Originally Posted by
Mr. C
Sorry but the Chord Dave is one of the most mechanical sounding dacs ever constructed imho
Impressive and exciting yes up to the lack of 3dimensionality and real palpability solid sounding Yes, but it lacks textural layering and total-note decay and micro detail. Plenty of upfront detailing , however it reminds me very much of Naim lots of leading edge but not much after that
Also when comparing with any other dac do level match the Dave as you may find the analogue output voltage is well over six volts in balanced mode and northwards of four volts in single ended
Plenty of other genuinely musical digital to analogue converters out there and valves not required for good digital output stages
I have an original dac 64 the one with the small torroid transformer that it not to bad, more engaging less Chord like
I have listened to DAVE a lot with the m-scaler and no way does it sound mechanical. You must have heard it in a rotten system to sound like that. It is the smoothest most analogue sounding DAC I have heard. And in terms of 3D soundstage and textural layering it is superb.
I really can't understand your listening experience led you to think it sounded the way you described it.
Hey ho we all hear diferently I suppose.
Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702
Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2