Van Alstine Ultra DAC & transports...

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited January 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I just had to put Frank Van Alstines Ultra DAC to the test. Frank says that any inexpensive DVD/CD player on up to an expensive dedicated transport can be used with his Ultra Dac without noticing any difference. I was using a Consonance CD120 CDP in my system before I upgraded to the Ultra DAC. The CD120 is an excellent sounding player, but the Ultra DAC has taken my system to yet another level. So, for the test, I had a HK DVD/22 DVD/CDP that wasn't being used. I hooked it up & ran it as the transport. I switched back & forth between the CD120 & the HK on & off for over 3 weeks of listening. Well, frank was absolutely right. I couldn't here any audible difference between the two players being used as transports. In Franks literature he states that the design of his Ultra DAC uses circuitry that eliminates jitter which is the big culprit as far as transports are concerned. I certainly can't argue with Frank. The man just builds awesome gear. If any one is interested the CD120 will be for sale shortly. I need to find it a good home.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited January 2007
    What are you going to do for a transport, Phil?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2007
    Now give a SonicWave glass-toslink a spin. I'll never go back to an "electrical" connection.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2007
    amulford wrote:
    What are you going to do for a transport, Phil?

    Hi Anthony,

    After much listening (over a 3 wk period) I've come to the conclusion that the HK DVD22 player ($150 new about 3 yrs ago) sounds the same as the Consonance CD120 being used as the transport for the Ultra DAC. Frank states that any player will perform just fine as a transport with his Ultra DAC. I must say he is absolutely correct. Hence, I'll keep the HK as the transport & will sell the CD120. The CD120 is just too good of a player & whomever buys it will be very impressed. The Ultra DAC simply took my systenm to another level even over the superb sounding CD120.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited January 2007
    Speaking of jitter, have you experimented with any anti-jitter devices such as Monarchy's DIP or those put out by Audio Alchemy or Theta?
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2007
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    Speaking of jitter, have you experimented with any anti-jitter devices such as Monarchy's DIP or those put out by Audio Alchemy or Theta?

    Yeah, I did try the Monarchy DIP unit with the HK & the CD120 both taking turns feeding the Ultra DAC. I didn't hear one bit of difference with either player used as transport & hooked up to the DIP unit. Frank states that jitter is handled by his circuitry design inside the DAC. The man knows his stuff!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited January 2007
    Congrats!
    looks like a fantastic unit, (sound aside) I would prefer a DAC that looks like a stereo component over a small box that looks like an internet router or cb radio. I bet it sounds fantastic

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
    Pathos Logos
    MIT Shotgun S3
    Bada HD-22 CDP
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter