CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

  • December 31, 2015, 11:19:39 AM
  • Welcome, Guest
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Lavry DA11  (Read 3569 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Anaxilus.

  • Dikus Beligerantis Analmorticus
  • Pirate
  • **
  • Brownie Points: +65535/-65535
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 577
Lavry DA11
« on: July 09, 2013, 06:47:29 PM »
Lavry DAC11
 
PC/Transport (USB and coax)>both DACs (both RCAand XLR>Super7>HD800 (modded)
Note: PWD mk1>2 had an advantage in USB using ASIO versus the DA11 using WASAPI.  This factor was largely eliminated as the differences still held using the Coax from the same transport. 

More powerful output than the PWD mk1>2 so it’s louder but less dynamic.  This comparison would give anyone interested an insight into how loud does not necessarily equal better quality power delivery (for both amps and DACs; same principle). 
 
Overall, the DA11 is a decent DAC for the price (aka. not shit), I’d put it on par or perhaps a fraction of a hair below the Hilo in performance.  It has good overall accurate timbre, resolution and nothing weird in the frequency response.  The Hilo had just a bit more treble artifacting but had more micro dynamics that makes music more engaging and less boring.  In other words, the DA11 sounds more dynamically flat but it is an enjoyable listen as long as you have nothing better.
 
How does it compare to the PWD mk1>2?  This PWD has better micro dynamics, inner detail retrieval, spatiality, imaging, blackground, sharper transients and overall refinement.  To put this statement in more clear terms for those less familiar by what I stated, each instrument and vocal in a complex song sounds more accurate, natural and distinct from each other.  For those evaluating DACs for the first time, I recommend using this as a guideline.  Does each instrument own its own signature better or worse than the other DAC in question and does it sound more like a real performance versus a lower fidelity recording.  Of course, this presumes you aren’t dealing with weird sonic artifacts or anomalies that hurt your ears.

I would take the brevity of these impressions to indicate the DA11 does not suck.  Not really much to talk about apart from what's been said IMHO.
 
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 06:55:02 PM by Analixus »
Logged
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading - Lao Tzu

MayaTlab

  • Guest
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2013, 06:56:13 PM »
Your comment regarding the DA11's "good overall accurate timbre (…) and nothing weird in the frequency response" is right in line with my own experience. Did you find the USB implementation a bit lacklustre ? I've used it with the Anedio U2, and I think it's a little better (resolution, dynamic feel).

I'll soon have four DACs in the house (V800, DA11, Benchmark DAC2 and Invicta), perhaps should I take the time to propose a short comparison (I already know which one I'll keep, but that isn't the point).
Logged

Anaxilus.

  • Dikus Beligerantis Analmorticus
  • Pirate
  • **
  • Brownie Points: +65535/-65535
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 577
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2013, 07:04:15 PM »
Yes, one could say that.  However, w/ USB its such a complicated thing to talk about relative to Windows, MAC, OS setup, WASAPI v. ASIO, Amarra or Jriver, etc etc.  So the question is the DAC at fault or something else upstream?  Too many variables for me to comment on other peoples potential experiences.  This is why I often use my transport via coax to cut a lot of the variables out of the equation as a cross check versus my PC.
Logged
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading - Lao Tzu

Marvey

  • The Man For His Time And Place
  • Master
  • Pirate
  • *****
  • Brownie Points: +555/-33
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6698
  • Captain Plankton and MOT: Eddie Current
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2013, 08:45:09 PM »
I heard the DA11 before (very limited experience), but so far your impressions are consistent with mine. It's a good solid DAC with no weirdness. I'll give it a run and do a direct comparison with the DACs I happen to have handy. Maybe even throw in the OR5 in the chain to see what happens.
Logged

twifosp

  • Powder Monkey
  • *
  • Brownie Points: +9/-4
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 64
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2013, 01:07:28 AM »
Did you use the PIC at all?  If so, what did you think?  I usually keep mine at neutral, but will definitely turn it on for old recordings where the vocals are off center. I dislike an inside the head sound or an off balanced sound, so PIC it's probably higher on my priority list than most listeners.  I'm one of those wierdos who try for speaker like sound stage.

I don't have much else to compare it to, though.  My only stint with the PWD mkII was at the Texas meet, which I did not like at all, but I think everyone by now knows that it was probably the known firmware issue.  I have yet to hear a "known good" PWD, and would really like to. 
Logged

anetode

  • an objectivist trapped in a subjectivist's body
  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +178/-7
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1067
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2013, 02:45:39 AM »
Quote from: twifosp on July 11, 2013, 01:07:28 AM
Did you use the PIC at all?  If so, what did you think?  I usually keep mine at neutral, but will definitely turn it on for old recordings where the vocals are off center. I dislike an inside the head sound or an off balanced sound, so PIC it's probably higher on my priority list than most listeners.  I'm one of those wierdos who try for speaker like sound stage.

