burmashave
Super Member
This is a review from a common man who loves music. Two days ago, I couldn't even spell audiophile, now I are one,
I don't claim any special ability to define anything authoratively. These are just my impressions as a music lover. I will say that I have a modest system, and most people will tell you I have a good ear, with a preference for clarity and detail.
Having said that, lets get on with it. These impressions were made while listening to vinyl rips at 96/24. Equipment used was a Sony, STR V5, a stock CA 640P, a VPI Scout with a Denon DL103R, Mogami Neglex ic's.
The four dacs being discussed are a Maverick D1, an HRT Streamer II+, a Peachtree Dacit and finally, an Emotiva XDA-1. The rips were made on the mentioned equipment, using a Macbook and Audacity software. The playback was listened to using a Sony STR 6055 and Epicure 20+ speakers. The source of the files is a 2008 MacBook duo core with 4 gig of ram, using the digital optical out, except in the case of the HRT, which of course was USB. I'll review the dacs in the order I had a chance to try them.
First up is the HRT Streamer II+. $349 online. This is a USB only DAC. It is powered by the USB port from the computer. It is asynchronous USB capable, which recllocks the data stream without computer noise or jitter. From that standpoint, I think it worked very well. First impression of the sound was I found it bright, and brittle. I think it also exaggerated the bottom end. I know this is not the general consensus of the aggregate reviews on this piece, but this is how it sounded in my system. On the second day of use, the right channel started cutting out intermittently. It turned out that one of the RCA output connectors was wiggling and going open. This unit was returned, and exchanged for the Peachtree Dacit.
While waiting for the Dacit, I had a chance to review the Maverick D1, courtesy of a good friend and neighbor.
Second up is the Maverick D1. Free to demo.
This is a smaller unit with a volume dial on the front, as well as a source selector dial. It also has a mini jack line input for an mp3 device input, as well as a headphone jack. In the back, it has an RCA analog input, a USB, coax and optical inputs. It has RCA analog outputs with a tube buffered set of outs, or ss outs, your choice. These features allow this DAC to be used as a stand alone pre amp, if desired. It has a button on the front which allows you to choose pre amp or pure DAC mode. A far as headphones go, it is suggested that a set of cans can be connected directly to the tube outs with good results. I didn't try this. First thing I immediately noticed was how much more pleasing to my ear, and musical the D1 was compared to the HRT. It really wasn't close. I have to say that as much as i tried, i couldnt discern much difference in sound between the tube and the ss outputs. Also, i found the sound more pleasing in the pure dac mode. If the pure question would be, which of the two could you enjoy for long period of listening, hands down the answer was the D1. Then throw in it's versatility, then factor in its low price, $150 less than the Streamer II+, then add that there is the opportunity for rolling tubes as well as op amps, its a very good choice.
Third up is the Dacit. $449 online. Out of the box, it's an all square piece with 4 buttons on the front. On/off, USB, coax and optical selector buttons which glow blue when the unit is on. In back, there are inputs for coax, USB and optical. One set of RCA outs complete the package. There is a little remote included. The Dacit is a clear winner in sound. It isn't too bright, it isn't too warm, it's just right. Seriously, I don't know how else to put it. It isn't spectacular in any particular aspect, but I could sit and listen to it forever, and be pleased and satisfied. It delivers everything I'm looking for in sound reproduction, keeping in mind that my main love and obsession is vinyl playback, but for a digital system, this works for me big time.
Now the Emotiva XDA-1. $199 online as a closeout. Originally $349. This is by far the most versatile DAC of the bunch, also the largest. This has six inputs. Two optical, two coax, one USB and one that looks like a balanced female. Sorry, not sure what it is, but I won't be using it anyway lol. It has a volume control, and comes with a metal remote that weighs a pound or so. Typical of Emotiva. The input choices, mute, volume up an down and standby are all available button choices on the front. The rear has the corresponding input connections and RCA outs. My listening impression of this DAC is that it's a little on the bright side. Not nearly as much as the HRT, and the more I listened to it, the more I started to really enjoy it. It is stand alone preamp capable with its volume control, and six inputs. For an exclusive digital system, it fits. When I consider it's versatility, it's great sound presentation, it's price, it's beautiful exterior, (subjective of course), I don't see how you can go wrong. If you want one, I think you should act fast. They were $249 a week ago. I think they must be getting close to the end of this run.
In the end, here's how my impression ranks them,
1st is the Emotiva. It's sound is only slightly less awesome than the Dacit, but it kills the Dacit with versatility, price, and it sounds great too.
2nd is the Dacit. This thing just plain sounds great. If you have limited input needs, and don't need or desire asynchronous USB input, and you don't think the price is wrong, go for it.
3rd is the Maverick. It didn't sound as good as either the Emotiva or the Dacit, but it is extremely versatile, sounds damn good, and with rolling op amps and tubes, who know how good this thing could sound. But out of the box, it's third.
4th and last is the HRT Steeamer II+. It just didn't present the sound in a way that I could enjoy listening too. Maybe with other gear, the synergy would have been better.
