NO LONGER AVAILABLE: FS Eximus DP-1 DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp

[rossb]

Item: Eximus DP-1 Dac/Preamp/Headphone Amp
Location: Sydney
Price: $2900 $2500 (RRP$3911)
Item Condition: Mint - a few weeks old
Reason for selling: Funding my Chord QBD76 purchase
Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, bank transfer
Extra Info: See below
Pictures: See below

 

For sale is my Eximus DP-1 DAC. I bought this a few weeks ago from Addicted to Audio in Melbourne. But then I got the itch to try the Chord QBD76 HDSD against my Hugo, and I had no choice but to buy it. Now, of course, I have to pay for it. Yes, the QBD76 HDSD sounds better - and also very different - than the Hugo and the DP-1. But it is four times the price of the Hugo and more than twice the price of the DP-1, so that is not exactly a shock. (I will post comments comparing all three as well as a few others in a separate thread in the near future.) The DP-1 is extremely versatile, with multiple inputs, including asynchronous USB, AES-EBU and SPDIF. It also has RCA and XLR outputs and two headphone outputs, and its volume control means that it can be used to bypass your preamp (I've tried it like this, it is excellent).

 

The DP-1 remains one of the best dacs I have heard, at any price. I much prefer it to the Resonessence Invicta Mirus I had previously, and I also like it better - as a main system DAC - than the Hugo. It is incredible revealing, three dimensional and detailed, while retaining a slightly sweet midrange. If I had not bought the QBD76 on impulse, it would not have been going anywhere. It is also a surprisingly attractive piece of hi fi - even my wife expressed appreciation of its appearance!

 

There have been many reviews of the DP-1 - some examples:

 

The Eximus DP1 may be small, but whether I was listening to it as a DAC-preamp, or as a purely analog preamp fed an analog signal from one of the other DACs I had on hand, it produced a lively, full-bodied sound that was extremely clean, exceptionally dynamic, and very refined. This little component sounded big. There was also a transparency that made the DP1’s overall sound so pristine and crystalline that I had no hesitation in partnering it with the best stereo amp and speakers I’ve ever had in my room: Ayre Acoustics’ VX-R amplifier ($14,950) and Vivid Audio’s Giya G2 speakers ($50,000/pair). The Eximus’s sound not only had outstanding transparency and detail that put me very close to the music and was thoroughly engaging to listen to, its imaging was impeccable -- musicians occupied discrete points on the stage, with rock-solid specificity and great separation of each from the rest...

 

 Otherwise, I have nothing but praise for what the DP1 provides. Its appearance and build are fitting for a product at twice or even thrice the price; on the digital side, its rich feature set and thoroughly up-to-date technology approach the state of the art; and the DP1’s distinctive, lively, ultraclear sound -- whether it’s used as a DAC-preamp, an analog preamp, or a headphone amp -- is ridiculously good at the price. The DP1 is a modestly priced product that will fit well into a modestly priced system, but can also work surprisingly well in a state-of-the-art rig like mine. High praise indeed. (Source: http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=346)

 

From Monoandstereo.com: 

 

April Music Eximus DP-1 is well-balanced device. If I needed to quickly sum its performance then transparency, speed and stability first come to mind. For a change DP-1 works well in the domain of positive transparency. It does not make things sound “edgy†in mandatory way as with many DAC devices priced below and above DP-1. Speed might be the attribute that everybody jumps at when mentioned in high-end audio. Combined with the stability it recreates the embodiment of the “correct†and so-called needed ingredients of high-end audio reproduction. 

I actually love and not only like what Eximus DP-1 have to offer. It’s a rare correctness wanted in the performance of modern DAC’s. With many DAC’s you need to start an uncertain quest of compatibility and system integration. I’ll have to say Eximus DP-1 exhibit one of the least complicated ability to integrate without giving much stressed to the endless permutations of cable and component balancing. I’m not saying DP-1 is prone to them, but its inherited transparency open up a window of much less cluttered way of designing and tuning the high-end audio system. Eximus DP-1 is not the last word in digital audio, but it’s very nicely positioned among the competition and acts as solid PCM audio device. 

 

From Hifi+, comparing the DP-1 to the Weiss DAC202: 

 

I used the DP1’s analog inputs to compare the Weiss DAC 202 with the DP1. Once more A/B comparisons took longer to switch than I would like—programs had to be shut down and reopened along with confirming the MIDI settings. But despite the delays it was clear that the DP1 was almost in the same league as the Weiss. Both did a superb job of illuminating the entire soundstage and placing instruments accurately. The Weiss produced a slightly larger overall soundstage, but the DP1 was equally well focused. Harmonically the two DACs were very similar, both with well-defined low bass and vividly dynamic contrast. At times I preferred the DP1, due in large part to its slightly lower noise floor. But the Weiss had extensive handicaps—I had to use its single-ended outputs rather than the balanced analog output. Plus there was additional cabling and analog circuitry and connections inside the DP1. So, I wouldn’t go so far as to say the DP1 was the Weiss DAC 202’s equal, but it was closer than I expected.(Source: http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/april-music-eximus-dp1-dac-preamplifier-and-headphone-amplifier-tas-221/?page=5)

 

And from The Absolute Sound: 

 

Cut to the chase: the Eximus DP1 is no ‘me too’ product. It’s one of the best of the best money – any money – can buy. It’s an outstanding headphone amp, a fantastic DAC and a none-too-shabby basic preamp in one. If this is the future of audio, tomorrow’s looking damn fine! (Source: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/april-music-eximus-dp1-dacheadphone-amppreamp-hi-fi/)

 

As it is only a few weeks old - and not even fully run in yet - it is in brand new condition, with all original packing materials, accessories etc, and I am offering it at $1000 off new retail price. Pick up is available in Sydney (Cammeray or CBD), or I am happy to post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 11, 2014 by rossb

[rossb]

Edit: To make it a more compelling offer, I will reduce the price to $2500. 

[Col. Mustard]

I have one, love it. Put some TH900's on that baby and you got yourself a stew. GLWTS.

[wolster]

This item has been withdrawn from sale or relisted.