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SPDIF DAC Reviews, USB DAC Reviews

Aqua La Scala mkII DAC

Christiaan Punter 1 June 2019 50 Comments
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The sweet spot in the Aqua DAC lineup

Review sample supplied by Hexagon Audio
Retail price: 6.860 euro

As regular readers know, I was so hugely impressed with the Aqua Formula xHD DAC that I made it a permanent part of my reviewing arsenal. Just recently, I also briefly reviewed the La Voce S3 DAC as part of the AudioAanZee Reference Flow mkII music server review. Following this, Marco Oudheusden of Hexagon Audio, distributor for Aqua in the Netherlands and Belgium, visited in person to deliver the La Scala mkII. Positioned between the top-of-the-line Formula xHD and the entry-level La Voce, the La Scala may well provide an ideal balance of virtues.

Left: tube output section, Right: discrete R2R DAC board

Technical details

Upgradeability – many manufacturers claim it, few really deliver. Aqua is among the few that really do make upgrades available in the form of circuit boards that can easily be retrofitted to older products. For example, Aqua’s proprietary Optologic D/A conversion system, one of the reasons why the Formula xHD DAC performs so well, is now available for the La Scala MkII DAC.

Just look at that very healthy-looking power supply section

The list of features is endless but highlights include proprietary FPGA-based digital decoding without digital filter, Discrete R2R ladder DAC, Jitter-free digital interface AQlink following I2S protocol, a fully-discrete Tube-Mosfet direct-coupled analog stage in pure class-A without negative feedback, and a modular design with an upgradeable multi-board system.

Interestingly, the La Scala is the only Aqua product to contain tubes. The DAC uses a Tube/Mosfet hybrid circuit, with a pair of specially selected ECC81 tubes. Rather than creating a product that sounds tube-stereotypically rosy and sweet, Aqua has voiced the La Scala mkII to sound articulate and open, in fact, it follows closely in the footsteps of the Formula xHD DAC.

Systems

I used the La Scala mkII DAC in two systems and in each case compared it with my reference in its price class, the Formula xHD DAC. The main system consists of Kroma Audio Carmen speakers normally driven by a CH Precision A1.5 amplifier fed directly by the CH Precision C1 DAC. As such, I don’t use an analog preamp and thus cannot properly assess the Aqua DACs as they have no volume controls.

As perfect timing would have it, the Goldmund Telos 590 integrated amplifier was simultaneously visiting for review and so I carried out the Aqua comparisons with the Goldmund amp. The digital source is an Antipodes CX+EX Music Server combo with Final Touch Audio Callisto USB cable. The power cable was a Belden with Oyaide C004 connector and the interlink was the Vermouth Reference.

The secondary system consists of Xavian Perla Esclusiva speakers fed by an Ayon Spirit III integrated tube amp. The digital source is an Antipodes EX Music Server with a Curious Cables USB cable. The power cable is the Vermouth Reference and interlinks used are the AudioQuest Water and the Vermouth Reference.

Do not stack the components

As can be seen in the images below, the very compliant Aqua component feet leave stains on the anti-resonant Nextel coating that turns out to be impossible to remove. I found this out the hard way and by only having the La Scala stacked on top of the Formula for a couple of days. And to think that there was even an A4 paper with a warning on it in the box that I chose to ignore…

While the Artesania Modular Rack’s Panzerholz is similarly affected, they do not leave permanent stains on the very hard paint coating of the white cabinet in the secondary listening room. So, make sure not to stack them on one another and that the surface onto which they are placed is non-porous.

Sound

The La Scala mkII has made a very favorable impression on me from the very first moments of listening. It seems to hardly need any time to warm up, a couple of minutes to allow the tubes to get going seems to be all that it takes for this DAC to shine with no obvious changes after further warming up. In fact, externally, the DAC does not get very warm at all and why should it? Excess energy dissipation is not by definition a sign of good audio quality.

