Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 As the topic suggests, looking for comparisons on the above Dacs from people who have atleast heard and compared 2 of these dacs. Would love to hear your opinions of which was better and why? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 I cant help with comparisons of two of these DACs, but I did hear the Tambaqui up against the dCS Bartok and it was a pretty close call, but ultimately the dCS sounded more analogue and more immersive.However, this was at a time when both units were a similar price. With the Bartok now quite a few $$$ more, the Tambaqui represents a fantastic price v performance ratio that would be at home in most highly resolving systems. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks Hydrology. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stereophilus Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against a Makua that I subsequently purchased. I haven’t heard the Rockna. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourne and this is your best way to work out your own preference. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Stereophilus said: I have heard the Dave and EMM Labs DAC2x up against a Makua that I subsequently purchased. I haven’t heard the Rockna. In my assessment the Makua offered a more open and spacious sound. There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourne and this is your best way to work out your own preference. Cheers Stereophilus. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stereophilus Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Rori said: Cheers Stereophilus. What did you think with the Chord Dave vs Emm Labs Dac2x? The DAVE is very resolving, but “thinner” tonally in comparison to the EMM Labs. Also, it is worth noting I heard the v1 DAC 2X, not the v2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Ok thanks for your insight @Stereophilus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Stereophilus said: There are some tonal differences too, but what you prefer will depend on your other equipment and the music you like. It is not hard to audition these DACs in Melbourne and this is your best way to work out your own preference. Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference... @Rori Hope you have arranged auditions. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? It is just as important as the DAC itself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. Didn't like it at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) In that price range, you would be mad not to add the MSB Premier DAC to your list as well. Edited November 11, 2020 by seadog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) And the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with new PSU. Edited November 11, 2020 by JohnL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 10 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: Fully agree that it could come down to personal preference... @Rori Hope you have arranged auditions. And what streamer are you using to feed the DAC? It is just as important as the DAC itself. Unfortunately not, I'm going the second hand route as I've done with most of my setup. It's just more financially viable to me for the performance and price ratio. I'm also a very patient person and can wait for the right bit of kit at the right price to come up secondhand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 10 hours ago, Ittaku said: Of those, I've only heard the DAVE. Didn't like it at all. What didn't you like about the Dave? Was it a speaker setup or headphone setup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks everyone so far for their input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 23 minutes ago, Rori said: What didn't you like about the Dave? Was it a speaker setup or headphone setup? It was a speaker setup (as in my signature.) I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davm Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Perhaps you should consider the Accuphase DC-37 currently for sale in the classifieds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 2 hours ago, Rori said: Unfortunately not, I'm going the second hand route as I've done with most of my setup. It's just more financially viable to me for the performance and price ratio. I'm also a very patient person and can wait for the right bit of kit at the right price to come up secondhand. Fair enough if you know some of the posters here and their listening preferences. But if you don't, what is your reference point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 4 hours ago, Ittaku said: It was a speaker setup (as in my signature.) I found it big bold brash and dynamic but hard cold glary and fatiguing - all the old fashioned things I hated about early digital. Yeah fair enough, cheers for responding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 2 hours ago, davm said: Perhaps you should consider the Accuphase DC-37 currently for sale in the classifieds? I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? I have a PS Audio DSD ATM and it is also on the warm side which is good, but I'm thinking I need something more neutral due to my speakers being fairly warm and full bodied in their own right to take my system to the next level. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 2 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: Fair enough if you know some of the posters here and their listening preferences. But if you don't, what is your reference point? Only hifi shops and shows hear and there. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. That's the negative to going my route I guess. You go off people's opinions and hope it'll match your equipment and system when you put the hard earned down. Still, it's the way I prefer at this stage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 47 minutes ago, Rori said: Only hifi shops and shows hear and there. I don't want to waste hifi shops time too much knowing I'll be going second hand either. That's the negative to going my route I guess. You go off people's opinions and hope it'll match your equipment and system when you put the hard earned down. Still, it's the way I prefer at this stage. Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to @Stereophilus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stereophilus Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 48 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to @Stereophilus Yeah, im thinking a post lock-down GTG is in order. Rori is definitely welcome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WedgeBiggs Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 I had the DAVE for 3years, it is an amazing DAC. And if I had to guess (given I haven't heard both), I'd guess it outperforms the Tambaqui. This is purely speculation based on browsing the internet over the years and internalising pro/con reviews from users. I'm super happy with my Esoteric N-01, which is a noticeable step up in quality/musicality from the DAVE - as yes the DAVE sounds a bit "thin" (though extraordinarily detailed). Of the ones you mentioned I'd be most tempted by the Emm Labs DAC 2x... though if you can get a used higher-end Esoteric, you should jump on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 3 hours ago, Rori said: I'll take a look, however I've heard they're on the warm side? I have a PS Audio DSD ATM and it is also on the warm side which is good, but I'm thinking I need something more neutral due to my speakers being fairly warm and full bodied in their own right to take my system to the next level. This may make the Dave a good option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rori Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 3 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: Or arm yourself with a nice bottle of red and pay a visit to @Stereophilus Not a bad idea Snoop! Cheers @Stereophilus let me know when it's on, I'll make my way down if I can. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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