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    The Computer Audiophile

    By The Computer Audiophile •

    Weiss Engineering Minerva DAC Review

    minerva-thumb.jpgHigh-End audio writers have always been masters of subjectivity. Avoiding direct comparisons and an unwillingness to brand one product the "clear" victor over another are par for the audiophile course. This style of writing can leave readers feeling a little cheated and wondering what the writer really thinks. While this may seem frustrating it is a good thing much of the time. Declaring a component the clear cut winner may unjustly prejudice a readers opinion and lead him down a delusional purchasing path while unfairly harming the manufacturers of the "losing" products. I try to steer clear of absolute terms like best, worst, never, nobody, always, everybody. A major reason is I rarely hear something so good or so bad that an absolute statement is appropriate. I can recall the best complete audio system I've ever heard. A pair of Wilson Audio Maxx 2 speakers with all Audio Research components. That decision was a no-brainer. Now it's time to crown another Best. The Best DAC I've ever heard in a computer based audio system. The Weiss Engineering Minerva is definitely THE Best.

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    People in the pro audio world have likely dreamed of using Weiss components since the late '80s. Weiss equipment is recognized around the world as some of the best money can buy. In 2001 Weiss Engineering entered the world of High-End audio with the critically acclaimed Medea DAC and Jason CD Transport. These two components are certainly good but they don't fill the needs of the computer audiophile. The Medea DAC could definitely be part of a great sounding computer based system, but it lacks the desired inputs many music servers require. This is where the Minerva comes in with a bang. In addition to the traditional DAC inputsAES/EBU, coax, and Toslink the Minerva offers Firewire (IEEE 1394) inputs.

     

    Weiss prefers FireWire over USB for several reasons. Similar to USB FireWire offers the asynchronous operating mode. Unlike USB, FireWire also offers isochronous mode that allows devices a dedicated amount of bandwidth. This insures the audio stream will keep flowing without interference from collisions or glitches. As most Computer Audiophile readers knowUSB DACs work great as long as there are no other devices on the USB bus that interfere with the DAC i.e. the keyboard and trackpad on MacBook Pro models. USB also puts more load on the CPU. Fortunately for many computers this load is negligible when audio is streaming to an external DAC. FireWire does seem like the way to guarantee a smooth audio stream to the DAC, but it is not without its detractors. Some in the industry preferUSB 1.1 because it allows a 24/96 audio stream without the need to install additional device drivers. Traditionally FireWire also has more jitter thanUSB interfaces. To handle this Weiss uses the Jitter Elimination Technologies (JET) PLL in the Minerva. This features state of the art jitter rejection and extremely low intrinsic jitter levels. Much more information about all of this is available in the very detailed <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-manual.pdf">Minerva manual</a>.

     

    The Minerva DAC comes with software and device drivers for Mac OS X and Windows based PCs. I conducted this full review using my MacBook Pro running OS X Leopard 10.5.3 connected via FireWire. The software installation is very simple. It is one of those next-next-finish installs that completes in under a minute. Once the installation is complete and the Minerva is connected, the Weiss FireWire IO app can be used to fine tune the performance of the DAC with the music server. This fine tuning is very simple because there is only a couple options to chose from. I'm pretty sure most Computer Audiophile readers can handle selecting the sampling rate at which their music will be played. In the case of the Reference Recordings HRx albums this is 176.4 kHz. The only other selection to make when connected via FireWire is the Isochronous Buffering machine type. The choices are Slow, Normal, and DAW for Digital Audio Workstation. According to Daniel Weiss, President & Founder of Weiss Engineering, these settings vary the kernel buffer size on a Mac. "On faster, more powerful machines, the user can choose a smaller kernel mode buffer size. "Slow" sets a larger buffer size, resulting in more stable streaming performance on slower machines. The larger the buffer, the higher the resulting latency." Said Weiss. Throughout my review I continually heard the best performance with the DAW setting. Since there are three choices it only takes one or two songs to decide which setting works best in a given system.

     

    Mac users are likely familiar with the Audio Midi Setup application already, so I will only touch on it here. When the Minerva is connected the sampling rate can either be selected through the Weiss FireWire IO application or through Audio Midi Setup. The settings mirror each other so a change to one is a change to the other. Either way this selection is very simple. If you can turn your preamp knob to Phono, you can select 44.1, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192 etc...

