Digital Drive: REVIEW: Art Audio ART DI/O DAC Processors by Brian Cheney

Model:	ART DI/O
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$249
Description:	Compact AtoD/DtoA converter
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Brian Cheney on August 30, 2001 at 09:08:48
IP Address: 64.12.105.167

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for the ART DI/O

I would not have pursued this unit without the input from other inmates who swore by its high quality.
The ART DI/O is a very compact AtoD and DtoA converter about 1.5"h and 5" square. It has selectable sampling rates but I used the external syn only in this comparison. I had the full PT P1A/P3A/Monolithic PS on hand for A/B, plus the analog output of a $99 Philips CD changer, the Wadia 27ix, and several other players including a tubed output player from CAL which I borrowed. My transport is a Krell MD 10 ($8000 when new, now nearly a decade old and in continuous use in my system since 1992). I tried several digital IC's (including a homebrew Belden that sounded fine) but settled on the expensive ($1000) 1m Audiomagic solid silver digital IC.
The DI/O would not accept the signal from some digital IC's so experiment before purchase.
Out of the box the unit sound awful, quite inferior to the output of the Philips changer. I would have packed it away and returned it on the spot were it not for encouragement from certain inmates, whom I thank.
The unit took five weeks from order to arrive. I paid samash $189 including shipping.
The DI/O came with a 1300mA walwart PS. I removed the tube but performed no other mods. The Radio Shack goldplated 1/4" to RCA adapters were used on the audio output. My audio IC's are all Kimber Select solid silver, which retail for $1000/1m pr (and worth it I might add).
So, what we have here is a very cheap D to A hooked up via very expensive cables to a high end system, which included a Jadis JPS preamp, Plinis SA250IV power amp, Cardas Golden Cross and Kimber Select speaker wire, and VMPS RM 40 widerange ribbon speakers with 24Hz to 25kHz bandwidth.
I had to turn down the volume of the JPL three clickstops to match levels with the output of the other DAC's on hand.
To be continued.

Product Weakness: ditto
Product Strengths: to be continued

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Plinius SA250IV
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Jadis JPL tube
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Krell MD10
Speakers:	VMPS RM40
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Select
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	orchestra
Room Size (LxWxH):	31 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	full LEDE
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS 300
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	ditto
Product Strengths:	to be continued