Article: LessLoss Echo’s End Reference DAC Full Review

[Ralf11]

yes, the grooved wood is ... uh ... groovey lookin'

 

but does not provide any RF shielding

[Ralf11]

He's got 2 stmts. in that sentence, and stmt 2 seems to preclude making stmt. 1...

[Ralf11]

sounds like a post on Porsche...

 

 

[Ralf11]

23 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

hey, I know damn well where my 20K+ went on engine work... 😉

 

sorry! I meant to say Ferrari

[Ralf11]

the cost of the parts was subtracted out in the post up above

 

the huge amount left over must represent R&D + pure profit

 

I expect per unit profits to be much higher on a product that sells to a small market

 

but...  how much is going to "excess profits"??

 

a comparison test with a $10k DAC or a $5k DAC is what's needed

[Ralf11]

12 hours ago, Axial said:

 

The DAC reviewed here is made in Europe. 

 

but maybe made in Romania or Bulgaria, no matter where the designer lives...

[Ralf11]

Louis - thanks for responding in this thread.  Ultimately, I'd like to see a DAC-off listening test -- you can take on Peter... or one of the others mentioned above.

 

I am also curious if you tried using Lignostone?

[Ralf11]

you don't seem to understand my post - I listed 2 very low cost labor countries in Europe

[Ralf11]

Riiight!

[Ralf11]

Why not Lignostone?

[Ralf11]

does a device (here, a DAC) benefit from a dielectric as the case??

 

think about how far the traces/wires are from the case

[Ralf11]

uses in turntables, F1 cars, and ski edges are not relevant

 

the question is - what does it do for a DAC??

 

looks are fine; but the manf. should come up with some measurements, listening tests, or a least a coherent design reason - their web site is not convincing

[Ralf11]

yes, it is pretty - not 20k pretty tho

 

is it prettier than Lignostone?  or Bubinga?  or Myrtle wood?

 

I am also partial to the color scheme of Accuphase gear, but got stuck with the crummy Audio Research Corp. light green only ghetto-look...

[Ralf11]

maybe it is better than simply using dampening on an Al case - stick a vibrometer on it

 

it would be fun to see some jitter measurements, eye diagrams, and etc.

 

a listening test is always good - in fact Sandy thinks it is the gold std.

[Ralf11]

The problem is that we need to know how much vibration reaches the crystal - both with and without wood.

[Ralf11]

2 hours ago, DuckToller said:

Ralf,

could you please elaborate you critics of the provided links by the manufacturer (post #151).
I'd like to understand, why this is not convincing (enough) for you and what would be a common ground or a suitable information you would accept in a more positive manner? 
I am aware that "pseudo science" is often used for marketing purposes, therefore I'd find a clear formulated critic important, assuming that you are not convinced from the manufactures website. And it's something to learn for the readers, including me.
Cheers from France, Tom
 

 

One obvious issue is that there is no linkage from purported benefits to sound quality.  I made some comments re vibration dampening in between our 2 posts.  But the general issue of what measurements on a DAC (of any design) and what exactly to look for is an interesting one - why not start a thread on it?

 

BTW, where in France are you?