Audio Research Reference DAC DAC
The DAC offers seven connections on one and the back about the facia for USB memory sticks. One would definitely be hard pushed to find a national digital connection that wasn't covered by the Reference DAC, which up-samples 44.1kHz (CD-quality) and 48kHz sources to 176.4kHz or 192kHz.
Sound quality
The Reference DAC's sound has harmonic completeness and a delightful heat that's unlike the sound of most hi fi, which seems painfully thin and artificial by comparison. It even renders Bill Frisell's guitar harmonics on Pipe Down jazz guitarist, with a genuinely rich and complex tonality. The sound is neither warm nor euphonic or overblown: it simply has power and credible substance - a characteristic that is completely desirable.
The next rip is Frisell's take. There is no background noise so low-level detail leaps out from this live record. The path that is supremely transparent defines tonal colour and the terms element: every instrument is natural and gloriously etched in its sound and demonstration. There is also a soundstage that is superbly crafted, with Frisell playing to the left forward to the correct facing the drums along with the bass guitar standing. Each instrument is painstakingly detailed - dynamically as well as when it comes to space and note shape - creating the overall sound of an ensemble that is entirely believable. The demo is one of the most likely One have experienced: thoroughly involving, completely believable, and asking. The music is cohesive and totally coherent: it does not suffer with exaggerated dynamics or detail - although genuine dynamics have drama and impact that is authentic. Maybe what impresses the most is the guitar's bright tonal colour and also the range of sounds the instrument makes, alongside the lively and power texture of drums and the bass. Equally notable is the outstanding ability to conduct timing nuances as well as the feel and groove the players inject to the performance.
William Carter playing early works shows that the Reference DAC may be equally scrupulous when rendering the sumptuous texture of the space and also a solo baroque guitar around it, in Linn Records 24/192 record of the piece. The instrument practically comes alive in the space between the loudspeakers in the front of one. Many DACs have interpreted this challenging instrument as somewhat flat, lifeless and devoid of character's sound, but the AR brings out its complete body resonance and the energetic energy of its own strings.
Each instrument is allocated acoustic space and its own distinct location within an broad and deep soundstage. It is easy to follow them in meticulous detail and to hear some of the instruments within the primarily acoustic lineup such are the levels of separation and dynamic gradation.
The Reference DAC emerges triumphantly with no lacks in almost any respect; its abilities with regard to masterly treatment of dynamics, tonal colour, leading edges, and frequency extremes are certainly beyond reproach. All round subsequently, it is an absolute victor, no matter which angle you approach it from.
