Sitting in the Middle Row.


I have a listening bias.

I like things upfront, that bloom into the room. I am a detail freak. I get jazzed when I hear fingers on instruments and vocalists wetting their lips. I am all about that. Hence, I really like items like Doge CD players and SET amps.

Management asked me to review the new Image equipment. It was in a room above our warehouse in Dekalb, IL. I was excited to review these amps so I scurried up there.

The equipment in the room was the Ming Da MC 2A3 preamp, the Image M12 and 650, some Thiel speakers, a SONY transport and much to my disliking, the DAC 68.

I just can't figure out DAC 68 people. They are an odd bunch to me. The DAC 68 is a noisy creature (not so with balanced out). Since I am a DAC 62 lover, I always turned it down for the punchier, dynamic, DAC 62. DAC 68 people swear by its tonal neutrality and how it portrays music. I was always disinterested.

But now I am forced to listen. After awhile, I finally realized what they had been saying. Yes, it is a little noisy. If you put your ear up to the speaker, you will hear some white noise. I fitted my with JJ tesla 6922s and started listening.

My problem was and is, that my equipment choices either place me in the front row or in the singer's lap. Not so with the DAC 68. I finally felt myself in the music hall. Seated somewhere in the middle row. I became aware of they ambient hall around me and it caused my head to turn to the left and the right as I heard 'air" coming from the sides of the speaker. Vocalists were not so frontal, they were all kind of laid back, yet detailed - just like they would be at the Erie Crown or the Park West in Chicago.

Ok, DAC 68 people, you convinced me. Now, despite its noise, I see why you are buying these and creating your own little DAC 68 "club". Its sound is not out of this world, but in the middle of the world.

All the best,

Vic