Sound
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So how does the three times more expensive DAC1 sound compared to its little brother? Well the signature is of course similar. Clear, pure but with an organic quality that we rarely encounter. We think it is a unique combination.
The DAC1 obviously takes it a lot further than the Frérot. In a direct A/B comparison we immediately notice an even higher intelligibility and even at low volume every word comes through more clearly. A second improvement is the slightly wider and deeper soundstage compared to its little brother. Other elements we do not notice immediately in a direct comparison but rather after prolonged listening. The DAC1 is more insightful than the modest Frérot and also the bass has more impact and overall quality.
Listen
Lady Blackbird has released one of the albums of 2021 with “Black Acid Soul”. With the song “Five Feet Tall” we are in a smoky jazz club where on the left the double bass player is doing his thing, in the back the percussionist is casually supporting the song and a little more to the right the piano carrying the song. Singer Marley Munroe, in turn, is right in the middle as she should be. The beginning of the arrangement clearly refers to the song ‘He needs me’ by Nina Simone, who is not only an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Lady Blackbird
The new Kacey Musgraves “Star Crossed” gets a lot of playing time, because her latest album is again excellently recorded and is full of good songs. What do we hear? An impeccable reproduction. No edge, no lack of detail and never the feeling that a part is turned on. The song “Hookup Scene” comes through crystal clear. Truly an experience. Perfectly balanced too but there are more dacs like that.
What makes the DAC1 so special is therefore difficult to describe in words. In any case, the DAC1 makes digital music less digital. A personal favorite is “Folklore” by Taylor Swift. We know this album through and through but the DAC1 still lets us, cliché alarm, hear new things. Or rather experience new things. The songs come in like a sledgehammer blow and stick to the ribs even more. It’s little nuances like this, details, experiences that make all the difference at this level. To test the bass region, we often use the latest Vince Staples lately, an album full of deep bass lines. The extra impact and control that the DAC1 gives to the Revels is extraordinary.
The greater intelligibility, which we mentioned earlier, we hear immediately on ‘Sal Type’ by Bombataz. The percussion on Spellling’s ‘Magic Act’ comes through more clearly and so does the track ‘Send Me’ by Tirzah. Bins of insight and detail on ‘It fascinates me’ by Casper Cox or on ‘Digital Tears’ by Rimon And so there were numerous examples that made us rise from the sofa throughout the test period. Despite its organic quality, we don’t miss a single detail through the DAC1. Quite the contrary.
I think the Merason is the technical most capable dac of those, personally I would not go to atoll or moon for a dac but for a brand that is specialized (or known for) its DAC’s.
If you want a DAC that goes next level in terms of technicalities and presentation and have some to spend, maybe look at Lampizator, SW1X, TotalDac. These bring next level performance while retaining musicality and would be my first picks for brands.
There is also the likes of Chord, Berkeley for a more clean, maybe more analytical approach. Sometimes that pairs better if you already have a very warm sounding system.
And there are many more brands to look out for DAC-wise: aqua-hifi, emmlabs, bricasti, rockna, schiit, denafrips, nagra, holo-audio, metrum acoustics, sonnet audio, …
There is no best, it will come down to preference and synergy. There is however a difference in technical abilities and presentation once you go up. There is no golden goose, with the brands I mentioned you can expect a performance (gain) more or less in line with its pricepoint. There are however other hifi brands (not specialized in DAC’s) that also charge these prices without the gain in technicalities, but more based on the expectation tied with the brand I suppose, so sadly the rule of more expensive is better is not universal.
Anyways, this is my 2 cents, as we all know in audio, the next guy might have completely different experience. Hope it helps.
Hi, I own an Atoll ST200. I am happy with it, but I need to go beyond because I bought Cube Nenuphar and Tektron Two….I am considering the Merason DAC1 , go up with Atoll ST300 or Moon 280 DAC. You have heard all of them…wich would you choose. Mostly I listen jazz . Un abrazo from Chile