Neko Audio D100 mk2 DAC loaner

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by sphinxvc, Oct 7, 2016.

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  1. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    A solid DAC loaner, I'm going to have this sent to me first so the NY guys can have it in for an upcoming minimeet.

    Let's limit to 5 people for now. It'll be 6 days a person, and Friends only.

    Please include signature confirmation on the package, and it'll be the XLR version with adapters included for SE use.

    Insurance to $995, SBAF fund covers the rest. Shipping should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $25.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2016
  2. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Uh, I'm down. :oops: I suspect this will pair rather well with the Jodie from what (little) I've read.
     
  3. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Cool, @Huxleigh. Let's start it off with you then, since the NY mini-meet is still sometime away, and I would like to have it on hand then, we'll take it after.

    Please PM @NekoAudio with your address.
     
  4. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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  5. NekoAudio

    NekoAudio Acquaintance

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    Thanks for setting this up.

    Someone purchased the demo unit a couple weeks back, so I'm sending out a brand new XLR unit. Included are 3' XLR to RCA cables. I recommend using these cables to connect to a single-ended input, instead of other adapters or cables you might want to use, because these cables specifically tie the XLR negative signal to ground at the RCA jack.

    The unit is double-boxed. The cables are inside a padded envelope to avoid banging around during shipment. The original protective foam, cloth cover, manual, and power cord are included. I'd appreciate it if everyone was able to keep all of these items together as it is shipped forward to help minimize any potential for shipping damage and also so each person has what they need to audition it.

    Thanks!
     
  6. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Great. Looking forward to hearing this with the First Watt F3 I just bought.
     
  7. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Received the D100 today. Nicely packaged by @NekoAudio!

    image.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
  8. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Mailed the D100 to @sphinxvc this afternoon. Wasn't my cup of tea, I'm afraid. :(
     
  9. NekoAudio

    NekoAudio Acquaintance

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    Not surprising. :) It's not most people's cup of tea compared to contemporary DACs these days. Glad you had a chance to listen to it!
     
  10. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Likewise! ;) And you were upfront about that from the start, for which you certainly deserve props.
     
  11. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    This is with me and will be sent out by the end of the week to @NekoAudio. W, please PM me an address. I'll post my thoughts shortly, thanks again for sending it out on loaner! :)
     
  12. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Big thanks to @NekoAudio for sending out the D100 MK2 to both @Huxleigh and I. I've been wanting to hear this DAC for a few years now. Back when I was futzing about w. D/S DACs more, like Antelope's stuff, the Invicta, and some of those Audio-GD masterbators, I should have given the D100 a go, and I have always regretted not doing that. It's been good to spend some time with it.

    From a build perspective, it's competent and the case work is nice. In terms of sonics, I think it holds its own very well against some of those other boxes I just mentioned. From memory, it chews up and spits out some of those lower end Audio-GD units. In terms of being challenged, I think the Invicta would have probably traded punches with it, particulary when it came to detail retrieval (which is something that DAC was really good at, delivering detail while retaining warmth, and without resorting to tonal tilt trickery). I'm comparing the D100 to those older units because they all share a certain timbral intonation.

    To compare against contemporary units, I find that Schiit's MB DACs give us certain time domain (read: spatial) and timbral gains that I have a hard time parting with these days. The resolution of space, both in terms of venues going from track to track, and the actual arrangement of instruments and people on tracks is very good on Gungnir Multibit (and to a lesser extent, Bifrost Multibit). Timbral intonation on the MB DACs is also very authentic to my ears.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2016
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