I've grown used to leaving it at -1/-1 for most headphones, with the exception of the HD800. Though when something from the olden days comes along it's down to -3/-3.

Quote from: Analixus on July 09, 2013, 06:47:29 PM

Overall, the DA11 is a decent DAC for the price (aka. not shit)
 



Woo-hoo!
Logged
Love isn't always on time.

Anaxilus.

  • Dikus Beligerantis Analmorticus
  • Pirate
  • **
  • Brownie Points: +65535/-65535
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 577
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2013, 05:19:55 AM »
Quote from: twifosp on July 11, 2013, 01:07:28 AM
Did you use the PIC at all?  If so, what did you think?  I usually keep mine at neutral, but will definitely turn it on for old recordings where the vocals are off center. I dislike an inside the head sound or an off balanced sound, so PIC it's probably higher on my priority list than most listeners.  I'm one of those wierdos who try for speaker like sound stage.

I don't have much else to compare it to, though.  My only stint with the PWD mkII was at the Texas meet, which I did not like at all, but I think everyone by now knows that it was probably the known firmware issue.  I have yet to hear a "known good" PWD, and would really like to.


I did by accident, the default I received was off neutral and I was not enthralled.  After the second day of comparison I realized what was going on and set it back to neutral, everything just sounded as it should.  When you AB lots of gear w/ familiar tracks, hearing something out of the norm is not a good thing.  I never spent much time w/ it to see if I would grow to like it or apply it to some ridiculous Beatles stereo masters.


Until Alex's PWD is upgraded to the new FW and it sounds fixed, I call bullshit on it being a FW issue rather than a hardware change somewhere.  The PWD mk2 that you (Texas meet) and I both heard when compared to mine, purrin's and CeeTee's sounds like a $750 DAC at best.
Logged
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading - Lao Tzu

CEE TEE

  • Master controller of all scores
  • Mate
  • Pirate
  • ****
  • Brownie Points: +98/-338
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 839
  • Need More Time To Loaf Around
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2013, 06:36:43 AM »
Many thanks to Anetode for lending out this DAC in basically "new" condition for a tour of at least two.  :)p1


The DA11 would probably have been my upgrade path had I not jumped on a used PWD MKI>MKII (and found a good firmware revision). 


The extension and impact at <both ends> is greater and/or "more lively" than my Benchmark DAC1. The DA11 is also "better" than my experience when comparing the DAC1 to the Lavry DA10 (I found them "pretty equivalent").


The PiC feature was interesting. I felt that I may or may not use the feature, but it was interesting and an option that I might use more if I grow accustomed to speakers in the future. (I happen to like mono Dylan/Beatles with headphones.)
Logged
sound soft harmonics rich bile rich rhyme

MayaTlab

  • Guest
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2013, 07:45:11 AM »
Quote from: twifosp on July 11, 2013, 01:07:28 AM
Did you use the PIC at all?  If so, what did you think?  I usually keep mine at neutral, but will definitely turn it on for old recordings where the vocals are off center. I dislike an inside the head sound or an off balanced sound, so PIC it's probably higher on my priority list than most listeners.  I'm one of those wierdos who try for speaker like sound stage.

After trying both the DA11's PIC, a Phonitor, and several crossfeed softwares, I'm not sure you'll succeed much in that endeavour. I've always felt there was "something wrong" I couldn't exactly pinpoint with them all. On the Phonitor for example I felt it was related to a loss of body / dynamics / warmth / musicality. Everything sounded a little flatter, a little more boring.

If you want a speaker-like soundstage, well, I'm afraid there's a rather strong chance only speakers will do. And even then I'm not sure any pair of speaker in any kind of room with no specific hardware or software treatment is convincing !

Logged

twifosp

  • Powder Monkey
  • *
  • Brownie Points: +9/-4
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 64
Re: Lavry DA11
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2013, 01:37:14 PM »
Quote from: Analixus on July 11, 2013, 05:19:55 AM

Until Alex's PWD is upgraded to the new FW and it sounds fixed, I call bullshit on it being a FW issue rather than a hardware change somewhere.  The PWD mk2 that you (Texas meet) and I both heard when compared to mine, purrin's and CeeTee's sounds like a $750 DAC at best.

Ahh, regardless of the software or hardware issues with Alex's and the other PWD it definitely did not sound right.  I thought a bifrost even sounded better, so I'm not even sure if you can say it sounds like a $750 dac.  Once we swapped out the PWD for the Ayon as a source, the sound and over all tone improved by a huge factor.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »