Article: Review | APL HiFi DSD-SR MK2 DAC

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[matthias]

Chris, thank you, very nice review, loved the interview particularly.

 

The DAC input was DSD256 from HQPlayer, I would like to know how the DAC plays on its own without HQPlayer.

 

Can you please shed some light on this?

 

Thank you

 

Matt

[The Computer Audiophile]

10 minutes ago, matthias said:

Chris, thank you, very nice review, loved the interview particularly.

 

The DAC input was DSD256 from HQPlayer, I would like to know how the DAC plays on its own without HQPlayer.

 

Can you please shed some light on this?

 

Thank you

 

Matt

Hi Matt, the DAC is silent on its own without input :~) Only joking, I know what you mean. I sent bit perfect audio via USB and via DTR connection from the DNP-SR to the DSD-SR MK2. The results with both were superb. The thing that HQPlayer gives me is choice. Endless choice really. HQP isn't for everyone and I completely understand this.

 

Alex has built a DAC that performs wonderfully on its own without requiring anything like HQP. 

[PYP]

Thank you, Chris.  Knowing the sound of past units, I think you nailed it. 

 

Long ago and far away, I had a Denon CD player that was modified by Alex.  It had many of the features you identified in your review:  differential tube output stage that is transformer-coupled at the output, volume control and paralleled chips.  He used expensive parts when those sounded good to him, but didn't buy into the latest and most expensive stuff was best.  He trusted his ears.  He not only designed the stuff, he did all the point-to-point wiring himself.  While changing the tube (there was only one), my jaw dropped.  I couldn't believe the craftsmanship and, quite simply couldn't believe anyone had the dexterity to do the kind of work he did.  The price was very reasonable (couldn't afford much back then) and Alex is the only designer I know who would send you an upgraded unit before asking you to pay.  He cared about happy customers who shared his love of music.  I had that Denon for many, many years.  My wife especially loved it for its slightly romantic sound and world-class midrange.  Having heard the results from eliminating the preamp, I've never used one since.  As new high resolution formats became available I chased those and Alex inevitably moved on to designing his own gear, which I couldn't afford.  My wife was unhappy for years because the replacement DACs didn't, as Alex would say, have the magic.  Had I not committed to my current DAC (Mola Mola Tambaqui), which works so well with my Mola Mola amps (happy wife again), this is the DAC I would audition.   

[PeterG]

Wow!  If this is matching the rest of your stable, it's a major breakthrough in price/performance on the high end.  1.5-2X better?  I bought my Yggy for $2K after you opined that it performed like a $15K DAC.  Maybe it's time for a $15K DAC?

[The Computer Audiophile]

16 minutes ago, PeterG said:

Wow!  If this is matching the rest of your stable, it's a major breakthrough in price/performance on the high end.  1.5-2X better?  I bought my Yggy for $2K after you opined that it performed like a $15K DAC.  Maybe it's time for a $15K DAC?

Hi Peter, I'm not sure where you're based, so I don't know if you have easy access to listen to one of these. APL components are truly special. As distribution increases more people will get their ears on this stuff and "see" what I'm talking about. It's interesting you mention the Yggdrasil. This is like the Yggy taken to another level.

[PeterG]

17 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Peter, I'm not sure where you're based, so I don't know if you have easy access to listen to one of these. APL components are truly special. As distribution increases more people will get their ears on this stuff and "see" what I'm talking about. It's interesting you mention the Yggdrasil. This is like the Yggy taken to another level.

Yes, that is a dilemma.  As you probably know, the website lists only the national distributor.  I'm usually in Cambridge, MA,  My local dealer is Natural Sound in Framingham, Mass. (they're great!) I was thinking of suggesting to them that they investigate.  I am in NH for the summer, and will probably pursue this in the fall.  Thanks again for the great review

[Albrecht]

On 5/26/2020 at 5:36 PM, PYP said:

Thank you, Chris.  Knowing the sound of past units, I think you nailed it. 

