Apogee Mini-DAC

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SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited July 2008 in Electronics
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php

I've been learning a lot about DACs lately and am starting to believe the general consensus is that pro DACs are often the way to go.

Has anyone had any experience with this Apogee?

I was looking at the Benchmark DAC1 as well but often hear the sound is extremely detailed and analytical. This sounds like it might have better use in a recording studio. I don't want the DAC to kill the musicality. Any DAC1 owners disagree?
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2008
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    You already have Bel Canto equipment you should give their DAC's a try. I've had the DAC 2 and the 1.1 and they are super smooth and musical without sacrificing detail. If I remember correctly the DAC 2 was built/designed with the help of Wadia's chief digital guy.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited July 2008
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    tryrrthg wrote: »
    You already have Bel Canto equipment you should give their DAC's a try. I've had the DAC 2 and the 1.1 and they are super smooth and musical without sacrificing detail. If I remember correctly the DAC 2 was built/designed with the help of Wadia's chief digital guy.

    I actually only have the S300s now. I traded the preamp and some case for a new Dodd Preamp. Besides, I think I can do equal if not better for less cash.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,700
    edited July 2008
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    SolidSqual wrote: »
    http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php

    I've been learning a lot about DACs lately and am starting to believe the general consensus is that pro DACs are often the way to go.

    Has anyone had any experience with this Apogee?

    I was looking at the Benchmark DAC1 as well but often hear the sound is extremely detailed and analytical. This sounds like it might have better use in a recording studio. I don't want the DAC to kill the musicality. Any DAC1
    owners disagree?


    I think AndyGwis still has his Theta for sale in the FM. That's a good choice.

    I currently have a NOS DAC. That's the other extreme.
    It's a problem we all have in common. DACS are hard to audition prior
    to ownership. It's a crapshoot. Few have tried multiple DACs to even
    have an opinion. I've been thinking about other DACs, but would hate to drop
    big bucks and not like the sound. If I didn't need USB, the Theta would already
    be mine. It was once a high end unit, and some of those older
    DACS perform very well.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,872
    edited July 2008
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    You might want to take a listen to one of these if your budget allows. approx $1990.
    http://www.jbkaudio.com/DOSSIER%20PDF/bryston/BRYSTON_PRESS/BDA1/Bryston%20BDA-1%20Announcement.pdf

    The use of pure class A discrete transistor output stages "potentially" gives it a big sonic advantage over DAC's using monolythic chips like those used in the Benchmark unit and most others.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2008
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    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I actually only have the S300s now. I traded the preamp and some case for a new Dodd Preamp. Besides, I think I can do equal if not better for less cash.

    You can get the DAC2 for $600'ish, and it's a great piece. but it has no USB.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited July 2008
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    I just recieved my latest issue of the Absolute Sound yesterday and they have a review of the Benchmark DAC1. A must read if you are considering purchasing one. Nothing but high regards for this unit.
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  • SassySmi
    SassySmi Posts: 5
    edited July 2008
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    I just got mine too. This should be a good TAS issue. I've been waiting for a good digital issue. They have been committing a lot of time to Analog lately.

    By the way, this is my first post!!!!! I'm told this is a good website to begin my audio journey!
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited July 2008
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    To Steveinaz and my ears the Bel Canto DAC2 and Benchmark were damn near indistinguishable. I think on one song some hand clapping sounded ever so slightly crisper and livelier in the Bel Canto.

    To my ears, the Cambridge Audio azur 840C CDP was a noticeable improvement over the Bel Canto. Bass was similar, but I thought the mids and highs were certainly smoother, richer, more detailed, and less harsh.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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