To my Equipment: Brief explanation ... to a time when CD players were still popular, I decided to Meridian, made their development started with and therefore today drives a G08.2 the blanks on.
Speaker: Pretty much everything by (the complete Nautilus series, sometimes a La Scala and a Cornwall and many others). In love I am. In the Harbeth Super HL5 that just sounds incredibly well on the Skylan Stands
Amplifier: Electrocompaniet ECI
... And I really wanted the DAC just to spice up the already excellent sound of Topfield SRP-2100 (DVB-S), as I like to listen to the radio and had to Restek MINISAT somehow not feel like (another pure SAT Radio tuner is not known) to me.
Now to the DAC:
I tested after four weeks of research - also in many American / English forums:
Cambridge Magic Plus, M2 Tech Young, Musical Fidelity (div.), Audiolab DAC, Wadia 121, Antelope Zodiac, Rega DAC, Arcam IRDAC ... so ultimately the devices proven in various tests of the above magazines.
My budget was 1.000, - Euro (possibly a used unit), but I would have been prepared in complete fascination 1.500, - spending euro.
Without going to the various DAC's to take ... I've finally decided on the Arcam IRDAC. Why?
The reference used was my Meridian G08.2 and to anticipate it: Not a DAC managed even hinted to beat this exceptional CD player, but the Arcam IRDAC was the whole so close that I as a digital Newbie wondering what is possible for the price by means of digital technology today. After all costs of Meridian 8 times of IRDAC.
And update:
The Arcam IRDAC and also almost all of the aforementioned DAC's are equipped with a power supply that lets you probably do not even plants his Walkman. So I ordered the IRDAC the SQUEEZE power supply incl. BOOSTER and now the difference from the Meridian had shrunk by more nuances and I once claimed that I had massive problems on a blind least, to decide correctly. Sure, in a direct comparison ... audible, but does one intervening interval of 5 minutes, the thing is damn tight. Now significantly and to yet again bring the distance to the above DAC's a personal rating: MF, Wadia and Cambridge ... disappointing on my conditioning and with my ears. Top: The Rega, but not as good as the IRDAC with Squeeze PSU.
Conclusion:
I say again that the IRDAC + Squeeze PSU is the best that can currently to 1,000 - 1,500 can buy in this area. Whether a DAC for 3000, - Euro still sounds better or different, I can not say. Fact however is well aware that everything that should sound even better noticeably, probably should also be the same noticeably more expensive.
Short yet one set to Setup:
The Squeeze PSU is when IRDAC mandatory and more than 100, - Euro and / or Voodoo can admirably argue, but (also applies to the other DAC) - it's just once a completely different league than the power supplies, which are enclosed with the DAC's , So I invite mobile max.
Were played all the songs about Foobar and USB; It goes without saying that you have a "Windows-M player" does not explain, among other things, of course, to the hi-fi standard.
In addition, very importantly, the IRDAC not run with the ASIO driver, but with WASAPI ... and then to event, not to push.
And back to the voodoo: I also tested four USB cable in 3m length - gives it to you. I stayed at the Amazon Roline 3m cable for just over 10, - Euro - everything else is balderdash, definitely.