Hope this is of some value.
I don't claim any special ability to define anything authoratively. These are just my impressions as a music lover. I will say that I have a modest system, and most people will tell you I have a good ear, with a preference for clarity and detail.
Having said that, lets get on with it. These impressions were made while listening to vinyl rips at 96/24. Equipment used was a Sony, STR V5, a stock CA 640P, a VPI Scout with a Denon DL103R, Mogami Neglex ic's.
The four dacs being discussed are a Maverick D1, an HRT Streamer II+, a Peachtree Dacit and finally, an Emotiva XDA-1. The rips were made on the mentioned equipment, using a Macbook and Audacity software. The playback was listened to using a Sony STR 6055 and Epicure 20+ speakers. The source of the files is a 2008 MacBook duo core with 4 gig of ram, using the digital optical out, except in the case of the HRT, which of course was USB. I'll review the dacs in the order I had a chance to try them.
First up is the HRT Streamer II+. $349 online. This is a USB only DAC. It is powered by the USB port from the computer. It is asynchronous USB capable, which recllocks the data stream without computer noise or jitter. From that standpoint, I think it worked very well. First impression of the sound was I found it bright, and brittle. I think it also exaggerated the bottom end. I know this is not the general consensus of the aggregate reviews on this piece, but this is how it sounded in my system. On the second day of use, the right channel started cutting out intermittently. It turned out that one of the RCA output connectors was wiggling and going open. This unit was returned, and exchanged for the Peachtree Dacit.
While waiting for the Dacit, I had a chance to review the Maverick D1, courtesy of a good friend and neighbor.
Second up is the Maverick D1. Free to demo.
This is a smaller unit with a volume dial on the front, as well as a source selector dial. It also has a mini jack line input for an mp3 device input, as well as a headphone jack. In the back, it has an RCA analog input, a USB, coax and optical inputs. It has RCA analog outputs with a tube buffered set of outs, or ss outs, your choice. These features allow this DAC to be used as a stand alone pre amp, if desired. It has a button on the front which allows you to choose pre amp or pure DAC mode. A far as headphones go, it is suggested that a set of cans can be connected directly to the tube outs with good results. I didn't try this. First thing I immediately noticed was how much more pleasing to my ear, and musical the D1 was compared to the HRT. It really wasn't close. I have to say that as much as i tried, i couldnt discern much difference in sound between the tube and the ss outputs. Also, i found the sound more pleasing in the pure dac mode. If the pure question would be, which of the two could you enjoy for long period of listening, hands down the answer was the D1. Then throw in it's versatility, then factor in its low price, $150 less than the Streamer II+, then add that there is the opportunity for rolling tubes as well as op amps, its a very good choice.
Third up is the Dacit. $449 online. Out of the box, it's an all square piece with 4 buttons on the front. On/off, USB, coax and optical selector buttons which glow blue when the unit is on. In back, there are inputs for coax, USB and optical. One set of RCA outs complete the package. There is a little remote included. The Dacit is a clear winner in sound. It isn't too bright, it isn't too warm, it's just right. Seriously, I don't know how else to put it. It isn't spectacular in any particular aspect, but I could sit and listen to it forever, and be pleased and satisfied. It delivers everything I'm looking for in sound reproduction, keeping in mind that my main love and obsession is vinyl playback, but for a digital system, this works for me big time.
Now the Emotiva XDA-1. $199 online as a closeout. Originally $349. This is by far the most versatile DAC of the bunch, also the largest. This has six inputs. Two optical, two coax, one USB and one that looks like a balanced female. Sorry, not sure what it is, but I won't be using it anyway lol. It has a volume control, and comes with a metal remote that weighs a pound or so. Typical of Emotiva. The input choices, mute, volume up an down and standby are all available button choices on the front. The rear has the corresponding input connections and RCA outs. My listening impression of this DAC is that it's a little on the bright side. Not nearly as much as the HRT, and the more I listened to it, the more I started to really enjoy it. It is stand alone preamp capable with its volume control, and six inputs. For an exclusive digital system, it fits. When I consider it's versatility, it's great sound presentation, it's price, it's beautiful exterior, (subjective of course), I don't see how you can go wrong. If you want one, I think you should act fast. They were $249 a week ago. I think they must be getting close to the end of this run.
In the end, here's how my impression ranks them,
1st is the Emotiva. It's sound is only slightly less awesome than the Dacit, but it kills the Dacit with versatility, price, and it sounds great too.
2nd is the Dacit. This thing just plain sounds great. If you have limited input needs, and don't need or desire asynchronous USB input, and you don't think the price is wrong, go for it.
3rd is the Maverick. It didn't sound as good as either the Emotiva or the Dacit, but it is extremely versatile, sounds damn good, and with rolling op amps and tubes, who know how good this thing could sound. But out of the box, it's third.
4th and last is the HRT Steeamer II+. It just didn't present the sound in a way that I could enjoy listening too. Maybe with other gear, the synergy would have been better.
Hope this is of some value.
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