<Review moved over from HD>
Well, it's time I submitted my review for the fully modded smArt DIO (all mods done by Bolder Cables). I'll mainly be comparing the smArt Dio to my CD-1, which is my current player.
The Dio is outfitted with the Bolder digital cable, and a Bolder made custom power supply. I've got it connected to my nOrh ACA preamp with a pair of Bolder Type 2's.
I run the analog output from my CD-1 to input 3 on the ACA, and the digital output from the CD-1 to the DIO, and the analog outputs from the DIO in to input 4 of the ACA. So switching back and forth between them simply is a matter of selecting input 3 or input 4. Makes A-Bing them VERY easy.
I'll make this short and sweet. The overall difference in sound was all in the DIO's favor. Not only was it more detailed, it also helped create a better soundstage and more clearly defined where things were occuring spatially. The highs are cleaner and clearer sounding, and to add insult to injury, the overall tonal balance was wamer, fuller, and more pleasing! What the hell?!
I always figured that the CD-1 was a smokin' bargain, a true tubed output stage, high quality transport, and meticulous layout. Compared to other highly regarded source gear, I thought the CD-1 did extremely well (like against Jason's Sony SA777ES SACD/CD player). The 777 was better than the CD-1, but at $3k list, it had better be But for somthing as cheap as the smArt DIO to also beat the CD-1 decisively, is a bit of a shocker.
Actually, I have a confession to make - Wayne loaned me the DIO a month ago to see what I thought of it compared to the CD-1. After the 3rd day I knew it really outclassed the CD-1, but dragged my feet on the review, cause I knew I'd have to give it back
Oh, one area I forgot to mention that the smArt DIO REALLY excells at is micro and macro dynamics - wow, this is where it is extremely impressive. Ebb and flow of music is enhanced. This is one area that is extremely important to me, since I am a very big classical music lover, and w/classical it's not the notes, but the WAY the notes are played that really gives the music it's power, pathos, joy, overall emotion. My system was already pretty good in this area, and for the DIO to simply ratchet that up to another level is very pleasing for me to experience.
And for rock and rap (yes, I really like rap and hip hop, along w/trip hop), the extra punch and slam the DIO exhibits really punches this music home with authority. Eminem's lyrics are actually understandable (but still nonsensical )
And female vocals? Fugedaboutit. Imagine Holly Cole more clearly rendered, more "real" sounding, but more seductive sounding at the same time.
Actually, on female vocals, this is one area where the CD-1 keeps up with the DIO pretty well. The area that the differ is the other instruments in the band. They are just more real and present sounding through the DIO, while the CD1 causes these instruments to sound veiled and blurry IN COMPARISON. I put the emphasis, because the CD-1 is not veiled or blurry sounding in general. But going to the DIO is like getting the prescription for your glasses updated. Everything seems clear and normal w/your old pair, but slip on the new frames, and everything sort of snaps in to focus, and you just stare at trees like a dolt, because you can actually discern the individual leaves again. THAT's what listening to the DIO is like, at least in my experience.
Anyway, to bottom line my review, the DIO is not going back to Wayne, I'm buying it, because I really don't think I can go back to the CD-1 now that I have been spoiled by having the smArt DIO at my disposal for the last several weeks.
additional thoughtsOK, above was my original review. Since then I've been living with the smArt DIO for several months. It is not going anywhere, it is one of those components that (in my experience) would cost a LOT of money to get something better in any signifigant way. I would like to add that I switched from a Canare terminated digital cable to a bullet plugged bolder digital interconnect, and the improvement was not subtle. Took a very good sound to exceptional. At this point, I feel that any improvements I get in sound are just gravy, as I could easily live with this level of quality for a very long time (but of course, being an inveterate audiophile, I'll continually spend more money when improvement is possible
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Also, since the above review, I've done real time A-B comparisons between the smArt DIO and the Sony SA777ES and the Channel Islands DAC. In my humble opinion, the DIO was substantially better than either for redbook CD playback. Of course system synergy is still the key, and you mileage may vary. . .
