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Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

High-End Munich has surely earned the title as the ‘Mother of all High-end Audio Shows’ where the good news is that it showcases products from all over the globe, but the bad news is that it’s big—really big. What this means, inevitably, is that we can give you only a small ‘sampling taste’ of a handful of the hundreds of impressive new components on display at the show.

One of my coverage areas for the show included Digital Source components and in consultation with Editor Alan Sircom I have decided to offer a ‘Baker’s Dozen’ of the digital source components I saw at the show. This is not a ‘Top 13’ list or anything of the sort; rather it is an eclectic ‘sampler’ offered in hopes of conveying the sheer variety of digital components on exhibit.

Note: In keeping with the international character of this show, prices show may be quoted in euros, pounds, or dollars—depending on the manufacturer.

AudioQuest Jitterbug jitter reduction device

The modest-looking AudioQuest JitterBug ($49) is said to reduce jitter by cleaning up the USB voltage bus and filtering out noise on the USB data bus. The tiny device can be used in-line between the USB source and the USB signal cable, or can be used ‘in parallel’ by plugging the JitterBug into an adjacent USB port. 

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

AURALiC ARIES MINI wireless streaming node/DAC

Following on the heels of AURALiC’s larger ARIES wireless streaming bridge, the new ARIES MINI offers many of the features of its bigger brother, but at the dramatically reduced price of $399 US—making ARIES MINI one of the least expensive high-res streaming solutions on the market. The ARIES MINI can pull digital audio files from an optional internal HDD/SSD memory or from attached USB drives, NAS drives, or other network resources, then play those files via USB, or coaxial/optical S/PDIF. The USB output supports PCM up to 383/32, DXD, and DSD up to DSD256). Basically, the cost of high-res streaming just got a lot more affordable.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

 

Aurender N10 and N100H music servers

Aurender is perhaps best known for its spectacular, ‘Statement Class” W20 music server, but at Munich the firm showed several new mid-level N-series music servers: specifically, the N10 server ($7,999 and up, depending on the internal storage capacity desired), the N100H server ($2,699 with 2TB capacity), or the streamer-only N100 ($2,499).  Together, these models make ‘Aurender-grade’ servers available at more accessible price points than the flagship W20, while still preserving Aurender’s impeccable build quality and attention to detail.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Cary Audio DMC-600SE Digital Music Centre

Cary Audio is perhaps not as well know as it might be in the UK and Europe, but that should not deter enthusiasts from checking out the firm’s versatile DMC-600SE digital music centre (€8,850). The DMC-600SE combines the functions of a CD player with those of a 384/32 PCM and DSD256-capable DAC (with USB and Bluetooth inputs), and can accept external clock signals, if desired. The ‘SE’ in the name denotes ‘Special Edition’ and thus the use of premium-spec internal components throughout.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Cocktail Audio X40 streamer/server/DC-ripper/DAC/internet radio

Cocktail Audio’s keenly priced €1,499 X40 high-res PCM and DSD-capable streamer/server/CD-ripper/DAC/internet radio is a perfect example of the sort of multifunction audio product that is becoming increasingly desirable in today’s marketplace. In other words, if it’s a digital audio file (no matter the format or ‘delivery mechanism’), the X40 can pretty much play it.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

 

dCS Rossini streamer/DAC

dCS’s new entry-level Rossini streamer/DAC could easily have been named ‘Son of Vivaldi’, as that is what the new Rossini really is (in fact, the Rossini and Vivaldi share a number of DAC section components in common). The Rossini is offered in two versions: the basic streamer/DAC (€22,500) and a streamer/DAC/disc player (€27,000).

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Devialet EVO platform, v8.0 firmware, SAM v2 processing, MAT DSD engine, & RAM phonostage software.

