Mister Crash
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Posts
- 282
- Likes
- 73
I don't think I did a true ABX test, since that would require setting two references then getting a random input and deciding which reference it matched. This was more like an eye test where you switch lenses and decide which works best for you.
I like setting up tests like this because it challenges my preconceptions of what gear should sound like and what is truly good value. Too many audio reviews are flowery prose and fancy photography with imperfect comparisons. No device is ever deemed categorically better than another unless they are in completely different price brackets. If a unit has some weaknesses, it's chalked up to system synergy, which does have some merit, but is often used as an excuse to stop delving deeper.
Ultimately, I want equipment that sounds good in my systems. If I get something new, I owe it to myself to check it against what I already have and see how they compare. If I don't like it as much, I don't have a reason to keep it.
I didn't intend to have three of these DACs. I had a base 501 in my home office setup and was thinking about upgrading it to the 4-channel version. I saw a 4-channel for sale at an attractive price (the price difference from a base 501 was less than what the cost of the upgrade would be) and got it. At the same time, I was getting my bedroom system set up (I already had the amp and speakers from a prior setup), so I could use another DAC and streamer for that location.
After listening to them, I was interested in the Helios because I liked the Weiss sound, the Helios was just released, and Weiss has a habit of supporting their products for a long time. The fact that it is so new that there are basically no reviews for it made it a bit more of a risk, but given my experience with the other Weiss products, that risk was small. Given its performance, I am comfortable keeping it. I think the 501 4-channel is a better value, though.
I may revisit this comparison in another month or two after the Helios gets more time on it to see if my conclusions hold.
I like setting up tests like this because it challenges my preconceptions of what gear should sound like and what is truly good value. Too many audio reviews are flowery prose and fancy photography with imperfect comparisons. No device is ever deemed categorically better than another unless they are in completely different price brackets. If a unit has some weaknesses, it's chalked up to system synergy, which does have some merit, but is often used as an excuse to stop delving deeper.
Ultimately, I want equipment that sounds good in my systems. If I get something new, I owe it to myself to check it against what I already have and see how they compare. If I don't like it as much, I don't have a reason to keep it.
I didn't intend to have three of these DACs. I had a base 501 in my home office setup and was thinking about upgrading it to the 4-channel version. I saw a 4-channel for sale at an attractive price (the price difference from a base 501 was less than what the cost of the upgrade would be) and got it. At the same time, I was getting my bedroom system set up (I already had the amp and speakers from a prior setup), so I could use another DAC and streamer for that location.
After listening to them, I was interested in the Helios because I liked the Weiss sound, the Helios was just released, and Weiss has a habit of supporting their products for a long time. The fact that it is so new that there are basically no reviews for it made it a bit more of a risk, but given my experience with the other Weiss products, that risk was small. Given its performance, I am comfortable keeping it. I think the 501 4-channel is a better value, though.
I may revisit this comparison in another month or two after the Helios gets more time on it to see if my conclusions hold.
