Van Alstine OmegaStar vs Mensa DI/O

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 10 Feb 2003, 02:46 am »

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare these two units head to head? The OmegaStar is a few hundred bucks more, I know, but these seem to be two of the finest convention (ie. non upsampling, 16 bit) DACs available, at least for any sane amount of money?

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Feb 2003, 02:55 am »

I believe the DIO uses oversampling... part of the reason for the low cost, the analog filter is simpler.

Or did you mean something else - ?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Feb 2003, 09:25 am »

I guess my post was a little vague; part of it got deleted when I posted (guess I must have hit something!). I meant the sound quality. How do they compare sound quality wise? I know the OmegaStar is a bit more expensive, but how do the two stack up against each other sound wise?

Eventually, probably around summer, I'll be buying a the best DAC I can afford, which is to say probably around $1k, give or take. I'm interested in the Van Alstine, the Mensa, the Musical Fidelity upsampling DAC, modded MSB Link III, & Bel Canto DAC 2. I'd love a Perpetual Tech combo, but that'll be a bit outta my range, I'm afraid. Now, upsampling/interpolation has some benefits, but within the scope of this post I'm mostly curious how the best true 16 bit units compare soundwise.

Some of the aforementioned units are a bit over a grand, I'm just setting a rough figure for now. Certainly, I will consider standalone CD players like the Shandling or Musical Fidelity upsampling model. But I'd like to use my existing player and just get a better D/A.

Has anyone ever had the chance to compare the Van Alstine and the top of the line modded Art DI/O head to head?

drphoto · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Feb 2003, 11:17 pm »

This isn't an answer to your question, but I think the Stan Warren modded Link is one of the finest sounding DACS for 'sane' money around. I don't know if he's still doing them, but there maybe some on AG (where I got mine) as some of the owners jumped onto modded Phillips SACD units.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 03:55 am »

Yeah, the Link is reputed to be a very fine DAC, when modded. You'd also have the upsampling option to play with, too.

It's just a shame that no one hear has heard both/ noticed my post. I read a very gushing endorsement of the Van Alstine in TAS. They gave it a Golden Ear Award, and claimed it was among the best DACs available at any price. That got my attention.

For now I'm just trying to get some feedback from someone who's personally heard one, even if he/she hasn't heard the ART.

Tyson · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 03:59 am »

I ordered the Transcendance DAC from AVA. I'll be comparing it to the Mensa when it gets in. Whichever one I like better, I'll keep. But it's "really" not a fair comparison considering how much more expensive the AVA DAC is.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 04:02 am »

Thanks, Tyson. That's just what I've been waiting to hear. I'm interested the the SS OmegaStar, but the Transcendence should be similar enough to get me in the ballpark. Yeah, that's spendy, like whay, $1700? Still, I'm curious to see how it compares the the "Einstein" Mensa Art.

jackman · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 04:09 am »

Tyson is correct. If the Mensa is close to the AVA, the Mensa wins because of the price difference. The AVA would have to be a lot better than the Mensa to justify the price difference in my book. I have tried several good DAC's and can tell the difference but it's more subtle than the difference between...let's say...an AVA amp/preamp and some other models I have tried.

That being said, I still can't wait for Tyson's comparison. The Smart DIO is sounding very good on my system. I still find it hard to believe that the Mensa version is better. I really love my Smart DIO! Wayne's M80 IC's have also made my system much more enjoyable. I tried to get off on the cheap with some less expensive IC's but the M80s had a smoothness that I could really hear. Damn!

Adios,
Jman

Jay S · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 04:16 am »

Jack,

I had the smART and have the MENSA. I think the smART could have an advantage in a more laid-back system as, from memory, I believe it sounded a bit more aggressive than the Mensa. I find the Mensa to have a more neutral and natural presentation overall, though. I'm looking forward to Wayne's latest tweak/refinement.

JoshK · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Feb 2003, 03:46 pm »

I too would be interested in AVA Transcedence vs the Mensa DAC comparison. I have been eyeing the Transcedence DAC for a while. After having the Audio Note CD3.1x in my system for a while (by the way, the best CD player I have heard in my somewhat limited experience, but far better than the BAT VK5 or the Naim CDX or my Sony XA777). I really like the AN sound and am interested in getting the 2.1 balanced DAC but I'd like some comparisons which are hard to come by. I think it seems like Dan Wright's modded P3A should be in this list too.

TV Man · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Feb 2003, 05:15 pm »

Hi all,

I haven't heard the D/IO so can't comment on that, but do own the SS omegastar DAC. It's the best digital I've heard so far. It sent my Heart CD-6000 into early retirement and also beat up on a Monarchy 18B with piggybacked DAC chips. All in all the vA DAC has a smooth very refined sound. I didn't realize my Heart was harsh sounding until I bought the vA

It is a real nice unit... I'm thinking about going with the Transcendence upgrade later this year. Frank vanAlstine and his designer have some good ears.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 10:18 pm »

I have heard Van Alstine's DAC at a Chicago Audio Society meeting. I can say it impressed me in a very favorable way.

Tyson · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 10:29 pm »

I now have the Transcendance Dac and a smArt DIO. Review will be in a week or 2.

jackman · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 11:23 pm »

You are such a teese...

J

Rocket · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 01:18 am »

hello,

why not buy a perpetual technologies p3a dac with modwright level 1 or 2 modifications. level 1 can be bought direct from hello simply hifi for about $879us.

regards

rod

ps i have a stock p3a and it is quite good.

Marbles · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 01:24 am »

Quote from: Rocket

hello,

why not buy a perpetual technologies p3a dac with modwright level 1 or 2 modifications. level 1 can be bought direct from hello simply hifi for about $879us.

regards

rod

ps i have a stock p3a and it is quite good.

Rod,

The PT P3a is a nice DAC especially with the Modwright mods, but Hello simply assholes is not the right people to buy from unless you like dealing with the rudest people I've ever encountered.

Oh yeah, my "crime" was to enquire about an unmodded PT from them...

If you want to have a personalized pornolized email, just send Hello simply assholes an email and presto in a day or two one will show up in your inbox

(it should be known that I emailed Hello Simply Music, the audiogon arm of Hello simply HI-fi)

doug s. · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 05:43 am »

john r - the di/o does *not* upsample - it *will* accept, and convert to analog, any signal from 32khz to 100khz, tho...

marbles - re: hsm, that sounds almost carbon-copy like an experience *i* had w/hsm. hmmm...

doug s.

Rocket · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 05:58 am »

hello marbles,

thanks for the heads up i won't bother with hello simply hifi. i can't afford to deal with a company with poor service, i live too far away to complain if there is a problem with the product.

regards

rod

jackman · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 02:58 pm »

Rocket,
Give Dan Wright a call. I believe he has a modded unit for sale at a very good price. You will get great service from Dan. He is very honest man and very helpful. The modded P3A is the best digital source I have ever heard. For the money, the DIO is hard to beat but if you can afford it, the P3A modded by Dan is awesome.

J

jackman · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 02:58 pm »

Rocket,
Give Dan Wright a call. I believe he has a modded unit for sale at a very good price. You will get great service from Dan. He is very honest man and very helpful. The modded P3A is the best digital source I have ever heard. For the money, the DIO is hard to beat but if you can afford it, the P3A modded by Dan is awesome.

J