Today, we have tested three comparative configurations:
a) AKG Q701 studio headphones (see my extensive review for the AKG Q 701) on the Denon AVR-3312th Material via Denon DBP-2012 player via HDMI
b) the Q701 on Essence One. Denon DBP-2012 via digital coaxial audio cable.
c) the Q701 about RME Studio Audio Interface, setter again the Denon DBP-2012 over Coax.
The sources used, including a high-quality CD Bruckner (always the same sequence), Brother in Arms remastered and selected Simfy tracks via the Denon DNP-720AE.
To make it very briefly: the DA converter of the Denon AVR-3312 is the audio a little fluffy and soft flushed again, not in clarity as the other two Amplifier. Wen wonder, he was simply not built to drive optimal quality headphones. For my Canton Chrono SL's a very great amp! Would have never occurred to me only in direct comparison with the two devices. In addition, the volume had to be very high rotated bears certainly not a sovereign sound for you. The AKG Q 701 is simply hungry and overwhelmed tend Standard AVRs, also in upmarket. I had to first learn!
The Essence One is clearly the better option for the Q 701. Scary punchy, clear and light-footed. A real asset. You just feel like the Denon AVR plagues and torments himself, the Essence One makes it fun and still has reserves. These headphones absolutely not driving him to's limit, on the contrary, he plays with him.
The Professional Studio RME Audio interface is probably the most honest source, completely linear and bone dry. By comparison, the Essence One affects almost bass-heavy, which is good since the Q 701 is considered not Monster Bass. Overall, the sound experience on Essence One homogeneous and rounded, the RME is acting but a bit sterile and cold. For sound engineers, this may well be the ne plus ultra to easily enjoy music is to distant.
In summary, the Kombinantion AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones and Asus Xonar Essence One is the ideal combination for a wide variety of different music. And I will not be afraid to stream selected CDs repeatedly over Simfy and enjoy. Compared as I have ever heard 'Internet music' this is a real quantum leap.
I just watched again 2 Katie Melua CDs belongs ('Piece by Piece' and 'Call Off The Search'). This clarity, transparency and brilliance is unique for me, a previously heard sound event. Even 'spine-tingling suspect'!
Some disadvantages of the Essence One:
- A wireless router should not be placed too close to the Essence One. He disturbs, can be heard clearly. 2 meters are OK.
- On the output side it is weak equipped. Sometimes it could still be interesting to use this great DA converter and to use it as a high-quality analog playback devices. Also the input side could be improved. An additional input for a Toslink and / or digital coaxial cable could not hurt!
- A remote control (actually only for volume) would be great. If you are sitting comfortably in the chair would not always stand up to readjust the volume. When I use the iPad and Simfy to stream music on the Denon DNP-720AE and play on the Essence One I can adjust the volume directly. Very pleasant!
Addendum: I use the Xonar Essence One in the meantime as a DAC and preamp for the Denon AVR-3312th The E1 is connected via coax to the Denon universal player that accepts DA conversion, and outputs the signal to analog via a high-quality RCA audio cable to the Denon AVR on. I have used a few hours to make a difference between the configuration (BD Player HDMI AVR) and (BD Player Coax E1 RCA Denon AVR). The difference is not huge, but subjectively I gain clarity and brilliance through the intermediary E1. This configuration I will use in the future to listen to high quality CDs in stereo.
