General Asylum: REVIEW: California Audio Labs Alpha 24/96 upgrade DAC Processors by Stephæn General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

For Sale Ads FAQ / News / Events

WRITTEN ON 10/28/98

The CAL Alpha 96k/24-Bit upgrade
Cost = $450
Turn-around time = 8 days (door to door)
Overall bang for buck = ***** (five stars)

After living with the unit for a week now, I offer the following initial impressions.

The first thing I noticed was that the bass was more prominent and definitive (visceral); tighter, deeper, with more snap and slam; just more life-like; more tuneful, as well as more extended. Still not the solid-state punch, but emminently more revealing and musical. There are cello lines in orchestral pieces I have never been able to follow before. They are nicely exposed, now.

Secondly, there was simply more clarity; the detail is not intrusive, but inviting; the increased low-level resolution:
•makes inner details much more accessible
•reveals more bite from brass
•improves the high-end extension
•increases soundstage depth
•better projection of group vocals (back-up singers)
•vocal and instrumental harmonics/overtones were so much more apparent

The increased resolution is not at all analytical, though; it is clear and rounded—not brittle or edgy—and reveals very honestly the character of many instruments (especially guitar and piano).

Thirdly, the pace of the music seems to have picked up a bit because of the improved transient attack; ambience is also more realistic due to extended decay; recording venues are much more obvious.

Finally, the question of overall dynamics.
The simple answer is yes; the music is more dynamic:
•macro swings are wider
•microdynamic nuances are abundant

In the end, the improved resolution and attack (at macro AND micro-levels), when combined with the extended decay, offers a more “analogue-type smoothness”—a detailed yet full liquidity—that, to me, is music revealed.

Am I throwing away my turntable? NOT!
Am I listening to more CDs? Yes. And liking it a lot better.

I would rate the overall improvement on the order of inserting a PLC into a system fed by a slightly dirty power line. Quite significant in terms of revealing more of the music. And the smoothness is readily apparant.

The things I report did not require deep listening or critical evaluation; they just showed up. Some of the things (ambience, for example) were only marginally improved, but it's the sum of the changes that really makes the magic. When combined with the moderately (yet significant——it would be hard to miss the difference) improved inner detail, greatly improved transient attack, moderately improved dynamics, more tuneful and extended bass, and the sheer fluidity reminiscent of analogue, it all adds up to a great bargain and a sonic delight.

©1998

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---