Stephen,
Thanks for sharing your listening experiences. Quite flattering that the Abbas 3.2SE acquitted itself well in the company of the esteemed Weiss Medus. Agree that the 3.2SE is exceptionally adept with vocalists (Also acoustic instruments).
Charles
I sure hope that is your outcome. If Pro-Ject has solved the past issues with reliability they have a genuine first rate CD transport in the marketplace.
Charles
Yes, definitely a different upper lid compared with my older RS2T. Earlier I had written I purchased mine in November 2022. Actually I’ve had mine since November 2021. It has remain rocksolid reliable.
@JohnP
Terrific and congratulations!!!
It is indeed a marvelous sounding CD transport. Mine has been reliable and trouble free since bought new in November 2022.
There have been reliability issues with certain production runs of the RS2T unfortunately. I really hope that Pro-Ject has...
@gerihifi
Gerald thanks for taking the time to share this interesting information. Very good to know. It is quite gratifying to know that you are so pleased with both your Abbas and Weiss DACs.
I have had my Abbas 3.2 SE since February and really could not be any happier or satisfied with...
@Gjo
“The take-away...I've come to appreciate different, and no longer endeavor to determine best regarding the Esoteric and streamers/servers”
Well put.
Charles
@Gjo
“I would say within three weeks I was convinced the N30SA was in my system to stay. I'm quite pleased with it.”
Congratulations!!
A very nice audio system you’ve assembled.
Charles
@LL21
I’m sure that you aren’t alone with your perspective and sentiment. No doubt that people enjoy their high resolution digital files etc. Yet,, there is no question that well produced Redbook CD can sound extraordinary good with excellent quality CD transport and DAC. You can be quite happy...
Thanks for your additional comments/ins. I am of the opinion that music streamers and CD transports can cover the spectrum from “just OK” sound quality to extraordinarily good!
Furthermore they can easily coexist in the same audio system. I’ve never viewed them as adversaries or it’s one or...
@zebo67
I appreciate your insight and recommendations. Both of those brands have been suggested to me as good streaming audio options. Why the reservation toward Grimm?
Thanks,
Charles
@Artnet
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with Streaming and the very successful outcome. All that I’ve read/heard about the Grimm MU1 has consistently positive. It nice to know that it mates so beautifully with the Abbas 3.2SE.
Does the Grimm have SPDIF output or was a...
Thanks for your update comments.
1, agree that the stock tubes selected by Abbas are excellent! Tube rolling can fine tune sonic characteristics to fit personal tastes and audio systems as so desired. Certainly not a mandatory action.
2, Heat is not an issue in my situation and the fan has...
@Artnet
Congratulations!!!
I’m glad that you finally received your 3.2SE DAC. Good to know that you are very pleased with its placement into your listening room and system.
Charles
@limberpine
“We were all surprised at how awesome the 2.0 DAC sounded and went on to play many more tracks back and forth, which was super fun and eye-opening because the cost of this DAC is in line with how much a couple of tapes sell for now and gave us 99% of the sound we wanted.
Figured...
Given the limitations of listening via my phone, amplifier B was better sounding by a clear margin. More engaging, natural and superior tonality.
Charles
Your “2 cents “ is legitimate.
It did not escape me that the 2 female musician listeners describe the other listening system alternative as “fatiguing.” This was very telling to me.
Charles
Good point. Also given that one of the women sang and the other plays piano are noteworthy factors. They have direct exposure to natural musical sounds. Less likely to be awed/impressed by emphasized/hyper detail leaning presentations.
Charles
@jespera
“Conclusion: the ladies have better ears than the audiophiles”
Ha, funny you wrote that, as I felt the same. Although by most standards I would be categorized as an audiophile, I thought the 2 females provided more insight and astute listening skills.
I admit obviously that’s just an...
Gerald,
Yes, excellent built construction and internal layout. I keep the top cover off, I just enjoy viewing the interior. Regarding the burn-in period, 200 hours is a good recommendation.
However in my opinion it continues to improve beyond this juncture. Terrific at that point for sure yet...
@joaovieira
“APL will soon launch a new speaker with paper cones and silk tweeter. I had the chance to listen only by videos, but I’m going to Bulgaria probably this year to listen to that system on APL.
The sound seems to be pretty much what I’m looking for”
After all these years and all...
@jespera ,
+1
While waiting for my Abbas 3.2SE to be built I decided it was time to delve into audio streaming. The large volume of music available via subscription Qubuz and Tidal was appealing.
When my DAC arrived and connected with the Pro-Ject RS2T CD transport the result was pure sonic...
The Aries Cerat Helena sounds bright? I've read numerous descriptions of the Helena and other various Aries Cerat components. This is the first-time bright has been used. I am not questioning this observation. You have to report what you personally hear in your own audio system.
Charles
Hi Gerald,
It’s going to be interesting to see how the group of “experienced audiophiles “ listening impressions and opinions compare/contrast with the 2 musician oriented women listeners.
I appreciate you taking the time and effort to do these listening sessions amongst different people. It’s...
Gerald,
Ha, confirmed my suspicion. Both of them finding the Abbas DAC presentation “authentic “ tells me that they have exposure to live instruments. The ears can easily sort this quality out.
Charles
@gerihifi
“preferred DAC for 16bit samples: Abbas (sounded for them more 'authentic')
- preferred DAC for 24bit samples: Weiss (more details, brighter vocals, fuller sound stage)
- Most liked overall: 16bit/Abbas (24bit: both said it is more exchausting to listen”
Very telling and insightful...
@gerihifi
How is the burn-in of your 3.2SE progressing? Do you like its rendition of acoustic instruments and human vocals? Blackgate capacitors should be steadily forming/settling in. Have you had an opportunity to try it with other components yet? I know that the Weiss DAC is your reference...
Gerald,
Thank you for posting your listening impressions. I was pretty certain that these two DACs would sound quite different in comparison. I’m very interested to read what you find with further comparisons on varying audio system set ups.
It would not surprise me if one DAC exceeds the other...
Yes, I’m quite interested to read the listening impressions and opinions of the Abbas U1 Signature DAC from its new owner. Stephen has your DAC shipped out yet?
Charles