GIESELER AUDIO PCM1704K NOS KOMPAKT II

[Gieseler Audio]

I have had a lot of interest & enquires on this so finally I have designed and built one.

It is a Kompak II using PCM1704K DAC chips in Non Oversampling Mode  -  NOS

No digital filter.

Three digital inputs  -  Coax, Toslink & USB.

Sample rate; PCM only 24bit

USB up to 384K 

Coax 192K

Toslink 96K

RCA & XLR outputs  -  can be used simultaneously.

 

So the big question, how does it sound.

OMG - Within thirty seconds of listening I was totally blown away.

I knew straight away this was an exceptional sounding DAC.

Half an hour later I've come to the conclusion this is without a doubt my best sounding DAC ever.

The only one that gets close is the current TD 1541A Kompakt II 

Unfortunately, I don't have one on hand to do a direct comparison at the moment.

 

Sound;

Phenomenal bass with good extension & control.

Midrage is holographic like with a big soundstage & very precise.

Highs, very clean and extended.

 

Now the bad news.

New PCM1704's are totally unavailable so the only way to get them is removing them from old equipment.

Not a good idea because  they're often damaged by heat.

I have enough chips to build three DAC's, I'm definitely keeping one for myself so that means only two will be available.

Cost $2500

Availability - now & listed on my website  -  use the  DAC chip version to select PCM1704K NOS

I also have four new old stock PCM1702's so will have a NOS version using that chip up and running in a couple of days.

it should sound very similar to the 1704 but it is only a 20 bit chip.

Stay tuned!

 

 

 

Edited September 24 by Gieseler Audio
More info

[Gieseler Audio]

One sold!

Only one left 

[lenticularis]

Hiya Clay,

 

I just placed an order!

 

Cheers,

Dave

[Gieseler Audio]

Wow  -  thanks for the order Dave

I'm sure you will be blown away  -  definitely a quantum leap above the AKM Kompakt.

@twwen2 will possibly receive his later today so I'm sure we will get some feedback there.

 

Well that only leaves one left & that's definitely mine so now unless I can miraculously find

some more PCM1704K's it is now officially sold out.

[MrBurns84]

4 hours ago, Gieseler Audio said:

@twwen2 will possibly receive his later today so I'm sure we will get some feedback there.

Nice one @twwen2. Would be good to hear your thoughts on the TDA  vs 1704K KompakIIs.  I suppose its nearly impossible now to source the PCM1704 UK grade chips @Gieseler Audio?  

[Gieseler Audio]

@MrBurns84  -  yes it is extremely difficult to find any PCM1704K's now.

After a big search I found only 3 x PCM1704's (non K) on EBay in the USA 

$200 each delivered.

Also it is risky buying a part like that from a non genuine parts supplier.

Tons available from China but from past experience they are always fakes.

 

It will certainly be interesting to see how @twwen2  finds the TDA PCM comparison.

 

 

[MrBurns84]

1 hour ago, Gieseler Audio said:

@MrBurns84  -  yes it is extremely difficult to find any PCM1704K's now.

After a big search I found only 3 x PCM1704's (non K) on EBay in the USA 

$200 each delivered.

Also it is risky buying a part like that from a non genuine parts supplier.

Tons available from China but from past experience they are always fakes.

Seems like the only way to source genuine chips is to salvage them off old cd players or dacs that use them.  Sad reality these days. Apologies - I digressed.

[lenticularis]

Well, Clay built my Kompakt II very quickly indeed and it arrived today.

 

These are very initial impressions only, with only about 1 hr of listening so far.

 

Playing very relaxed sparse jazz (Shinya Fukamori Trio, 'Two Akis' album, 24bit 88.2 kHz on Qobuz, via my Antipodes DX).

I found a very relaxed yet clear presentation. Cymbals come across beautifully. It's easy to discern the various instruments in the mix.  The noise floor is lower because everything seems to emerge from inky blackness, with clarity. (I didn't feel that the Kompakt I was lacking in that regard either.)

 

Vocals: I only had a chance to listen to Holly Coles' 'Temptation' album (lossless FLAC ripped to hard drive and replay using a first gen Antipodes DX). Excellent definition in her voice and retrieval of subtle details, with consistent easy separation of voice and instruments.

 

I was just able to listen to a couple of seconds of Van Morrison live singing 'Into the Mystic' to realise that this DAC was another level in terms of rich (not coloured) impact. Interstate family arrival curtailed further listening last night.

 

I'm going to love getting to know this DAC more.  Another excellent product from Clay with his customary friendly and easy access to communication.

 

thank you Clay!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by lenticularis
Typo correction and added a para.