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Digital Drive: REVIEW: LessLoss DAC 2004 w/volume control DAC Processors by Drugum

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REVIEW: LessLoss DAC 2004 w/volume control DAC Processors

68.154.175.89


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Model: DAC 2004 w/volume control
Category: DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price: $(see web site)
Description: DAC 2004 with its own volume control to drive amp(s) directly
Manufacturer URL: LessLoss
Model Picture: View

Review by Drugum ( A ) on July 12, 2005 at 16:54:17
IP Address: 68.154.175.89
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for the DAC 2004 w/volume control


(I am the same as Drugem--I changed my e-mail address.)
I received another DAC 2004 about a month ago, this time with its own super-high-quality volume control that would allow me to drive my new ATC Active 50's directly (www.atc.gb.net). My transport consists of an original Rega Planet upgraded by LessLoss to include reclocking and slaving to the DAC 2004 w/VC. Interconnect (there is no speaker cable required) from the DAC to the active ATC's is from LessLoss. The connections between the modified Rega and DAC consist of two rigid copper pipes pressed on for separate transfer of the digital and clock signals, again provided by LessLoss. The guys at LessLoss, besides being incredibly nice and down-to-earth, are very innovative--always striving to perfect the transfer of signal from source to speaker without degradation.

I suppose I could spend lots of time describing this and that about the sound, just like in the mags, but the simplest way to put it is to say that it sounds live. For the first time I can close my eyes and truly believe performers are in front of me. Detail is awesome. Quartets are delicate, airy, and you can easily hear the bite of the bow into the strings. The "blat" of the sax on various jazz recordings is so realistic it makes me laugh. Individual tones are complex (I don't know how else to put it) and piano sounds like piano. Bach cantatas put me right in the cathedral and are deeply moving. The symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler are an immersion into power and majesty. I recently visited my hometown of Cleveland where I made an appointment with a high-end dealer(also a professional musician) and we listened to some absolutely world-class components. He played the LP of Patricia Barber's "Live, a Fortnight in France" on a super-high-end turntable. There was nothing I heard coming from that turntable that I didn't hear from my DAC--in fact, I mentioned that I thought the bass output from my DAC had more definition and impact. With the LessLoss DAC w/VC driving my ATC's, you can easily hear the breathiness of Patricia's voice into the mike, the incredible three-dimensional soundstaging, and the cymbals sound just like the real thing, whether gently tapped with a brush or struck with a stick. Handclapping sounds like hands clapping. And another tough test--the remastered discs of Jimi Hendrix sound the most life-like I have ever heard.

In short, I am experiencing audio contentment! I am no longer listening for or hearing "this" or "that" because it's all there. I get the impression that the musicians are right in front of me, and I'm just thoroughly enjoying my music like never before. Finally!!


Product Weakness: Not remote-controlled. (A price for perfection.)
Product Strengths: Puts you into the studio or live event.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: (active speakers)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None needed
Sources (CDP/Turntable): as above
Speakers: ATC Active 50's
Cables/Interconnects: Interconnect only, by LessLoss
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical of all types, jazz, some rock.
Room Size (LxWxH): 24' x 15' x 9'
Room Comments/Treatments: None
Time Period/Length of Audition: ~one month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): None
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: LessLoss DAC 2004 w/volume control DAC Processors - Drugum 16:54:17 07/12/05 ( 1)