New Totaldac DACs in 2023 : d1-unity , d1-triunity , and d1-sublime

[CKKeung]

New Totaldac DACs.

Mono & Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: Magico - Nagra - Tidal Audio - Wilson Audio - MSB - Totaldac - Living Voice - Taiko Audio - Aries Cerat -Thrax

www.monoandstereo.com

https://www.totaldac.com/D1-unity-en.htm
https://www.totaldac.com/D1-triunity-en.htm
https://www.totaldac.com/D1-sublime-en.htm

 

[CKKeung]

Dear Vincent,

Please tell us more about these 3 new products, other than the brief descriptions on your website.

Many Thanks!

 

[CKKeung]

My comments about the new Tri-unity DAC is on the #21 of the following thread :

Totaldac new DACs

The new Totaldac Tri-unity DAC : a brief encounter Ben Lau, boss of Volent Audio Hong Kong and I would visit a friend together on the past Wed evening. When I arrived at the Violent showroom, I was surprised by the presence of the new Totaldac Unity DAC and Tri-unity DAC, because they were...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[PhP]

Inasked this question on the other thred but no reaction.
I hope here will be someone to advice

How about choice between 2 theoretical scenarios:
1. Totaldac DAC ( voulme control) + Totaldac Drivers + Heisenberg monos to Alsyvox Botticelli
2. Totaldac DAC ( max volume) + TotalDAC drivers + Humboldt ( volume control) to Alsyvox Botticelli
I wonder what scenario would work better 1 or 2 ?

Hello Kris

I experimented more since you visit me. I tried direct output from DAC (WEIIS the PLAYBACK) to Humboldt. Quite good if the output of the DAC is a real preamp and not only an output stage. This was tested with PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPS-8 which has a real preamp output, the result was very good but lacked like real life, same when MPS8 drove Humboldt via his integrated preamp.
But to my ears, using a DAC directly to an amplifier is not as lifelike than using a preamp. So as I know you want uncompromised sound, I obtain much better sound with my new amplifier line, APURNA™. They can be ordered with or without internal preamp. APURNA™ Prélude stereo amplifier with integrated preamp is really much better than Humboldt, details, dynamics, and more realistic tones. Using MPS-8 with integrated Prélude as volume control is completely different, much much better.
If the goal is to get even more realistic sound, APURNA™ Soprano mono-blocs I have on demo have their own mono preamp. At near the same price then , they are without peers I listened for many years, including Heisenberg. Proof is in the listening.
All I told you is based on the latest APURNA™ generation, available since 2023 which had many upgrades.
I wonder what scenario would work better 1 or 2 ?
3. Totaldac DAC ( max volume) + TotalDAC drivers + Soprano limited Apogée integrated monos to Alsyvox Botticelli

 

[Kris]

Hello Kris

I experimented more since you visit me. I tried direct output from DAC (WEIIS the PLAYBACK) to Humboldt. Quite good if the output of the DAC is a real preamp and not only an output stage. This was tested with PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPS-8 which has a real preamp output, the result was very good but lacked like real life, same when MPS8 drove Humboldt via his integrated preamp.
But to my ears, using a DAC directly to an amplifier is not as lifelike than using a preamp. So as I know you want uncompromised sound, I obtain much better sound with my new amplifier line, APURNA™. They can be ordered with or without internal preamp. APURNA™ Prélude stereo amplifier with integrated preamp is really much better than Humboldt, details, dynamics, and more realistic tones. Using MPS-8 with integrated Prélude as volume control is completely different, much much better.
If the goal is to get even more realistic sound, APURNA™ Soprano mono-blocs I have on demo have their own mono preamp. At near the same price then , they are without peers I listened for many years, including Heisenberg. Proof is in the listening.
All I told you is based on the latest APURNA™ generation, available since 2023 which had many upgrades.
I wonder what scenario would work better 1 or 2 ?
3. Totaldac DAC ( max volume) + TotalDAC drivers + Soprano limited Apogée integrated monos to Alsyvox Botticelli

Thank you,
I knew you are finding the best options only ,
Sounds interesting. Never had a chance to listen to the Apurna Amps.
Will need to investigate this sometime

 

[PhP]