Switching from the Formula xHD to the La Scala mkII there is a very strong family resemblance. The La Scala is every bit as refined, has just as much low-level resolution, is just as nimble and dynamic and just as airy in the treble. Slightly warmer and rounder and slightly less articulate, the La Scala is just a touch friendlier. In terms of transparency and linearity, the Formula xHD remains the King but the La Scala strikes back with a more spacious soundstage with deeper imaging and just the right amount of bloom in the midrange so as to add a touch of harmonic richness but not at all in an over-ripe manner and without adding any coloration. Vocals and string instruments, especially, obtain a certain quality that makes them appear more 3D and even more human and, in a way, emotionally even more involving. The La Scala mkII is indeed a touch warmer than the Formula xHD but from memory, it is not as warm as the La Voce and definitely more articulate and transparent.

The Formula xHD remains the ultimate reference and I value its neutrality and especially in the context of the sonorous sounding Xavian setup the Formula xHD’s ultimate transparency and linearity made for a supremely synergistic match even if I was heavily seduced by the La Scala’s harmonically rich midrange. In the more accurate Kroma/Goldmund system I can swing both ways and would have a tough time deciding between the two DACs. Ultimately, I think it’s fair to say that the Formula xHD is so utterly precise that in some combinations it may be perceived as being a little bit too analytical. And that’s where the La Scala comes in, giving away very little, costing less and possessing of that midrange magic that only tubes seem to bring.

As a side note: Aqua will be issuing an upgraded output stage board for the Formula xHD DAC which, according to the manufacturer, will elevate the Formula xHD’s performance to an all-new level.

Update 04-11-2019: meanwhile, Aqua has released the V2 output board. Read the review here.

Tube Rolling

As the manufacturer has specially selected the tubes, it is not recommended to experiment with them but if you wanted to, you could. In this case, my experiment was fueled by a recent change in tube complement by the manufacturer. Up until recently, the La Scala was delivered with Telefunken ECC81 tubes but now they started using the Genalex Gold Lion ECC81. The DAC was delivered with the Genalex tubes installed but Marco was so kind to also include a pair of Telefunkens for me to compare.

The Genalex Gold Lion ECC81 tubes

Well, on this subject I can be very brief: the Genalex tubes are an easy and utter improvement over the Telefunken tubes. The new ones are much more refined and agile as well as more energetic, yet sweeter and airier and very liquid. On top of this, they provide wider soundstaging and clearer positioning of images therein. Yup, this is a very easy call, no ifs, and buts: the new tubes are simply much better.

Conclusion

The La Scala MkII DAC may well hold the sweet spot in the Aqua DAC lineup. It gives away very little compared to the Formula xHD, costs less, and adds an utterly seductive touch of tube magic. I hasten to add that the tubes don’t take away any speed or dynamics nor do they cloud any details but, still, their contribution is unmistakable and highly addictive.

Associated Equipment

External Links

Distributor for the NL/Belgium: hexagonaudio.eu/nl
Manufacturer: aquahifi.com

Read Also

Aqua Formula xHD DAC
Aqua Formula xHD v2 Output Board upgrade
Aqua LinQ Network Interface

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Christiaan Punter Owner of Hifi-Advice.com

50 Comments

  1. Rick Ursberg says:
    7 June 2019 at 12:27

    I’m a happy owner of the aqua la sala mk2 version, not the optologic. I’ve tried brimar and mullard tubes. Brimar sounded quite warm but lacked in treble brilliance, the Mullards are my preferred tubes. Do you have a link to where I can buy some solid Genalex Gold Lion ECC81 tubes? I live in europe so preferably a european site.
    Also Im still waiting for pink fauns scion roon endpoint or another similar device that can output i2s. I’ve read that your conclusion is that i2s usually sounds better with the aqua dacs.

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      7 June 2019 at 18:34

      Hi Rick, a good place to start looking for tubes within the EU is https://www.tubedirect.nl/. They have many tubes in stock and can also supply on request.

      Indeed, I find that I2S so far always leads to the best sound. If and when Pink Faun release new products, chances are that I will be reviewing them here.

