Jones99 Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) One DAC that has alluded me for auditioning so far....the response from those that have heard it report it is the best DAC money can buy.......obviously tastes come into this but when people are selling DCS stacks and MSB stacks to buy this product it makes me take notice. Looking under the top of the Trinity DAC does not impress and really does not seem to indicate where all the dollars and performance is coming from....... I will track it down one day to compare to my Kalliope DAC in my system ......until then anyone had any real world experience with it comparing to other top DACs .........thoughts appreciated ? Edited January 10, 2016 by Jones99
Equaliser Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) No personal impressions from me hearing one as I haven't but I did go through the lengthy post/discussions from one of there lead engineers (Dietmar) and others who have heard it on whatsbestforum a'la link: http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?12023-Trinity-DAC http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19150-Is-the-Trinity-DAC-already-Obsolete It's very hard to know where the price is coming from given that the build quality and parts value is inferior to long lengths when compared to other SOTA DAC's e.g. dCs, MSB, Berkeley Audio Design and others. In case somebody is wondering wtf is the Trinity DAC here are some internals of what 40000 euros will buy you: http://wizard-highend.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/trinity-dac.html Edited January 10, 2016 by DefQon
Jones99 Posted January 10, 2016 Author Posted January 10, 2016 No personal impressions from me hearing one as I haven't but I did go through the lengthy post/discussions from one of there lead engineers and others who have heard it on whatsbestforum a'la link: http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?12023-Trinity-DAC http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19150-Is-the-Trinity-DAC-already-Obsolete It's very hard to know where the price is coming from given that the build quality and parts value is inferior to long lengths when compared to other SOTA DAC's e.g. dCs, MSB, Berkeley Audio Design and others. Yes trawled through these posts as well and came away with a feeling of trepidation.....I am also aware products can be heavily pushed and touted as the best by certain individuals on the different forums ........but still have a high sense of curiosity being familiar enough with DCS and MSB stacks........have read quite a few have put their DCS and MSB stacks up for sale and bought the Trinity.....definitely worth an audition to make my mind up.
Equaliser Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) have read quite a few have put their DCS and MSB stacks up for sale and bought the Trinity.....definitely worth an audition to make my mind up. Also a few that sold the Trinity going back to the dcs/msb and audio note dac's. Most people get over the "new toy syndrome" within a matter of days or weeks. Edited January 10, 2016 by DefQon 1
Jones99 Posted January 10, 2016 Author Posted January 10, 2016 Also a few that sold the Trinity going back to the dcs/msb and audio note dac's. Most people get over the "new toy syndrome" within a matter of days or weeks. Interesting I have not read that they have swapped back .......have you any links or references to read why? 1
Guest Sime Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 This is a silly opinion, but based on those pics alone, I wouldn't spend that kind of coin. Don't ask me why, I won't be able to.
Equaliser Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 Interesting I have not read that they have swapped back .......have you any links or references to read why? There was a listing on A'Gon, 2 on a french audiophile forum that I came across by incident when I was searching pictures of the Lanotec technology the Trinity DAC uses and 1 on WBF forum. This is a silly opinion, but based on those pics alone, I wouldn't spend that kind of coin. Don't ask me why, I won't be able to. Neither would I sime.