Thank you,
I knew you are finding the best options only ,
Sounds interesting. Never had a chance to listen to the Apurna Amps.
Will need to investigate this sometime

You are welcome (again).
Only PHPAUDIO has new APURNA™ and I will send you the review that will be in a French Audio magazine June the 23rd.
You can see what audiophiles said about them in my April blog

April 2023 - Omotenashi - news

OMOTENASHI おもてなしThis Japanese word translates the quest for "the absolute" listening to the customer quest of music emotion, and the hospitality indispensable to select new gears with serenity. If sound quality is the main criterion, it is not enough. Sound reproduction must be exceptional...

www.phpaudio.fr

 

[CKKeung]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/brilliant-corners-9-dac-and-streamer-frances-totaldac

 

[sbo6]

Hello Kris

I experimented more since you visit me. I tried direct output from DAC (WEIIS the PLAYBACK) to Humboldt. Quite good if the output of the DAC is a real preamp and not only an output stage. This was tested with PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPS-8 which has a real preamp output, the result was very good but lacked like real life, same when MPS8 drove Humboldt via his integrated preamp.
But to my ears, using a DAC directly to an amplifier is not as lifelike than using a preamp. So as I know you want uncompromised sound, I obtain much better sound with my new amplifier line, APURNA™. They can be ordered with or without internal preamp. APURNA™ Prélude stereo amplifier with integrated preamp is really much better than Humboldt, details, dynamics, and more realistic tones. Using MPS-8 with integrated Prélude as volume control is completely different, much much better.
If the goal is to get even more realistic sound, APURNA™ Soprano mono-blocs I have on demo have their own mono preamp. At near the same price then , they are without peers I listened for many years, including Heisenberg. Proof is in the listening.
All I told you is based on the latest APURNA™ generation, available since 2023 which had many upgrades.
I wonder what scenario would work better 1 or 2 ?
3. Totaldac DAC ( max volume) + TotalDAC drivers + Soprano limited Apogée integrated monos to Alsyvox Botticelli

Can you please elaborate on the differences / benefits of the Apurna versus the Heisenberg?

 

[PhP]

Can you please elaborate on the differences / benefits of the Apurna versus the Heisenberg?

Hi
I could not compare Heisenberg to Apurna™ Soprano the same day, on the same system. I will not say more about Heisenberg as I was Audionet dealer for 2 years and I had a good relationship with Stefan.
That said when I had Apurna™ here, these change the rules so much that I could not believe how better are this French brand I do not know Apurna™ until 1 speakers manufacturer told me that it is the best amplifier he had ever listened to, and other customers in Europe I know for their very good knowledge about music and audio.
APURNA™ monoblocs are available in 2 models: Soprano and Apogée. Soprano is the first level of output power at 450W into 4ohm then Apogée is 600w into 4 ohm. more power into 2 ohm.
Full specs here

Apurna | PHPAUDIO

www.phpaudio.fr

My monoblocs are Soprano limited Apogée, same power than Soprano but all the technologic subtleties of Apogée.
The sound difference of APURNA™ to all contender I tried, is that the sound is more natural, the question of SS and tube is irrelevant. They have no trade of the coldness that is the signature of other amplifiers. The second point is that the APURNA seems twice as powerful sonically than its real value. On pop music, contemporary music even experimental, you could have a realistic uncompressed sound like in a hall (even with the Apurna™ Prélude stereo amp). Then you will hear much more details especially if you have APURNA™ monoblocs with their monoral preamp. No cable inside, no cable link, transparency is in an other world. The last major virtue is soundstage and hall ambiance. Wide, deep and you fell the hall air, amazing. When I received here the world class maestro Teodor Currentzis, he was amazed how realistic was his recordings (the French sound engineer Max Ciup Grammy Award nominee was here too ).
All other performance, frequency extension, bass, tightness is at the top, may be better than all from mid bass to sub bass. Voices are palpable like on a small single ended amp.
Franck Borne the designer advised that he uses disruptive technology from aerospace and military field (he still work sometime for this). I can only say that these amplifiers are without peer (this answer your question), and each time I demonstrate Apurna™, each time the melamine order the French amp.
Last word : Apogée is limitless and is the very best I know, cost no object. It could have an infinity of finish. That's why I asked Franck to make Soprano Limited Apogée that have the same sound than Apogée (with less dynamic capability) at a more affordable price. About dynamic scale and impact like in real life, you will discover that amplifier could close the gap with unamplified music.
Apurna™ was lauded in 2017, was at Munich show in 2028 and 2019 and make no advertisement. Production is quite small with 10 to 12 units per year, and could be 25 at most. They are made like Swiss watches by Franck himself.