      Reply
  2. Rick Ursberg says:
    17 June 2019 at 21:40

    Hi again, Im looking for a power cord for my Aqua la scala dac. My experience is that my aqua dac is way more responsive to power cords than my Karan amp. Therefore I wanted to start with buying just one and go from there, today I use a old Audience “e” pc for the dac.
    Usually I prefer a somewhat “organic”, “warm” and “dense” sound as opposed to a especially “delineated” one. However, I still crave PRaT, for example I’ve tried Luna XLR cables, they sounded quite wonderful, as in “organic” and such, however they where to “slow” for my tastes, too much of a “continuous flow” rather than enough bite. Another example of a similar nature is Phasure usb cable, quite marvelous but to “slow”.
    Would for example the Mad Scientist new nitro power cord (according to the manufacturer its supposed to sound snappier, hence the name nitro, than the neo version) be a reasonable choice do you think?
    Also the Mad Scientists usb, it doesn’t lack PRaT, right? I don’t wanna have to slow sounding cables.
    Thanks a bunch!

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      20 June 2019 at 04:43

      Combining warmth and an organic sound with an articulate sound with great PRaT is pretty difficult and not that common. A power cord gets its sound or character mostly from “filtering” effects and smear caused by the capacitance of the insulation and sleeve. As such, warm sounding cables will usually also sound slower than cleaner sounding ones. It is possible to find just the right balance but that requires a bit of experimentation. I haven’t heard the Nitor power cable but have used The First and that cable was certainly not slow. A very good cable for the Aqua DACs is the Furutech Alpha 3. That cable is no longer made but still available second hand or old stock here and there. It is quite articulate and snappy yet rich and full-bodied and only very slightly relaxed. The Mad Scientist Black Magic USB cable is not particularly slow sounding but it is not the tightest, snappiest or most articulate USB cable that I have heard. It is on the relaxed side of neutral so to say.

      Reply
      1. Rick Ursberg says:
        31 July 2019 at 14:48

        Hi, I bought an M-WAY 2DW Gold power cord a couple of weeks ago, I don’t have very much to compare it to. However, it seems to be what I was looking for. Warm and snappy. I guess that the Iego copper connectors are in part an explanation for that result.
        I became interested in Iego after reading your articles about different connectors and their implications for sound.

        Reply
  3. Bensan says:
    28 June 2019 at 11:37

    Great review as always Christiaan. I was wondering if you had the chance to compare single-ended interconnects to XLR. I haven’t tried XLRs since my integrated only uses single-ended. I know results will always be system dependent but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      28 June 2019 at 11:53

      Hi Bensan, with the Formula xHD I have extensively compared the two outputs. They are driven independently (and differently) and they do indeed sound different. Personal taste and system synergy will dictate if you will find one better or the other. I believe I preferred XLR at the time for its output transformer-induced smoother sound but I would not call it “better” per se. Pls see that review for the particulars. With the La Scala, I have not compared the outputs directly but I have used one set in one of my systems and the other in the other system. I would suspect that the same differences apply as observed for the Formula but I did not notice them as such during these independent assessment. I found that the La Scala behaves consistently across the two setups and that seems to indicate that the differences are not huge. I wouldn’t worry about it too much as the DAC sounds great regardless of the output that is used.

      Reply
  4. Gene says:
    15 July 2019 at 10:24

    If you were to pair the La Scala with a preamp, i.e., to get volume control, and drive ATC home floorstanders (e.g., SCM19A), what suggestions might you have?

    Btw, what do you hear as the differences between the La Scala and the Stealth?

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      16 July 2019 at 08:17

      If you get an Aqua DAC then one of the standout qualities is the resolution and refinement. When getting an analog preamp, my quest would be to get one that most preserves those areas. That brings you to very expensive ones very quickly. Assuming you are looking for a cost-effective solution perhaps a Jeff Rowland Capri could be a good solution. See my review and the comments on it for the whole picture. Alternatively, you could get a second-hand one, for example, a Spectral DMC-30. If you’d like to explore tubes you could opt for an Audio Research Ref x.

      Between La Scala and Stealth, these are more different than they have in common. La Scala is transparent and ultra-refined first and foremost and a little bit more nimble while Stealth is much more sonorous and full-bodied and warmer and more relaxed. Really, these are just two different beasts.

