heard. From the research I've done, you're usually better off getting a standalone ~$200-$300 DAC than a DAC/AMP combo. The sound quality is better as is the upgrade path. It will be more expensive though, especially when you factor in the RCA interconnects needed.

I would disagree, and not based on what I have "heard" from "research", but based on what I have actually heard.

I have AB'd my Cantate dac with my Transporter (2,000.00) Dac and the difference is subtle, not night and day. I have also had here a Benchmark and a Lavry as well as the 6,000.00 Ayre universal player.

The Cantate does a good job against these stereophile class A rated DACs.

In this case I believe you are definitely not better off getting a 300.00 dac.

It would be a waste of money because the Cantate dac is as good as most mid priced dacs I have heard.

Of course, this is based on what I have actually heard, not just read about.

 

[nautikal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjtx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would disagree, and not based on what I have "heard" from "research", but based on what I have actually heard. I have AB'd my Cantate dac with my Transporter (2,000.00) Dac and the difference is subtle, not night and day. I have also had here a Benchmark and a Lavry as well as the 6,000.00 Ayre universal player. The Cantate does a good job against these stereophile class A rated DACs. In this case I believe you are definitely not better off getting a 300.00 dac. It would be a waste of money because the Cantate dac is as good as most mid priced dacs I have heard. Of course, this is based on what I have actually heard, not just read about.

Your results are very interesting. Sorry, I did not realize you have AB'd the Cantante with class A DACs.

 

[tomjtx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nautikal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your results are very interesting. Sorry, I did not realize you have AB'd the Cantante with class A DACs.

I was surprised by the rsults as well. I expected my Transporter, Lavry and the other dacs to trounce the Cantate, but, while better, the Cantate dac is no slouch.

I think both amp and dac technology have gotten so good that a modest amount of money (in audiophile terms) goes a long way.

The more expensive gear does do some things better. That's why I am getting a DV337 and , eventually, an Opera.

The Cantate hits a good sweetspot for me as an amp and dac. I think you have to spend a good deal more to get a litle bit better.

I have done that with the Transporter as streaming DAC and am doing so with the DV337. But the Cantate/701/computer as source combo gives a nice high end experience on a reasonable budget.

For myself. I would go so far as to say I wouldn't upgrade that combo until I could get a dac in the 1,000.00 range eg. PSAudio digilink3. Benchmark, Lavry and others.

 

[dkpaul]

Thanks guys... I guess I will buy the Cantate and save some money by using the PC as the source...

damn this head-fi thing is costing too much....