Users opinions
- Thread starter xcortes
- Start date
"I'll be your huckleberry"
I haven't had the chance to listen very much, but it didn't take long to tell a difference.
I stream iTunes wirelessly from my PC to a Squeezebox Classic that is twice as old as I have been waiting on the BH-DAC. Tops-link connected to the BH-DAC, mil-spec coaxial cables to BeePre > Stereomour > modified Heresy's and line out to Sexy speaker subs.
I knew my first test would be Pandora (free). Its music has always sounded flat and lifeless, even compared to other internet radio. Now the sound stage has depth, clarity and the music sounds real. Bass seams to have more punch and the highs have more presence and detail. Overall, a very noticeable improvement.
Can't compare it to vinyl or other DAC because I don't have any. The BH-DAC has done what I hoped it would do and more. Now I have to find more time to listen.
Robert
I haven't had the chance to listen very much, but it didn't take long to tell a difference.
I stream iTunes wirelessly from my PC to a Squeezebox Classic that is twice as old as I have been waiting on the BH-DAC. Tops-link connected to the BH-DAC, mil-spec coaxial cables to BeePre > Stereomour > modified Heresy's and line out to Sexy speaker subs.
I knew my first test would be Pandora (free). Its music has always sounded flat and lifeless, even compared to other internet radio. Now the sound stage has depth, clarity and the music sounds real. Bass seams to have more punch and the highs have more presence and detail. Overall, a very noticeable improvement.
Can't compare it to vinyl or other DAC because I don't have any. The BH-DAC has done what I hoped it would do and more. Now I have to find more time to listen.
Robert
There are a couple more early impressions here:
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=6908.msg73476#msg73476
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=6908.msg73476#msg73476
thanks Xavier for starting this thread.
Mine came today. I'm in the middle of the 1st CD, Jackson Browne, "Standing In The Breach"
I'm using the secondary system, it was easier: Sony XE270 -> via TOS-Link:BH DAC -> SEX -> Orca's
Yes - a big difference. Granted the XE270 was a low cost player, but I always thought it sounded very good.
The BH-DAC is cool, very well done; a mama-jama box.
I understand the design chops needed to code this type of audio conversion. Well done -- John!
The time frame to execute this project, factoring in the final result, was well worth it. It's a breath of fresh air.
I'm glad commander check-off was not in the loop, but the ear-czar.
Craig
Mine came today. I'm in the middle of the 1st CD, Jackson Browne, "Standing In The Breach"
I'm using the secondary system, it was easier: Sony XE270 -> via TOS-Link:BH DAC -> SEX -> Orca's
Yes - a big difference. Granted the XE270 was a low cost player, but I always thought it sounded very good.
The BH-DAC is cool, very well done; a mama-jama box.
I understand the design chops needed to code this type of audio conversion. Well done -- John!
The time frame to execute this project, factoring in the final result, was well worth it. It's a breath of fresh air.
I'm glad commander check-off was not in the loop, but the ear-czar.
Craig
2wo
New member
I am trying to get my thoughts together, to do a review on the DAC, it's not as easy as you would think. I'm not a professional reviewer and not real good with the audiophile terms.
But people keep asking what it sounds like.
It doesn't really sound like anything at all, if that makes any sense.
But when you stop and think about it, it’s a digital to analog converter, it's not supposed to have a sound of its own. It does a very good job on the analog part, and this is where it shines.
It sounds natural, open and free of the fatiguing artifacts that we're so used to in digital audio and have learned to live with.
Female voices are less edgy, complex Orchestral pieces hang together and don’t get all congested. And you can relax and listen without the feeling that something is going to hurt you, if you know what I mean.
Well, I just wanted to get something out there for the folks waiting.
Most listening so far has been CD rips at 44K with a few higher res thrown in. I should point out I will be adding to my higher res collection.
My setup is, Vortexbox music server. Amps so far, SR-45 and my DIY 300B, normally aspirated (non Parafeed). Speakers are the Great Horned Heil’s, by the Hornshopp.
This really is what we have been looking for…John
But people keep asking what it sounds like.
It doesn't really sound like anything at all, if that makes any sense.
But when you stop and think about it, it’s a digital to analog converter, it's not supposed to have a sound of its own. It does a very good job on the analog part, and this is where it shines.
