Auteur has more bass extention (not as much mid bass quantity though), more mids (at least upper mids), and I would say is more balanced overall. I have the OG though. Female vocals are rather intimate on the Auteur.
I have the OG, but I’ve also tried the Classics for a week at home. I think the differences I mentioned vs the Aeolus are true of either iteration. The Classics are a bit more technically proficient than the OG, but the OGs have their charms as well.
I will say the differences between OG and the Classic once I get mine in. But from what I have seen others say @mformoriarty that above is the case and a slightly changed sound signature. Apparently the upper mids are a bit less on the classics. But I can't say for sure until I get mine. I try not to say too much unless I have heard/owned a headphone.
Even though I can't say I'm a big classical music listener, you've still got me pretty excited to try one of these myself.
Fret not, the Merason DAC 1 is at home with any genre.
Yeah, when my trusted audio dealer initially mentioned Merason to me, my reaction was "mera-what"? He is a huge classical guy, and he knows I'm more of a rock/metal/folk/Americana guy. When I asked him if this DAC was too slow for faster genres, his response was "Don't worry, this DAC moves". Indeed it does.
I think of the difference like this:
Can't wait to test this as my AuCl is coming later this week!I think of the difference like this:
With the Aeolus, you're deep inside the music, everything is so immediate and relaxed and intense at the same time, and the lines blur and the warmth obscures some details, but there's still a clarity and bite, and none of it matters anyway because of how directly it connects you with the music (with og bopp mesh and Aeolus lambskin pads).
With the Auteur (Classic), you're sitting in the audience and admiring each part of the ensemble from a slight distance, relaxing back in your chair. You admire the tone and distinctness of the bass, the vocal nuances and naturalness, the presence and timbre of a guitar pluck and reverberant thwack of a snare drum. There's less bass elevation, but more impact. Less immediacy, but more space. Less warmth, but more texture and tactility.
Just some vague impressions to add to the more well thought-out comments
Dude, you are making me want to hear an Aeolus now (after dismissing it as a "lesser" ZMF).I think of the difference like this:
With the Aeolus, you're deep inside the music, everything is so immediate and relaxed and intense at the same time, and the lines blur and the warmth obscures some details, but there's still a clarity and bite, and none of it matters anyway because of how directly it connects you with the music (with og bopp mesh and Aeolus lambskin pads).
With the Auteur (Classic), you're sitting in the audience and admiring each part of the ensemble from a slight distance, relaxing back in your chair. You admire the tone and distinctness of the bass, the vocal nuances and naturalness, the presence and timbre of a guitar pluck and reverberant thwack of a snare drum. There's less bass elevation, but more impact. Less immediacy, but more space. Less warmth, but more texture and tactility.
Just some vague impressions to add to the more well thought-out comments
Haha I was listening to them last night when I was writing these impressions. They’re probably my favorite ZMF behind the Caldera. Auteur Classic comes next.
Eye candy or ear candy?
I say both!
