Digital Drive: REVIEW: Audio Research, Inc. DAC3 MKII DAC Processors by Nick5

Model:	DAC3 MKII
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$4995
Description:	Out of production DAC
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Research, Inc.
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Research, Inc.

Review by Nick5 on May 15, 2002 at 04:58:09
IP Address: 140.157.40.57

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for the DAC3 MKII

Excellant piece of equipment. Bout it used for 25% of its retail price when it was in production. The best thing that characterzez this unit is its resolution and forgiveness. This might be expected from an equipment that utilizes tubes in the output stage such as the DAC3MKII.
Once I bought and connected to the rest of my system, it resembled pretty much my AR CD2 integrated player which is another excellant and fine sounding machine. However, as time went by, I came to realize the DAC3MKII is something special. In the dynamic department, it surpassed the CD2 and provided a tighter and extended bottom end. The midrange is not as open as the CD2, hence the forgiveness I spoke about earlier. The soundstage is more elaborate and extended both laterally and depthwise in comparison with CD2.

Product Weakness: Nothing I can think of.
Product Strengths: Oerall gain in dynamics, soundstage width and depth and base extention. High frequencies are crystal clear and free of any vagueness.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 7B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line 2 (mod'ed to SE)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Research CD2
Speakers:	Martin Logan SL3
Cables/Interconnects:	MIT MI-330 Shotgun, Harmonic Tech. ProSilway, Kimber Kable KCAG (All Balanced) and MIT MH-750 Shotgun
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various (Jazz, Instrumental, Vocals and Classical)
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio P300 for sources
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Nothing I can think of.
Product Strengths:	Oerall gain in dynamics, soundstage width and depth and base extention. High frequencies are crystal clear and free of any vagueness.