It sounds natural, open and free of the fatiguing artifacts that we're so used to in digital audio and have learned to live with.
Female voices are less edgy, complex Orchestral pieces hang together and don’t get all congested. And you can relax and listen without the feeling that something is going to hurt you, if you know what I mean.
Well, I just wanted to get something out there for the folks waiting.
Most listening so far has been CD rips at 44K with a few higher res thrown in. I should point out I will be adding to my higher res collection.
My setup is, Vortexbox music server. Amps so far, SR-45 and my DIY 300B, normally aspirated (non Parafeed). Speakers are the Great Horned Heil’s, by the Hornshopp.
This really is what we have been looking for…John
caffeinator
New member
Here's a kind of partial review, since I'm presently using the DAC in my den.
Quick note on installation (though I know there's another thread more on point): With the Mac Mini, it was plug and play, and has been rock solid ever since.
I'm presently running from a Mac Mini, using Amarra, through a SEX Amp (v1.0 w/ C4S and Iron Upgrade), into my homemade single-driver TQWT's. I'd have to echo 2wo's comment that "it doesn't sound like anything." Seems transparent and effortless to me.
I'll post more when I've moved the Mini and DAC upstairs to the main system. I will miss having it in the den, though. I'll have to save my pennies for another, I suppose.
Quick note on installation (though I know there's another thread more on point): With the Mac Mini, it was plug and play, and has been rock solid ever since.
I'm presently running from a Mac Mini, using Amarra, through a SEX Amp (v1.0 w/ C4S and Iron Upgrade), into my homemade single-driver TQWT's. I'd have to echo 2wo's comment that "it doesn't sound like anything." Seems transparent and effortless to me.
I'll post more when I've moved the Mini and DAC upstairs to the main system. I will miss having it in the den, though. I'll have to save my pennies for another, I suppose.
tsingle999
New member
I have been burning the new cable n dac in for a few days. Im comparing it to my squeezebox modded analog out. Im using a mac mini with amarra and tidal. Im playing the same song in tidal (lossless) through the mac n dac then switching the input on my efp3 to the squeezebox. The squeezebox has a very analog sound that i love. The dac has a more resolved and deeper bass sound. It reminds me of when you bought a better turntable as a kid. Everything is just clearer and more presence better deeper bass. Theres really no comparison. Once my spdif cable gets here i can compare the sb3 modded digital out to the mac mini. Thanks to bh n mq i have an amazing sounding stereo hifi system
Using ridiculously good sr45's into abbys with fostex esr's and a pair of blumenstein subs.
Using ridiculously good sr45's into abbys with fostex esr's and a pair of blumenstein subs.
My dac has been powered up about 30 hours. Setup was easy on a mac.
Sound is awesome! Big step up from my emu 404 usb. I've been listening mostly to DSD converted to
352.8khz pcm by Amarra. Chain is mac->dac(usb)->beePre->paramount 2a3 w/magnaquest iron->LaScalas.
I was thinking about adding vinyl to my setup as I was tiring of it, but I think I'm good now, as long as I can
find the digital source material. I have this theory that artists put out the high dynamic range material on vinyl and
the compressed stuff on digital. But, there is some good digital out there, I think.
Piano, vocals, guitar - all really good. Very happy with the dac.
-Dave
Sound is awesome! Big step up from my emu 404 usb. I've been listening mostly to DSD converted to
352.8khz pcm by Amarra. Chain is mac->dac(usb)->beePre->paramount 2a3 w/magnaquest iron->LaScalas.
I was thinking about adding vinyl to my setup as I was tiring of it, but I think I'm good now, as long as I can
find the digital source material. I have this theory that artists put out the high dynamic range material on vinyl and
the compressed stuff on digital. But, there is some good digital out there, I think.
Piano, vocals, guitar - all really good. Very happy with the dac.
-Dave
Received unit today and was able to spend a couple hours listening. Used with Windows 8.1 Business software and install was a snap. I quickly verified it was playing back the higher sample rates and then began serious listening. I was expecting to like it, but knew in advance it couldn't sound better than my $4K DAC. Well, I was wrong... this new DAC is much clearer. I played the 4 or 5 test passages we all seem to have and immediately was able to hear more of the backgound chatter, cymbals weren't tizzy, great air around some voices, etc. After about an hour of testing, I began to just relax and enjoy the music, even playing pieces that I had not heard before. Speaking completely subjectively, the overall sound reminded me of what I think of as the modern sound I hear from some of the better transistor amps...huge sound stage, extremely clean. Of course there's the chance that in a week I'll pine for the honey sound of the other DAC, but right now I feel as if this is my new reference.
