Audiosector NOS DAC

MttBsh · « **on:** 10 Jun 2011, 06:03 pm »

I've owned an Audisector DAC now for a couple of years and it is an amazing performer. I bought it used for about $300. It can be bought as a kit (around $280) or already built. The feedback on this DAC has been consistently positive, many claim it outperforms $1000 DACs.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:rNFGIVKIs1sJ:www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php%3F34813-Audiosector-NOS-DAC+audiosector+dac&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?50394-Audiosector-DAC

I haven't seen it mentioned here, so I'm curious if anyone has compared it to any of the newer crop of DACs discussed here - for the money I think it would be pretty tough to beat.

RCduck7 · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jun 2011, 06:05 pm »

I also play my music through a NOS dac, it is a Metrum Acoustics mini Quad DAC, i started a topic about this DAC weeks ago. I'm not saying every NOS dac is good but it was also better then my DacMagic. This DAC featured in a multitest with DAC's costing 3 times it's price and held it's own against the Eastern Electric minimax DAC wich came only just on top in comparison, the Eastern Electric was a touch better with voices. Not bad considering the Metrum DAC costs 3 times less then the Easter Electric DAC. I haven't heard the Eastern Electric DAC but it is the reference DAC for many people it seems. The Question i ask myself, would the Audiosector DAC outperform the Eastern Electric DAC?

MttBsh · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 03:08 pm »

Funny, I have the exact same question... I've had my eye on the EE DAC for a while and understand an upgraded version is due to be released in September. The Audiosector DAC apparently remains under the radar - I've seen no response from anyone comparing it to any of the newer DACs that have generated hundreds of comments/reviews on this site. But lack of hype may not be a bad thing. I view the DAC as a unknown gem that may in fact compare very favorably to the EE, Audio-GD series, WFS, db, etc. I'll probably take the plunge myself in Sept to find out and will report back.

wushuliu · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 04:28 pm »

The eastern is with sabre chip right? I would expect that they'd be almost apples and oranges. Kind of like mushrooms v. Acid given the sound qualities ascribed to both chips.

viggen · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 04:38 pm »

I've the Audio Sector USB DAC and compared with a Peachtree Decco2 with Sabre DAC when used only as a DAC. It's true that they don't sound anything alike. I much prefer the Audio Sector's sound. The Decco2's DAC sounded unnaturally airy. Many might like this trait. Decco2's implementation of the Sabre DAC might not be close to ideal. However, I am not a fan of it's sonic characteristics.

MttBsh · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 04:51 pm »

I always thought that shrooms were a little less detailed in their presentation, but more organic, emotional and a possess a sweeter tone. They also win in the soundstage dpt - a more 3D out of body experience.

Acid is brighter and more forward, more amped/exciting and does colors really well - .

I guess in the end it comes down to choosing your own poison... a matter of personal preference.

Not sure whether the sabre chip is more shroomy or acidy. This could make for a very interesting thread.....

TJHUB · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 05:05 pm »

A forum member shipped me his Audiosector NOS DAC to listen to about a year ago. At the time, I compared it to a PS Audio DLIII and a Music Hall DAC 25.2. I could not find any love for the Audiosector in my setup. It sounded lifeless to me. To keep it simple, I had to strain to hear details and I remember the sound stage being small.

My opinion was shared by a friend that listened with me on a separate occasion.

MttBsh · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 05:53 pm »

TJHUB - the Audiosector DAC sounds anything but "lifeless" in my setup, and it was a huge improvement on soundstage over my prior Scott Nixon tubedac - but of course it's all relative - and I read with interest the thread someone hijacked from you on AVS forum - sounds like the Music Hall DAC 25.1 really excells in the soundstage dpt, especially with the right tube. This is great to hear. Thanks for providing the comparison.

TJHUB · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 06:05 pm »

Quote from: MttBsh on 16 Jun 2011, 05:53 pm

TJHUB - the Audiosector DAC sounds anything but "lifeless" in my setup, and it was a huge improvement on soundstage over my prior Scott Nixon tubedac - but of course it's all relative - and I read with interest the thread someone hijacked from you on AVS forum - sounds like the Music Hall DAC 25.1 really excells in the soundstage dpt, especially with the right tube. This is great to hear. Thanks for providing the comparison.

It is all relative. I really wanted to like that Audiosector DAC, but it just didn't work for my setup. At least I got to hear it in MY setup, which is always great. I spent a little over a week with it.

