Zero DAC first impression
I just got my first dedicated DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) today. Its function is just like usual soundcard, but it is external and performs much better with audiophile needs in mind.
I can’t afford to give more introduction here and thus you might find my impression full of abstract words that weakly defined of what am I going to say. However you can head yourself to head.fi for more introduction. However I must warn you that I’m not responsible for any effect that the forum might impose on you.
Here it goes:
I’m not defining myself as an audiophile but hearing good quality sound give me as much joy as the music itself. Plus I don’t own a great arsenal of audio equipments so my experience and perception will be as much limited.
Earlier today, I had a small meeting after the COD session at KL Sentral with fellow Lowyat.Net audiophile members. Hearing Zero out-of-box for the first time, with RM350 Grado S80, is a total disappointment, however expected it was. I was told that Zero sounds a little bit harsh on its first boot. However the sounds came with with noise level that was way unacceptable even for a mere laptop soundcard. I didn’t show that much of disappointment at the round table because I know a lot of people won’t be praising Zero if it sounds like this.
After a round of chit-chatting. the same forumer changed S80 to RM2000++ Darth Beyer cans. I’ve heard both HD650 and K701 but still, this is gonna be exciting, I said to myself. Then came my turn to audition it, I put the comfy DB on my head and the sound started to envelope my auditory perception. Wow, it sounds so great to the point that it’s scary to my ears. Its instruments separation is nearly absolute. I can hear every sound producing equipment distinctively and everything was very controlled. I let my ears adapts to the sound for awhile and later, a female vocalist came out from the playlist and filled me in with a felling of awe. I didn’t understand a single word but her sweet voice that is paired with melodious jazz music gave me as much joy as my favourite songs.
After hijacking the head piece for a couple of songs, I realized that I need to go back.
When I started to work on this post, I had experienced the same harshness from my fledgling Zero and as of now, the sound is much better, but not to the point of my satisfaction. My Iphone sounds better but I’m sure after several hours, Zero will definitely surpass my Iphone SQ.
I’ll be back with more reviews for my new toy.
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Comments
How much you paid again for what toys of yours? Mana dapat banyak wang ah? ^^
I know you know can already lor! haha
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compare dengan audiotrack prodigy HD2 mana lebih powa dengan Zero DAC nie bro?nak tau jgak ckit nie 
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Irwan reply on February 16th, 2009:
I haven’t heard Prodigy’s yet. but from what I read(and if i remembered correctly), prodigy provides stronger presence of mid freq. I like Zero’s upper frequency detail, especially when paired with hd650, which reduces high freq fatigue due to its laid back sound.
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at least u try to make it perfect.
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