     

    As I mentioned previously I conducted this review using one of the FireWire interfaces on the Minerva. I also spent a small amount of time listening to th Toslink interface connected to my MacBook Pro optical port. In the limited time I had this connection running I noticed nothing wrong with the sound. If you don't have a FireWire port on your computer I strongly suggest using this S/PDIF interface until you can add a FireWire card or upgrade to a computer with an available FireWire port. Shortly after Daniel Weiss shipped the Minerva from Switzerland I began my hunt for a quality FireWire cable. I quickly ruled out the cheap-o five dollar cables and the expensive $1000 FireWire cable that I found. I settled on the Monster Digital® Firelink™ 6 pin to 6 pin cable. As an audiophile this was a gut wrenching purchase. Clicking "add to cart" for a Monster Cable product just didn't feel right. I guess I found one area in the audiophile world the entrepreneurial high-end cable vendors haven't cornered ... yet.

     

    In order to really put the Minerva through its paces I had to have music in many different resolutions. Of course the 16/44.1 selections were covered and the new HRx 24/176.4 albums had recently arrived. So, I finally started to rip my DVD-Audio discs and quickly had a little 24/88.2, 24/96, and 24/192 music to go along with the other resolutions. I was finally ready to hear what the Minerva was all about.

     

    In general I usually don't like to ask myself questions. As Adam Carolla would say this is a blow-hard move. But, I'll make an exception for this review. Was the Weiss Minerva really the best DAC and was it everything I had built it up to be? Yes and yes. Over the last few weeks I have been hinting in the forums and in other articles that the Minerva is really something special. I'm sure some of the forum regulars wondered if I would ever finish this review! Truth be told, I hated to complete the review because this meant the Minerva had to be sent on its way. Talk about a sad day in Computer Audiophile history. Anyway, I've had quite a few DACs here in my listening room and I've listened to many others at High-End shops and shows. I have yet to hear a DAC, connected to a computer based audio system, as good as the Minerva. The DLIII and the DAC1 PRE don't hold a candle to this thing. At a US retail price of $4950 the Minerva better be a superior product. Fortunately it is superior and the difference between the Minerva and its competition thus far is astounding.

     

    By far and away the best music I've ever heard from a computer based audio system is the new Reference Recordings HRx material played through the Weiss Minerva. Played back at full 24 bit / 176.4 kHz resolution via FireWire there is no current competition. Listening to the Crown Imperial by the Dallas Wind Symphony is truly an awesome experience. The Minerva pulls every ounce of music from this recording and reproduces it with stunning detail. After spending far too much time listening to the HRx albums I had to move on to the other resolutions in my repertoire. All the 24/88.2 through 24/192 music sounded great as well. A favorite of mine is Stone Temple Pilots first album Core. Ripped at 24/96 from a DVD-Audio disc this album has new life! Equally important as the high resolution albums is the standard 16/44.1 material. Since the vast majority of our music is still in this resolution, the Best DAC must perform just as well with music that sounds far from perfect. As expected, the stunning detail reproduced during the HRx listening sessions was reproduced when playing back some harsh recordings. The compression Red Hot Chili Peppers'Californication was still very harsh and terrible sounding through the Minerva. This is a good thing in my opinion. I don't like those "Hi-Fi" sounding components that make everything sound good. The day Californication is remastered I will jump for joy. I really love the content on that one, but the sound quality limits my time with the recording to a minimum. The new Walter Becker album Circus Money has been spinning nonstop around Computer Audiophile (spinning as in hard drive spinning). I've become pretty familiar with the sound of the album through the DAC1 and the DLIII . When I played the album back through the Minerva I instantly notice a tighter and fuller sound that was absent in the other two DACs. Compared to the Minerva the DAC1 rounded the edges of the drums and greatbass-lines on Circus Money. DAC1 owners, myself included, please take this in the spirit in which it's intended. I suggest you don't listen to the Minerva unless you plan on purchasing the DAC. Once you try this DAC you'll never go back. Think about it this way. Any HDTV in your home usually looks fabulous. But, when you compare your model sitting directly next to the latestBravia XBR in your local dealer, your HD picture just doesn't cut it anymore.

