Post by Bigman80 on Sept 21, 2022 22:52:25 GMT
Burr-Brown PCM1796 chips on points, one pair each of RCA and XLR sockets. In view of this abundance of possibilities, one must first choose the black or silver.
Watch out for available USB 2 D/A MK II, so that you can listen to music.
Aqvox promises the processing of data formats up to 24-bit/192kHz via the two electrical digital inputs AES/SPDIF (also via USB). The operating instructions indicate that via the USB input, MP3 sources compare to high-end components. We must, at this point, dampen expectations.
Sound from an Apple iBook played MP3 files under different data rates through the USB 2 D/A MK II, sounded considerably rounder. More coherent and spatial. More relaxed, as well as the treble becoming milder than when using the analogue output of the laptop. By audiophile ear, even the high-end quality up-sampling surprised. The USB 2 D/A MK II played with a colourful, spatially clean feel, as well as a liquid bubbly sound. HF unleashed a gentle diction that never became a nuisance. Easier to listen to performers appeared fundamentally more sonorous, tonally stronger and overall more "adult” than in the Apple iBooks comparatively paler solo performances.
But the Aqvox has a beautiful voice. The Aqvox presented high value music. We also played 96 kHz tracks. They came over in a burly, brilliant and tonally slightly darker way, whilst compared to the stand alone Classé CDP-202 CD player.... slimmer, grippier and finely more detailed....
They all output digital music data, yes they converted sound material differently: Esoteric X-01, Harman/KardonHD970 and Classé CDP-202.
What are we actually hearing, the converter or the data supplier? A digression for another source study!
*Review moves from MP3 to CD via various CDP/Transports*
Do you know what a high enders dream would be? If you could buy a cheap, well-functioning CD player, such as Harman/Kardon's HD970 for 400 euros, connect to my top digital converter, the Reimyo DAP-777 (6000EUR), and have the ultimate playback system. That this combination doesn't even work in the beginning is one of the great mysteries of high fidelity, and almost seems like a nasty prank from the hi-fi gods.
Motto: A rolling stone gathers no moss. We tried other combinations.
Conclusion: The Harman and the Reimyo form a crooked team that cannot convince. The combination of the large VRDS drive in Esoteric's reference X-01 player and the Aqvox sounds better. The best set was of course the Esoteric with the Reimyo, but the achievable result depended very much on the quality of the data supplier. No DAC, no matter how good, will therefore be able to produce a high-class sound with simpler transports. Of course, basic transports can be upgraded with a good D/A converter.
In the test, the above-mentioned HD970 sounded considerably more sonorous, burly and expressive via the Aqvox or Lavry DAC than via its own integrated converter/output stage, but a certain level was not exceeded. With every transport and DAC combo we tried, a deviating sound pattern emerged, the quality of which shifted horizontally - different diction at the same level - or vertically, i.e. in the direction of better or worse. In the end, there was no cure for Esoteric's VRDS drive. The DVD drive in Classé's CDP-202, ironically also supplied by Teac (Esoteric is Teac's luxury line), made the test pieces appear spatially much more compact, paler and more sober. For this reason alone, the CDP202 probably never meets the standard of an X-01.
From a viewpoint, the transport limits the possibilities. Under this gusto, the next idea is to play MP3 files with the Aqvox and raise performance level. It's all digital anyway, isn't it? eat it! Depending on the data rate, it may be at times appealing or off-putting.
Life: Where you don't put anything in, can also nothing 'come out. Pity it would have been so nice. Better than via the USB interface of the Aqvox you can probably play MP3 files not hear. We played them from Apple's iBook too. The result was rather disappointing.
The converter can only stop the maximum performance from the input signal from getting out.
Don't feed the USB input with a poor player. It's a sensible thing which enhances the MP3 sound. Wonder however, should not be expected. Provided with high-quality data, a different picture emerges. Already in the basic position of the digital Features – Upsampling to “Bypass”, frequency-optimized filter position, "dither"off, phase position 0 degrees, simplest over a more nuanced sound.
Ultimately almost a matter of taste.
Those who work their way through the operating modes will find that the differences often stay subtle. Upsampling opens the Space a little more and makes the rendering more airy than chiselled. Dither tends to create a little more inner tension in the music. In linear "flat" mode, the play around nuances rounder, in impulse mated minimally jumping. In the smallest oversampling level, it sounded a little tighter and more substantial, in the highest a little fresher and more agile, but in the middle it gets glassy.