      Reply
  5. Gene says:
    1 August 2019 at 06:06

    Christopher – Thanks for your thoughts and advice. Someone I just noticed is that you (apparently) haven’t reviewed the TotalDac dac offerings, such as the d1-tube-mk ii or the di-seven. The reviewers reactions to the tube version sound a lot like yours to the Stealth. Have they not been available to you?

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      1 August 2019 at 09:27

      The TotalDAC’s are interesting and really do deserve a review but that just has not happened yet. I should also cover some more recent dCS DACs as well as MSB. I guess there’s too much good stuff:-)

      Reply
  6. Gene says:
    3 August 2019 at 05:40

    As I look around the tube dac market, there are some very good brands I hadn’t heard of or paid attention to, LampizatOr, for example. FYI, a guy in Hong Kong and some friends did some auditioning of many dacs and put together a scored preference list, totally subjective and unexplained, but a good reference for brands: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/best-dacs-comparison-test-result-my-subjective-opinion.25584/page-3 (post 50).

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      3 August 2019 at 11:25

      Hi Gene, that’s a nice overview. Reading some of the comments I came across the opinion that the C1 sounds bad on less than stellar recordings. I just want to clarify that as far as I am concerned, in principle, none of the current state of the art DACs add things such as sibilance or treble harshness and certainly not the C1. If this is perceived this way then one should look at the source recordings, the loudspeakers, the room, or personal preferences/expectations. There is nothing wrong with desiring a more forgiving sound (and I can absolutely relate to that, see my audio history) but this does mean than such components are to some extent sweetening or rounding off the signals, which the C1 does not do and neither do the Aqua DACs, except, perhaps the La Voce.

      Reply
  7. Rick Ursberg says:
    2 November 2019 at 14:29

    I’ve found that the la scala works well with warm and full-sounding cables such as anti-cables power cord (probably better still with some screened power cords for a lower noise floor and improve harmonics) and acoustic revive USB. Furthermore, nos tubes sound way better than contemporary ones, but I’ve gotten the best results with Valvo nos from the 60’s lots of resolution with a touch of organic tone. My British Mullard’s from the same decade have a magical midrange but you lose too much resolution.
    In conclusion, so far I’ve gotten best results with highly resolving NOS tubes to not loose Aquas abilities in regards to transparency but combine it with tonally warm and full sounding power cords and USB cables. In total, this makes it sounds a little bit more relaxed and organic but still with great resolution. Well worth investing some time to testing different combinations, it makes an already great DAC sound more intimate.

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      2 November 2019 at 14:56

      Many thanks for your comments Rick!

      Reply
  8. Rick Ursberg says:
    4 July 2020 at 16:53

    I’ve made some changes regarding cables to my Aqua la scala and it now sounds quite a lot better.

    Power cord: Pink Faun PCX-2.
    Digital cable: Pink Faun il-2 coax.
    Tubes: RCA nos.

    Both pink faun cables complement Aqua very well, they sound calm and organic, especially the power cord is quite important. Anti-Cables power cord which I used before doesn’t handle high frequencies very well which makes the DAC sound a little bit bright at times.
    RCA sounds very full and that works well with the transparent Aqua DAC.

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      7 July 2020 at 11:52

      Thanks for the update, Rick.

      Reply
  9. Onuralp says:
    10 January 2021 at 11:50

    Hi Christiaan,

    How would you compare La Scala with Bryston BDA-3? Especially as a substitute for Weiss DAC-2 and in terms of matching with LM 150ia.

    I have Furutech FP-TCS31 power cable with FI 28-38 (G) used with Weiss providing a nice tubey touch and wonder whether or not it would sweeten La Scala too much.

    Thanks for you valuable comments in advance,
    Onuralp

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      11 January 2021 at 15:29

      For the differences between the Bryston and the Aqua, please read my reviews. They should tell you all you need to know. The La Scala is not too sweet itself, IMO. It is a tube product but it’s not rose-tinted in any way. If you like the Furu cable with the Weiss, it will probably also work with the La Scala.

