Birdland Audio Odeon-Ag with Reclocker

earlmarc · « **on:** 13 Oct 2003, 01:03 am »

I have enjoyed reading many reviews on this forum regarding high performing DACs on the cheap. I am especially intrigued by a new Ack Dack Chris will be releasing shortly. I wonder if any of our members have had an oppurtunity to audition the new Odeon-Ag DAC from Birdland Audio? After much research I have narrowed my choices of DACs between the following:
1. Birdland Audio Odeon-Ag with Reclocker
2. Chris Own Ack Dack (New Version)
3. Perpetual Technology P-3A with Full Mod. from Empirical Audio
Any suggestions or information about these DACs would be appreciated. Thank You.

vpolineni · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Oct 2003, 01:09 am »

the channel islands audio dac has received great praise as well.. look in their forum and at www.stereotimes.com

earlmarc · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Oct 2003, 01:15 am »

I think the Channel Island is a good DAC competitive with the MSB Link DAC III, however, I don't think its near the level of the DACs I mentioned.

vpolineni · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Oct 2003, 01:35 am »

check out the empirical audio modded p-3a.. that is definitely in the list of others mentioned.

playntheblues · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Dec 2003, 10:31 pm »

I also would be very interested in comparing the Birdland, dAck, and the Bel Canto Dac 2. Anybody here had a chance to compare these three? Thanks and all the best, Guy

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 12:12 am »

This is somewhat relavent...

I will be comparing my Electrocompaniet ECD-1 to the Birdland w/ clock upgrade sometime in the next week.

I have already compared the ECD-1 to a Modwright P3-A w/ upgraded power supply, Audio Note CD 3.1x cd player, Metronome CD 2V Signature cd player, Naim CD5 + flatcap II PS.

In all cases I thought the ECD-1 was more involving and pulled you into the music. It is clean and natural sounding with a very well balanced sound throughout the the whole music spectrum.

A fellow AudioCircle member will be comparing the ECD-1 to the Empirical P3-A w/ clock II upgrade. Depending on how that goes, I might have to get that in for a listen as well.

Keep you posted.

GW

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 12:46 am »

Thanks George,
Actually all these players listed are ones I am either interested in or are my reference with which to compare.

Marbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 01:08 am »

In the past two weeks I have had the:

Ack!, Scott Nixon TubeDac and Empirical P3a (got the Tubedac Monday and the Empirical today)

Previously (in the last 3 months) I have had the Bolder Mensa Plus D/IO, and a Stan Warren modded Aiwa/MSB.

In order of preference for me in my system it would be:

Empirical P3a
Scott Nixon TubeDac ..... Stan Warren Aiwa/MSB tie
Bolder Mensa Plus
Ack! *

*There must have be an incompatiblity in my system with this low output dac.

The Empirical stands above the rest by a good bit in my system, but it's also MUCH more expensive.

Notes, the Tubedac only has 3 days break in on it.
the Ack! had a week break in
The rest were well broken in.
I also use an Empirical modded Sony DVP S7700 as a transport.

I could easily live with this Empirical modded P3a with Superclock (not 2) for a VERY long time.

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 01:11 am »

Marbles,

How about getting that ECD-1 for comparison?

I can't remember, what is the cost of the Empirical P3-A?

GW

Marbles · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 01:21 am »

Quote from: zybar

Marbles,

How about getting that ECD-1 for comparison?

I can't remember, what is the cost of the Empirical P3-A?

GW

The ECD-1 has the same digital upsampling as the P3a. Also I'm in the middle of no where and it is tough to find a dealer for it.

On the cost, I'm not sure, I've emailed Steve to find out exactly how much this demo unit would be.

From his website:

Turbomod only - $680
(works if you already have ModWright Level2)

Mod I and Turbomod - $980
(starting from a factory P-3A)

Superclock with installation - $200 (limited Quantities)

Superclock2 with installation - $377

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/frmods.html#Perpetual Technologies P-3A Mods

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 01:25 am »

For some reason I thought you were somehow getting the ECD-1 in from a friend or relative

I think cost wise, it might actually be cheaper for me to just get the ECD-1 modified if I think the Empirical P3-A is better...

I will talk to Steve.

BTW, I opted to get the Jensen caps in the S-7700. Which caps do you have in yours?

GW

Marbles · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 01:35 am »

I have no idea which caps

First Dan Wright worked on it, then it went to Steve. I didn't have a choice at that time. I guess I should ask Steve.

audioengr · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 04:08 am »

Rob - Glad you are liking the P-3A with mods. I actually have someone queued-up waiting for the demo DAC as soon as you can free it up.

If you like the Clock mod that is in the demo DAC, I have one of these left. After that one is taken, subsequent clock upgrades will be Superclock2. I am also planning to demo a Tent clock as an alternative to the Superclock2, which is a bit expensive.

The DAC pricing is:

Used stock DAC - ~$400
Turbomod - $980
Demo DAC Clock upgrade installed - $200
Total ~ $1580

The Superclock2 is $377 installed, so the total would be $1757

audioengr · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 04:10 am »

Zybar - Marbles has the large Black Gate cap in his 7700, not the Jensen.

Marbles · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 12:59 pm »

What sonic difference is there between the Superclock and the Superclock2?

audioengr · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 05:18 pm »

The Superclock2 is slightly better focused, a little more liquid sounding too.

Ferdi · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 11:50 pm »

Hi, not sure this adds much.

One difference of the Tent Clock over the Superclock is that it has optimization circuitry for SPDIF. That should make for a better digital connection. That is at least true when it is built into a CDP. Not sure this is true in a DAC.

On the Tent clock used just as a clock: I have one in my CDP and am very happy with it. I have never compared it with any of the other well-known clocks though.

Ferdi