Here's a review, in case you hadn't already read it:
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Audiophile Review!
Audio-By-Van Alstine
Vision Hybrid DAC
Digital Converter
Brevis...
Retail Price:$1,995
Likes: smooth, detailed sonics;
Dislikes: No headphone amp
More info: AVA Vision DAC
by John Gatski
Frank Van Alstine is noted for his no-frills superb sounding, hand-built amplifiers
and preamps, as well as his long-running upgrade mods to classic Dynaco gear. But
he also realizes that the hi-fi world is firmly rooted in the digital. Hence, his series
of D/A converters, including the Vision DAC Hybrid reviewed here, follows the
pattern of his well-regarded analog components.
The Vision Hybrid DAC, priced at $1,995, that I tested here is a hybrid tube/solidstate
analog-to-digital converter that offers a silky smooth approach to DACs. Plug
in a digital signal via TOSlink or SPDIF — up to 24/bit 192 kHz — and connect the
RCA outputs to your preamp and play music.
Features
Compared to other converters that have USB inputs, SD card readers, etc., the
AVA Vision Hybrid DAC is kind of old school; it sports an off/on switch, digital
selector on the front panel, two SPDIF and two Toslink inputs, and one set of RCA
output jacks on the back. That’s it — not even a headphone amp. Its AVA family
resemblance is instantly recognizable — with its simple, black metal chassis and
vented top panel. Although my review unit came with a fixed two-prong power
cord, AVA now offers three-prong, detachable IEC cords as standard. The AVA DAC
also is equipped with three accessory outlets, circa 1960s style, for two-prong AC
products, such as a preamp, etc. I used the handy feature for plugging in a LCD for
BD player reference.
All AVA products are sold direct from the factory to the customer. I have found
that AVA can turn out an ordered product in just a few weeks, depending on
demand.
Inside, the DAC is a clean, hand-assembled assortment of parts that ultimately
allows this Vision Hybrid DAC to convert 1s and 0s into some seriously real sounding
music. The heart of the design is a Wolfson 8742 DAC chip set — for
synchronous digital conversion duties — and its premium analog components,
including a pair of Russian 6CG7 tubes operated in a hi-current, medium-mu circuit
in the analog output. The DAC’s analog filter also runs through the tube stage.
Although it may look pedestrian in its appearance, the Audio-by Van Alstine Vision
Hybrid DAC is a terrific sounding, no-frills D/A converter. Its performance ranks up
there with those costing considerably more money.
The Vision Hybrid DAC has eleven regulated power supplies, including separate
regulated power supplies for the tube heater circuits, the digital circuits and an
independent high-voltage, high-current, analog regulated power supply for each
plate of each tube and each power MOSFET used in AVA’s patented transimpedance
amplifier sections. The DAC handles any sample rate up to 192 khz,
though you have to remove the cover to access the highest sampling frequency.
The factory-set, jumper setting enables up to 96 kHz.
AVA also offers the solid state, one RCA coax input Vision DAC and the four-input
Vision EC DAC with an XLR balanced line output option. Unfortunately, the Vision
DAC Hybrid does not get the XLR output at this time. Frank Van Alstine said that
the Hybrid may get the balanced option in the future.
All Vision DACs can be optioned for extra gain, via additional components in the
analog stage. My unit did not have the gain option, but I did notice that its output
was several dB down versus the other DACs I was using. My preamp could make up
for the decreased gain, but those with low-gain or passive preamps may want to
opt for the extra output.
The setup
I connected the Vision Hybrid DAC to my primary audiophile system, as well as my
home recording rig, using an Apple Macbook Pro as the source. Music ranged from
well-recorded CDs, home-recorded jazz and acoustic guitar music, HD Tracks 24 bit
downloads, DVD-Audio discs and hi-res Blu-rays.
For comparison, I had on hand my Benchmark DAC1 Pre, Lavry DA10, and the
internal converters of the Oppo BDP-95 and Esoteric DV-50 universal players. I
used an AVA EC hybrid preamp for headphone listening, via a set of AKG K701
headphones, and a Coda preamp for feeding the line signal to the amp for speaker
listening. The big monitoring system included a Pass Labs X-350.5 amplifier, and
Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers wired with Alpha-Core solid silver cables. All IEC
cord components were plugged into an Essential Sound Products Essence power
strip using Essence power cords.
Since the Vision Hybrid DAC uses vacuum tubes, I turned on the unit and let it
burn in for a few days. Listening to the noise floor via the headphones and the AVA
EC preamp's headphone amp, the Russian Electro-Harmonix tubes were extremely
quiet.
For comparison, I used the Oppo BDP-95 as the source (up to 192 kHz/ 24-bit
from the digital output), feeding the Vision DAC and one of the other test DACs,
which were connected to the AVA EC or Legacy/Coda preamp.
The AVA DAC output was several decibels lower in output level, so I adjusted the
variable volume control of the Lavry and Benchmark, using test tones and a level
meter for reference to match their output levels.
