RockRolley Posted December 6, 2023 Posted December 6, 2023 Hi all, See below my compare/contrast listening test of my Gieseler KOMPAKT II TDA1541 and ABBAS 2.3se TDA1541 DACs. One of my favourite things is comparing and contrasting related, but different gear. e.g with turntables, comparing early Aristons with Linn and AR-XA. I initially posted this on the Gieseler Kompakt II TDA1541 DAC owners thread, but have tweaked this a little here as I thought people who are not already owners, or own either an ABBAS or Gieseler DAC may be interested in the compare and contrast. NB: I have no affiliation with Gieseler or ABBAS aside from having purchased their products and perhaps a few side chats along the way. I also thought that people with an interest in the early Philips DAC chips may be interested. As you will read below, I am passionate about the TDA1540 DAC chip and am amazed at what can be achieved with the TDA1541. As well as the ABBAS DAC, I also have an ABBAS phono stage (I actually also have one of his phono stage kits too that has been sitting in my cupboard for a while and ABBAS is now posting me a chassis, upgraded caps and shielded wiring to finish it off ). So, I love the ABBAS signature sound and philosophy. I have some very nice phono stages, but the ABBAS is presently my favourite. This DAC is my first Gieseler piece of gear, but as I say below, I've been interested for some time. SOME PRELIMINARY REMARKS I was in the first round of buyers of Clay's Gieseler TDA1541 DAC. I've always been an analogue guy, primarily into vinyl, then when lock down happened, I decided to see how far I could get my digital system to a similar level of enjoyment as with my analogue gear. After a time, I found the TDA1540 dac chips delivered what I had hoped for, as experienced in Marantz CD54 and a variety of other early Marantz and Philips CDPs. I noted that there were some people who rated the TDA1541 highly too, but for different reasons, so I started exploring those as well. I also found that some other tube DACs, e.g. Musical Paradise MPD2-MK3 were great, though one that knocked my socks off has been the ABBAS 2.3se, featuring the TDA1541 chip. I also have a couple of CDPs featuring the TDA1541, and while I preferred the 1540 CDPs, I still wanted to see what could be achieved with the 1541. I had always been curious to hear Clay's work, and when he announced his new TDA1541 DAC, it didn't take me long to put my hand up. Always fascinated by comparing and contrasting gear, I was interested to explore the different nuances between the ABBAS and the Gieseler as they both have the TDA1541 chip. The ABBAS as you may know, is a tube based DAC and the Geiseler is not. BUYER EXPERIENCE (Note: I decided to leave this in from the owners thread but it was entirely focussed on Gieseler-I hadn't written anything about the ABBAS buyer experience there, so I will just say here that ABBAS has been super helpful, even while living in a war torn country. I bought my DAC and Phono Stage used and he has fielded questions from me even though I didn't buy directly from him. I also bought my kit phono stage board second hand (unused) and over time has supplied me with the power transformer and now the chassis, upgraded caps and wiring. it will be a complete ABBAS unit aside from connecting or soldering a few wires. He is responsive to questions and assists where possible and has tailored things to my requests. I've had a rewarding experience dealing with him) Clay, of Gieseler, is very communicative. As well as being communicative about his own products, I have also found that Clay is a music lover and music gear enthusiast in general, which is really encouraging. Clay kept us all up to date with the development of this DAC via the build thread for this DAC, which, as someone who put their hand up in the early stages, was exciting. As a buyer, Clay was super informative and communicative about when the dac would be ready and sent, and he promptly followed up any questions I had more than generously. The DAC was sent very promptly and carefully packed. He also offered flawless post-purchase services. Customer service has been exemplary. THE LISTENING TEST As mentioned, this was a compare and contrast listening session(s) to enjoy the various nuances that each TDA1541 DAC had to offer. The Gieseler has been my main streaming DAC for the last few months and while I had general impressions, I find that comparative listening can help to place the sonic signature. I have used the Gieseler in USB and SPDIF modes for streaming over the last few months and my anecdotal impression is that the USB suited me more. However, I havn't A/B'd USB and SPDIF. The ABBAS DAC is single SPDIF input only. When streaming for my session, I streamed to the Kompact via USB and the ABBAS via SPDIF for convenience of not needing to unplug/replug every time and so that I could immediately replay the same track while the previous DAC was super fresh to my ears. For CD, I used SPDIF for both, switching the cable in and out between tracks. My streaming service is Tidal high res via Roon. For most tracks on both streaming and CDT, I played the songs two to three times switching back and forth between DACs. GEAR USED IN MY