AVS...yeah... One thing I love about Audio Circle is that you can talk audio honestly. Having any type of DAC discussion on AVS is an impossibility! I met some great friends through AVS, but it is difficult to be a member there.

My Music Hall DAC is completely different for me now as I no longer use the tube output. As a matter of fact, I don't even have a tube installed in the DAC. Since upgrading the DAC with Burson opamps (and some other things), I really like the solid state output. My setup is really working well right now and I should leave it alone, but that doesn't seem possible.

I'm watching for an affordable hi-rez DAC (maybe USB) that I could pair with that little Linux Voyage MPD box.

genjamon · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 06:21 pm »

I had the Audiosector for a brief time about two and a half years ago. I was running Omega 8" Hemptones at the time with a Red Wine 30.2 integrated amp. I had a DDDAC at the time, and I found the Audiosector to be very smooth, but much less detail/resolution than I would like and I found the bass fairly bloated. I don't remember soundstage specifically, but I could easily believe it was not as large as other DACs I had heard. The price is right, but I have a hard time believing it would best significantly more expensive DACs.

I currently have a Tranquility SE, and I can say without one bit of hesitation that there would be no comparison in any category between the Audiosector and it.

pardales · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 06:25 pm »

Quote from: genjamon on 16 Jun 2011, 06:21 pm

I had the Audiosector for a brief time about two and a half years ago. I was running Omega 8" Hemptones at the time with a Red Wine 30.2 integrated amp. I had a DDDAC at the time, and I found the Audiosector to be very smooth, but much less detail/resolution than I would like and I found the bass fairly bloated. I don't remember soundstage specifically, but I could easily believe it was not as large as other DACs I had heard. The price is right, but I have a hard time believing it would best significantly more expensive DACs.

I currently have a Tranquility SE, and I can say without one bit of hesitation that there would be no comparison in any category between the Audiosector and it.

Similar story for me. Great DAC for the money but not really in the same league as even the stock Tranquility.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 07:05 pm »

I still have my NOS dac built using Peter's boards. It's a nice little dac for the money, but as others have said, it is really for a second tier system where you are not critically listening. I listened to several other NOS dacs and they all had a similar flavor (with the exception of pure Philips 1541 designs). Still they lack resolution and are just smooth sounding, which is why many compared them to analogue.

Nowadays you can have both for not much more money. So to each his/her own. I've thought about selling mine from time to time but there is always a system where you can place an easy to listen to dac.

wushuliu · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 07:21 pm »

Oooh, that's a beaut!

wushuliu · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 07:22 pm »

Quote from: MttBsh on 16 Jun 2011, 04:51 pm

I always thought that shrooms were a little less detailed in their presentation, but more organic, emotional and a possess a sweeter tone. They also win in the soundstage dpt - a more 3D out of body experience.

Acid is brighter and more forward, more amped/exciting and does colors really well - .

We're on the same page, maaan!

PSP · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 11:29 pm »

I have had my Audiosector S/PDIF NOS DAC (with transformer and Blackgate options) for almost three years. Initially my digital source was a Denon CD player, currently I'm running:

iTunes(AIFF)/mac mini--ethernet-->SB Touch --> Audiosector DAC into an Aspen GK-1R preamp.

The amps driving the Orions are all Aspen LifeForce (tweeters and mids) or AKSA 100 (woofers). In this system, the Audiosector makes incredible music. Someday, I may be motivated to audition other DACs, but--for me--it's hard to quit listening to the music when it sounds this good.

Peter

goldlizsts · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jun 2011, 02:03 am »

Quote from: RCduck7 on 15 Jun 2011, 06:05 pm

I also play my music through a NOS dac, it is a Metrum Acoustics mini Quad DAC, i started a topic about this DAC weeks ago. I'm not saying every NOS dac is good but it was also better then my DacMagic. This DAC featured in a multitest with DAC's costing 3 times it's price and held it's own against the Eastern Electric minimax DAC wich came only just on top in comparison, the Eastern Electric was a touch better with voices. Not bad considering the Metrum DAC costs 3 times less then the Easter Electric DAC. I haven't heard the Eastern Electric DAC but it is the reference DAC for many people it seems. The Question i ask myself, would the Audiosector DAC outperform the Eastern Electric DAC?