The audition
First up, I chose the “Carnival” track from the Natalie Merchant — Tigerlily DVDA,
a 24-bit transfer of an original 1990s analog recording. The opening minute has
a warm, yet open, detailed intro of bass, electric guitar and drums. I always listen
to the drum cymbals with a tested product to see how much of the room ambiance
and the width of the transients get translated through the electronics and to the
speakers. Most good DACs decode that extra degree of detail and realism of the
recorded track without it sounding unnatural; lesser converters can blur it slightly.
The Vision Hybrid DAC’s ability to relay those drum cymbal transients and the
separation of the other instruments in the mix was as good as most other
converters I have heard in the $2,000 to $3,000 price range. And thanks to the
tube/MOSFET circuit in the analog path, the AVA’s sound was ultra-smooth, not a
hint of harshness.
But the Vision Hybrid DAC presented the 2L music, especially the cut Andreas Andre,
with incredible precision and snap-to-attention transients; it was never harsh or
overblown. In my opinion, this converter can hang with the best of them.
Although it is tough to hear major differences between quality converters when the
levels are precisely matched, the Benchmark’s sound was smooth, but slightly more
analytical and tight; the Lavry a little less smooth. Compared to the first-generation
Esoteric DV-50s up-sampling PCM converters, the Vision DAC was smoother by far.
The Oppo BDP-95 exhibited a clean smoothness to its aural palette as well, but I
liked the width and depth of the AVA’s stereo playback just a touch more.
Noting this soothing quality of the Vision DAC, I popped in the Fleetwood Mac —
Rumours DVD-A, which has considerable high-frequency energy and can sound a
little course through lesser converters. Again, the Vision Hybrid DAC showed its
stuff, with a highly listenable, upper-end texture that befits such a classic
recording. The track "Oh Daddy" was particularly noteworthy.
Next up, was some high-res world music from the 2L music Blu-ray label. The
drums and vocal Jieant — Mirta album is an expansive drum and vocal
performance with tremendous detail, width and dynamic range at 24-bit 192 kHz.
With the right system, it can sound like it is literally in the room. I have found that
with marginal, mostly low-cost blu-ray players, the stereo image width shrinks a bit
and is not quite as full as with really good converters.
But the Vision Hybrid DAC presented the 2L music, especially the cut "Andreas
Andre," with incredible precision and snap-to-attention transients; it was never
harsh or overblown. In my opinion, this converter can hang with the best of them.
The observed sonic characteristics were confirmed via headphone listening as well.
Through the AVA EC preamp, I could hear the width and depth. Plus the lack of
harshness in the dynamic parts enabled me to really dial-in on the low level detail
via the AKG K701s.
On playback of my home brew acoustic guitar music, recorded via a TASCAM
HDP2 Flash recorder, a Benchmark ADC1 A/D front end, True Systems P2 stereo
mic preamp and a pair of Shure KSM141 microphones, the high-res playback
tracks were terrific through the AVA Vision DAC Hybrid. The result was a spacious,
open, 24-bit sound with plenty of plucked string transient detail and subtle room
reverb from my Martin J-40 rosewood, sitka spruce top guitar. I was really
impressed with the Vision DAC's lack of noise. Tube grading and a well-designed
circuit that includes a tube stage analog filter really works.
Vision DAC Tube Section
I have only a few gripes about the Vision Hybrid DAC. I wish it had a headphone
amp. AVA offers the Vision DAC Preamp, a combo of the solid-state Insight preamp
and Vision DAC, but it does not have the upgraded parts and tube stage of the solo
Vision Hybrid DAC. And how about a front-panel switch to select the 192 kHz mode
— instead of having to remove the Torx screws, pull the cover and move a jumper.
Lastly, the XLR output option is not available on the Vision DAC Hybrid, only the
Vision DAC EC.
Some audiophiles may wish for a USB connection, but Frank Van Alstine says he
does not want to get into the software support side of the biz by having to create
audio drivers for his products. He said that audio accessory companies manufacture
USB-to-TOSlink adapters that can allow for USB connection to the Vision Hybrid
DAC, or just use it with a computer that has Toslink or SPDIF connections on a
sound card.
When it comes to pricing some may feel that $2,000 is a lot of money for a basic
line DAC. However, the two-grand price tag does not bother me. It is, afterall,
made in USA, and the build is exemplary.
The verdict
Although it may look pedestrian in its appearance, the Audio-by Van Alstine Vision
Hybrid DAC is a terrific sounding, no-frills D/A converter. Its performance ranks up
there with those costing considerably more money. The detailed, yet ultra-smooth,
sonic delivery with CD, high-bit rate DVD-As, web audio downloads and Blu-rays
make it a contender for those want a quality line-level DAC. I see an Everything
Audio Network Stellar Sound Award for this Vision DAC.
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Posted by John Gatski at 9:51 AM
