Soekris Audiophile Line Dac's 2541, 1541, 1421, 1321, 1101

[Basco]

Hi everyone,
Just out of curiosity owning a DAC2541 by myself, how do you recognize the difference between the filer modus (green/orange/red/off)?

For my ears it seens just too subtle or almost equal that I can’t hear a clear difference between the respective mode.

Having also checked on several headphones like Meze Liric, ZMF Veritage Closed, Focal etc, but my findings are more or less the same on the level of imagination.

I already tied it with music to head differences but not white noise just because it doesn’t makes sense if I can’t hear it through music.

I had this „issue“ right from the start but Søren assured me they are working

Looking forward to hear your impressions.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Just out of curiosity owning a DAC2541 by myself, how do you recognize the difference between the filer modus (green/orange/red/off)?

on the one I have (Soekris DAC1541) - the difference is quite noticeable, as far as I know you can still reflash them via a TTL cable (like uart), add your own, change them

 

[Basco]

on the one I have (Soekris DAC1541) - the difference is quite noticeable, as far as I know you can still reflash them via a TTL cable (like uart), add your own, change them

Hey thanks for the reply, can you describe the process a bit? Also wondering if there will be an „official“ firmware update anytime from Soekris?

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Hey thanks for the reply, can you describe the process a bit?

I saw some instructions here ->

Also wondering if there will be an „official“ firmware update anytime from Soekris?

Only one person here knows this - his developer

 

[davidbea]

I am using an Mhdt Ochid SE and have a Mjolnir KGST on its way to drive my Stax 007A's. They KGST has only balanced XLR inputs and the Orchid doesn't have them. Has anyone heard these two DAC's and can compare them?

 

[hpamdr]

I do not know Orchid SE dac but i had in the pas an Audial Aya II using same TDA1541. Soekris dac are more transparent and less colored and if you get an old 1541 you can upload filters to have a NOS like DAC. I have both 1541 and 2541 i use them with my SRM-007 Black Forest mod with stax earspeaker, i also use them with my Eternity for dynamic headphone.
Even if those DAC do not mesure very well it is for me the best compromise between too dry (dual ess dac) and too colored dac and they pairs quite well with tube amps. If you want to use without too many EQ Soekris dac are usually a good catch for the price, the versatility and the musicality.

If you want to keep your DAC you can also go for a pre-amplifier with good transformer (pasive) or active symetrisation circuit to have SE inputs and Balanced outputs. A cheap box like ART DTI can helps you to convert rca to XLR even if it not audiophile component.

 

[davidbea]

I apologize for the redundant post posting this in multiple threads but want as much input as I can get as listening to these DAC's is not feasible. I primarily listen to classical and jazz and recently purchased a Blue Tack modified pair of Stax SR007A's. I have a KGST amplifier on the way to drive them. My old SRM-1/Mk-2 is doing duty until the new amplifier arrives. I'm considering upgrading my front end. I have Brennan B2's upstairs and down feeding an Mhdt Havana, and Orchid and an Orchid SE. Will the Soekris 2541 or Denafrips Ares 15 or Pontus 15 provide a significant improvement? Has anyone heard all these options? Thanks. David

 

[sajunky]

I apologize for the redundant post posting this in multiple threads but want as much input as I can get as listening to these DAC's is not feasible. I primarily listen to classical and jazz and recently purchased a Blue Tack modified pair of Stax SR007A's. I have a KGST amplifier on the way to drive them. My old SRM-1/Mk-2 is doing duty until the new amplifier arrives. I'm considering upgrading my front end. I have Brennan B2's upstairs and down feeding an Mhdt Havana, and Orchid and an Orchid SE. Will the Soekris 2541 or Denafrips Ares 15 or Pontus 15 provide a significant improvement? Has anyone heard all these options? Thanks. David

Also consider Audio GD R28 mk3.
Fully balanced design starting from a ladder, galvanically isolated all ports, jitter-free asynchronous data delivery over USB, discrete non-feedback class A output buffer (no opamps), can drive multiple outputs simultaneously. And as a bonus which looks ridiculous, as with price lower than Pontus, it comes with pre-amp and a quality headphone amplifier that can drive almost everything on the market.

Ares is seriously a lower grade. Soekris and Pontus are different, each one with its shortcoming, with R-28 mk3 there is all. You can decide whether you prefer integrated HPA, but you don't loose anything, as Audio GD stuff pairs the best with tube amps. It is not a case with Soekris that use opamps in the audio path. For this reason there is no NOS mode.

 

[adydula]

I do not hear a "big" difference in the filters.

One of the best setups I have heard is the 2541 with Schitts Midgard amp and HD650's.

With all the dacs and amps and these entry level cans....this combination is just sublime!

Never have heard the HD650 sound so good, really, really good.

One of my top ten setups and yes I have those megabuck dacs and amps and cans...

For this low cost level it could be many's endgame setup....

Alex
:>)

 

[rkw]

One of the best setups I have heard is the 2541 with Schitts Midgard amp and HD650's.

With all the dacs and amps and these entry level cans....this combination is just sublime!

It's funny to see the HD650 now described as entry level. It was high end when it was launched in 2004.

 

[adydula]

It's funny to see the HD650 now described as entry level. It was high end when it was launched in 2004.

Yeah things change with 2-8 K cans total.

And I have a few here...but this combo with these aging very well 650s is really VERY decent...

Glad I kept them...sold many others...

 

[LopesME]

Hello everyone.

Anyone has tried any kind of feet, decoupler or isolators device under Soekris gear?

After many hours I settled in 3x Vibrapods No.1 under my 2541 DAC and reached excellent results. As the cabinet is lightweight I set up a triangle with each pod in front corner and one in the back.

Other settings brought negative results in transient response and dynamics, at least in my system and tests.

Has anyone experienced Herbie's Audio Lab stuff with these DACs?

Best.
Marcelo