Hey Steve,

Proud owner of the ZCD here.  I was wondering how this DAC compares to it.  The ZCD at times can be devastatingly revealing which sometimes I like and sometimes I don't depending on the recording.

I wish it could of had variable output voltage like the ZCD player, for those of us that need the extra gain, and don't want the added expense and complications of using a preamp.

It would be similar to having your Bel Canto Dac 1.1 tweaked with $895 reference audio mods upgrades.

So ...... has anyone received their DAC-1 yet ..... ?

It will be interesting to see what the new owners think about it compared to what they are using now .....  

I can stand anything ..... except waiting for a new piece of audio gear to arrive .....  

Randy

Hi Lon,

Yep ..... I have my system set up so that I can change from the DAC-1 to the MHDT Labs Havana and back again in a matter of seconds with everything else remaining the same.

The only unknown quantity at this point is how much burn in time the DAC-1 will need to sound its best ..... you know how spastic capacitors and other components can be .....

Should be some good, clean audio fun .....

Best wishes,

Randy

greetings all,

i received by zdac-1 earlier today and wanted to share some initial impressions.

first, i listen to music primarily through my macbook pro and itunes software (currently version 9).  i stream music wirelessly to the early version of the airport express (b/g).  prior to installation of my zdac-1, music was sent from the airport express directly to my se84-csp via cardas i-link (mini to rca).  my se84-csp is connected to my se84cs via 1/2 meter decware interconnects.  my speakers are klipsch heresy ii's, and i currently have some version of audioquest speaker wires (i forget the exact nomenclature, they were about $90 on discount).  i understand there are a few weaker links in this setup, but, in general, the music has been very wonderful to my ears over the last two years.

my new stereo configuration has the airport express connected to the zdac-1 via very cheap ($3) mini to toslink cable, and 1/2 meter decware interconnects run between my new zdac-1 to the se84-csp.  everything else remains the same as above.

my digital files run the gamut from mp3, mpeg, aac, aiff, etc.  some of my recordings are very high quality, others are not so high quality.  i listen to a range of music--pop, rock, hip hop, electronic, jazz, reggae, vocals, classical, etc.

in general, my new zdac-1 has added a new layer of genuine clarity to all my recordings which i appreciate very much.  vocals carry a previously unnoticed resonance, new layers of instrumental sounds are discovered in pop/rock/ hip hop/ electronic sounds.  i am hearing a new layer of bass in cannonball adderly's "mercy, mercy, mercy"  as i type this post.  the largest change in sound i have observed so far is in the articulation of orchestral music.  chamber music sounded quite good previously, but orchestral pieces were often buried beneath a thin layer of mush.  the zdac-1 is allowing me to enjoy full orchestral sounds on my humble system.  there is a new speed and snap to everything.  this is absolutely amazing!

the new sounds from my system with the zdac-1 are analogous to the new sounds i hear when i replace worn out output tubes. for my system, the zdac-1 is a tremendous upgrade in sonic clarity.  

one final observation regards the actual weight of my zdac-1.  the zdac-1 feels hefty and well-built, however, it does not weigh the 10 pounds as described on the decware site.  the ups shippping weight including packing materials was 6 pounds.  nonetheless, i honestly believe it is worth its weight in gold.  

Welcome James! Thanks for sharing your impressions. Sounds like you're really enjoying the Zen DAC-1.  Can't wait to get mine!