     

    Another 16/44.1 recording I spent some time with is Chris Isaak's Baja Sessions. I love the sound of his voice and acoustic guitar on this whole album. Two songs in particular that I frequently listen to are his cover of Roy Orbison's Only The Lonely, and I Wonder. Listening to Only The Lonely through the Minerva made me question all previous systems I've owned. Shortly after the guitar intro there is a little "touch" of a cymbal before the vocal begins. This cymbal has been very present in my other systems. With the Minerva the sound is a little more what I call appropriate. The sound fits in with everything else instead of standing out from everything else. Note to Daniel Weiss: Thanks for invalidating all previous audio components I've owned. Listening to I Wonder was really a treat with the Minerva. Chris Isaak's glossy voice and clear guitar sounded like we were both in the same coffee shop. Those of you who are familiar with my musical tastes and reviews know I have to crank up a little Pearl Jam to make sure every component is really up to snuff. This time I put in Pearl Jam's album Yield. The very first track, brain Of J, sealed the deal for me. Shortly after an expedited "1234 - 1234" the guitar started and then the drums completely filled my listening room. Jack Irons was the drummer on thisrecording and the sound of his drums is really a reason in itself to pick up this album. The rest of Yield went off without a hitch through the Minerva.

     

    A common topic in many audiophile conversations these days is the so-called future proofing of an audio system. Many people are concerned about purchasing a DAC or music server that may not be compatible with all the current and forthcoming high resolution music. The Minerva from Weiss Engineering removes any doubts about compatibility with virtually all current high resolution content. Nobody can be sure of the future formats music will come in, but I am willing to bet nothing will edge over 24/192 any time soon. If this is true the Minerva is more than a wise investment for your audio system. It is a component designed to last with high build quality and high resolution.

     

     

    After all of this listening it was "officially official" the Minerva was and is the best DAC I've heard in a computer based system. The musicality of my McIntosh tubes and Avalon Acoustics speakers in combination with the Minerva DAC was really an audio treat that everyone should experience.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-front-bright-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-front-bright-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-back-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-back-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-1-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-1-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    If you're interested in reading the driver release notes from the install I've made them available <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/weiss-install.txt">here</a>.

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-2-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-2-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-3-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-3-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-4-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/install-4-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/audio-midi-minerva-1-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/audio-midi-minerva-1-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/audio-midi-minerva-2-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/audio-midi-minerva-2-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-00-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-00-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-01-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-01-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-02-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-02-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-03-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-03-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-04-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/minerva/minerva-app-04-small.jpg" alt="Weiss engineering Minerva FireWire DAC Review"></a>

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    sayting

    Can somebody tell me how to transfer a 24bit.wma file to MINERVA through firewire?

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    The Computer Audiophile

    I'm guessing you're on a PC? If your PC has a firewire port available you just need to connect the Minerva, install the drivers and you're all set. There are many other things to get bit perfect output, but these are the basics to get going.

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    twist222

    Chris,<br />

    <br />

    During your time reviewing the Minerva did you ever try the digital output from to feed another DAC.<br />

    Were you able to determine if the Minerva's firewire to aes/ebu interface or SPDIF is something special or is the excellent performance of the Minerva more a result of the quality of the DAC ?<br />

    I m looking for a good digital converter to go from a Mac to a DEQX (the DEQX is an active crossover/ speaker correction that works in the digital domain). The available digital inputs for the DEQX are aes/ebu or coax SPDIF.<br />

    The Vesta looks like it could be a good option.<br />

    Of course if anyone has other good options feel free to advise.<br />

    My preferences are firewire or USB input and capable of 96/24 output to aes/abu.<br />

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    The Computer Audiophile

    Hi Twist222 - I'm glad you asked this question. I actually spent a good amount of time using the firewire input to the AES digital output on the Minerva and the results were equally impressive. I fed another piece of equipment that was able to confirm the Minerva's bit perfect digital output.<br />

    <br />

    The Vesta may be a good option as well, but I don't have direct experience with the component. I don't think the Vesta will be available for a little while. You'll have a better chance of picking up a Minerva if your in a hurry to get some really great sound.

