Article: Review | APL HiFi DSD-SR MK2 DAC

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[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. 

[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.

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 minutes ago, Fife said:

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

Yes, by setting it to maximum. 

[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. 

[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.