Weiss New Reference Helios DAC

[nicoludio]

Finally, first review of the Helios, with a comparison to Medus. Same reviewer previously reviewed the DAC 502 Mk 2 as well. Rest of the system is up to mark too.

Helios review:

SoundStageAustralia.com - Weiss Engineering HELIOS Digital-to-Analogue Converter

www.soundstageaustralia.com

DAC 502 Mk 2 review:

SoundStageAustralia.com - Weiss Engineering DAC502 Digital-to-Analogue Converter

www.soundstageaustralia.com

 

[PhP]

Finally, first review of the Helios, with a comparison to Medus too. Same reviewer previously reviewed the DAC 502 Mk 2 as well. Rest of the system is up to mark too.

Helios review:

SoundStageAustralia.com - Weiss Engineering HELIOS Digital-to-Analogue Converter

www.soundstageaustralia.com

DAC 502 Mk 2 review:

SoundStageAustralia.com - Weiss Engineering DAC502 Digital-to-Analogue Converter

www.soundstageaustralia.com

I red, but the audio system is not my taste. I will have HELIOS at home soon, and test.

 

[Rumpole]

I red, but the audio system is not my taste. I will have HELIOS at home soon, and test.

Any updates on your review of the Helios?

 

[PhP]

Any updates on your review of the Helios?

Not yet. I wait the demo unit, probably in December. This unit is coming back from Australia. As soon as I will have HELIOS in house, I will try it and report. Stay tuned.

 

[NekoAudio]

I love the Helios. I think the simplest way to describe it is that it does everything the DAC502-4ch does but better. Basically, when listening to the DAC502-4ch and identifying its sound and comparing it to other DACs, it was easier and quicker to hear and identify those things when listening to the Helios.

 

[PhP]

I love the Helios. I think the simplest way to describe it is that it does everything the DAC502-4ch does but better. Basically, when listening to the DAC502-4ch and identifying its sound and comparing it to other DACs, it was easier and quicker to hear and identify those things when listening to the Helios.

Ok I will ear what does HELIOS vs DAC 502 4ch and vs PLAYBACK DESIGNS DACs which are my reference especially MPD-6/MPS-8. DAC 502 4ch with Pranawire Arhat power cord is so good it challenged a 22k€ DAC. MPS-8 with the same PRANAWIRE power cord is beyond words. Not yet listen to a better DAC than MPD-8.

 

[matthias]

Ok I will ear what does HELIOS vs DAC 502 4ch and vs PLAYBACK DESIGNS DACs which are my reference especially MPD-6/MPS-8. DAC 502 4ch with Pranawire Arhat power cord is so good it challenged a 22k€ DAC. MPS-8 with the same PRANAWIRE power cord is beyond words. Not yet listen to a better DAC than MPD-8.

Looking forward to your HELIOS review!
BTW, you mentioned on your blog a "Taiko Extreme power supply". Taiko didn't yet launch their battery power supply, IIUC you are referring to the Taiko DC distributor which must be connected to an external power supply.

 

[PhP]

Looking forward to your HELIOS review!
BTW, you mentioned on your blog a "Taiko Extreme power supply". Taiko didn't yet launch their battery power supply, IIUC you are referring to the Taiko DC distributor which must be connected to an external power supply.

Hello Matthias
it's DC distributor, you're right TAIKO has not yet launch their battery power. That's why I will power it from today, with a WEISS PSU 102 230/12v regulated, non switching, linear power supply. I will report how this Swiss PS improve my demo dematerialized TAIKO+PLAYBACK DESIGNS.
** PSU 102 is also use as upgrade for WEISS DAC 204 and 205.

 

[Amir]

Stereophile new review :

https://www.stereophile.com/content/weiss-engineering-helios-da-processor

 

[PhP]

Stereophile new review :

https://www.stereophile.com/content/weiss-engineering-helios-da-processor

Amir

I will finally test HELIOS very soon , in March. I am very impatient to compare it to the very best I know which is PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPD-8.

 

[Amir]

Amir

I will finally test HELIOS very soon , in March. I am very impatient to compare it to the very best I know which is PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPD-8.

Please check the maximjm input voltage of your pre-amplifier and set the Weiss output voltage (analog domain) equal to that voltage and also set the digital volume on Zero db.
David @ddk believes the only dac with good bass (like top turntables) is Weiss .
Have fun and enjoy

 

[PhP]

Please check the maximjm input voltage of your pre-amplifier and set the Weiss output voltage (analog domain) equal to that voltage and also set the digital volume on Zero db.
David @ddk believes the only dac with good bass (like top turntables) is Weiss .
Have fun and enjoy

I know and sale WEISS for 4 years now. It's of of the best DAC that has quite perfect bass to my experience.
Bass is premium, fast, clean. Certainly one of the very best I know, the other is PLAYBACK DESIGNS which is a bit different. The other is from a UK well known digital company. I would rank WEISS in 2. PLAYBACK is quite as fast, as clear but with a lot of aplomb. I prefer PLAYBACK because it's more dynamic and more "real". If the difference is quite small, the Californian company is closer to unamplified music. Also PB MPD-8 (dream line) is more expensive than HELIOS and has no streamer like the Swiss DAC. So HELIOS competitor is more PB DESIGNS MPD-6. In any case, I do not use volume on DAC event if PB DESIGNS has a real preamp analog output. I use only volume control on my APURNA™ Soprano Limited Apogée monoblocs that have each their true monoral preamplifier.
I will test HELIOS vs my MPS-8 that has a STREAM-X2 inside, it's a comparison at quite the same price (MPS-8 is more expensive because it also has a CD/SACD transport), and I do it now because my MPS-8 is on sale

Demo DAC | PHPAUDIO

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