Dacs with blinders

Audio Components DACs
1

Yesterday I was invited to a fella’s house to listen to his different DACs. He wanted blind opinions so he gave the 5 of us blindfolds. I felt kinda silly.
His system is very nice with some Japanese tube monoblocks and Avantgarde speakers.
His DACs were Berkeley Alpha Ref 3 ($25K) and Denafrips Venus 15 ($4K) and Tambaqui ($14K?) His intention is to sell at least one of the three.
We all picked the Denafrips. I thought it sounded the most like vinyl.
Two of the fellas who are Berkeley owners were skeptical and had to do the test sighted. They didn’t seem happy.
I had a Pontus 12 once. It sure didn’t sound like the rather enormous and heavy Venus 15.

11 Likes
2

Interesting results…

Thanks for sharing.

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3

I’m not surprised. I heard the original Terminator and I had similar impressions.

I have an Ares in one room.

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4

I’m satisfied with my PS Audio MK1 with JKR mods. I sure liked the Denafrips but I’d rather spend that on something else.

5

A $90k power cable?

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6

nnnno

7

There is no substitute listening with your own ears! High cost doesn’t always equate with high fidelity.

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8

Which level of mods did you have done?

I had the first gen APS transformers and VCOM mod done on my MkI, and have been quite pleased with the sound. I’m considering his top tier mod.

9

The same. I love it’s sound. It’s very analog sounding.

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One of my audio buds has a Venus 15 in his system. I liked it. It surprised me because I hadn’t been impressed with lesser Denafripses that had been in his system (he had two or three others to my recollection).

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I had a Pontus 12. It was amazing for the price. But I didn’t keep it very long.

12

ive bought audio-gd r7 mk3 as temporary DAC while wanted switched from DS2 to PMG and…..keep r7 as my dac…

13

Never heard of this DAC before so did a search and read up on it. It appears to be a stunner especially for the price. How did it compare to the DSD MkII?

14

It’s very good textured, not laid back at mids as Ds mk2, not as bright and more full bodied. But very important is use external Clock, it improves dramatically