The Zanden combination sounds very different. It is not everyones cup of tea. I would not say it is the latest word in cutting edge resolution and transparency. It does however excel at a couple of attributes that some of the highest resolving and most transparent alternatives are lacking and that is in its rythmic flow and musicality. Its focus is on presenting the musical message of the music rather than dissecting the recording. The midrange is also very special and probably a result of the tubed output stage and the tubed power supply of the DAC. The greatest strength is however its rythmic timing.
Thanks,
Roy
Roy,
Let me say first, it is wonderful to see you contributing so strongly again. As the saying goes, Long may she reign. Stay well.
As for Zanden, I am probably the single most vocal Zanden-digital-phile on this entire forum, and admit it. And I entirely agree with Roysen that the Zanden is not (and has not been for some time) the last word in cutting edge resolution. Stahl-Tek Vekian and DCS Scarlatti are both superior and notably so. I learned a lot about what was on my recordings in minute details with these. If you are in it for exceptional detail, Zanden is great but not the best.
However, I have never come across digital that I find so addictive to listen to for other reasons that are more subtle. The musical detail that IS presented is exceptionally balanced, completely effortless and very nuanced within its scale. As a a result, you get flow...because there is not etching, no imbalance (at least to me) of the scale of notes (ie, too midforward, too bass heavy, etc). Couple this with a tonally pure sound (to me), and I think this is the particular magic that is Zanden.
More so this kind of magic (which matters to me) than any other digital I have personally auditioned...and there was a good solid 2 years when I was actively looking for a 'new digital system' to replace the Zanden and did not find it (for me). ARC, Metronome, STahl-Tek, DCS, Esoteric, Emm, Krell, Wadia (not 9), Meridian...all exceptionally good and probably could have been extremely happy with more than a few of them...just not a desire to trade the Zanden for it.
For those interested in exploring Zanden but do like their detail, I have ended up enjoying 'playing' with my Zanden in terms of NOS Tubes and individually isolating each component in a 'sandwich'...HRS underneath and HRS/Artesania/Stillpoints on top which has continued to take the digital further...better detail, lower noise floor, and superior solidity of images. In comparison terms it handily beat an Audio Aero in detail and bass power which is not the last word in detail or bass for sure, but at least for me, it also was not close. However, I do not think I have gotten it to Scarlatti or Stahl-Tek levels of information retrieval, nor do I sense this is possible without re-working by Yamada San himself (creator/founder).
OK...enough about Zanden...this is a Wadia 9 thread...sorry!