[RadioWonder]

Great read...

[strat95]

strat95, you might want to try rereading the posts in the thread a little more carefully.  This thread is about the brand new Vision Hybrid DAC (which isn't the Ultra (hybrid) DAC, or the completely solid state Vision DACs).

I have read the posts quite thoroughly.  There may be a brand new Vision Hybrid DAC, but there is no mention of it on the AVA website.  It is only mentioned in this thread and the unrelated post by Frank (as far as I have found).  And Frank usually posts sticky threads of new products, but not for the Vision Hybrid DAC.  No formal announcement yet there is a DAC that costs $1999 and based on Frank's methods, it must perform better than the plain old Vision DAC otherwise it would not cost more.  I was ready to buy the Vision DAC nearing the end of the 15% sale until I saw this thread.  I'm glad I didn't because I would prefer the better performing product... the one with very little information made available.  I would have preferred even more the better product with the 15% savings.

Ted

[Tone Depth]

To find some mentions of the new Vision Hybrid DAC search the AVA board, or the entire AC site, and you'll find more than a few.  The AVA website updates don't always keep up with the circle announcements.  Hope this helps.  Best thing to do is to just call or PM Frank with your questions.

[modular747]

Frank first described it here (his 2nd post on the page):

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=86099.0

[tamiller]

I'm wondering if anyone has done comparisons to other similarly priced DACs?  For example, Wyred4Sound, Peachtree, etc.

[Tone Depth]

The Vision Hybrid DAC is quite new.  There may have been a number of indirect comparisons done at RMAF, as people moved from the AVA room to rooms with other dacs. 

Oh, and Frank compared it to at least the ESS Sabre, if not others.  He might just be your best resource to call.

I'm wondering if anyone has done comparisons to other similarly priced DACs?  For example, Wyred4Sound, Peachtree, etc.

[pansixt]

I ordered the Vision EC DAC nearing the end of the sale.
At that time I hadn't caught any of the mentions of the Vision Hybrid.
The Vision EC with the sale is a little over 1100.
As the additional cost of the Hybrid would have still put it out of my reach, it wouldn't have changed my purchase.
Now that I think about it, I'm kind of glad I didn't know at that time.
Frank is great about us trading up. So, in a few months I will seriously consider the Vision Hybrid DAC.
Hope it gets here soon.

[Tone Depth]

My new AVA Vision Hybrid DAC replaces an AVA Insight+ DAC that had been my system since 4/9/09, the shortest time any component has been in my system.  I've been listening to my new AVA Vision Hybrid DAC in my stereo system off and on for the past four days, using only Redbook 44/16 material.  My initial impressions are that I seem to hear more and more of the music Top to Bottom with each successive listening session. 

It is even easier to hear each individual wind chime bar when played.  I hear the triangle tones and overtones more clearly.  I'm hearing more detail with a brush circling on a snare head.  Rim shots and block hits catch my attention when I'm reading, and I realize that they sound real.  The highest notes on the piano and their overtones come through clearly with no edge.  The midrange is so seductive, I find myself having a difficult time maintaining concentration for critical listening, and instead immerse myself enjoying the music enveloping me.  The bass range tones I hear are very clearly balanced over the duration of the attack and decay dynamics of bass drums, talking drums, double basses.

I sometimes like to turn my music up, but often get comments from my wife and daughter to turn the volume down.  I'm not sure if they are reacting to the sound pressure levels, or are hearing some distortion that I don't hear.  With the Vision Hybrid DAC in the system, I don't seem to get the same comments. 

I am a very pleased customer, and intend to do a comparison between the Insight+ and Vision Hybrid DACs in the near future.  Stay tuned.

Comparison link:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=91929.0

[WGH]

Yesterday Tone Depth brought his brand new Vision Hybrid DAC over to compare to my Insight+ DAC. The differences were easy to hear. The Vision has a smoother, less sharp presentation, to describe the sound in one work would be clear. The Vision is not laid back like a NOS DAC but has the same ease of presentation, since there is no edginess the volume kept creeping up because it sounds so good. Music at the high and low end of the musical spectrum sounded the same but in the all important midrange notes were clearly delineated and vocals were easier to understand compared to the Insight.

The Insight is still a great DAC and my test attenuator brings it one step closer to the Vision's sound but the Vision still has it beat. I would still like to try the Vision with a proper 75 ohm attenuator but for now I would say none is needed, the quick test with what I have on hand right now kind of sucked the life out of the music.

The Vision Hybrid is the best DAC I have ever heard. Well done Frank! 

Wayne

[Tone Depth]

Not a creature was stirring, my daughter had settled in to her bed for the night, and my wife was out of town travelling.  So I loaded up some CDs, I grabbed my headphones, and settled down for a listen; through my transport, Vision Hybrid DAC, and Insight+ preamp. 

I adjusted the volume so I could just hear the quiet passages, and among the songs were Bernadette Peters with her a cappella opening to "Blackbird", Nils Lofgren "Keith Don't Go", and Stevie Ray Vaughan "Tin Pan Alley".  Recent experience with the Vision Hybrid DAC had taught me to not turn up the volume to just below the point where I started hearing distortion, because I probably wouldn't hear it before blowing out my eardrums.

I must have closed my eyes.  So Bernadette was just beginning to sing, and I turned my head to the side because I heard someone in the audience making a little noise, and no one was there, no audience, no concert hall.  Oh yeah, I forgot where I was.  Her voice was phenomenal, and then the rest of the ensemble joined in, amazing. 

On "Keith Don't Go", Nils' Takamine guitar sounded perfectly in tune, and balanced with his voice.  Part way through the song when he starts playing harmonics on his strings, no breakup of tone, no digital glare edginess, just a real guitar playing sweetly.

A touch of SRV blues with "Tin Pan Alley" further reinforced the emotions of well-recorded live performances, when you're not distracted by little bits of distortion.

My listening session continued for over two hours, and no fatigue noticed through the headphone listening.  I capped this session off listening to Aretha Franklin singing "Mary, Don't You Weep", and enjoying the trip I had been taken on via the Vision Hybrid DAC.  No, I didn't have the 3D imaging I hear through my speakers, it didn't matter, but I don't recall ever hearing performances through headphones like I did tonight.

Another data point for this fantastic DAC, and another winner for Frank and the AVA crew!

[martyo]

Thanks for the impressions. They mean a lot now that you are a full member again.

[Tone Depth]

Thanks for the validation.