Another nice comment from an old Bottlehead/new DAC user:
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7692.msg74388#msg74388
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7692.msg74388#msg74388
Grainger49
New member
If you didn't read the title above, please do.
As a warm up I played Clear by Spirit. I have been listening to this album since 1969 when it came out. I hear detail like that of a MC cartridge without any of the edginess that the MC cartridges I can afford have. This CD has all the nuances I remember from the LP. On the title track, Clear, the muted trumpets sound like Miles Davis on Kind Of Blue, this is a better recording than I remember. The bass strings together with the bassoons are distinct. Background details are there, clear and in the proper perspective.
The mid bass is more present than I have heard in my system before. It is not accentuated but filled in from what I am used to. I wasn’t aware that there was a lack of mid bass till I heard the BH DAC. Also, the transient response is dramatically improved. As others have already said, the improved decay is noticeable.
Next up was The Wailin’ Jennys, 40 Days, again I’m struck with the clarity. The sound is just gorgeous. On Arlington the violin has no edginess, the sound is completely relaxed. The soundstage is wider with less curving at the edges.
As a warm up I played Clear by Spirit. I have been listening to this album since 1969 when it came out. I hear detail like that of a MC cartridge without any of the edginess that the MC cartridges I can afford have. This CD has all the nuances I remember from the LP. On the title track, Clear, the muted trumpets sound like Miles Davis on Kind Of Blue, this is a better recording than I remember. The bass strings together with the bassoons are distinct. Background details are there, clear and in the proper perspective.
The mid bass is more present than I have heard in my system before. It is not accentuated but filled in from what I am used to. I wasn’t aware that there was a lack of mid bass till I heard the BH DAC. Also, the transient response is dramatically improved. As others have already said, the improved decay is noticeable.
Next up was The Wailin’ Jennys, 40 Days, again I’m struck with the clarity. The sound is just gorgeous. On Arlington the violin has no edginess, the sound is completely relaxed. The soundstage is wider with less curving at the edges.
debk
New member
The DAC gets better wih time. Even with streaming Pandora to it, the music takes on a new dimension. I am very impressed with it, my old DAC doesn't hold a candle to the BH DAC. I hear nuances in the music I didn't hear before, and it is simply a pleasure to listen to
Thanks again
Debra
Thanks again
Debra
Chris Adams
New member
I meant to post this under "Users Opinions" and I want to follow up so here it is:
"My DAC arrived last Friday . . . while I was away :'( Home on Monday and I hooked it up and ran a burn in disc for 24 hours. Sat down on Tuesday night to take a quick listen. Put on Sarah Jarosz "Build Me Up From Bones" and ended up listening to the whole album. I had tears in my eyes and I've heard this album many times.
Gear is a McCormack SST-1 transport, BH DAC, Bent AVC-1, D-Sonic M3-1500M mono blocs, GoldenEar Triton One speaks. I'd been using an SMc (McCormack) Ultra DAC which at this point in time was my reference having beat out an Audio Note Kit 2.1 that had been greatly enhanced and built by Digital Pete. Both these DACs are in the mid 2k range so having the BH DAC soundly (no pun intended) trounce the Ultra DAC was a very satisfying experience. After my brief listen what came to mind is and openness, smoothness, and rich detail that I had never heard. Softened sibilance but no lack of high frequency involvement. The sound stage seems slightly compressed but may be more real. More listening will tell.
Thank you, thank you, Bottleheads all for a truly remarkable DAC. I can't wait to do some more listening."
It's been about a week and the sound stage that I heard as slightly compressed has opened up nicely. Width, height, and depth are extremely good, as good as I've heard. As debk said, "DAC gets better with time".
I have a PS Audio PWT memory player arriving today and I'm curios to hear if it makes an improvement because from what I've read this DAC is supposed to minimize jitter thus making differences in transports minimal.
