02-Jun-2015, 17:15
I think I can answer my own question. A local dealer has the Akurate, Majik, and Sneaky and we tried all three taking the digital coax out from each (via Nordost Valhalla 2 cable) into my Shure SE846 IEM’s and Chord Hugo DAC/headamp. This made it portable between each unit and removed all variables other than the Linn. Listened to Tidal streaming via Linn app. Not how I would actually use it obviously, but I thought a pretty good way to do the test.
I was hoping that there would be minor differences in SQ that would make the Sneaky and/or Majik a real contender at their price points (the Valhalla cable costs more than the Sneaky I think!) but alas it was not the case. The Akurate was head and shoulders better and with this setup, I thought it sounded pretty spectacular (same smooth, effortless delivery as Air wi-fi….when it is actually working). I wouldn’t be happy with either the Majik or Sneaky (I found those 2 to be pretty close actually, both with a haze/graininess that disappeared entirely on the Akurate). Had they had a DS unit in stock (we were listening to a DSM) and they had offered a bit of a deal off the $7,000 MSRP (throw in the Valhalla cable?) I might have been pretty tempted. With the benefit of hindsight though, if the Akurate is just an 8/10 on the Totaldac 10/10 scale I think I need to hear the D1!
I was hoping that there would be minor differences in SQ that would make the Sneaky and/or Majik a real contender at their price points (the Valhalla cable costs more than the Sneaky I think!) but alas it was not the case. The Akurate was head and shoulders better and with this setup, I thought it sounded pretty spectacular (same smooth, effortless delivery as Air wi-fi….when it is actually working). I wouldn’t be happy with either the Majik or Sneaky (I found those 2 to be pretty close actually, both with a haze/graininess that disappeared entirely on the Akurate). Had they had a DS unit in stock (we were listening to a DSM) and they had offered a bit of a deal off the $7,000 MSRP (throw in the Valhalla cable?) I might have been pretty tempted. With the benefit of hindsight though, if the Akurate is just an 8/10 on the Totaldac 10/10 scale I think I need to hear the D1!
