Digital Drive: REVIEW: Bel Canto Design DAC3 DAC Processors by bullethead

Model:	DAC3
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$2495
Description:	Digital to Analog converter w/ USB and optional Preamp mode
Manufacturer URL:	Bel Canto Design

Review by bullethead on July 30, 2007 at 16:11:55
IP Address: 71.125.13.173 Add Your Review
for the DAC3

Bel Canto DAC3 review (compared with my beloved Bel Canto DAC2)

Well, it all started when I took the plunge into PC Audio, after realizing that the PC Transport I setup (Low Latency Linux OS w/ FLAC lossless music archives) beat the pants off my Musical Fidelity A3 CD Transport connected to a Bel Canto DAC2. Not only was I in the market for a new cd player at the time, I read up on the USB method of connecting computer audio to a digital connection, and then connecting that to a DAC. As it turns out, not only did the CD Transport behave more as it should, but the PC setup also benefited tremendously with the addition/upgrade to the Bel Canto DAC3.

I really have enjoyed the Bel Canto DAC2 for quite a number of years (about 5+ years or so). Since upgrading my system over time I have begun piece by piece to identify undesirable elements in the system as time passed. While that could mean changing cables or adding good power cords helped improve the sound, doing so brought out the "flaws" in the sound. Being on a quest for "neutrality" I found that the CD Player sounded muddy and that the DAC2 sounded a "bit" on the warm side. After looking around I settled on the Bel Canto DAC3 as a "common sense" upgrade to the Bel Canto DAC2. Bel Canto is a company I respected for a long time due to their excellent products I have experienced and used in the past. I like their attention to detail and performance as much as I like their semi affordable range of equipment. The layman can easily buy one or two Bel Canto components and still have money to spend on music.

Now on to the performance of the DAC3.

I noticed an immediate improvement in the sound. It was indeed exactly as described elsewhere. It's neutral, I did not detect any hint of "warmth" as I have had with the DAC2. Also as the cd transport connected to the DAC3 via SPDIF I noticed more traction so to speak with the compact disk. It was almost like adding a good turntable mat to a record. The compact disk sound was "tighter" and the instruments and vocalists separated themselves into separate entities, there was no more "smearing" and definitely no more muddy sounds coming from the unit. I believe that the Bel Canto Reference Ultra Clock in the DAC3 had something to do with this.

The DAC3 is easy to listen to, I am not fatigued by the sound and I certainly don't get sick of listening to the stereo. On the first day out of the box I spent about 6 hours through the night listening to the setup and over time it has improved substantially. The USB connection is fantastic, and it allows the convenience of hooking up a laptop directly to the DAC3 and playing music on demand. Building playlists gives me the ability to stay in one spot to avoid getting up and constantly changing the disk every hour or so. Absolutely wonderful in convenience and also in sound quality. I look at USB connections now in DACs as a must have added value as the market goes from digital disk to high quality music files of the same nature.

The smooth neutral sound was what I was after, I have found it precisely in the DAC3.

Product Weakness:	none so far
Product Strengths:	neutrality

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Dussun V6i
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Electronic Supply AE-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): MF A3 CD Player/Project Debut III/Linux Laptop
Speakers: Polk Audio LSi-15/PSW650 Sub
Cables/Interconnects: Audioquest, Gutwire, Kimber, Cardas
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Electronic, Rock, Country
Room Size (LxWxH): 36 x 36 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Some room treatments
Time Period/Length of Audition: owner
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Power Conditioner
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): not available

Amplifier:	Dussun V6i
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Electronic Supply AE-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	MF A3 CD Player/Project Debut III/Linux Laptop
Speakers:	Polk Audio LSi-15/PSW650 Sub
Cables/Interconnects:	Audioquest, Gutwire, Kimber, Cardas
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Electronic, Rock, Country
Room Size (LxWxH):	36 x 36 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Some room treatments
Time Period/Length of Audition:	owner
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Power Conditioner
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	not available