Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
The first No. m901 began with studio use, but the sound quality is evaluated by audiophiles , and the subsequent m902, m903, and m920 are used for studio monitoring as well as the status as a DAC/Headphone amp for audiophiles has been established.
I think, the part that excellents for audiophiles.
1. Great current feedback amplifier design (Analog Devices AD815AY is discontinued still excellent IC used in the amplifier.) 2. 0.5 dB high-precision digital control of non-contact analog attenuator 3. Third generation of the new dual-stage S-Lock PLL jitter-free circuit 4. ESS Saber M2 32 bit DAC (It is still one of the best sound DACs) 5. Can be selected DAC filter response (fast, slow and minimum phase) 6. Toroidal transformer winding separated in the analog and digital 7. New cross-feed circuit. (Ohman method) 8. Sgnal path does not use any of the electrolytic capacitor
and Grace design unique functional beauty..
Regardless of the theoretical differences all those components make, what is the final impact on the sound (again, in comparison)? Thanks for the response!
There is no coloring, it is clear and smooth. If it says so, you will uncover coarse recordings with a monitor like.
Since the headphone amplifier section is powerful drives , all low impedance IEM and high impedance classic headphone, and flat planer diaphragm type headphones.
May be m920 deliver equal or superior performance with any headphones.
I like Grace Design. I just wish you guys made more competitive products. There's no way the cost is that high to manufacture this.
I can not evaluate the cost of those who do not have the technology to make it.
All I can do is whether it is a product that plays good sound. I like the Grase Design m920 very much and I like it. That's all.
I'll just comment on one thing: the Benchmark DAC1 is much less expensive, has become the industry standard in ways for exactly the kinds of reasons you described about the m920, indeed sounds completely clean, neutral, and transparent, and on paper it measures better. At such low distortion, the "musicality" element, especially given the intent/purpose of these pieces of gear in their design, is completely moot, hence, my original statements/questions which you quoted.
The exterior design of the Benchmark DACs is cheaper than the m 920. (IMO) I think that it is too expensive for that design.
I didn't just quote the benchmark though. If you're looking or otherwise only need a USB connection, the ODAC + Objective2 combo would also weigh heavily against this. At ~$300, the measurements and the perceivable imprint on the sound is no less than the Grace Design m920. Point is, it's unreasonably inarguably expensive, I would assert that it's for no justifiable reason, and so are any similar products in this price range and above. This argument isn't for me; the company would just do better if it actually met this challenge and tried to market to a wider target to get manufacturing costs down.
In any case, you're furthermore right about particular DAC's/amps. I would be the first to make those observations. But we're talking about these particular units, which aren't like that. The reason for those characteristics you mentioned has to do with odd-harmonic distortion which is what's present with solid state designs. If that was AT ALL an issue with the equipment we're discussing, we wouldn't be discussing it.
Also, as I mentioned in the above comment, I already own the DAC1, and my point was that for the price, I don't see why anyone would choose this over it, hence my submission that perhaps Grace Design should try to be more competitive with their costs.
As you like Benchmark DAC, we like the Grace Design m920. Cost and measurement will not matter much there.
You would prefer a vacuum tube amp that is distorted and should be disadvantageous in terms of cost.
Audio is a hobby.
http://www.gracedesign.com/newsletter/feb15/newsletter02_15.htm
Still, this doesn't really suggest anything further beyond what's already been discussed...