Article: Audiophile 5: Elac DDP-2 DAC / Preamp / Streamer In 5 Minutes

[The Computer Audiophile]

View full article

[The Computer Audiophile]

29 minutes ago, rickca said:

I don't use Roon, so until DDP-2 UPnP support is available my interest in this product is on hold.  It does have some very attractive features.  Any idea whether it's AKM or ESS DAC?  I'd also have to be certain that MQA can be completely disengaged.

 

 

Dual AK4493

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, Danny Kaey said:

nice video Chris! 😉

It has that old school radio call-in show feel to it with Peter's comments added from our phone call. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, loop7 said:

Peter Madnick is brilliant and I thought the Acoustic Alchemy products were just fantastic so this is almost guaranteed to sound amazing.

 

I'm wondering if this product's industrial design will make it a tough sell? It reminds me of a satellite TV receiver - not very kind of me to say I realize. The last round of DAC's and amps from AA had such a cool and hip industrial design.

Agree on all points. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, austinpop said:

I remember my first external DAC back in the mists of time was the Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box!

 

Did Peter design that too? 

Oh yes. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

49 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

So you wouldn't buy anything from Elac, over this? I see no evidence that they are "pushing" MQA. The only reference I can find is a simple statement that the DDP-2 is MQA capable, but not functional yet. I assume this is a business decision. The marketing department likely determined that leaving MQA out would negatively impact sales more than including it. 

 

I'm not a fan of MQA processing. I believe the technology will fail and die, but no one knows for certain. My overriding interest is in buying the best sounding DAC/Preamp I can afford, with the features I want. MQA is not one those features, but inclusion will not affect my purchase decision. The DDP-2 is a contender, with all the features on my needs list, and the right price.

 

My main system has three clocks right now, in the wi-fi/ethernet bridge, renderer and DAC/Pre. I am well aware of the benefits of a single clock from past experience. The fact that this unit has I2S wi-fi puts it ahead of the others on my short list.

Also note that only MQA content uses the MQA mandated filters in the DDP-2. Some DACs have “issues” that send all content through the MQA filters. In our conversation Peter told me positively that this DAC only uses MQA for MQA. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

50 minutes ago, audiobomber said:

@The Computer Audiophile, any idea when you expect to publish the full review? 

Looking like next week. RMAF really throws a wrench in things.

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, Tintinabulum said:

I suspect they are used to vocal minorities, which are... just that.

If you only knew rather than suspected.