I used to be a "measurements is everything" kind of person. Then I started listening to some of the best measured DAC's on Audio Science Review and I was surprised to not only hear level matched differences with bass/treble, etc, but also soundstage as well. The RME ADI-2 DAC/PRO for example has a slightly wider soundstage than the Transporter, but it's not natural, IMO, as it can shift the vocals too far out of the center range. I notice it more with digitized vinyl (vinyl typically has a wider soundstage...depending on equipment used) than with CD's. I was really excited when I got the ADI-2 and my bias was with it all the way but it sounded bright and fatiguing. In all fairness, the unit has tons of tweaks but I don't think any of them would improve it a great deal.
I do not believe that the price of a DAC reflects the sound or quality. A $4000 or even a $40,000 DAC could possibly be the worst sounding DAC out there. I have no doubt in the future that a DAC costing $300 could POSSIBLY sound better than the Transporter, but we're not there yet. (Unless one has slipped past my radar but I doubt it) I'll still check Amir's measurements before buying a DAC but lately I find reading comments and reviews (not so much magazine reviews) is more beneficial. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fizbin's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=58734 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=110942 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