 

Long ago and far away, I had a Denon CD player that was modified by Alex.  It had many of the features you identified in your review:  differential tube output stage that is transformer-coupled at the output, volume control and paralleled chips.  He used expensive parts when those sounded good to him, but didn't buy into the latest and most expensive stuff was best.  He trusted his ears.  He not only designed the stuff, he did all the point-to-point wiring himself.  While changing the tube (there was only one), my jaw dropped.  I couldn't believe the craftsmanship and, quite simply couldn't believe anyone had the dexterity to do the kind of work he did.  The price was very reasonable (couldn't afford much back then) and Alex is the only designer I know who would send you an upgraded unit before asking you to pay.  He cared about happy customers who shared his love of music.  I had that Denon for many, many years.  My wife especially loved it for its slightly romantic sound and world-class midrange.  Having heard the results from eliminating the preamp, I've never used one since.  As new high resolution formats became available I chased those and Alex inevitably moved on to designing his own gear, which I couldn't afford.  My wife was unhappy for years because the replacement DACs didn't, as Alex would say, have the magic.  Had I not committed to my current DAC (Mola Mola Tambaqui), which works so well with my Mola Mola amps (happy wife again), this is the DAC I would audition.   

Hiya,

I am still running that beautiful APL Denon with a digital coax input & the wonderful H-Attenuator directly into my BC power amp and I've heard nothing that is clearly better. I agree with all that you've said and found that it bettered, or I preferred in my system it to all comers: even DACs that are much more expensive would make me say, - "really, - i don't think so!"

Another great benefit that folks seem to rarely mention is the ability to compare directly and immediately digital file player audio via the digital input and CDs.

Although I've been working on the digital file player side for years, - the APL helped me immensely to compare what I was doing on the digital file player side to help me improve it, and keep me on the right track in knowing what is "right" for me, - playing back digital files. 

I have also had the great pleasure of visiting Alex numerous times and hearing vs iterations of his speakers, amplifiers and of course, - Universal players. I really miss those great chats, and Alex as a friend & teacher, - explaining to me what he was doing, and why he was doing it!

I so wish that I could move to the south of France and then zip over to Rune and get me one of these new DACs.

[Rawhid Earnest]

Introduced by a friend, I heard that your evaluation is very professional, that's true, well done, Chris

[jp11801]

I had the pleasure of meeting Alex when he lived in NorCal. First and most importantly he is a gentleman and a sound enthusiast first. He made a custom dac for a friend with ECC99s in the output stage as well as transformers and WOW ten years ago it shaped what digital could be for me.

 

I would go with one of APLs creations if I had the expendable cash (one day maybe) for now the Lumin T2 will have to do. His Denon mods were crazy good as was his Logitech transporter mods. 

 

Chris great to see you spotlight APL as Alex is one that really has the education and experience to take digital to the next level.

[Albrecht]

On 5/29/2020 at 8:34 AM, Albrecht said:

Hiya,

I am still running that beautiful APL Denon with a digital coax input & the wonderful H-Attenuator directly into my BC power amp and I've heard nothing that is clearly better. I agree with all that you've said and found that it bettered, or I preferred in my system it to all comers: even DACs that are much more expensive would make me say, - "really, - i don't think so!"

Another great benefit that folks seem to rarely mention is the ability to compare directly and immediately digital file player audio via the digital input and CDs.

Although I've been working on the digital file player side for years, - the APL helped me immensely to compare what I was doing on the digital file player side to help me improve it, and keep me on the right track in knowing what is "right" for me, - playing back digital files. 

I have also had the great pleasure of visiting Alex numerous times and hearing vs iterations of his speakers, amplifiers and of course, - Universal players. I really miss those great chats, and Alex as a friend & teacher, - explaining to me what he was doing, and why he was doing it!

I so wish that I could move to the south of France and then zip over to Ruse and get me one of these new DACs.

(corrected Ruse)

[Hiker]

Last year I listened to an incredible system I realized much later the dac was the flag ship APL MR . In the mix of the other familiar components APL was the only manufacturer name I didn’t recognize though I didn’t ask too many questions about the components I remember the owner briefly mentioning his APL dac was a new purchase.

