Digital Drive: REVIEW: Antelpoe Zodiac Gold DAC Processors by MVA

Model:	Zodiac Gold
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$4500
Description:	Antelope Zodiac Gold with Voltikuskus PS USB DA
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by MVA on March 31, 2011 at 21:38:04
IP Address: 68.43.143.144 Add Your Review
for the Zodiac Gold

After months of research into rebuilding my digital front end I took the plunge. I bought a Mac Mini server, Pure Music software and most recently an Antelope Zodiac Gold with Voltikus power supply. I have had the AZG for about a month now, but didn't get the Voltikus until this past week.
Upon opening the box you immediately notice the high build quality. While smallish in size and weight compared to other high end products, the fit and finish is up there with the best. The remote is milled aluminum jewel that let's you select the source, contol volume, mute and mono. Front panel controls are clearly marked and have a nice tactile feedback to them. The connections on the back are also clearly marked and up to audiophile standards. It has both balanced and single ended outputs. Digital inputs include USB, USB 3 ready, spdif, aes/ebu and toslink.
Installation was straight forward, it took about an hour to hook up and interface to the Mac Mini using the included USB cable and toslink to a Sony SACD player. It was immediately recognized by the Mac and setup in Pure Music went flawlessly. I connected the AZG with balanced cable to my Atma Sphere MP1 and used the volume control to match the output to my vinyl setup for comparison. The initial setup was with a wall wart type supply as the Voltikus was on back order.
Initial listening impression was smooth and balanced sound, soundstage had good width, but depth was a bit shallow and flat. Bass was a bit loose, lacking impact and definition. After a couple of days of constant break in the soundstage widened slightly, increasing in depth with improved spatial cues. Treble remained smooth, but there seemed to be more air and resolution. Upper bass through the midrange solidified having more presence and sense of physical space. The bass definition improved, but the bass was still lacking impact when compared to my previous digital front ends, Altis Ultima, Esoteric X3SE and highly modified Sony Scd1. Over the next couple of weeks it continued to improve in virtually all areas and it could hold it's own against my previous digital front ends performing better in certain areas and less in others. At this point I would rate it overall as very good, but not quite reference quality.
Enter the Voltikus! I picked up the Voltikus power supply Monday and installed it in the system with a Kimber Pal PK 10. The difference with the power supply were evident and dramatic. Everything took took a leap forward. Soundstage width expanded to wall to wall from slightly outside the speakers and depth now has the feel of solid placement of performers and space. The air and presence from bass to treble has the you are there presentation. The improvement in bass was particularly impressive. It is now tight with excellent resolution and impact you experience not just hear. Obviously I feel the Voltikus is a must have and elevates the AZG to reference status.
I consider myself a vinyl person and it continues to be my primary source for serious listening. As good as the Antelope Zodiac Gold with Voltikus is it still does not draw me into the music the way vinyl can, but it has narrowed the gap and I am enjoying it greatly and considering that the whole digital front end including the Mac cost less than half of my phono preamp I am inclined to say it is a better value.

Product Weakness:	Still not vinyl
Product Strengths:	Build quality, high performance, value. Reference quality digital.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Pass xa60.5. Bryston 300 bass
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Atma Sphere Mp1 Boulder 1008 phono
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Garrard 301 Triplanar VIIU Ortofon a90
Speakers: Custom
Cables/Interconnects: Custom
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 26 x 18 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: Various
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Topaz, Ps Audio p 300
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): See archives

Amplifier:	Pass xa60.5. Bryston 300 bass
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Atma Sphere Mp1 Boulder 1008 phono
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Garrard 301 Triplanar VIIU Ortofon a90
Speakers:	Custom
Cables/Interconnects:	Custom
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	26 x 18 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Various
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Topaz, Ps Audio p 300
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	See archives