The Opera Consonance DAC 16 is a bit of an oddball, ignoring the modern trend of pushing CD sampling frequencies and 16-bit processing to increasingly high levels to get higher resolution and theoretically better audio quality. Instead it uses 16-bit non-oversampling filterless architecture.
The DAC 16 is a nicely built, stocky, dark silver box but it really should have a curved faceplate like the rest of the manufacturer’s Forbidden City range — a DAC 16 that looked like a miniature version of the Calaf amplifier would have been ultra-cool. Funnily enough, for a non-oversampling DAC, the manual states that the clock frequencies and sampling rates can be altered using jumpers, and a quick look showed a PC board with multiple jumpers. However, the lush sound of the plain-Jane 16-bit filterless DAC 16 is the prime attraction here, so I suppressed the instinct to tweak.
Sonically, the DAC 16 compares very favourably with my Marantz SA8260 SACD player, carrying similar levels of detail, but the Opera is smoother, with a bit more weight through the midrange and bass and more atmosphere to the music. Denizens of the ‘accuracy is everything’ camp might prefer a sound that is a little drier and less warm, but the warmth isn’t overblown at all.
USB performance was superb; the DAC 16 is plug ’n’ play personified. Windows XP configured it within seconds and the anaemic sound of my laptop’s sound card (even on CD-quality files) was transformed, becoming full bodied, rich and thoroughly engaging, sounding much more like a good CD player than a tinny radio.
The DAC 16 is a fine choice to lift or subtly change the performance of an existing CD player, and if you’ve got high-quality music on your computer that you’d like to hear at its best through a good hi-fi system, the DAC 16 is a terrific option.
BRETT GIDEON
DAC 16
Digital-To-Analogue converter
$1200
CONTACT
www.dencoaudio.co.nz
This Review is from Tone Issue 75.
There are a few changes to this issue of Tone. We’ve said farewell to our fine cover girl in favour of some lads in white (it’s not a statement of preference, but the World Cup only comes around once every four years). In order to stimulate maximum creativity, our designer hasn’t slept since the last issue went to print, resulting in some crazy new fonts and unbelievably sleek breakout boxes possessing a level of sophistication not previously imagined. Like Saruman forging his army of fighting Uruk-Hai, we’ve dug new writers from the earth’s very gut, who now swarm across the world’s gadgets, crafting their infernal reviews. Though we’ve changed a little on the outside, we’re still the Tone you know and love on the inside. As always, we’re committed to providing the latest technology news and the best, unbiased, independent reviews of hot new products – and that’s never going to change. Enjoy.
Subscribe Now
Loading ...