CRITICAL LISTENING SESSION Digital sources: Streaming: Eversolo DMP-A6 CD: CEC TL5100 transport DACs Gieseler Kompakt II contrasted with the ABBAS 2.3se Into: Musical Paradise MP701 MKII tube preamp> Radford STA25 tube power amp> IMF RSPM MKIV speakers STREAMING SESSIONS SOUL TO SQUEEZE BY RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (remaster) Gieseler KOMPAKT II TDA1541 Wide, involving soundstage, cracking snare, natural vocal and spacious percussion. Liquid guitar, plenty of space in the song and beautifully layered as the Hammond organ comes in. Note: As the Dac has run in, it has gotten closer to the natural non-fatiguing TDA1540-which is high praise from me. It doesn’t really impose itself too much, but makes the Radford STA25 sing. It is like a cool, crisp Moët. ABBAS Louder, more meat on the bones, tighter and runs a bit hotter. Sounds amplified. Maybe more compressed and homogonised. This is great in the sense that it is punchy and more ‘wall of sound’, but at the expense of the Gieseler's spaciousness, separation between instruments and holographic soundstage. Big, Deep bass, Tubey goodness, Up front. The bass guitar and kick drum click in together like a piece of heaven. Emotionally engaging. Slide guitar solo liquid and warm. Euphoric. Big bold red LOVE AND MERCY BY BRIAN WILSON ABBAS Brian's layered Beach boys style harmonies sound absolutely gorgeous. The music still sounds meaty. There is an urgency which sounds like the band means business.There is still detail though, and I'm hearing some layers I hadn’t noticed before. The song moves along with rhythmic pace and is fun, punchy and dynamic with great bass. Gieseler KOMPAKT II TDA1541 Coming back to the Gieseler, it seems to present a wider soundstage but a bit slower on dynamics. The soundstage is amazing. The high synth parts are absolutely euphoric and the highs in general are lush. More nuanced strings and more individual character of instruments. I turned the volume up one level louder to more closely match the ABBAS' volume. I'm hearing some deep background vocals I hadn’t heard before. I feel like I’m participating in the story of the song and the magic of the composition more than the rhythm and groove, which is where the ABBAS shines. The ABBAS seems to get you on a physical, visceral level where your body moves to the rhythm whereas the Gieseler seems to get you on the emotional and intellectual level. I sometimes seem to disembody and immerse in the music and sometimes enjoy the genius at the composition and arrangement. REVERENCE BY FAITHLESS Note: The thing I love about this song is the deep sub in the intro. My IMF Transmission line speakers deliver the cleanest, deepest most resonant subs that I have yet heard, so this brings me the most glee with my toy Gieseler KOMPAKT II TDA1541 Amazing rhythm in Maxi Jazz’ intro rap. The deep sub sounds sublime. Percussion is fun and funky and there is a really wide soundstage. There is a depth to the layering of the diverse electronic soundscape. The sweeping layers of synths, percussion and effects are utterly involving and you disappear into the music. Ecstatic. It recreates the synths perfectly and in the second rap, the vocal and rhythm sounds absolutely natural. ABBAS Entry of the into piano note is weighty and nice and announces the song. The bass subs are monstrous in the best way. It moves your insides-something like on Jurassic Park when the T Rex is coming but you can't yet see it and the earth throbs and the puddles wobble. The percussion is punchy and engaging-again I feel like dancing and my head is involuntarily bopping. The synths appear more homogeneous, however, the layering still has a sense of ease and spaciousness but simultaneously has gain, groove and cohesion. Guitar is more rhythmic and through the ABBAS appears to be in the pocket and a more significant part of the piece. MR BOJANGLES BY SAMMY DAVIS JR ABBAS Davis' whistling sounds rhythmic and lilting. The piece sounds rhythmic in general. Davis' vocal croons soft and easy. It doesn’t however come across as a great recording and I loose interest. Gieseler The bass appears more natural and individual. The instruments are layered and the recording sounds better. I wanted to keep listening. COTTON FIELDS BY HARRY BELAFONTE, CARNEGIE HALL Note : The song is initially lead rhythmically by the double bass as well as the Belafonte's vocal, these hold the rhythm before the drums enter fully. Gieseler Bass and vocal are so natural and there is great groove and rhythm. I feel like grooving. The whole piece is beautiful with an upbeat feel. Bass and vocal keep leading even when drums and piano enter. ABBAS Dynamic but maybe inappropriately so, almost rocky. The track becomes more musical when the ensemble joined. BACK IN BLACK BY AC/DC ABBAS Musical and nuanced. I can hear the strumming of the guitars rather than just the crunch of the guitars. The song presents a laid back groove. The bridge presents as punchy and the song rocks out at the end. This all was a real surprise for me. I expected the ABBAS to give me what I had always identified the song as: A cohesive, tight, kick in the guts rocker. Instead, the guitarists and drummer's musicianship and ability to