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    twist222

    Thanks for sharing your findings on the digital output from the Minerva. I have been looking for some time for something that will take a firewire output from a Mac at 24/96 and convert it to AES/EBU digital.<br />

    There seems very little available that works at 24/96 apart from pro gear that is designed for multiple channels and usually includes adc's and dac's for all channels.<br />

    I have nothing against pro gear but I would rather spend my money on the functions I can use rather than spreading it across a whole heap of additional functions that I can not use.<br />

    That was one of the reasons I was particularly interested in the Vesta. I does just what I need.<br />

    I have sent an email to Weiss asking if the Vesta is available yet. I will let you know if I find out when they will be available.<br />

    If anyone on the site is aware of any other firewire (or USB at a pinch) to AES digital converters that do a good job of reducing jitter and handle at least 24/96 please let me know.<br />

    The only other feature that might be worth having is a word clock input on the digital converter so that I can slave the converter and the 6 dac's in the DEQX to the same word clock. But I think that may open a whole new can of worms if it is not implemented well ?

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    weiss2496

    The Vesta will be available early October. The Vesta can be externally synced via its AES/EBU inputs (on XLR, RCA, Toslink). Wordclock sync is not supported. <br />

    <br />

    In our pro audio division we have the AFI1 product which is a 8 channel AES/EBU to/from Firewire interface (plus 16 channels of ADAT). The AFI1 can be synced via wordclock.<br />

    See http://www.weiss.ch/afi1/afi1.htm<br />

    <br />

    Daniel Weiss<br />

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    twist222

    Daniel, thanks for the update on the date the Vesta will be available. <br />

    The AFI1 was certainly the other option I was considering.<br />

    My main requirement is converting a firewire input into a high quality/ low jitter AES/EBU digital output to feed the digital input on a DEQX HDP3. <br />

    Both the Vesta and the AFI1 will provide this function. The AFI1 can also be synced to a word clock.<br />

    The DEQX has an optional digital output card with wordclock in and out that allows the DEQX to slave to an external word clock. The DEQX is basically an active crossover with the ability to apply speaker and room correction. Both the speaker/room correction and the electronic crossover are done in the digital domain. It has six internal dacs to feed L@R for a 3 way system. The digital output card allows you to use external dacs but at this stage I will be using the internals dacs.<br />

    My current problem is deciding between the Vesta and the AFI1.<br />

    I understand it may be hard for you to comment because you are unlikely to have knowledge of the DEQX but could you give me some guidance between the Vesta and the AFI1 for my situation were I can use a word clock to sync both the AFI1 and DEQX to. But there is nothing else in the chain so perhaps just allowing the DEQX to lock onto the timing signal on the output of the Vesta might be as good or better. Oh how I wish I knew more about all this!<br />

    My primary goal is trying to get the best sound quality using a computer as a source via the Weiss to the DEQX. Price, complexity and appearance are all secondary to this.<br />

    Any guidance on the choice between your 2 products would be appreciated.<br />

    <br />

    Regards<br />

    <br />

    Mark

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    twist222

    Sorry one last question. Am I right in assuming that the Vesta will be identical to the digital side of the Minerva ?<br />

    <br />

    Regards<br />

    <br />

    Mark

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    weiss2496

    Hello Mark<br />

    <br />

    It very much depends on the jitter performance of the DEQX unit. And that I don't know. <br />

    I suggest you maybe try both options (AFI1 and Vesta) and see what you prefer. If the DEQX is properly design in terms of Jitter performance, you should not notice any difference between AFI1 (w/ wordclock) and Vesta.<br />

    <br />

    Daniel<br />

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    weiss2496

    Yes, they are the same, the Vesta is missing the analog part which the Minerva has.<br />

    <br />

    Daniel<br />

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    twist222

    Arrr the joys of audio. Yes you are right the best way is to try them both. It may be a little hard to organize in Australia, particularly with the AFI1 coming from the pro audio distributer and the Vesta coming from the high end distributer (who also happens to be 1,100km to the south). But I can only try.<br />

    <br />

    I expect I will have to take a guess by one and try and borrow the other one at a latter date to compare.<br />

    <br />

    Given the release of the Vesta is still 2 months away could I use the digital out from the Minerva for trial purposes ? I have always assumed the Vesta is the same as the Minerva but without the dac in it ?<br />

    <br />

    If it is not practical to try them both would you be willing to take a guess on my behalf. I expect your experienced guess would be better than my guess. <br />

    If I am allowed to suggest it on a forumn ? given that my setup would not be common perhaps you could email me direct at [email protected] with any suggestions ?<br />

    <br />

    I appreciate your responses<br />

    <br />

    Mark

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    The Computer Audiophile

    I can say with certainty that the Minerva used as a complete DAC solution or just used via FireWire and the digital output is a really great solution. I've tried both configurations and was very pleased to say the least.