"My DAC arrived last Friday . . . while I was away :'( Home on Monday and I hooked it up and ran a burn in disc for 24 hours. Sat down on Tuesday night to take a quick listen. Put on Sarah Jarosz "Build Me Up From Bones" and ended up listening to the whole album. I had tears in my eyes and I've heard this album many times.
Gear is a McCormack SST-1 transport, BH DAC, Bent AVC-1, D-Sonic M3-1500M mono blocs, GoldenEar Triton One speaks. I'd been using an SMc (McCormack) Ultra DAC which at this point in time was my reference having beat out an Audio Note Kit 2.1 that had been greatly enhanced and built by Digital Pete. Both these DACs are in the mid 2k range so having the BH DAC soundly (no pun intended) trounce the Ultra DAC was a very satisfying experience. After my brief listen what came to mind is and openness, smoothness, and rich detail that I had never heard. Softened sibilance but no lack of high frequency involvement. The sound stage seems slightly compressed but may be more real. More listening will tell.
Thank you, thank you, Bottleheads all for a truly remarkable DAC. I can't wait to do some more listening."
It's been about a week and the sound stage that I heard as slightly compressed has opened up nicely. Width, height, and depth are extremely good, as good as I've heard. As debk said, "DAC gets better with time".
I have a PS Audio PWT memory player arriving today and I'm curios to hear if it makes an improvement because from what I've read this DAC is supposed to minimize jitter thus making differences in transports minimal.
Johnnycopy
New member
The more i listen, the more i realize how good this dac is.
I am listening only to 44.1 from my denon 2930 player that was upgraded by david schulte at the upgrade company to his signature mod.
This dac brings me closer to what i have been searching for (higher resolution, detail without harshness) than anything i have heard before. Micro and macro dynamics are stunning from a black background. Billy Joels japanese 20 bit pressing of "an innocent man" is breathless (with air to die for).
I am not sure what differences i would notice with battery power, but am interested in hearing whether it, or other upgrades, are being contemplated.
Great accomplishment Mr. Swenson, Doc, and all involved.
I am listening only to 44.1 from my denon 2930 player that was upgraded by david schulte at the upgrade company to his signature mod.
This dac brings me closer to what i have been searching for (higher resolution, detail without harshness) than anything i have heard before. Micro and macro dynamics are stunning from a black background. Billy Joels japanese 20 bit pressing of "an innocent man" is breathless (with air to die for).
I am not sure what differences i would notice with battery power, but am interested in hearing whether it, or other upgrades, are being contemplated.
Great accomplishment Mr. Swenson, Doc, and all involved.
I fired mine up yesterday. Yeah, it's been sitting here over a month now. Not really set up for it.
I was playing CD's through a DVD player which was connected to a TV via HDMI and then TV to DAC via TOS. Even so the difference was easy to hear. All the detail w/o the "edge", very nice.
I ordered up the smallest transport I could find, the "Nano-Compo CD-1" in black to match the DAC. This is in my bedroom and space is tight.
I got the TV and the player going started the CD playing and powered up the DAC. Nothing. The display showed a bunch of crap so I pulled the power jack out and plugged it back in. Sound issued forth and the display showed "48"
It worked, but it is not ideal. One should not have to reach around the back and be unplugging and plugging to re-boot all the time. I had to do it twice. Please consider a power switch on "rev 2"
When I get the new transport in and all the wiring done I'll have more to say. So good so far. I agree, it makes CD's sound more like vinyl, just what I was hoping for. Looking forward to seeing just how good my CD collection sounds!
I was playing CD's through a DVD player which was connected to a TV via HDMI and then TV to DAC via TOS. Even so the difference was easy to hear. All the detail w/o the "edge", very nice.
I ordered up the smallest transport I could find, the "Nano-Compo CD-1" in black to match the DAC. This is in my bedroom and space is tight.
I got the TV and the player going started the CD playing and powered up the DAC. Nothing. The display showed a bunch of crap so I pulled the power jack out and plugged it back in. Sound issued forth and the display showed "48"
It worked, but it is not ideal. One should not have to reach around the back and be unplugging and plugging to re-boot all the time. I had to do it twice. Please consider a power switch on "rev 2"
When I get the new transport in and all the wiring done I'll have more to say. So good so far. I agree, it makes CD's sound more like vinyl, just what I was hoping for. Looking forward to seeing just how good my CD collection sounds!
