20-Mar-2015, 12:39
(This post was last modified: 20-Mar-2015, 12:41 by GuillaumeB.)
(19-Mar-2015, 22:32)johnsap Wrote: Does MELCO give less details in comparison to AIR ?
I found Moon to be less detailed than AIR ?
Is it the same with MELCO ?
We didn't compare the Melco to AIR. I am however quite familiar with the sound that AIR gives in my system and in the past have carried out direct back to back comparisons between the MiND 180 and AIR:
http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=253
Taking the N1A base model I would say that it has perhaps a bit less of the pin sharp definition of AIR... the "edge" of the notes is smoother and the texture of the sound is perhaps a bit richer/fuller/warmer. I love the sound of AIR but I do find that with some material it can sound a tad bright and thin, there is a sharpness to its presentation if you will. There is still plenty of immediacy with the N1A sound, the attack of notes is there without some of the downsides of AIR. To my ears the N1A is a big, more mature, relaxed sound.
Of course the N1Z takes things to a scary stratospheric level. You hear stuff you never heard before, brush work on a drum sounds more detailed and easier to follow. Or rather you're suprised by the fact that the brush work sounds a bit different to what you're used to. It's more life-like I suppose. That's the thing about the N1Z, it gives you this incredible holographic picture. I thought the totaldac d1 was great in this regard, but the N1Z redefines the experience.
Gregory Porter's vocals took on a dimension and presence I hadn't felt before.
The thing is all this is a fantastic tribute to the Devialet DAC and ADH technology, it just keeps on giving! Feed it the best possible source and you are hugely rewarded. I think this is what others are finding with other streamers too. AIR is very good but in reality it is just an introduction into what is possible with your Devialet.
Guillaume
Industry disclosure: UK distributor for Shunyata Research
220 PRO, totaldac d1 server with additional external power supply, totaldac d1-seven, Echole PSU for Totaldac, Wilson Audio Sasha 2, Shunyata Research cables, Shunyata Hydra Alpha A10 + DPC-6 v3, Various Entreq ground boxes and cables, Entreq Athena level 3 rack, 2 X SOtM sNH-10G with sCLK-EX + 10MHz Master Clock input + sPS-500 PSU, i5 sonicTransporter w/ 1TB SSD
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