Interested to know what you think of that.
Opinions to follow! ![]()
So far very interesting. So I’m comparing to both my own audiolab 8200DQ and Auralic vega G2, which are both ESS DACs with analogue preamp sections built in. While the vega does have a lift in overall sound over my audiolab, they’re more similar than they are different.
The esoteric however!
Wow, quite a show stopper. As an analogue pre, beefier sounding than either of my reference models. Being able to run my phono stage balanced into it, is also a plus.
The sound is somehow fleshier, but also more detailed. There’s just more texture around everything, it feels easier to listen into the different musical strands of a track.
This carries through to using it as a streaming DAC where the sound remains sophisticated, smooth, and yet spacious, resolute and incredibly well balanced.
There’s more listening to do, but suffice to say I’m now wondering whether I want one of these for myself! End game DAC / pre territory
The streamer is Lumin based I believe, another reason why I was interested.
Thanks for the write up ![]()
I was surprised to read somewhere that Lumin get the majority of their money from OEM sales of the streaming software and hardware.
Looks adequate ![]()
Sweet!
So I had to hand it off to the next owner today. But a few thoughts based on my time with it here and at his.
Tonal saturation. the feeling of greater density of information around the midband and treble. Yet somehow smoother sounding and without brightness or edge. Normally that kind of smoothing comes at a feeling of loss, but here it’s accompanied by so much detail, ambience, and soundstage width / height.
It sounds like a highly mature product and absolutely knocks the socks off the likes of a
DCS bartok.
I was actually sad to give it up. It’s superbly built, looks great, feels lovely to operate and the whole thing is classy from end to end.
Highly recommended and one of the best streamer / DAC / preamps I’ve ever heard
That’s quite an achievement going by reviews on most DCS products (I’ve not had much opportunity to hear them, mind.)
If you squeeze in a few classics like ‘authority’ then a job at What Caravan beckons ![]()
I disagree- because lifting of veils was not mentioned once!
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You have to subscribe to go behind the paywall to hear about that kind of thing nowadays.
Was more like lifting the lid of a heavy cast iron pot. To be hit with a thick layer of fragrant steam.
Big juicy thing…..
The DAC was quite good too
Audio Origami PU8 has arrived for testing and has been plonked on the Gyro;
Early testing suggests it’s very adequate indeed.
I got two pairs of these in. One pair went off to a customer without me hearing them. Today’s been the first opportunity to unpack & try the other pair.
Heco Direkt Premium (running in)
If it is standing on the shoulders of the PU7 it should be very good indeed.
I thought the PU7 was excellent but doubt it sold in the numbers it deserved, or maybe the people who bought them kept them, as you don’t see many second hand.
Is that the 84 integrated?
pretty much
As in the A10 but in a box?