shuffle came to the fore and I had an entirely different experience than I have had with the song that I've heard countless times since the 80's. Gieseler Back in black The highs are more sizzling and the song feels really tight with an engaging descriptive bass. Again, almost the opposite of what I expected as tight presentation is normally the ABBAS' forte. The Gieseler is however amazing at keeping great pace with the bass and emphasising the STA25's legendary liquid bass capability. CD SESSIONS For the CD sessions, I decided to play some of the same tracks on CD as I had with the streaming. I didn't go through all of the songs as by the time I got through a few, I really had gotten a detailed idea of what I can expect from these DACs in this particular system. I must say, and everyone knows this, that synergy between gear-and even particular recordings with gear, can provide very different outcomes. So, I wouldn't hazard to present this as conclusive for anyone else' recordings, gear or tastes. SOUL TO SQUEEZE BY RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Cd 1993 release single (album version) Gieseler Natural, nice drums, natural vocal and a wide soundstage. Great instrument separation. Liquid, elastic bass. Really involving and feels like it was meant to be heard. Really accurate. ABBAS Dynamic and weighty. The band sounds absolutely live and natural like they are in the room. They sound entirely authoritive and at the height of their powers. The sound stage is entirely enveloping and the instruments and vocals sound full, rich and deep. When the Hammond organ weaves out from behind the guitars it sounds so real and mesmerising. Again, I’m grooving, head bopping. It comes across as a beautiful, emotive performance. In a word, perfect. Now I'm reminded why I have this as my DAC for my CEC CDT. Talk about synergy, this DAC and CDT are hand in glove. LOVE AND MERCY BY BRIAN WILSON Rhino, Warner Archives release 2000 ABBAS Big sound. Layering back to front quite remarkable. Really outstanding in the mids with the vocals really shining on the ABBAS. This really draws me in and gets me involved with the rhythm. I find myself nodding along and almost dancing. Gieseler Great soundstage, tight and everything where it should be. Incredible, airy. The highs are really shing here. Closed my eyes and got lost in the music. It's like living in a purely aesthetic universe. A beautiful place to be. REVERENCE BY FAITHLESS NB: I listened via the Gieseler first but wasn't able to write at the time. My ABBAS notes reveal something though. By the time I'd gotten to this track, however, I felt like I had pretty well experienced the nuances on these DACs within my system. ABBAS Huge! Feels like dance music and I’m grooving even just with the percussion. Bigger, but not necessarily more enjoyable than the Gieseler. The ABBAS is more aggressive but still very musical. FINAL THOUGHTS The Gieseler is lower in volume than the ABBAS, however that is neither here nor there. Metaphorically, the Gieseler is like a cool crisp Moet and the ABBAS is like a big bold red. Both high quality however, and very musical. As mentioned above, the ABBAS seems to get you on a physical, visceral level where your body moves to the rhythm whereas the Gieseler seems to get you on the emotional and intellectual level where you can immerse in the music and also enjoy the genius of the composition and arrangement. The Gieseler has a mind bending soundstage. That in combination with it's stunning highs, has the ability to pull you into a completely musical/aesthetic universe where everything else just falls away. The ABBAS is more like a Phil Spector tour de force where the impact of the music really gets you and you can't help but move. The interesting thing is that whereas they both have a clear signature, given certain musical pieces, they both also sometimes display characteristics of the other to a very convincing degree. Not only that, on certain tracks, AC/DC's Back in Black for example, both DACs absolutely have the ability to surprise. Both also have the ability to really convey emotion. This leaves me in a difficult position, because, The ABBAS is my go-to for CDs and the Gieseler for streaming. It is pretty greedy to have both in one system, but I'm not ready to part with either. If you were to really pin me down I would err very slightly to the KompaKt. One important consideration is, though, that the ABBAS, being a tube DAC, can be tuned to preference through tube selection/rolling. I am yet to roll any tubes in the ABBAS as I have been perfectly satisfied with it. Now that the Kompakt has shown me what else my digital chain is capable of, some tube rolling in the ABBAS may spice things up a bit. I am amazed at what the Kompakt II is capable of and everything about it has been a pleasure. Note: I highly recommend the pairing of the Eversolo DMP A6 and the Kompakt II-great synergy. Likewise the ABBAS with a CEC transport is dream. Regarding both the Kompact II and the ABBAS for both great gear and service, I've had a great experience. NB: ABBAS pic is my personal DAC but pic was taken by first owner. Gieseler is from Clay's URL 12 1
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