[sunilmkhan]

Had a head to head with Jeff Rowland Aeris ($13k MSRP). Dac 07 sounded better to me and Aeris has been sold.

Hi Chesebert, Recently noticed Playback Designs Merlot in you DAC list. How's Merlot compared to DAC 07, price difference not being a consideration? An online friend of mine considers any Playback Design as among the best.

 

[chesebert]

Merlot is more dynamic, more natural sounding, greater sound density with fine details not heard on dac07. Merlot is both higher resolution and more analog sounding. Think of Merlot as dCS Lina in terms of dynamics and sound density but is more analog sounding and higher level of micro details (not as smoothed over as Lina). Aeris has greater macro dynamic than Merlot and greater bass slam but Aeris' problem is it's missing the finer details and micro dynamics and it sounds more "digital" than either Merlot or dac07 - you know the kind of etched digital sound that many hate (including myself).

 

[sunilmkhan]

Merlot is more dynamic, more natural sounding, greater sound density with fine details not heard on dac07. Merlot is both higher resolution and more analog sounding. Think of Merlot as dCS Lina in terms of dynamics and sound density but is more analog sounding and higher level of micro details (not as smoothed over as Lina). Aeris has greater macro dynamic than Merlot and greater bass slam but Aeris' problem is it's missing the finer details and micro dynamics and it sounds more "digital" than either Merlot or dac07 - you know the kind of etched digital sound that many hate (including myself).

Thank you Chesebert for the detailed reply