Guest Sime Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) Is it good sounding, possibly, but I'd like it to at least present itself as being worth $40000+au My little $2400 Chord DAC presents itself better than that. Edited January 10, 2016 by Sime
Slartibartfast Posted January 22, 2016 Posted January 22, 2016 Is it good sounding, possibly, but I'd like it to at least present itself as being worth $40000+au My little $2400 Chord DAC presents itself better than that. I would definitely like to hear the Trinity, and you can add the MSB select to that list Best dac I've heard is the dCS Rossini + master clock, but it too is silly money. Best dac under $3k I've heard is still the Wyred4sound DAC2 DSD, and moving north from there the Auralic Vega dac presents great resolution of detail for the money though is perhaps less open and sweet sounding than the W4S. Fwiw, I own both plus a Bricasti M1 dac (latest version), which approaches dCS performance at a reasonable price point. 1
rollo Posted January 22, 2016 Posted January 22, 2016 The Briscati is an excellent DAC. Eric who designs the Tranquility DAC showed with GR Research room at Rocky mountain Audio Fest USA. We won best sound of the show cost unlimited using Eric's DAC. That DAC was upgraded sinc and is an overachiever. However like ALL components synergy is key with your system. The only DAC that worked in several systems is the Berkley Pro. Expensive however IMHO a breakthrough design. I'll stick to my single box Lector CDP with oversized modded power supply over any computer/DAC combo. A CEC 01 transport in lieu of computer I'm in hook line and sinker. Not a computer fan yet. charles 2
clappy Posted January 22, 2016 Posted January 22, 2016 Yes trawled through these posts as well and came away with a feeling of trepidation.....I am also aware products can be heavily pushed and touted as the best by certain individuals on the different forums ........but still have a high sense of curiosity being familiar enough with DCS and MSB stacks........have read quite a few have put their DCS and MSB stacks up for sale and bought the Trinity.....definitely worth an audition to make my mind up. Started reading the first link but stopped when "Jeff" mentioned he had it in his mansion! What a tosser! I'm sure the Trinity is a fantastic product though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
a.dent Posted January 22, 2016 Posted January 22, 2016 Started reading the first link but stopped when "Jeff" mentioned he had it in his mansion! What a tosser! I'm sure the Trinity is a fantastic product though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I don't think Jeff is from Oz or US. Mansion may not have the same meaning to him. From Wikipedia "In British English a mansion block refers to a block of flats or apartments designed for the appearance of grandeur. In many parts of Asia, including Hong Kong and Japan, the word mansion also refers to a block of apartments." 4
Jones99 Posted January 24, 2016 Author Posted January 24, 2016 (edited) I would definitely like to hear the Trinity, and you can add the MSB select to that list Best dac I've heard is the dCS Rossini + master clock, but it too is silly money. Best dac under $3k I've heard is still the Wyred4sound DAC2 DSD, and moving north from there the Auralic Vega dac presents great resolution of detail for the money though is perhaps less open and sweet sounding than the W4S. Fwiw, I own both plus a Bricasti M1 dac (latest version), which approaches dCS performance at a reasonable price point. Sartibartfast The MSB select I have heard before and hope to hear more soon.....the RRP is downright scarey though...... I have also heard the DCS Rossini stack and liked it ......the Vivaldi Stack always impresses the the times I have heard it in home systems and showrooms ........I know some don't like the sound of DCS but its hard to ignore the excellence in Engineering that goes into DCS products superb in my eyes and ears . At some point I will compare either Rossini or Vivaldi to my Kalliope and hopefully the Trinity/MSB select as well in my own system ....here is hoping the Kaliope wins those shootouts or my pockets will be poorer for it. Will look in to the Briscati looks very interesting...and I have not heard it yet ..appreciate the suggestion. Edited January 24, 2016 by Jones99 2
Slartibartfast Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 Sartibartfast The MSB select I have heard before and hope to hear more soon.....the RRP is downright scarey though...... I have also heard the DCS Rossini stack and liked it ......the Vivaldi Stack always impresses the the times I have heard it in home systems and showrooms ........I know some don't like the sound of DCS but its hard to ignore the excellence in Engineering that goes into DCS products superb in my eyes and ears . At some point I will compare either Rossini or Vivaldi to my Kalliope and hopefully the Trinity/MSB select as well in my own system ....here is hoping the Kaliope wins those shootouts or my pockets will be poorer for it. Will look in to the Briscati looks very interesting...and I have not heard it yet ..appreciate the suggestion. The Kaliope is a lovely dac, and definitely the best ESS implementation I've heard. I also had the pleasure of hearing it paired with the Pandora pre and Antileon evo and was able to compare directly against the Rossini and a MSB Diamond IV. Just my opinion of course; I liked the seductive grain-free mid and treble of the Kaliope but felt that Rossini was slightly more resolving, particularly when the master clock was added. Bear in mind though that the Kalioipe was new out of the box, so the comparison might not have been completely valid. Fwiw, a friend of mine traded up from the Bricasti to a Kaliope and prefers the Kaliope overall but is also of the view that the Bricasti is slightly better in some areas. 1
analog brother Posted January 24, 2016 Posted January 24, 2016 soulution got a new dac as well. i think it is called the 760?
