KrooLism
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2006
- Posts
- 773
- Likes
- 13
Headphones used using direct amplification:
HD-650
ER4-S
RS-1
K-1000 is also power amped by a Pass Aleph 3.
Music:
Dido, Groove Armada, Pumpkins, Jewel Kilcher, Zero 7, Thievery Corporation
... LOSSLESS of course.
Firstly, I would like to thank Dimitri (dvse) for selling me this awesome DAC in mint condition.
This is actually pretty cool. I can do a direct comparison of DACS between the two as the M902 accepts analog inputs. Though there would always be some coloration through interconnects.
Anyway - though I haven't had much time yet to really explore the DAC1, I can already see some distinct differences between the listening experience.
Firstly, I'm a big fan of a little crossfeed when listening to headphones. It's an extremely subtle effect but I find it actually makes the music seem more intimate and "in your head".
Also - discovered pretty quickly that the treble out of the RS1 when amped by the DAC1 is quite harsh and there is a lot of sibilance. Though it's extremely high fidelity, it sounds a little cold. Would love to try a tube buffer with this setup to see if it warms the sound a little. Another annoying thing is that because the Grado series is so sensitive, the DAC1 potentiometer is not very suitable for it. It is a stepped attenuator, but for an RS-1, quite large steps. The M902 has at least 20 times more volume control than the DAC1. In other words, for every increment on the DAC1, there can be 20 increments on the M902.
DAC1 is a marvelous amp for the HD-650. Totally brings the music to life. I remember Zanth giving a good description about the RS-1 sounding like you are on stage with the musicians, the HD-650 right at the back of the hall and the GS-1 somewhere in between. Well - when I chuck on the 650's powered by the DAC 1, it moves you forward and you sound a lot closer. This is especially true when listening to Vanessa Mae's violin. With my old setup, the K-1000's sound as if I was right next to her while the 650's sounded as if I was appreciating the music at the back of the room (hearing all the other instruments on top of her violin). No experience is better than the other, as the track was designed and engineered that way with the other instrumentals, but sometimes you just want to concentrate on her awesome violin which is what the K-1000 does.
... and sometimes you want a balance which is where the DAC 1 comes in.
Both would serve as excellent DACs for a K-1000 setup. Didn't really find much difference between them when driving the K-1000's. Though I believe that in my setup, the K-1000's unique traits would come more from the Aleph than my DAC/preamps. The DAC1 probably has a little stronger bass, but nothing worth noting.
The biggest differences between the two would certainly be their features and ease of use. Probably easier just listing the differences.
Grace M902 pros over the DAC1 in order of importance:
1. USB input - a definite must for laptop users and makes the M902 more portable in the sense that you can take it to friends' houses, work etc...
I mean, who has access to a coaxial output at their workplace, really?
2. Analog inputs - allows the M902 to solely act as a headphone amp only.
Very cool for your turntables. Allows the M902 to act as a mini audio hub.
3. Crossfeed - it's a feature I like. Each to their own on this one.
4. Highly accurate and versatile stepped attenuator. As I mentioned before, twenty times more control than the DAC1
5. Looks - so much nicer than the DAC1
6. LED's to allow the user to see what rate the music is sampling at.
DAC1 pros over the M902:
1. Balanced outputs - excellent for anyone with a balanced system at home. Really wish the M902 had this.
2. $700 in your wallet.
One more thing...
Both are highly susceptible to power fluctuations and spikes within your home which sucks balls for such high end equipment. The DAC1 far more than the M902 though. Everytime the compressor of my fridge starts and stops, I get a jump and a static spike on these DAC's. It loses it's jitter lock for a second and then resumes. Also happens when girlfriend turns on washing machine or air conditioner. Try to have them plugged in on a separate grid to the rest of your appliances or even better, a dedicated sine wave power plant.
Hope this would make choosing one or the other easier for newies.
HD-650
ER4-S
RS-1
K-1000 is also power amped by a Pass Aleph 3.
Music:
Dido, Groove Armada, Pumpkins, Jewel Kilcher, Zero 7, Thievery Corporation
... LOSSLESS of course.
Firstly, I would like to thank Dimitri (dvse) for selling me this awesome DAC in mint condition.
This is actually pretty cool. I can do a direct comparison of DACS between the two as the M902 accepts analog inputs. Though there would always be some coloration through interconnects.
Anyway - though I haven't had much time yet to really explore the DAC1, I can already see some distinct differences between the listening experience.
Firstly, I'm a big fan of a little crossfeed when listening to headphones. It's an extremely subtle effect but I find it actually makes the music seem more intimate and "in your head".
Also - discovered pretty quickly that the treble out of the RS1 when amped by the DAC1 is quite harsh and there is a lot of sibilance. Though it's extremely high fidelity, it sounds a little cold. Would love to try a tube buffer with this setup to see if it warms the sound a little. Another annoying thing is that because the Grado series is so sensitive, the DAC1 potentiometer is not very suitable for it. It is a stepped attenuator, but for an RS-1, quite large steps. The M902 has at least 20 times more volume control than the DAC1. In other words, for every increment on the DAC1, there can be 20 increments on the M902.
DAC1 is a marvelous amp for the HD-650. Totally brings the music to life. I remember Zanth giving a good description about the RS-1 sounding like you are on stage with the musicians, the HD-650 right at the back of the hall and the GS-1 somewhere in between. Well - when I chuck on the 650's powered by the DAC 1, it moves you forward and you sound a lot closer. This is especially true when listening to Vanessa Mae's violin. With my old setup, the K-1000's sound as if I was right next to her while the 650's sounded as if I was appreciating the music at the back of the room (hearing all the other instruments on top of her violin). No experience is better than the other, as the track was designed and engineered that way with the other instrumentals, but sometimes you just want to concentrate on her awesome violin which is what the K-1000 does.
... and sometimes you want a balance which is where the DAC 1 comes in.
Both would serve as excellent DACs for a K-1000 setup. Didn't really find much difference between them when driving the K-1000's. Though I believe that in my setup, the K-1000's unique traits would come more from the Aleph than my DAC/preamps. The DAC1 probably has a little stronger bass, but nothing worth noting.
The biggest differences between the two would certainly be their features and ease of use. Probably easier just listing the differences.
Grace M902 pros over the DAC1 in order of importance:
1. USB input - a definite must for laptop users and makes the M902 more portable in the sense that you can take it to friends' houses, work etc...
I mean, who has access to a coaxial output at their workplace, really?
2. Analog inputs - allows the M902 to solely act as a headphone amp only.
Very cool for your turntables. Allows the M902 to act as a mini audio hub.
3. Crossfeed - it's a feature I like. Each to their own on this one.
4. Highly accurate and versatile stepped attenuator. As I mentioned before, twenty times more control than the DAC1
5. Looks - so much nicer than the DAC1
6. LED's to allow the user to see what rate the music is sampling at.
DAC1 pros over the M902:
1. Balanced outputs - excellent for anyone with a balanced system at home. Really wish the M902 had this.
2. $700 in your wallet.
One more thing...
Both are highly susceptible to power fluctuations and spikes within your home which sucks balls for such high end equipment. The DAC1 far more than the M902 though. Everytime the compressor of my fridge starts and stops, I get a jump and a static spike on these DAC's. It loses it's jitter lock for a second and then resumes. Also happens when girlfriend turns on washing machine or air conditioner. Try to have them plugged in on a separate grid to the rest of your appliances or even better, a dedicated sine wave power plant.
Hope this would make choosing one or the other easier for newies.