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    weiss2496

    Yes, you can try the digital output of the Minerva, it is the same as the Vesta will be.<br />

    I can't even guess - not experienced well enough with your particular setup.<br />

    <br />

    Daniel

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    twist222

    Looks like I will have to stop lossing sleep over which is the best option and take a punt on one of them. At the end of the day I need to remember we are doing this to listen to music for enjoyment.<br />

    The silly part about it is that if either the Vesta or the AFI1 did not exist I would be quite happy to go with the other.<br />

    So Daniel its all your fault for giving us too many options.<br />

    The real good news is it looks like either option should give great results so I should not go too far wrong.<br />

    Thanks to Chris and Daniel for your comments.

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    ALEXANDER

    Hi, I live in Prague, Czech Republic, just joined this useful forum. <br />

    I have been hunting for a good dac for a PC for years, now using Lavry, and satisfied particularly with regard to price quality ratio. <br />

    I also like the lavry black da10 has a volume control so no need for a preamp... I am very sorry weiss dont have a model with volume control.<br />

    - however, the Lavry, even though good, is entry level and I am considering an upgrade. two questions<<br />

    <br />

    <br />

    1 I have seen weiss make a pro dac that might be similar..the Dac2 it is called. Anybody has any experience with it?<br />

    2. I have come to believe that the PC is no inferor sound source... In your article, you write "best DAC with computer based system"...do I read between the lines correctly that the first place only applies to the pc audio segment? no reason why this thing should not be great with any transport. <br />

    anyway apart from the firewire there is nothing specifically PC oriented in this gear, as far as I can tell<br />

    - any idea, what is at the heart of this dac? I am no expert, but I know some dacs are built around a chip made by one of a few manufacturers. Others use their own maths inside...thanks for any comments and for the great effort that went to this site<br />

    alex <br />

    <br />

    <br />

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    weiss2496

    Hello Alex<br />

    <br />

    Let me chime in here at least to answer some of your questions. The DAC2 is similar to the Minerva. We do more extensive channel matching and circuit optimization during the QC phase with the Minerva. <br />

    <br />

    DAC2 and Minerva can be used standalone, w/o any computer connected. <br />

    We use a standard DAC chip, but at least as important as the DAC chip is the surrounding analog and digital electronics. <br />

    <br />

    Daniel<br />

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    The Computer Audiophile

    Hi Alex - I was very specific when I said the best DAC with a computer based system because there are some extremely expensive DACs (dCS) that are better but I haven't listened to them with a computer transport. You are also 100% correct that this DAC is not only for computer based transports. It's stellar for any audio system.

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    perrew

    Hi, Minerva is very intriguing, but do you think that the Minerva+Firewire+Mac bests the Medea if the Medea would be connected to a mac with say the Lynx AES16e and 26pin-to-XLR? Is the Minerva really that good?<br />

    /Pär

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    The Computer Audiophile

    Unfortunately I have no experience with the Medea so I can't honestly answer your question. I can say that the Minerva is really a great DAC.

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    perrew

    Ok, but you still prefer the Berkeley Alpha Dac? May I ask what speakers, amps other gear you use?

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    The Computer Audiophile

    Yeah, I still prefer the Alpha DAC for all the reasons mentioned in my article on reference music servers. I use Avalon Acoustics speakers and McIntosh tube amp as my main components. I have a dedicated power subpanel with separate circuits for components etc... I usually have many DACs in here to compare as well.

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    perrew

    Thanks Chris,<br />

    <br />

    Ill probably take the plunge on the Alpha since I own a PowerMac G5 and can fit that with a Lynx AES16e. What cable do you use to connect the Lynx and the Alpha?

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    The Computer Audiophile

    For now the only cable available to the public is the cable offered by Lynx. I use a special HD26 pin to XLR cable that's is not available yet. Hopefully soon :-)

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    znorter

    ***We do more extensive channel matching and circuit optimization during the QC phase with the Minerva. ***<br />

    <br />

    ...to complete that sentence you wrote, can you explain it better and add some info about the difference between "Vesta" and AFI1?<br />

    <br />

    Thank you again, Luca.<br />

    <br />

    PS I am ready to buy it FOR MY 2 CHANNEL SYS, but...

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