Watch out for improvements in partial areas of the sound image Vs tonal losses, because the oversampling put a slightly silver like, artificial shine on voices and instruments and let S-sounds in come to the fore. Then Aqvox loses some of its pleasantly sonorous nonchalance.
Conclusion: You can tryabout studying the settings. Except for the phase reversal, it is dependent on the sources and the personal taste. Find your favourite mix. And he who leaves the USB 2 D/A MK II in the default setting definitely does nothing wrong.
Anyone who wants this flexible, sonically as well demanding as balanced characteristics D/A should buy. We have evaluated the vast majority of simpler and older devices significantly. The filigree and graceful sounding headphone amp, that most of the clumsy-looking simple solutions in amps, and this player is superior, power to him! The D/A converter for really all digital challenges comes from Aqvox. The flat USBDA2 MKII even opens the computer gateway to the hi-fi system, and even makes MP3 presentable. In addition, the extensive setting options will inspire hi-fi fans, as well as an excellent outstanding headphone output with level control. The absolute quality of his sonorous,
colourful and very spatial sound picture depends crucially on the transport. Providing a top source achieved a very high level of performance. In every respect. Five stars!
LABORATORY
The flat DAC shines with dream values. Aliasing distortions, level deviations between the channels and wall learning non-linearities are virtually non-existent
It is interesting that in the "By-pass” mode, ultra-low Distortion by a factor of three forever still very good values "deteriorated", when you enable up-sampling.
Is this the reason for the minimal silver hidden in the upper layers, which we ascertained in the listening? The pleasingly low output resistance also allows for long supply lines to the amplifier. The power consumption seems pleasantly modest. Emphasis CDs are not a problem.
FURNISHING:
Only a few D/A converters shine with a such a full equipment package. Especially the up-sampler, dither, filter and Oversampling functions lead to trips into the digital cosmos.
Handy that the Aqvox sample rates up to 192 kilohertz.
RRP €860
Dimensions: 44 x 6 x 27 cm (WxHxD)
Guarantee: 2 years
Distribution: Aqvox Audio Devices
Tel.: 040/41006890, www.aqvox.de
Watch out for available USB 2 D/A MK II, so that you can listen to music.
Aqvox promises the processing of data formats up to 24-bit/192kHz via the two electrical digital inputs AES/SPDIF (also via USB). The operating instructions indicate that via the USB input, MP3 sources compare to high-end components. We must, at this point, dampen expectations.
Sound from an Apple iBook played MP3 files under different data rates through the USB 2 D/A MK II, sounded considerably rounder. More coherent and spatial. More relaxed, as well as the treble becoming milder than when using the analogue output of the laptop. By audiophile ear, even the high-end quality up-sampling surprised. The USB 2 D/A MK II played with a colourful, spatially clean feel, as well as a liquid bubbly sound. HF unleashed a gentle diction that never became a nuisance. Easier to listen to performers appeared fundamentally more sonorous, tonally stronger and overall more "adult” than in the Apple iBooks comparatively paler solo performances.
But the Aqvox has a beautiful voice. The Aqvox presented high value music. We also played 96 kHz tracks. They came over in a burly, brilliant and tonally slightly darker way, whilst compared to the stand alone Classé CDP-202 CD player.... slimmer, grippier and finely more detailed....
They all output digital music data, yes they converted sound material differently: Esoteric X-01, Harman/KardonHD970 and Classé CDP-202.
What are we actually hearing, the converter or the data supplier? A digression for another source study!
*Review moves from MP3 to CD via various CDP/Transports*
Do you know what a high enders dream would be? If you could buy a cheap, well-functioning CD player, such as Harman/Kardon's HD970 for 400 euros, connect to my top digital converter, the Reimyo DAP-777 (6000EUR), and have the ultimate playback system. That this combination doesn't even work in the beginning is one of the great mysteries of high fidelity, and almost seems like a nasty prank from the hi-fi gods.
Motto: A rolling stone gathers no moss. We tried other combinations.