      Reply
  10. Max says:
    3 April 2021 at 18:58

    Congratulations, nice review and being a happy owner of the Dac Aqua La Scala I can only confirm impressions, they are the same that I had when I listened to it for the first time. With regard to the valves I still have the original Telefunken and I wanted to understand in which parameters the GeneLex improves the sound and, always kindly understand if it is worth spending something more for the NOS and if possible what to choose. Thanks

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      4 April 2021 at 09:44

      Hi Max, I’m not sure if I understand correctly but are you asking about my experience with NOS tubes in relation to the La Scala mkII DAC? If so then I can be brief: I’ve done no further experimentation with this DAC. If it concerns NOS tube in general, then my stance is that, yes, they can yield spectacular results but, no, I don’t prefer them because they are no longer made, in low supply and you never know what state they are in. I prefer to have piece of mind knowing that the tubes I use are standard and can always be renewed by the same types. But that’s just me:-)

      Reply
  11. Balázs H. says:
    4 July 2021 at 17:08

    Hi Christiaan,
    Could you please characterize the sound of the Aqua DAC in comparison to the better Wadia DACs, especially to a 27ix V 3.0?
    Thanks and best regards
    Balázs

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      5 July 2021 at 09:10

      Hi Balazs, there are no similarities, they are very different. Wadia 27 (version number is largely irrelevant for its character) is more robust and more impactful in the bass but also drier (not really fluid) and darker from the upper midrange and up. Resolution in the treble can appear relatively low but is the price to pay for the otherwise magnificent Wadia traits. For a Wadia, it is relatively smooth but it’s still very different from most other DACs, it’s just typically Wadia. If you love it, nothing else will do. If you don’t like it, none of the Wadias will do. Only Wadia 521 is smoother but it remains Wadia-typical. Aqua La Scala is fluid, smooth, extended, more neutrally-balanced, very high-res, and more open and airy. The La Scala is not lean but compared to the Wadia, it will appear so. In terms of expression and dynamics, both are great.

      Reply
      1. Balazs H. says:
        5 July 2021 at 13:00

        Thanks a lot, Christiaan, for the nice description. Is the comparison of the latest edition of the Aqua Formula DAC against the Wadia 27 something different, than against the La Scala?

        Reply
        1. Christiaan Punter says:
          6 July 2021 at 09:15

          Aqua and Wadia just sound very different, regardless of the models.

          Reply
  12. Balázs Horváth says:
    6 July 2021 at 12:55

    Thanks, Christiaan. Just a last question please: how would you describe a JR Aeris with PSU in comparison to both Aqua and Wadia 27/521?

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      6 July 2021 at 16:46

      The Aquas are NOS Ladder DACs and these sound different by nature. They are purer and cleaner than most any other DAC and that includes the Aeris, even with PSU. However, the Aeris has certain other qualities, see the Aeris + PSU review. Please refer to the Wadia 521 review for the specifics of Wadia 521 versus Rowland Aeris

      Reply
  13. Tony Cobitz says:
    22 April 2022 at 00:34

    Hi Christian,

    Have you experimented with (additional) vibration control on the La Scala, and if so, what was your experience?

    Thank you.

    Best regards,

    Tony

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      22 April 2022 at 07:20

      Hi Tony, Not with the Scala, but I have experimented with different placements and various footers for the La Diva M2 See the review for details.

      Reply
      1. Tony Cobitz says:
        22 April 2022 at 12:29

        Hi Christian,

        Thank you very much. Your related insights are helpful.

        Having recently auditioned a La Scala, I have placed an order for one. My previous stand-alone DAC (ownership) experiences were limited (a Pontus II and Merason), but the La Scala is clearly a significant improvement, and I look forward to its impact on my evolving system.

        Cheers,

        Tony

        Reply
  14. Vincent G. Loews says:
    7 August 2022 at 23:05

    If you need to read a review about Audio, you should come here. Simply as that.
    Congratulations for all this reviews. At the same time, your sound taste is similar to me: Neutral.

    In the next 2 or 3 months…i´m going to buy this Scala Dac. Is there any possibility for you to test this DAC but with a neutral ECC81 tube? (Genalex is more soft and warm).

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      8 August 2022 at 09:49

      Thanks for the great feedback, Vincent!

      For the sake of consistency and so that buyers know what they will get, I generally review components with their standard tubes. I did describe the difference between the new Genalex and the Telefunken tubes that were used prior. Although some more tube rolling with the La Scala would surely be interesting, honestly, I can’t justify spending the time to re-review a DAC just for that purpose.