Jones99 Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) The Kaliope is a lovely dac, and definitely the best ESS implementation I've heard. I also had the pleasure of hearing it paired with the Pandora pre and Antileon evo and was able to compare directly against the Rossini and a MSB Diamond IV. Just my opinion of course; I liked the seductive grain-free mid and treble of the Kaliope but felt that Rossini was slightly more resolving, particularly when the master clock was added. Bear in mind though that the Kalioipe was new out of the box, so the comparison might not have been completely valid. Fwiw, a friend of mine traded up from the Bricasti to a Kaliope and prefers the Kaliope overall but is also of the view that the Bricasti is slightly better in some areas. Yes the Kalliope is very nice your description of "seductive grain free mid and treble" nails it. I run my Kalliope with Pandora and Mephisto..While I am very very happy with Kalliope my curiosity to try DCS, Trinity and MSBs in my own system keeps eating at me......perhaps it is a case of grass is greener.........but until I try who knows... What were your thoughts on the MSB Diamond IV vs the other 2 DACs mentioned? Edited January 25, 2016 by Jones99
Slartibartfast Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Yes the Kalliope is very nice your description of "seductive grain free mid and treble" nails it. I run my Kalliope with Pandora and Mephisto..While I am very very happy with Kalliope my curiosity to try DCS, Trinity and MSBs in my own system keeps eating at me......perhaps it is a case of grass is greener.........but until I try who knows... What were your thoughts on the MSB Diamond IV vs the other 2 DACs mentioned? The MSB Diamond IV presents a more front row perspective, bringing the entire performance a step closer to the listener. However, it's also on the cool and clinical side of the neutral zone, which means that any recording that's not completely pristine will be more difficult to enjoy on a lazy winter evening. In terms of resolution, the MSB Diamond IV easily matches the dCS Rossini, even with the master clock, but is unable to match the dCS's analogue-esque purity. You might say that the MSB exhilarates, but the dCS also captivates. Having heard both the Kaliope and MSB D IV, it's difficult to rate one above the other because they're polar opposites. If the MSB is a more lively and resolving dac, the Kaliope is a more seductive dac, so it will come down to a matter of personal choice and system synergy as to which is deemed best. One thing that's in your favour is that you've got the best electronics available, so which ever dac you choose you'll know you're hearing it at it's absolute best. 1
Guest Sime Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Pfft, I just got a Mojo, who needs these mega DACs ..............
analog brother Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 i liked rossini; much more organic than vivaldi. also much less complex and less real estate and cable, isolation issues. i prefer to mix brands and discover new synergies. 2
analog brother Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 i reckon a berkeley ref paired with cec tlo-x running xlr anaconda digital would be superb!
HKLM Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I have only owned sub $10k DAC's, much of the time I find myself just listening to the source connected directly to the preamplifier. I have heard Rossini with master clock in Hong Kong, paired with Constellation amp/pre and Magico M-Project. Insane money.
Jones99 Posted January 25, 2016 Author Posted January 25, 2016 i reckon a berkeley ref paired with cec tlo-x running xlr anaconda digital would be superb! I have heard the Berkeley Ref briefly it was showroom conditions so not sure relevant but while there was mountains of detail and nothing to really fault seemed a little thin to analytical side of the spectrum which is not too my tastes.....could have been the system as well from memory magico/constellation so I really need to try again....I do not like that it does not have a usb input.... 2
analog brother Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) usb input is available in a separate component. it was done on purpose to eliminate any interaction. i don't like thin either, that's why i like to pair resolution with musicality. cec is 20yo belt-driven transport. very musical. i'm still stuck at 44.1khz! Edited January 25, 2016 by analog brother 1
Slartibartfast Posted January 29, 2016 Posted January 29, 2016 I have heard the Berkeley Ref briefly it was showroom conditions so not sure relevant but while there was mountains of detail and nothing to really fault seemed a little thin to analytical side of the spectrum which is not too my tastes.....could have been the system as well from memory magico/constellation so I really need to try again....I do not like that it does not have a usb input.... I've not actually heard one but the Berkeley is nothing special to look at with the covers off. Much like the standard Alpha, the ref is very basic, uses a AD delta-sigma dac and all op-amps for I>V and output buffer, and there's absolutely no over-engineering of the power supplies that feed the various sections. Still I'm hoping to borrow one to evaluate against my Bricasti etc, and ditto the standard Alpha 2 dac. However, I'll probably ultimately end up with a dCS. For me, the Rossini ticks every box, both functionally and sonically. 1
Jones99 Posted January 29, 2016 Author Posted January 29, 2016 I've not actually heard one but the Berkeley is nothing special to look at with the covers off. Much like the standard Alpha, the ref is very basic, uses a AD delta-sigma dac and all op-amps for I>V and output buffer, and there's absolutely no over-engineering of the power supplies that feed the various sections. Still I'm hoping to borrow one to evaluate against my Bricasti etc, and ditto the standard Alpha 2 dac. However, I'll probably ultimately end up with a dCS. For me, the Rossini ticks every box, both functionally and sonically. Yes the 2 Alphas really look very similar with the tops off and nothing stands out but as always proof is in the listening............... be very interested to hear your thoughts of the comparison if it comes to fruition.
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