DAC Options...input requested

[klinemj]

Apr 28, 2017 16:29:51 GMT -5 sheetmetalworker said:

It's very natural sounding. Less congestion and larger soundstage. ( Than Dc-1).
It's not a night and day difference on my gear though. There's something just right about it though and I can't put my finger on it yet to convey.

Your description here seems, to me, how I would describe the difference between the Geek and the DC-1 in my system. With the Geek, I am hearing more individual notes more clearly sepearated in space with silence between them. With the DC-1, things become more congested/blurred together. To me, the congested sound was less natural. Is my description consistent with what you are hearing? If so, the Spring would be a good alternative to the Geek.

And, like you, when I got the DC-1 I was amazed (coming off an ERC-2 CD player, which I presume was a lot like an XDA-2). I also have kept the DC-1, but I noticed​ a clear difference with the Geek vs. the DC-1. When I revert to the DC-1, I am disappointed...the deprivation experiment is a good test.

Mark

[audiobill]

Like you, Mark, I loved my DC-1, and thought it bested the NADm51, BMC Puredac, and others. Until I got the Grace m920, no question the Grace was better. But it was also more $$$.

I consider the DC-1 a best buy, a great entree into quality sound to move up from.

[klinemj]

Apr 29, 2017 8:12:57 GMT -5 audiobill said:

Like you, Mark, I loved my DC-1, and thought it bested the NADm51, BMC Puredac, and others. Until I got the Grace m920, no question the Grace was better. But it was also more $$$.

I consider the DC-1 a best buy, a great entree into quality sound to move up from.

I find the Geek to be on par with the finest analog (vinyl) I have ever heard...but with far more convenience/ease of use and of course...no pops and clicks. It surprises me that they keep managing to eek more out of digital after so many years.

Mark

[sheetmetalworker]

Well after 500 hrs of break in split between 44.1 and 48 k sampling I'm here to give my un professional and short report.
There is a $1,400 difference in price between the DC-1 and my newly acquired spring DAC. I have not done a so called A/B comparison yet and don't think I will.The DC-1 is the best DAC I've had and heard for the money.
The spring DAC is different, and I've only listened in NOS mode. I don't think it's 1,400 better than the DC-1, but I think that's subjective to what is a better listening experience.
Overall I'm enjoying the listening and seem to be much more not aware of the electronics, speakers etc. It is a more comfortable experience.
So for what it's worth, I'm not getting rid of my DC-1 and I'm really enjoying the Spring DAC.

[klinemj]

Sounds great... really enjoying having my Geek running right again. Would love at some point, to hear a Spring head to head vs my Geek. Still not 100% trusting the Geek to be reliable. And what you describe for the Spring sounds familiar vs. my Geek...hearing more music, less equipment.

Mark

[sheetmetalworker]

May 11, 2017 17:25:24 GMT -5 klinemj said:

Sounds great... really enjoying having my Geek running right again. Would love at some point, to hear a Spring head to head vs my Geek. Still not 100% trusting the Geek to be reliable. And what you describe for the Spring sounds familiar vs. my Geek...hearing more music, less equipment.

Mark

well you may have found your Ballance. I'm not familiar with the Geek so I won't give my opinion.

[sheetmetalworker]

$$$$ dosent mean better. The DC-1 is a awsome DAC. The Spring brings another level of imersive musicality, is that a word?

It's not a huge difference, I wish it was for extra money I spent, but it is more enjoyable.

[novisnick]

May 11, 2017 17:00:27 GMT -5 sheetmetalworker said:

Well after 500 hrs of break in split between 44.1 and 48 k sampling I'm here to give my un professional and short report.
There is a $1,400 difference in price between the DC-1 and my newly acquired spring DAC. I have not done a so called A/B comparison yet and don't think I will.The DC-1 is the best DAC I've had and heard for the money.
The spring DAC is different, and I've only listened in NOS mode. I don't think it's 1,400 better than the DC-1, but I think that's subjective to what is a better listening experience.
Overall I'm enjoying the listening and seem to be much more not aware of the electronics, speakers etc. It is a more comfortable experience.
So for what it's worth, I'm not getting rid of my DC-1 and I'm really enjoying the Spring DAC.

Thanks so much for your input. The DC-1 is really a great DAC and hits Way above its price point! Shhhhh!!,,,,,, don't tell Big Dan and Co.

[sheetmetalworker]

May 11, 2017 18:00:01 GMT -5 novisnick said:

May 11, 2017 17:00:27 GMT -5 sheetmetalworker said:

Well after 500 hrs of break in split between 44.1 and 48 k sampling I'm here to give my un professional and short report.
There is a $1,400 difference in price between the DC-1 and my newly acquired spring DAC. I have not done a so called A/B comparison yet and don't think I will.The DC-1 is the best DAC I've had and heard for the money.
The spring DAC is different, and I've only listened in NOS mode. I don't think it's 1,400 better than the DC-1, but I think that's subjective to what is a better listening experience.
Overall I'm enjoying the listening and seem to be much more not aware of the electronics, speakers etc. It is a more comfortable experience.
So for what it's worth, I'm not getting rid of my DC-1 and I'm really enjoying the Spring DAC.

Thanks so much for your input. The DC-1 is really a great DAC and hits Way above its price point! Shhhhh!!,,,,,, don't tell Big Dan and Co.

your right and I'm keeping the The DC,-1

[klinemj]

May 11, 2017 17:59:30 GMT -5 sheetmetalworker said:

$$$$ dosent mean better. The DC-1 is a awsome DAC. The Spring brings another level of imersive musicality, is that a word?

It's not a huge difference, I wish it was for extra money I spent, but it is more enjoyable.

The only "not in balance" for the Geek is reliability and related customer service. Hopefully mine if done misbehaving.

Mark