A bit of a heated discussion is in order here. I beg to differ with your determination that an NOS DAC holds its ground against say an EE DAC, especially IF you have not heard it yet (dangerous conclusion). Well, may be in a narrower sense. I've had a NOS DAC, which I initially loved very much for its sweetness. Then I decided it just didn't have the dynamicism and extension at both ends. I even played with swapping caps etc. in the NOS DAC (specifically, a Shek DAC from Hong Kong). Then, the EE DAC came up. The Sabre chip is much better in most, if not all aspects. Regardless that the EE DAC is 2X times the Shek DAC in terms of cost, the Sabre chip is just a BIG step above a NOS DAC IMHO.

Don't mean to start a war of words, just noting a definite disagreement.

RCduck7 · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jun 2011, 05:47 pm »

Quote from: goldlizsts on 18 Jun 2011, 02:03 am

A bit of a heated discussion is in order here. I beg to differ with your determination that an NOS DAC holds its ground against say an EE DAC, especially IF you have not heard it yet (dangerous conclusion). Well, may be in a narrower sense. I've had a NOS DAC, which I initially loved very much for its sweetness. Then I decided it just didn't have the dynamicism and extension at both ends. I even played with swapping caps etc. in the NOS DAC (specifically, a Shek DAC from Hong Kong). Then, the EE DAC came up. The Sabre chip is much better in most, if not all aspects. Regardless that the EE DAC is 2X times the Shek DAC in terms of cost, the Sabre chip is just a BIG step above a NOS DAC IMHO. Don't mean to start a war of words, just noting a definite disagreement.

No war intended, i'm calm by nature

I guess my experience is different then yours, regarding dynamics this Metrum NOS DAC doesn't come up short for me (can't speak for other NOS dac's). It does sound balanced and with a sense of cohesion i didn't had in my setup before i had this DAC. I'm not sure the Sabre DAC chip used in the EE DAC is something that can take all the credit for a DAC being good, the Metrum Quad DAC uses 4 dac's, two per channel. It's true i didn't have heard the Eastern Electric DAC, i actually refuse to hear an other DAC if i can't hear it in my house in my setup for at least a day or two. Besides the DacMagic, i did also have a Xindak DAC 8 with a solid state output and a tube output to choose from and still have a tubed MHZS CD88G in my setup. The Eastern Electric dac was featured in a multi test and was he winner. It was a blind test, there were 4 listeners and with a certain audio track from the CD "Dead can dance" song "The wind that shakes the barley" the Metrum was side by side with the EE DAC, the metrum had the the edge when it came down to highlight dying sounds from notes. Personally, rightnow i'm thinking of upgrading from the Quad DAC the Octave Metrum DAC wich is in the same price category of the EE dac. But off coursse before i decide i first would have to hear the EE DAC.
But please look in my topic, it explains my experience with the Metrum DAC better.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=93939.0

jaspal kallar · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jun 2011, 09:46 pm »

I also have the Metrum Quad Dac.

My current system and room for that matter are quite different to when I once owned a Altmann Attraction NOS Dac.

FWIW the Metrum NOS dac does not sound similar to the Altmann NOS. The only other dac I've owned is the Audiolab 8000 dac (bought in 1994). So I can't really compare the Metrum Quad Dac to modern dacs (EE, Young, Dacmagic etc...)

I do prefer the Metrum Dac quite a bit over the Altmann when you consider the considerable price difference.

The Metrum seems to be transparent/natural, more believable correct instrument timbre and with better detail/resolution yet easy to listen to. Sorry I can't really add any more... I feel the Altmann does have a better darker/quieter background, probably due to the 12v car battery. Maybe a change to a better external power supply for Metrum could help with this.

RCduck7 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jun 2011, 12:13 pm »

There is a preview of the Octave DAC on 6moons.
Since this topic is about the Audiosector NOS DAC i posted the link in the appropriate topic.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=93939.new#new

MttBsh · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jun 2011, 04:49 pm »

Based on the feedback here I'm going to have to replace my Audiosector DAC.

I've had my eye on the soon to be released Burson DAC-160 http://bursonaudio.com/HA_160D.html.. A few months ago 6 moons gave the $1,200 Burson HA160D (DAC, preamp and headphone amp) the coveted Blue Moon award http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/burson5/5.html saying it beat out the highly regarded $2,900 Weiss DAC2. Since then, Burson has created the "DAC only" (no preamp/headphone amp) DAC-160 with upgrades to the power supply and the analog-out section. It will sell for $900.00 when it becomes available next month. I'm thinking this may be a very strong contender - nice to have so many great options!