Thanks to John and those in the queue for a slightly extended audition of the SC ISO-DAC.
As a bit of background, I had auditioned the battery version in November and fell for it head over heels. My current digital setup is a Sonore ultraRendu (previously microRendu when I auditioned the battery version) and a Chord Hugo DAC fed via USB.
At first the SC DAC sounded good and very much on par with my Hugo, but not quite like I remembered the battery powered DAC which had me gushing pretty much from the first track, although there was an immediate sense of speed (if that is a valid descriptor) with the SC DAC. I hooked up a grounding wire from the DAC to my Pre as discussed up thread, and it did improve things a little bit. A bit better in the bass and a small perceived widening and deepening of the soundstage. But still missing was the superior micro dynamics, top end sparkle and low end texture that I recalled from my time with the battery powered DAC. The SC DAC did come across as very fast and detailed – and never harsh, just not as ‘analogue’ and silent as I recalled the battery version.
I then remembered that the chap I bought the uR from saying he preferred it with a ground wire to his pre. So once I got my hands on the correct screwdriver, I hooked up another ground from the uR to the SC DAC. This gave a larger perceived improvement than the first grounding exercise. Bass and drum texture improved as did portrayal of reverb and harmonics as well as the overall soundstage. I found myself inching up the volume and getting much more immersed in the music, so all good signs.
On reintroducing the Hugo it was clear that the SC DAC was now slightly superior, particularly in bass texture and at higher volume, where the Hugo could get a little harsh. I am not sure if this is because I am using USB with the Hugo, and would like to test it out with the SC ISO-SPDIF as it has been noted that the Hugo prefers coax to USB.
In discussion with John, (I’m paraphrasing) he mentioned that he found the battery ISO-DAC slower & with more emphasis on bass & lower mids, and that the SC-ISO-DAC seems to have a better balance across the spectrum - not emphasising any particular area. As a result it seems to reproduce the tone & timbre of instruments more correctly.
After some time with the SC DAC I’d agree with John’s comments, but still I found I preferred what I recalled of the battery version. Given that I am running SBLs on hardwood floors, it may well be that my system is happier with a DAC emphasising the lower end of the spectrum. Also in my mind there was something quite magical in the ‘silence between notes’ thing that I recalled with the battery version. Make no mistake the SC DAC is very quiet and resolving and never harsh, as evidenced after reintroducing the Hugo, which just lost out a bit in bass texture, soundstage depth, and the ability to go very loud without fatigue. So for me it is clear that John is on to another winner with the SC DAC.
So the upshot is that I need to listen to the battery DAC again to see if I still prefer it against the SC DAC - so an order is going in for both versions. One will definitely be staying.
Thanks again to John for the opportunity to audition his fine products in this way.