Article: Review | APL HiFi DSD-SR MK2 DAC

[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.

[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)