Now more than ever, Devialet is demonstrating that in today’s digital arena, software defines what a product is and can do. Ever since Devialet launched its EVO hardware platform some years ago, successive firmware updates have given Devialet integrated class ADH amplifiers more and more functionality over time. With new v8.0 firmware, Devialet amplifiers can support SAM v2 processing (SAM is the firm’s sophisticated speaker correction software with speaker-specific correction modules), the MAT DSD engine (which gives Devialets DSD decoding capabilities), and the firm’s very sophisticated RAM phonostage software (which allows an analogue input to be defined as a phonostage replete with extensive loading, gain, and EQ settings). Naturally, Devialet hopes customers will see its ever-evolving series of free firmware updates as adding value to the product line over time.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Lector Dot Bit DSD DAC

As the PCM vs. DSD debate continues, Lector has made a strong statement with its new DSD-only, Dot Bit DSD DAC (€2,800). Foregoing a traditional DAC chip of any kind, the Dot Bit DSD DAC instead uses Lector’s own Direct Direct Stream Digital convertor backed by a balanced valve triode analogue output stage. When the DOT Bit DSD DAC receives PCM files, it simply passes those signals through to rear panel-mounted coaxial S/PDIF or AES-3 digital outputs, for outboard decoding by a separate PCM-capable DAC.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

 

Leema Acoustics Libra DAC/preamplifier

The Libra DAC (£5,995) is the flagship digital audio offering from the Welsh firm Leema Acoustics, but frankly the term DAC alone does not quite do it justice. The Libra is in fact a 24/384 PCM and DSD128-capable, multi-input DAC, but also a high-performance preamplifier and headphone amplifier. To this end, the Libra not only supports digital but also extensive analogue inputs and provides a broad array of analogue outputs, as well.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

Linnenberg Vivace DAC and Unisono DC power supply

The German firm Linnenberg-Elektronik offers a range of compact, yet very sophisticated, half-rack-width audio components, two of which are the Vivace DXD and DSD512-compatible DAC/digital preamplifier (€1,800) and the matching Unisono DC power supply (€700).  When purchased together, the components are known as the Vivace DC Performance Pack. What the performance pack buys you apart from a beefier power supply is an up-spec version of the standard Vivace. Based on a brief listen, we think many audiophiles would find the step up to the DC Performance Pack to be money well spent.


 

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015


MSB Select DAC with modular I/O sections

MSB says the Select DAC is the best DAC it knows how to make and this ‘Reference Class’ product is priced accordingly, with a starting price of $89,950.  The Select DAC is by design a highly modular component so that customers can choose from among two available output modules, four available input modules, and two optional subwoofer outputs. In standard form, the Select DAC provides two power supplies—one for the digital section and one for the analogue section, with the option of adding Select Power Bases, if desired. There are also two clock options: a standard MSB Galaxy clock or an extra-cost Femto 33 clock.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

 

Mytek Manhattan DAC/headphone amplifier/preamplifier

Mytek first released its impressive, flagship Manhattan DAC with a shiny, heavily sculpted, machined silver metal case that is very eye-catching but that seems a little bit ‘over the top’ for some prospective customers. According, Mytek now offers a tastefully subdued satin black version, for those seeking top-shelf sound with a little less emphasis on the ‘bling’ factor.  The Manhattan ($5,000) supports 32/384 PCM, DXD, and DSD256 decoding and is fitted with a femto clock and separate analogue and digital power supplies.  Also shown at Munich was a new $1000 phono stage module for the Manhattan.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

YBA Genesis CD4 CD & YBA Design WD202 DAC with DSD support

After a temporary hiatus from the marketplace, the famous French firm YBA is back with a brace of new products, including the Genesis CD4 CD player and the YBA Design WD202 DAC with DSD support. (To explain, ‘YBA Design’ is a value-orientated sub-brand of YBA, but a sub-brand whose industrial design ethos is every bit as sleek and sophisticated as that of the higher priced YBA models.) In a brief talk with company founder Yves Bernard Andre, we learned that Andre feels that in some cases CD players can still outperform computer-based digital audio solutions, which explains why he has chosen to create the Genesis CD4 player.

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

, Baker’s Dozen — Digital Sources in the Munich High End 2015

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