We talked about music mostly however that listening experience left me mesmerized I did look into the cost of the APL MR sadly however I will definitely consider APL’s entry level dac when I’m ready to upgrade.

[Fife]

Can you defeat the volume control in the DSS-SR?

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 minutes ago, Fife said:

Can you defeat the volume control in the DSS-SR?

Yes, by setting it to maximum. 

[R1200CL]

 Chris

Can you say anything playing same track PCM vs DSD ?

Or will the APL then convert the PCM to DSD internally ?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

 Chris

Can you say anything playing same track PCM vs DSD ?

Or will the APL then convert the PCM to DSD internally ?

 

It's all converted to DSD. The user has options for filter selection and DSD sample rate. 

[gerbaldi]

On 5/26/2020 at 8:42 PM, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hi Matt, the DAC is silent on its own without input :~) Only joking, I know what you mean. I sent bit perfect audio via USB and via DTR connection from the DNP-SR to the DSD-SR MK2. The results with both were superb. The thing that HQPlayer gives me is choice. Endless choice really. HQP isn't for everyone and I completely understand this.

 

Alex has built a DAC that performs wonderfully on its own without requiring anything like HQP. 

 Hello Chris,

 

Thank you first for all your reviews it helps a lot when thinking of a system upgrade !

After having read reviews, I am thinking of getting EMM Labs DV2 (with EMM preamp) or APL DSD MR DAC (with APL streamer and preamp).

You reviewd both of them at different times with a very positive feedback for each,

And I will listen to both of them, but at a different time and in a different place which makes the choice very difficult.

=> What would be your advice ?

 

=> And then I which mono amplifier would you recommend for verity audio Sarrastro speakers ?

linked to the DAC and preamp mentionned above ?

 

Thank you very much in advance for your answer ,

 

Best regards and congratulations for your publications that are awesome !

Guillaume

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 hours ago, gerbaldi said:

 Hello Chris,

 

Thank you first for all your reviews it helps a lot when thinking of a system upgrade !

After having read reviews, I am thinking of getting EMM Labs DV2 (with EMM preamp) or APL DSD MR DAC (with APL streamer and preamp).

You reviewd both of them at different times with a very positive feedback for each,

And I will listen to both of them, but at a different time and in a different place which makes the choice very difficult.

=> What would be your advice ?

 

=> And then I which mono amplifier would you recommend for verity audio Sarrastro speakers ?

linked to the DAC and preamp mentionned above ?

 

Thank you very much in advance for your answer ,

 

Best regards and congratulations for your publications that are awesome !

Guillaume

 

 

 

Hi Guillaume, thanks for the kind words. 

 

These two systems are very different, but somehow get the listener to the same place. It's very likely you'll be in one camp or there other after listening to them. I don't want to sway you at all before listening because you really can't go wrong with either system.

 

I love the Sarrastro speakers. That ribbon tweeter is fantastic. The great thing about Sarrastro speakers is that they're easy to drive, opening up your amplification options greatly. I've hear them sound fantastic with Nagra VPA tube amps or much more powerful solid state Mbl amps. You really have tons of options with these speakers. 

[Alex Peychev]

Hi Guillaume, 

 

As a manufacturer, I thought it would be appropriate to give you some additional information, aside from what Chris was already so nice to advise you in his reply.

 

Please take this information for what it worths to you. 

 

The initial review Chris was so nice to write on the DSD-MR was for its initial version - the DSD-MR MK1. 

 

Then the DSD-MR was redesigned to MK2 and now it is at is final version called SE - Special Edition. 

 

Each successive redesign of the DSD-MR brought considerable sonic improvements.

 

However, in the SE version, we have implemented very sophisticated technologies, previously unseen in any of our digital products. 

 

Based on the feedback we have received on the DSD-MR SE performance, everyone who auditioned it agrees that this our best sounding DAC ever, and by far.

 

All of the above said, and as Chris already suggested, it would be very nice if you consider auditioning the DSD-MR SE. 

 

I am sure you will enjoy the fine balance between natural musicality combined with detail and clarity that makes you want to hear more and more of your favorite recordings without being fatigued over a short period of time.

 

Best regards,

Alex