Conclusion: The Harman and the Reimyo form a crooked team that cannot convince. The combination of the large VRDS drive in Esoteric's reference X-01 player and the Aqvox sounds better. The best set was of course the Esoteric with the Reimyo, but the achievable result depended very much on the quality of the data supplier. No DAC, no matter how good, will therefore be able to produce a high-class sound with simpler transports. Of course, basic transports can be upgraded with a good D/A converter.
In the test, the above-mentioned HD970 sounded considerably more sonorous, burly and expressive via the Aqvox or Lavry DAC than via its own integrated converter/output stage, but a certain level was not exceeded. With every transport and DAC combo we tried, a deviating sound pattern emerged, the quality of which shifted horizontally - different diction at the same level - or vertically, i.e. in the direction of better or worse. In the end, there was no cure for Esoteric's VRDS drive. The DVD drive in Classé's CDP-202, ironically also supplied by Teac (Esoteric is Teac's luxury line), made the test pieces appear spatially much more compact, paler and more sober. For this reason alone, the CDP202 probably never meets the standard of an X-01.
From a viewpoint, the transport limits the possibilities. Under this gusto, the next idea is to play MP3 files with the Aqvox and raise performance level. It's all digital anyway, isn't it? eat it! Depending on the data rate, it may be at times appealing or off-putting.
Life: Where you don't put anything in, can also nothing 'come out. Pity it would have been so nice. Better than via the USB interface of the Aqvox you can probably play MP3 files not hear. We played them from Apple's iBook too. The result was rather disappointing.
The converter can only stop the maximum performance from the input signal from getting out.
Don't feed the USB input with a poor player. It's a sensible thing which enhances the MP3 sound. Wonder however, should not be expected. Provided with high-quality data, a different picture emerges. Already in the basic position of the digital Features – Upsampling to “Bypass”, frequency-optimized filter position, "dither"off, phase position 0 degrees, simplest over a more nuanced sound.
Ultimately almost a matter of taste.
Those who work their way through the operating modes will find that the differences often stay subtle. Upsampling opens the Space a little more and makes the rendering more airy than chiselled. Dither tends to create a little more inner tension in the music. In linear "flat" mode, the play around nuances rounder, in impulse mated minimally jumping. In the smallest oversampling level, it sounded a little tighter and more substantial, in the highest a little fresher and more agile, but in the middle it gets glassy.
Watch out for improvements in partial areas of the sound image Vs tonal losses, because the oversampling put a slightly silver like, artificial shine on voices and instruments and let S-sounds in come to the fore. Then Aqvox loses some of its pleasantly sonorous nonchalance.
Conclusion: You can tryabout studying the settings. Except for the phase reversal, it is dependent on the sources and the personal taste. Find your favourite mix. And he who leaves the USB 2 D/A MK II in the default setting definitely does nothing wrong.
Anyone who wants this flexible, sonically as well demanding as balanced characteristics D/A should buy. We have evaluated the vast majority of simpler and older devices significantly. The filigree and graceful sounding headphone amp, that most of the clumsy-looking simple solutions in amps, and this player is superior, power to him! The D/A converter for really all digital challenges comes from Aqvox. The flat USBDA2 MKII even opens the computer gateway to the hi-fi system, and even makes MP3 presentable. In addition, the extensive setting options will inspire hi-fi fans, as well as an excellent outstanding headphone output with level control. The absolute quality of his sonorous,
colourful and very spatial sound picture depends crucially on the transport. Providing a top source achieved a very high level of performance. In every respect. Five stars!
LABORATORY
The flat DAC shines with dream values. Aliasing distortions, level deviations between the channels and wall learning non-linearities are virtually non-existent
It is interesting that in the "By-pass” mode, ultra-low Distortion by a factor of three forever still very good values "deteriorated", when you enable up-sampling.
Is this the reason for the minimal silver hidden in the upper layers, which we ascertained in the listening? The pleasingly low output resistance also allows for long supply lines to the amplifier. The power consumption seems pleasantly modest. Emphasis CDs are not a problem.
FURNISHING:
Only a few D/A converters shine with a such a full equipment package. Especially the up-sampler, dither, filter and Oversampling functions lead to trips into the digital cosmos.
Handy that the Aqvox sample rates up to 192 kilohertz.
RRP €860
Dimensions: 44 x 6 x 27 cm (WxHxD)
Guarantee: 2 years
Distribution: Aqvox Audio Devices
Tel.: 040/41006890, www.aqvox.de
