amazon Marantz HD-DAC1 reviews
Not only is the midrange (DAC) midrange for high quality lossless players, the Marantz HD-DAC1 is also a true headphone amplifier. Japanese audio makers have decided to go deeper into the digital audio market – an entirely right path and in line with the general trend.
First appearing as a concept at the Munich Sound Show in May 2014, HD-DAC1 immediately became one of the most anticipated decoders. People want to see if its sound quality is as good as it looks. With traditional thickness, long experience in producing sources, many CD players and SACDs are classified as reference groups over time, of course Marantz must know how to make the public happy.
HD-DAC1 is based on technologies that have made it successful for two high-end digital audio decoders and decoders (NA-8005 and NA-11S1). With its compact size and integrated headphone amplifier, the HD-DAC1 can be instantly recognized for its convenience-based customer base, using the PC as its primary audio source. Weighing just 5kg, the 25 x 27 x 9cm size allows the HD-DAC1 to fit neatly onto the desk, nor take up too much space when it comes to midrange hi-fi systems.
The form of the HD-DAC1 is really impressive because it is designed in the spirit of dense retro, so people have to remember about the product of Marantz. From the glossy woods, the volume keys and the selected circular power source on the surface to the classic circular display at the main … all that, just glance at is to recognize ” Bar Marantz “, no where to go.
In line with the spirit of “generosity”, HD-DAC1 also owns a number of connections, including a USB input port (type B) for PC power, a coaxial port and two optical ports, and an AUX port. 3.5mm format. Too rich for many different sound sources. Beside the fixed analog output port, the HD-DAC1 also has a variable analog output port that allows the unit to function both in the pream and adjust the volume level. The headphone jack is located on the front of the unit, next to the USB slot (type A) used to upgrade the software when needed.
The interior of the Marantz HD-DAC1 looks quite “cramped” with dense components rather than sparse as European products. The highlight of this DAC is the HDAM-SA2 amplifier module, which only appears on premium products, for the pream and power of the headphone amplifier. The Cirrus Logic CS4398 high-performance decoder chip is among the best in the market today (ESS ES9012, BurrBrown PCM1795, AKM AK4399), compatible with digital audio sources up to a resolution of up to The most popular formats include WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, MP3, WMA. Of course, the CS 4398 chip is also compatible with high-end DSD standards at 2.8 and 5.6MHz sampling frequencies. Although there are not many official sources of DSD music on the market today, this is obviously an effective “welcome” move, a valuable gift for customers.
To test the performance of the Marantz HD-DAC1, we use the Linn Classik 2008 Integrated Linn Katan, Linn Black, QED Anniversary XT, AudioQuest USB Asus TP500LN laptop (Core-i5 4210U 1.7GHz, 4GB RAM) with Foobar 2000 digital music player. The user will have to download the device reception software from marantz.us homepage to computer format HD-DAC1. Peripheral audio equipment. Very simple, especially for those who have been familiar with Foobar 2000.
The first reagent for this DAC was the long online digital music catalog: HighDefTapeTransfer: Dvorak Cello Concerto, Op.104, Pierre Fournier, playing with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, 24bit / 192kHz FLAC file. At the beginning of Allegro’s first chapter, the sound of the guitar rang loudly, modestly and so developed in the artist’s skillful technique. The characteristic warmth of the cello is expressed quite full, thick, giving the feeling of a live performance. Next, with the third chapter of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 played by the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra (24-bit / 96kHz FLAC file purchased from HDTracks), HD-DAC1 also shows that dynamic range control is quite effective. Although this is an archaic record, the sounds from the smallest to the largest are conveyed to the ears of the clear, not disturbed at the climax.
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Marantz HD- DAC1High Definition USB DAC / Headphone Amp: Buy it now
MARANTZ USB-DAC / headphone amp Silver Gold HD-DAC1 / FN: Buy it now
HD-DAC1 is not soft, soft, slow Marantz before. On the contrary, it is quite bright, clear, detailed. Compared to a DAC with the same segment as the NAD M51, Marantz’s sound is a bit thinner, the bass strings are also lighter, quite suitable for people who do not like to listen to violent or unpronounceable music. Careful phonics. However, with the Radio Gaga in Queen’s album The Works (Flac 24bit / 96kHz file, purchased from Hdtracks), the drum still sounded impressive, impressive. Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals are soaring on the accompaniment of the chorus, very natural, very liberal. The audio stages of both HD-DAC1 and NAD M51 are not deep behind the two speakers that are located in the middle. This is also a factor many audiophiles are interested in, because if the stage moves forward, it will make the listener feel tired, especially with the rock, hip-hop or symphony.
We used CD Cyrus CD7 to connect to HD-DAC1 via coaxial port. With the Crazy version of the Canadian album Chantal Chamberland’s Serendipity Street, the bass notes of the guitar fell “very low” but still rounded and not flattened. Meanwhile, the slight whimper of the singer at some moments suddenly became much clearer. The CD rip from the computer via USB also gave a similar performance, almost no difference whatsoever. But when connecting directly to the CD7 with the amplifier, it’s easy to spot the bassline a little bit more firmly, but the overall sound background does not seem to be “clean” by the computer’s source through the HD-DAC1. And if this DAC takes on the role of pream, the sound seems drier, with rock, hip-hop or symphonic music, the bass strings are also a bit less powerful.
We also did not forget to use the KEF M500 to check the headphone amplifier. When combined with a good headphone (a few hundred dollars or more), the HD-DAC1 performed impressive performance. The sound is softer, softer when paired with a hi-fi system, high strips are good openings while the strips are quite rounded and not tired.
Commentary overview
Marantz HD-DAC1 has many advantages. It is eye-catching design, prestige of the brand and flexibility, versatile when used. With a laptop as a source, it’s easy to take advantage of this DAC to do many different things. The HD-DAC1 not only fits in with mid-range hi-fi music systems. Even when put on $ 10,000-range kits, it is still capable of delivering high quality sound, which makes listeners want to hear more and more music. HD-DAC1 is best suited for jazz, vocal, ensemble, pop, love music. If you do not need a strong, violent bass, HD-DAC1 will also make you happy when playing rock. Marantz HD-DAC1 worthy candidates for DAC price range below $ 1000 …