Digital Drive: REVIEW: Neko Audio D100 DAC Processors by kenzo

Model:	D100
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1295
Description:	DAC with passive, transformer based analog output stage.
Manufacturer URL:	Neko Audio

Review by kenzo on January 23, 2011 at 20:26:21
IP Address: 69.181.240.170 Add Your Review
for the D100

I sold my Benchmark DAC1 about a month before I auditioned the Neko and had been using a non-oversampling VALAB in the interim. I had lived with the DAC1 for two years, listening to all types of music but predominantly world, classical, R&B, folk/rock, and classic rock.

I auditioned the D100 using two different amplifier/preamp setups, over 3 weeks time.

The tube setup used a Transcendent sound Grounded Grid Preamp into a Transcendant T8-LN 25wpc OTL amp.

The SS setup used a Musical Fidelity A1 (new 2008 version) Class A 35wpc integrated amp.

Both setups drove Reference 3A DeCapo I speakers.

After 3 weeks of careful listening to many different types of music with both setups, I have to say the D100 is a truly sweet sounding dac.

To my ears, it has the best midrange I have ever heard from digital. Where the Benchmark would leave me with listener fatigue if I played anything but the very best recorded CDs, the DAC1 allowed me to explore my CD collection without having to jump up and turn down the volume on less than perfect recordings. And I could not even use the DAC1 at all with SS amplification, it was too often too harsh and "digital" sounding.

With the D100 I ended up using the SS amplification when listening to classical and acoustic, and the tube setup when listening to rock and other recordings that can be less well recorded.

In 3 weeks of listening, I never, not once, felt that the D100 was adding harshness to the digital playback.

In fact I regularly felt the desire to "turn it up, it sounds excellent". In my experience this is a great indicator that I am listening to music, not the electronics. I also can say I did a lot more dancing around while listening than I usually do, again, the D100 provided the music experience more than the electronic experience.

I did not hear any loss of detail compared to the Benchmark, but the overall musicality of the playback was very much improved over the DAC1.

Although I had to return the D100 after 3 weeks of in-home audition (it was a loaner from Neko) I very likely will be purchasing one for myself with the next months.

I did a lot of A-B vs. the VALAB non oversampling DAC, and could usually hear some immediate but subtle differences. However what I really notice now, a few weeks after returning the D100, is the loss of rich timbre and musicality vs. the Valab. Piano is not anywhere near as full and resonant, brass is missing some of the rich metal and breath that you can hear live, vocals are too lean.

Basically the nos dac misses the subtleties of the music that came through consistently with the D100.

Product Weakness:	no remote available
Product Strengths:	musicality, detail, and midrange to die for. never harsh

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Musical Fidelity A1 2008
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Transcendent Grounded Grid
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Marantz DV-6000 for transport
Speakers: Reference 2A DeCapo I
Cables/Interconnects: Balanced to RCA provided with DAC
Music Used (Genre/Selections): everything from classical to country
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 22 x
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): ps audio 300
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition

Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A1 2008
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Transcendent Grounded Grid
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz DV-6000 for transport
Speakers:	Reference 2A DeCapo I
Cables/Interconnects:	Balanced to RCA provided with DAC
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	everything from classical to country
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 22 x
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	ps audio 300
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition