Alex S
carbon based lifeform
The Audial S4 Dac is the current statement dac from Pedja Rodic, based in Belgrade and well known in DIY circles for getting the best out of the TDA1541A chip.
The S4 itself has solid aluminium case work, is just short of full width and for a dac quite heavy at 7KG. There is a rotary USB or Spdif selector switch on the front and a small, centred light that tells you what you’ve chosen (green or yellow). There is also an etched and blacked out logo bottom left that I could have done without. There'll be a slight thump if you change from USB to spdif whilst the dac input is live; Pedja has yet to find a muting relay that does not impact sound.
The Audial comes in a variety of configurations, I chose twice RCA out, one capacitor coupled, the other transformer coupled. Transformer coupling adds to the cost. Presently I’m using the transformer coupled output and it is marginally my preference. Connections are BNC Spdif and USB. There are two clocks, galvanic isolation and a bunch of power supplies for the various bits.
By the time you’ve paid VAT it costs about €2,000, a touch more. It arrived within three weeks of ordering and was shipped in two days with DHL Express as part of the cost. It came well packed, no cables - who wants those? But with a set of measurements specific to the unit - okay I’ve no idea what they mean but it’s comforting. There is also a RCA > BNC adapter but you’re better off with a proper BNC > BNC cable of your choosing (I bought Mark Grant's for £30).
I bought this blind, unheard; you kinda have to. I researched, thought, looked at the chip, the implementation, the measurements, took special notice of Yomanze of this forum, many thanks to him, read all three reviews and thought go for it. It was a particular risk since it costs twice as much as anything I have bought in over ten years and since it is pretty much unknown, would be difficult to move on. It’s probably the best shot in the dark I could have made.
I’m using a newly acquired Densen 410 as a transport, thanks Paul. It has proper BNC out and a Class A, zero feedback output, much like the Audial, so I figured it would be a good match.
Aldous Harding is no longer an exotic mannequin playing in a field, she’s here in the room, playing just for me. Astonishing. I think we define this as low noise floor, macro and micro dynamics. Who cares what it’s called; this is emotional connection and the main reason I listen to music at all.
I went to see Karajan soon before he died as an homage to an old maestro. He conducted Schoenberg in a rather uninspired doddery way. Not any more. He’s been brought back to youthful vigour. Fritz Reiner is the maelstrom I was hoping for, you can almost taste the Chicago orchestra’s dislike but they were coerced into giving it everything.
Leonard Cohen Live in London, yes I’m an idiot for not going, pure joy, the Webb sisters sublime. As sublime as on vinyl? Actually, not quite. Those who get vinyl know what I mean but this is close; closer than anything else I’ve heard. On other music it’s better. There’s no scratches for a start.
The Egg, scrambled, poached and fried. The speed, the leading edge, it’s here. The top end is slightly rolled off, always is with NOS. Fine, so’s my hearing. And this is the most detailed, transparent NOS I’ve heard; Metrum Pavanne levels at less than half the price.
Stravinsky, Rite of Spring, Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra giving it some. Carbon Based Lifeforms are weaving their magic, delving into my cortex.
How about some old favourites? Well, Miles is Sketching in Spain, Jimi’s on the Isle of White, Bowie’s in Berlin, the Stones are many light years from home, the Ozrics are on planet Zog. Prince is alive but the Comet is coming.
Summing it up in one sentence: it makes music more intelligible, interesting without making it any less emotional or fun. It will pay for itself as I buy CDs with impunity at half or less the price of vinyl new releases. Vinyl now only for Extra Specials and second hand.
I own other good dacs, very good at their price. The Audial is why you spend twice that and end up with a bargain; musically speaking, priceless. It would cost £5,000-ish if not sold direct. Take the risk before these joyful TDA chips are gone.
A bit of blurb, some pics and downloadable manual and measurements can be found here: https://www.audialonline.com/s4/
These are the three reviews I found of previous S version dacs (including Yomanze's): https://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2452.0.html
https://theaudiostandard.net/thread/429/audial-model-dac
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-audial-model-s-da-converter
No affiliations, no discounts, backhanders, just joy at a nailed purchase, subjective and sighted of course.
The S4 itself has solid aluminium case work, is just short of full width and for a dac quite heavy at 7KG. There is a rotary USB or Spdif selector switch on the front and a small, centred light that tells you what you’ve chosen (green or yellow). There is also an etched and blacked out logo bottom left that I could have done without. There'll be a slight thump if you change from USB to spdif whilst the dac input is live; Pedja has yet to find a muting relay that does not impact sound.
The Audial comes in a variety of configurations, I chose twice RCA out, one capacitor coupled, the other transformer coupled. Transformer coupling adds to the cost. Presently I’m using the transformer coupled output and it is marginally my preference. Connections are BNC Spdif and USB. There are two clocks, galvanic isolation and a bunch of power supplies for the various bits.
By the time you’ve paid VAT it costs about €2,000, a touch more. It arrived within three weeks of ordering and was shipped in two days with DHL Express as part of the cost. It came well packed, no cables - who wants those? But with a set of measurements specific to the unit - okay I’ve no idea what they mean but it’s comforting. There is also a RCA > BNC adapter but you’re better off with a proper BNC > BNC cable of your choosing (I bought Mark Grant's for £30).
I bought this blind, unheard; you kinda have to. I researched, thought, looked at the chip, the implementation, the measurements, took special notice of Yomanze of this forum, many thanks to him, read all three reviews and thought go for it. It was a particular risk since it costs twice as much as anything I have bought in over ten years and since it is pretty much unknown, would be difficult to move on. It’s probably the best shot in the dark I could have made.
I’m using a newly acquired Densen 410 as a transport, thanks Paul. It has proper BNC out and a Class A, zero feedback output, much like the Audial, so I figured it would be a good match.
Aldous Harding is no longer an exotic mannequin playing in a field, she’s here in the room, playing just for me. Astonishing. I think we define this as low noise floor, macro and micro dynamics. Who cares what it’s called; this is emotional connection and the main reason I listen to music at all.
I went to see Karajan soon before he died as an homage to an old maestro. He conducted Schoenberg in a rather uninspired doddery way. Not any more. He’s been brought back to youthful vigour. Fritz Reiner is the maelstrom I was hoping for, you can almost taste the Chicago orchestra’s dislike but they were coerced into giving it everything.
Leonard Cohen Live in London, yes I’m an idiot for not going, pure joy, the Webb sisters sublime. As sublime as on vinyl? Actually, not quite. Those who get vinyl know what I mean but this is close; closer than anything else I’ve heard. On other music it’s better. There’s no scratches for a start.
The Egg, scrambled, poached and fried. The speed, the leading edge, it’s here. The top end is slightly rolled off, always is with NOS. Fine, so’s my hearing. And this is the most detailed, transparent NOS I’ve heard; Metrum Pavanne levels at less than half the price.
Stravinsky, Rite of Spring, Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra giving it some. Carbon Based Lifeforms are weaving their magic, delving into my cortex.
How about some old favourites? Well, Miles is Sketching in Spain, Jimi’s on the Isle of White, Bowie’s in Berlin, the Stones are many light years from home, the Ozrics are on planet Zog. Prince is alive but the Comet is coming.
Summing it up in one sentence: it makes music more intelligible, interesting without making it any less emotional or fun. It will pay for itself as I buy CDs with impunity at half or less the price of vinyl new releases. Vinyl now only for Extra Specials and second hand.
I own other good dacs, very good at their price. The Audial is why you spend twice that and end up with a bargain; musically speaking, priceless. It would cost £5,000-ish if not sold direct. Take the risk before these joyful TDA chips are gone.
A bit of blurb, some pics and downloadable manual and measurements can be found here: https://www.audialonline.com/s4/
These are the three reviews I found of previous S version dacs (including Yomanze's): https://www.changstar.com/www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2452.0.html
https://theaudiostandard.net/thread/429/audial-model-dac
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-audial-model-s-da-converter
No affiliations, no discounts, backhanders, just joy at a nailed purchase, subjective and sighted of course.