Stello DA100+Arietta or Opera with DAC

[WittyzTH]

After getting some money from work, I've been thinking about the new setup.

I can't decide which one is better between Stello DA100 with Meier Arietta and Meier Opera (with DAC).

As I've read, Opera is the great amp, but I'm curious about its DAC's performance. (because I need DAC as well)

the other setup is Stello DA100 with Meier Arietta. Since I need DACs for my new setup, Stello DA100 is one I've thought.

However, I'm not sure which setup is worth to get.

 

[pianomav]

i vote for the stelloDA100/Arietta combo. This gives you more flexibility if you need to upgrade your amp later on . The opera doesn't have optical input so that sorts of limit your choices of transport..

 

[dmk005]

I had the Opera and moved to an independent DAC because I knew I wanted the option of going balanced eventually. I also had a few issues with the stability of the DAC on the Opera but I am sure Jan has worked through those issues.

 

[WittyzTH]

well, the new setup is for my laptop. So I don't need the optical input.

also, I just think about the performance right now because it may take a long time for the next upgrade.

 

[LeChuck]

All I can do is vouch for the DA100 as being an amazing piece of equipment, but it will only sound as good as what's downstream.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Having had the DA100 and Opera in-house simultaneously, I can say that the two are nearly indistinguishable as DAC's, as compared using the Opera's amp. Considering that the Opera is said to be a highly significant upgrade amp-wise over the Arietta, the Opera seems to be the better choice for sound quality overall, of the two options listed. Of course the DA100/Arietta combo is more flexible, but as they say, TNSTAAFL

 

[TheAnomaly]

what does instability mean with regards to the Opera's DAC? i too am interested in the answer to the OP's question...

 

[pianomav]

Problem solved...... StelloDA100 & Opera

 

[gz76]

What is TNSTAAFL? I can't be bothered thinking!

I would go the separate DAC/amp combo out of those options for greater flexibility. I like to swap between a solid state and valve amp depending on mood, music, etc. so this makes more sense. You never know when you'll get another amp so a separate DAC will prove more useful.

 

[WittyzTH]

lolz I wish I could have those.

Maybe the final answer now would be Operas since I'm also curious about their sounds.


and gonna find some dedicated DACs next.

ps. I'm really curious about the word "instability" for Opera DACs as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pianomav /img/forum/go_quote.gif Problem solved...... StelloDA100 & Opera

 

[IPodPJ]

When I get my Opera (which will be within the next 30 days), I'll let you know.

But I wouldn't trust what I say, since I'm using an iPod Classic > Qables SilverCab > Go-Vibe V7 Max > Denon AH-D5000, so obviously the Opera will be a significant step up. Not that my setup now doesn't sound incredible, but it will be in a whole other league soon.

P.S. As I sit here listening to Dark Side of The Moon --- Good AAD CDs (analog recording equipment, analog master, transfer to digital media) recordings can sound so much better than ADD (analog recording equipment, digital mastering, digital media) or DDD (digital recording equipment, digital mastering, digital media) CDs. Dark Side of the Moon is one example, but there are much better. Bela Fleck & The Flecktones record in all digital and they sound incredible, too. But there is an element to analog which just sounds much more natural. It's not compressed.

I think I'll be sticking with CDs though, since I can't afford a good vinyl rig.

 

[coolshot]

you should get a stello da100 and opera analogue. Get max flexability/sound quality.

 

[fkclo]

X2!

The Stello DA100 is an amazing DAC for the price. Its USB implementation (though not via I2S) sounds extremely musical - one of the best I have heard.

You may also try a LISA III as downstream hook up to DA100, may be better value - if can you get one.


F. Lo

 

[finbad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnomaly /img/forum/go_quote.gif what does instability mean with regards to the Opera's DAC? i too am interested in the answer to the OP's question...

Often the more vocal posters here IMO, will be those who are having a problem of one sort or another, not to degenerate that posters sincere remarks or his experience, however rest assured any "instability" with regards to the Opera(i've had two through here without said problem), were of a hyper small percentile and of the initial units manufactured.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Having had the DA100 and Opera in-house simultaneously, I can say that the two are nearly indistinguishable as DAC's, as compared using the Opera's amp. Considering that the Opera is said to be a highly significant upgrade amp-wise over the Arietta, the Opera seems to be the better choice for sound quality overall, of the two options listed. Of course the DA100/Arietta combo is more flexible, but as they say, TNSTAAFL

Do read Iron_Dreamers DAC review for a more detailed comparisson of the Opera & its DAC vs the compitions offerings. As well read the Opera reviews in the TTVJ sub-forum here ...


Quote:

Originally Posted by coolshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif you should get a stello da100 and opera analogue. Get max flexability/sound quality.

Perhaps this would be good advice and the most versitile of the future upgrade path if that is of concern. However, I am fully satisfied each and every time I set before my Opera with whichever headphone in my collection or music selection I choose. No upgrade path is in my future with which to be concerned

Good luck~

P.S. Assuming the Stello is objectively higher resolution and detailed etc. , it would be a shame to have then the bottleneck the amp for passing along these refinements downstream.
Also, the sheer spl output of the Arrietta (former HeadFive owner here),vs. the Opera must be taken seriously as a huge difference with regards to which cans one may choose to plug into the system, which to me is the upgrade path most likely to be explored when assembeling any such system. Lots of flavors of transducers to choose from and all with various needs in terms of their amplification and best synergy to hear their preformance potential realized...

I'm speaking from my experience and not as a fanboy, knowing sources at a certain pricepoint and sonic quality presupposed, are then dependent upon all other components complemtary synergy, and more so exclusively the recordings themselves, for the source hardware to make the greatest potential preformance impact possible! The Opera balances these sonic and budgetary decisions of ours by design, IMO!

 

[dmk005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnomaly /img/forum/go_quote.gif what does instability mean with regards to the Opera's DAC? i too am interested in the answer to the OP's question...

I had much hope in the Opera as a single box solution but had to return my first Opera because the USB port went bad within a week. This was confirmed by TTVJ and eventually Jahn. My replacement Opera's DAC had to be reset a few times as well, but never went bad. My experience with the Opera's DAC was not common enough to avoid it all together but should just be another point in your graph. The Opera sounded great but also was a bit too low gained for me. The great thing about ordering from TTVJ is that he will take care of you and make sure you are satisfied with your purchase as he went overboard to make sure my issues were resolved. Good luck.

david