 

[CKKeung]

Review: totaldac d1-triunity DAC - Twittering Machines

Michael Lavorgna's Twittering Machines: HiFi with a twist

twitteringmachines.com

 

[skids929]

I just got a Triunity and its an absolutely killer DAC. Completely changed my entire system in every way. I literally have to pull myself away from it at night. Vincent definitely tapped into something really special with this series of DACs.

 

[sbo6]

What did you have before?

 

[CKKeung]

I just got a Triunity and its an absolutely killer DAC. Completely changed my entire system in every way. I literally have to pull myself away from it at night. Vincent definitely tapped into something really special with this series of DACs.

Will you add a Totaldac Reclocker to it as the next upgrade?

 

[skids929]

What did you have before?

Well I was solely vinyl prior to this DAC, brought a bunch of DACs in recently to listen. Prior to abandoning digital over a year ago I had an MSB Discrete with the two power supplies, then the Helene for a hot minute (didn't like it). This DAC is just mind blowingly good across ALL types of music.

 

[Al M.]

Well I was solely vinyl prior to this DAC, brought a bunch of DACs in recently to listen. Prior to abandoning digital over a year ago I had an MSB Discrete with the two power supplies, then the Helene for a hot minute (didn't like it). This DAC is just mind blowingly good across ALL types of music.

What did you not like about the Helene?

 

[skids929]

Will you add a Totaldac Reclocker to it as the next upgrade?

Hopefully! Just upgraded the streamer now I have my eye on upgrading the speakers within the same brand. JM Reynaud. Absolutely in love with those too.

 

[skids929]

What did you not like about the Helene?

Sounded hollowed out in the middle. I literally tried to like it, tried every damn combo that was possible in my system. Wasn't my sound. Might not have liked my equipment, who knows but most of the other dacs I've listened were fine. Helene to me was way more hype than the sound I got thats for sure, which was shocking to me. Never really heard a bad word about it..Who knows maybe it just needs to be all AC gear for it to sound right.. In the context of my own system and room the TotalDAC was leaps and bounds better. Not to mention the thing is unnecessarily gigantic, which I didn't anticipate as something that I wouldn't like.

 

[Al M.]

Sounded hollowed out in the middle. I literally tried to like it, tried every damn combo that was possible in my system. Wasn't my sound. Might not have liked my equipment, who knows but most of the other dacs I've listened were fine. Helene to me was way more hype than the sound I got thats for sure, which was shocking to me. Never really heard a bad word about it..Who knows maybe it just needs to be all AC gear for it to sound right.. In the context of my own system and room the TotalDAC was leaps and bounds better. Not to mention the thing is unnecessarily gigantic, which I didn't anticipate as something that I wouldn't like.

Thanks for the report. Hollowed out in the middle, does this mean the midrange sounded less prominent relative to bass and treble?

 

[skids929]

Thanks for the report. Hollowed out in the middle, does this mean the midrange sounded less prominent relative to bass and treble?

Yes, exactly. Threw a massive soundstage (Totaldac is the same) but lacked mid range body and bass. Honestly sounded way more neutral than I thought it was going too. Had a cold feel to me, and compared to the Triunity the hi end frequency/sparkle wasn't even close.

 

[Al M.]

Yes, exactly. Threw a massive soundstage (Totaldac is the same) but lacked mid range body and bass. Honestly sounded way more neutral than I thought it was going too. Had a cold feel to me, and compared to the Triunity the hi end frequency/sparkle wasn't even close.

Wow. That is interesting. Is exactly the opposite of what I would expect from an Aries Cerat product, based on what I've heard.

Lack of midrange body and bass are a no-no for me. The low midrange is the "power range" of the orchestra, cello and piano (to name a few examples), just like mid-bass and upper bass are the power region of rock. Can't live without.

Great to hear that the Triunity is such a fantastic DAC.