DAC Tour

[brian2957]

Ok here goes . Sorry for the late reply to your request for feedback from Saturday John , I'm afraid work keeps getting in the way of me doing the things I really enjoy - music and hifi.
It was nice to meet up again with some friends ,Gary ( Gazjam ) and Ali Tait , and meet a few new ones , David (Snapper ) and Stuart from the Wigwam.
Also thanks to Gary for providing the venue , the system and the grub
These comparisons were done using an all Rega system which comprised of Rega DAC , Rega Brio R and Rega RS3 speakers. We tried a few interconnects , Rega couple and TQ black . Speaker cable was TQ black. So system changes ( i.e your system ) may result in a different outcome .
Before I go any further let me say that these are my opinions on what I heard that day , others there may disagree ,and I'm sure they'll be along to give their slant on things when they have the time . Also if I've forgotten something I'm sure one of those present on the day will fill in the blanks.
First off was the JKDAC which was plugged in using a Furutech Formula 2 USB cable . We played various pieces of music and my overall impression of the DAC was that there was plenty of detail but the presentation was on the bright / dry side . I found it difficult to connect to the music the way I can listening to the Rega DAC / BrioR combination . I don't know if the V- Link which Gary uses contributes to this . I was unable to tell since the JK DACS are USB only so the V-Link had to be taken out of the system.
We then installed the JK DAC 32 , which I believe can play 32/192 files.
The DAC32 is IMO a totally different beast altogether . For me the music snapped into focus and the presentation was altogether more refined .The soundstage was also much bigger .Most importantly for me I could hear the emotion in Lou Reeds ' Perfect Day ' and was able to connect to the music much more readily . It just sounded more 'real 'to me . Out of the two the JK DCA32 is the one I would have gone for on the day ( played through the all - Rega system. )
We then put Ali's valve DAC into the system . I've heard this DAC a couple of times and IMO this is the one to beat . I don't know exactly how much has been invested in this DAC , but I'm fairly sure that it is more than the cost of the two JK DACs. This is evident in the fact that Ali' s Dac was the best of the day . More refined more detailed with a bigger soundstage again .
The emotion of the singers shining through.
All in all a very enjoyable and informative day . Both the JK DACs proved to be very good indeed and represent good value for money .
They have different attributes which will work well with different systems .I can only give my opinion of them within the context of Gary's Rega system .I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the only way to assess these DACs properly is to try them in your own system .

[wee tee cee]

Ok here goes . Sorry for the late reply to your request for feedback from Saturday John , I'm afraid work keeps getting in the way of me doing the things I really enjoy - music and hifi.
It was nice to meet up again with some friends ,Gary ( Gazjam ) and Ali Tait , and meet a few new ones , David (Snapper ) and Stuart from the Wigwam.
Also thanks to Gary for providing the venue , the system and the grub
These comparisons were done using an all Rega system which comprised of Rega DAC , Rega Brio R and Rega RS3 speakers. We tried a few interconnects , Rega couple and TQ black . Speaker cable was TQ black. So system changes ( i.e your system ) may result in a different outcome .
Before I go any further let me say that these are my opinions on what I heard that day , others there may disagree ,and I'm sure they'll be along to give their slant on things when they have the time . Also if I've forgotten something I'm sure one of those present on the day will fill in the blanks.
First off was the JKDAC which was plugged in using a Furutech Formula 2 USB cable . We played various pieces of music and my overall impression of the DAC was that there was plenty of detail but the presentation was on the bright / dry side . I found it difficult to connect to the music the way I can listening to the Rega DAC / BrioR combination . I don't know if the V- Link which Gary uses contributes to this . I was unable to tell since the JK DACS are USB only so the V-Link had to be taken out of the system.
We then installed the JK DAC 32 , which I believe can play 32/192 files.
The DAC32 is IMO a totally different beast altogether . For me the music snapped into focus and the presentation was altogether more refined .The soundstage was also much bigger .Most importantly for me I could hear the emotion in Lou Reeds ' Perfect Day ' and was able to connect to the music much more readily . It just sounded more 'real 'to me . Out of the two the JK DCA32 is the one I would have gone for on the day ( played through the all - Rega system. )
We then put Ali's valve DAC into the system . I've heard this DAC a couple of times and IMO this is the one to beat . I don't know exactly how much has been invested in this DAC , but I'm fairly sure that it is more than the cost of the two JK DACs. This is evident in the fact that Ali' s Dac was the best of the day . More refined more detailed with a bigger soundstage again .
The emotion of the singers shining through.
All in all a very enjoyable and informative day . Both the JK DACs proved to be very good indeed and represent good value for money .
They have different attributes which will work well with different systems .I can only give my opinion of them within the context of Gary's Rega system .I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the only way to assess these DACs properly is to try them in your own system .

great synopsis brian....alis dac is maybe so far up the league that to compare it with mainstream production dacs aint fair....the jkeny dacs seem to have held theyre head up against exulted company...the 32 does appeal to me.
might have to take him up on the free trial period.

[brian2957]

I would mate , well worth a listen , particularly the 32 , I really liked its presentation . Point taken about Ali's DAC . The interesting thing is that it's a work in progress so probably get even better.

[wee tee cee]

my mf/v link and co ax combo is about £600....the 32 would cut out the v link and the co ax.......500 euro seems pretty reasonable for the performance you guys have attested to.look forward to trying one in my system.

[Gazjam]

try the Vlink 192 Tony... whoa.

Only had a few hours on it and sounded gash out the box, but already its a lot better than the standard one I had, the Mk 2 I brought to Ali's.

My system wasn't singing with the Vlink initially, warmed up as the afternoon went on and sounded fantastic with Ali's valve Dac.

One thing though about the JK Dacs, the 32 was the best out the two, but a couple of the guys see-sawed back, missing a bit of the zing of the sabre that was on before If I remember right.

[wee tee cee]

try the Vlink 192 Tony... whoa.

Only had a few hours on it and sounded gash out the box, but already its a lot better than the standard one I had, the Mk 2 I brought to Ali's.

My system wasn't singing with the Vlink initially, warmed up as the afternoon went on and sounded fantastic with Ali's valve Dac.

One thing though about the JK Dacs, the 32 was the best out the two, but a couple of the guys see-sawed back, missing a bit of the zing of the sabre that was on before If I remember right.

how did it fair against the rega in you're rig....i am concious you are in a happy place rega wise?

[Ali Tait]

The 32 is 400 euros I believe.

[wee tee cee]

mmmm...schitt dac money...

[Ali Tait]

That's one I'd like to hear too.

[Gazjam]

how did it fair against the rega in you're rig....i am concious you are in a happy place rega wise?

Couldn't really tell Tony, didn't do a direct comparison.
The rega was plying through a rough sounding (about 10 hours on it) Vlink 192 and wasn't sounding particularly fantastic tbh.

It sounded a lot better with the old Vlink which which tells you something.
(There is a significant step up from the std to the 192)

Teh JK dacs were direct USB connection so the Vlink was out of circuit, albeit warming up as the afternoon went on.