[Tyson]

Jerry came over today to give a bit of a listen to my system, and to do a little shootout between the Mensa Plus DAC and his Musical Fidelity A3^24 DAC.  I thought I would post my thoughts and hopefully he will add his own when he gets a chance.  My system consists of:

VMPS RM40's (w/Auricap crossover and dual spiral tweeters)
Bolder Cables Nitro speaker wire with Bybee'd Bi-wire Jumpers
Audio by Van Alstine FetValve 550ex amp
Bolder Cables Bybee'd Nitro Interconnects
Audio by Van Alstine Transcendance 7 preamp
nOrh CD-1 transport
Bolder Cables Power Bar

Lots of music was used throughout the day, but the primary tracks used in the shootout were:
Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
Dianna Krall - My Love

Switching was done in an A->B->A format.  All switching was done by me.  Since after I switched I went and sat somewhat outside of the sweet spot, I will keep my comments brief.

The Mensa had a deeper bass response, and the bass was more percussive, a more tactile sensation.  In fact, dynamics overall were better through the Mensa.  The A3^24 had a lighter overall tonal balance, with the upper mids being slightly emphasized, and not as forceful in the bass area.  Air and ambiance, decay of notes were slightly better through the Mensa.  Tonal balance and presentation was weighter w/the Mensa, but detail was about the same on both players.  I would also say they were equally smooth, but the A3^24 had a bit more "haze" in the mids low treble, causing instruments and voices to blend together a little bit.  The Mensa was able to present voices and instruments in that range seperated and distinct a bit better.  Lest you think I'm bagging on the A3^24, let me say I think it is an excellent DAC, and if memory serves, it sounds darn near identical to the Channel Islands DAC that I've heard a few times (brad b owns one here in Denver).  That's about all I can really say, hopefully Jerry will chime in as well.

I do think Jerry was also impressed with the balanced and very musical sound I'm able to get of the 40's in a "less than optimal" room, and the AVA 550ex and T7 seem to be a just about perfect match to the big 40's.  He confirmed I do indeed get a much deeper bass response in my room than he is getting in his, but on the other hand, he gets a much more slamming, physical, percussive midbass that I'm totally envious of.  Whether that's a result of the different room response, or the extra current the huge power supply of the JC-1, or a result of the upgraded power supply that his AVA T7 has, is hard to say.  Hopefully in the near future we will get to do a comparison between my stock AVA T7 preamp, and his T7 with the upgraded power supply, which is supposed on increase dynamics considerably.

Anyway, most of the rest of the afternoon, we just hung out talking and listening to tunes.  Jerry also likes classical music a lot, and it was nice to be able to bust out the Brahms, Rachmaninov, and Saint-Saens discs that I normally don't get a chance to share . . . I know I had a good time today, and I hope Jerry did as well.

[Jay S]

Interesting stuff.  Sounds like the MF could use a few tweaks to improve its power supply (?).  

What power supply are you using on your Mensa Plus?  I wonder if I should upgrade mine with the NITRO wire.

[Tyson]

Jay S, I'd agree, but the MF was HEAVY for a DAC.  I think it probably has a pretty stout power supply already.

Of course I have the Bolder power supply with the Nitro cord - living in the same town as the manufacturer just makes it TOO tempting to get all the latest and greatest goodies

[Jay S]

Of course I have the Bolder power supply with the Nitro cord - living in the same town as the manufacturer just makes it TOO tempting to get all the latest and greatest goodies

GRR, GRR, GRRR!!!  

Really, my DI/O has accumulated so many air miles that if it were a person it could probably fly trans-pacific for free!  I'll hunt around to see if I have a wall wart power supply lying around that I can use on the DI/O if I decide to ship the power supply back to Wayne.  

I'm getting a Bybee NITRO power cord soon to use on my power filter.  I wonder, will the Bybee in my DI/O's power supply add much if I already have a Bybee further upstream?

[Wayne1]

Jay,

Tyson's power supply has a Bybee in it and the NITRO power cable. That is also what is going around in the audition pack.

He plugs it into a three Bybee power bar, so there are two Bybees upstream of the DI/O transformer in the line, one in the neutral and one after. It doesn't seem to hurt the sound

Tyson, I want to thank you and Jerry for spending such a lovely afternoon inside listening to DAC's and music.  I always appreciate your comments on audio gear.

[Turk]

It was a very nice afternoon listening to music at Tysons.  I think we did the first couple of hours comparing the two DACs and the rest just drinking coffee and enjoying his system.  Tyson's impressions are accurate from my perspective.  I have enjoyed the MF DAC a great deal, and in a system that is dark it is still worth a listen...Vienna Acoustic Mahlers on Rowland electronics, for example.  But I clearly liked the presentation of the Mensa+ better.  Understand, I did not go into this session believing the Mensa + would be more to my liking than the MF.  

The Mensa is very neutral, very focused, has tighter bass and the ability to create images of greater density...look out Sam Tellig.   As soon as my Mensa 1/2+(don't ask), is broken-in I am going to test Tyson's observation  on the Mensa's ability to sort out instrumental lines at HIGH volume (too much Black Sabbath on a Phase Linear 700 and Klipsch speakers in my '20s).

Tyson's system is really tuned, not tweaked--no crystals, pyramids or wart hog eyeballs dangling from the volume control, although the Teddy Bears used to control ceiling reflections were a touch off-center, to a "T".   Balanced, wonderful imaging, very good lower bass.   Until we resolve the issue of variables, I give the clear edge to the JC-1s in macro dynamics.  In all other respects, the Fet Valves are incredible bargains.  Frank, break out the BIG power supply and take your customers the last step.

By the way, Wayne is really making me a believer on the Bybees and his wire.  I am looking forward to the Bybee Nitro interconnects, speaker cables and digital link.  The best digital cable I have heard..I bought it...is the Nirvana at 3X the price of the Bolder, it has been my reference for 2years.  Based on the brief audition of the Nitro I am purchasing one and will let you know what I find after extended listening to the two.    







   

[Marbles]

As soon as my Mensa 1/2+(don't ask), is broken-in I am going to test Tyson's observation on the Mensa's ability to sort out instrumental lines at HIGH volume (too much Black Sabbath on a Phase Linear 700 and Klipsch speakers in my '20s).

Sorry, I have to ask...

What's the 1/2+ variation???

[Turk]

Marbles,

I ordered a Mensa from Wayne.  He inadvertantly started to build a Mensa +, caught it after he had done some of the Mensa + mods and then shipped it with the partial upgrade at no charge.  Hence the 1/2.

[Jay S]

Turk,

It happens!  Mine was the prototype Mensa, so actually lacked a few mods that made it into the production version of the Mensa.  So maybe mine with the Mensa 0.75!     It has since been upgraded to full Mensa Plus level.