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Digital Drive: REVIEW: EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems Millenium DAC II DAC Processors by Mr P

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REVIEW: EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems Millenium DAC II DAC Processors Review by Mr P at Audio Asylum

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With 250+ hours of break in time on the Millennium DAC II it’s time for a review. The DAC II comes with two switches on the back, one to invert the phase, the other to control the roll off response of the digital filter. All burn in and listening was done with the digital filter in the soft roll off mode. I did no serious listening during the first 175 hours of burn in. A stock power cord was used. All comparisons were made against my stock Monarchy 22C DAC. Since I was very happy with the 22C, it was not as much of an issue for me to wait out delivery of the DAC II. My total time on the waiting list was 13 months. For evaluation purposes I primarily used 4 CDs. The Soundtrack from “Gladiator” (this CD will humble many systems), the “Chesky Ultimate Demonstration Disk”, “The Man From God Knows Where” by Tom Russell and “The Secret Handshake” by Geoff Muldaur. I consider my system to be slightly on the cool side of neutral and very revealing.

I spent a lot of time listening to the “Gladiator” disk. Immediately noticeable was the dramatic increase in resolution. I had no sense that a veil had been removed. I was just hearing details I had never heard before. The soundstage, which had been slightly in front of my speakers, moved to slightly behind them. Bass was more open on the bottom end and much fuller. The highs were open and clear with no trace of harshness/shrillness. All the instruments were more clearly defined in their areas. Decay of the notes was markedly improved. The soundstage was wider and the depth of the instruments was much more discernable. There are a couple passages on the disk that the 22C was never able to make coherent, the DAC II handled these passages with no problem. All these improvements were not subtle.

From there I went to the Chesky Ultimate Demonstration Disk. I know this disk extremely well. I have used it to evaluate every major change I’ve made to my system. Every improvement I had noted on the Gladiator disk was present on the Chesky disk. The voices on the Chesky disk were so palpable I actually started to laugh. Previously I was struggling to understand what palpable meant. Now I know. Trust me when I say it’s a good thing. The layering of the instruments from front to back in the sound stage is amazing on some of the tracks.

The last 2 CDs reinforced every thing I’ve already said, so I won’t repeat myself. A couple of other things, tonally the DAC II seems more “right on” than the 22C. I can’t think of a better way to say it. The DAC II is neutral. If you are looking for something to warm up your system this may not be your best bet. I also listened to a few female artists, some acoustic guitar, and a little rock music. Everything was markedly improved.

To sum this up I would have to say the DAC II is in a whole separate class from the Monarchy 22C. For the price the DAC II seems to be a tremendous bargain. I’m very glad I was able to wait.

Disclaimer – This review is strictly based on my system and in comparison to the Monarchy 22C DAC.


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Topic - REVIEW: EVS - Electronic Visionary Systems Millenium DAC II DAC Processors Review by Mr P at Audio Asylum - Mr P 21:02:35 04/18/01 ( 3)