OUltsOARD DAC
s/PolF& UsB DAC
with balanced
preamp
output
Made
by: Audio Research Corp, Minnesota,
USA
///
Made
Dv:
audto
Research corp, Mtnnesota,
u5A
.////
supplied by: Absolute
Sounds Lrd
////
Telephone: ozos 9713909
Web: www.audioresearch.com;
www.absolutesounds.com
Audio
Research
DSPre
(f6ssl)
The rise of
digital music sources,
USB audio and downloads
has challenged
the
preamplifier's
place
as the heart
of a hi-fi system.
ARC's DSPre asserts
its
primacy
Review: James
Hughes Lab:
s Audio Research's first analogue
preamplifier
to feature
an on'
board DAC, the DSPre
represents
a landmark
in the company's
history. No
question,
it's an important and
innovative
piece
of kit. But in many ways
it's an evolutionary
product:
the logical
development from earlier
ARC digital
offerings like
the DAC8.
For
many enthusiasts, music sourced
from a computer hard drive
via
a
USB
cable
-
whether from high-res
download,
or a ripped CD
-
is becoming
increasingly
important. Hence
the appeal of a
preamplifier
that's able to handle a wide
range
of digital and analogue
sources.
WAYSANDMEENS
So
-
where to start? Those simply
wantinq
to
play
compact disc can connect
the
analogue output of their
CD
player
to
the DSPre using balanced
or unbalanced
cables
-
just
as
you
would with any normal
preamp.
But it's also
possible
to
connect
the
player's
digital output
to one of the
S/PDIF inputs and
use the DSPre's DAC.
Why
do this? Well, the DSPre's 24-bit
DAC is
a very high
quality
device with
two
options
for better sound
quality:
a choice
of filter types (Soft or Sharp),
and the
abilityto upsample
CD's native 44.1kHz to
176.4kHz.
These options
-
missing from
the DAC8, incidentally
-
deliver
clearly
audible differences
worth exploring.
Bypassing the
CD
playefs
DAC and
analogue
output stage also achieves a
simpler,
more direct signal
path.
So,
one
would expect most Iisteners to
find that
music sounded better
via the DSPre's DAC.
But try it
yourself
and see...
Having
a USB2 input allows access
to
music stored on a computer
hard drive
at sampling rates between
44.1kHz
and l92kHz. But,
be warned, the native
sampling rate
of
your
source material is not
selected
automatically. You must set
the
RIGHT: The
(green)
digital
boa.d with its
2+bit/ 192kHz
Bu.t-Brown DAG is based on
the
DACS
'tube' model but the analogue
stage(s) on
the
main boa.d are all solid.state for
the DSPre
PaulMiller
desired sampling frequency
manually on
your
computer
[see
boxout].
Those
tryinq USB audio will also need
to
consjder which rendering
package
they
use to access and
play
music. Almost
all
the music on my hard drive
was sourced
from my CD collection.
I've mostly chosen
long(ish)
works spread over several
discs
-
being able to hear a complete
opera
without awkward breaks
is wonderful. You
can listen to
Wagner's complete R/rg cycle
without any
interruption
-
but enough of
the drawbacksl
My
preferred
medium is iTunes,
but
I also subscribe to Spotify
for streamed
music. Alas, iTunes
does not support
hi-res formats,
To access these
you
need
something like NlediaMonkey
or Songbird
alLhough the former's
user
interlace
is
somewhat
primitive.
Sonqbird is better, but
both have
strange ideas when it comes to
the order
jn
which albums are
presented.
Unlike iTunes, it's not easy to
get
albums
listed alphabetically
by composer, rather
than
performer,
lf
you're
into classical
music,
that's a
pain...
Love
it or hate it, ARC'S Classic'Lab'
styling is intrinsic to the
brand. ARC favours
fairly lightweight construction,
and a
case design that
harks back to the days
when enthusiasts
either f lush-mounted
equipment
into consoles, or fitted
a
wooden sleeve when using
items free-
standing on a
platform.
The casework
is aluminium throughout,
with a handsome 10mm-thick
brushed
front
panel.
Build
quality
is
qood,
but at
6kg, the DSPre is no
behemoth. All controls
have a solid, confidence-inspiring
feel, and
the large illuminated
display keeps
you
informed
of all important settinqs.
The
DSPre
produces
virtually
no heat.
The DSPre s volume
control is electronic.
The knob
ltself is a switch with a
centre-
off
default
position.
A numerical
readout
of output, from 0 to 103,
enables
you
set
your
levels with absolute
precision.
There's
also a hidden stereo
balance control
accessible
via the remote handset.
Other
useful functions include Absolute
Phase
lnvert, Stereo/Mono,
and Mute. When it'5
first
powered
up, the
preamplifier
mutes
I
www.hifinews.co.uk
]
nUCUST zot z
(36 Seiten)
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