      Reply
  15. Carlos says:
    19 March 2023 at 17:00

    Dear Christian,

    I am writing again to you from Argentina, since I plan to acquire La Scala Optologic shortly, and I want to ask you the following question: to listen to CDs through La Scala I will have 2 options:
    1-Krell KPS 20i per coaxial output.
    2-Goldmund Mimesis 39 for AES/EBU output.

    Both are integrated compact, NO CD transport.

    What would be the best option for you?

    From already thank you very much!!!
    Carlos

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      19 March 2023 at 17:30

      Hi Carlos, alas, this is impossible for me to say as I have not heard the Krell in ages and only used it as an integral player, and I have not at all heard the Mimesis 39.

      What I will say is that the success will be much more dependent on the sound of the player than on the interface format. What I know of the Aqua DACs is that their inputs all sound very similar. But even as a transport, CD spinners will have their inherent character. Then again, both players you mention has a Philips swing-arm mech and therefore likely also have similar servo sections and as a result, may sound more alike than different. Nevertheless, only a home demo will tell.

      Also please keep in mind that audio components’ capacitors age and this will usually have the effect of making the players sound smoother and more fluid (which can be desirable depending on the rest of the system) or slow and undynamic, which is generally undesirable.

      Reply
  16. Christof Schroeder says:
    26 May 2023 at 08:38

    Hi Christian

    Thank you for this thorough review. A great read and guide to use. Much appreciated!

    I purchased an Aqua La Scala Optologic and as always look at further improvements. I use it with a Lumin U2 mini transport with Plixir seperate power supply. Connected the streamer and DAC with a Curious Evolve USB cable.

    2 questions I ask myself
    Would a better i.e. USB cable make a tangible difference? Should I give AEB a try?
    The Lumin streamer being the weakest link, I am looking at upgrading to either Grimm, Innous or Antipodes at a later stage. A dealer said that an Aqua Link is a no brainer to put into the chain… What are your thoughts?

    My system consists of Vitus 025 amp and Vimberg Mino speakers – connected with Tara Labs the2 speaker cables and I use Shunyata Alpha power cords. The Minos make every change audible, they so transparent and eg the Tara Labs speaker cords were a massive upgrade from Chord Epic cables. I could not believe the difference a cable makes.

    Any suggestions or guidance is much appreciated. I love the Aqua DAC, a massive improvement from the previous PS Audio DSD with bridge2.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      26 May 2023 at 09:25

      Hi Christof, good to hear you enjoy the report:-) USB cables can have a large effect on the sound but it depends on which direction you want to pull the sound. For ideas, please see the various cables on this site. I have also reviewed the Curious Evolve. AES/EBU will usually sound different than USB. It’s up to you to decide which one sounds “best”. Indeed, at its price bracket, the LinQ remains the best network endpoint I’ve heard. And the bonus is that you can use AQLink (I2S) between it and your La Scala which I feel is better than AES or USB connections.

      Reply
  17. Marcus says:
    24 July 2023 at 14:44

    I decided to audition and then buy a Aqua La Scala after reading your review. Spot on as always!

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      24 July 2023 at 15:25

      That’s great! Thank you for the feedback:-)

      Reply
  18. kostas says:
    16 October 2023 at 15:38

    I am so glad I found this website since our gear is quite similar 🙂 Given your experience could you please suggest which power cords have worked best with the LinQ streamer and aqua la scala dac? I see these devices are very sensitive to power cord matching in order to get the most out of them which makes it even harder. I see you have suggested alpha 3 for the dac but this power cord is impossible to find and maybe you experienced something that suits better in the meanwhile. Great content!

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      16 October 2023 at 18:34

      These days, my go-to cables are made by GigaWatt. I use the LC-2 EVO for components that can use a little extra tightness, focus, and crispness and the PowerSync ULTRA for those that are a little clean themselves and can use a little extra saturation, breath, and flow. Both cables are on the accurate, non-euphonic side, although I would not characterize the PowerSync ULTRA as clean or analytical. If you crave a cable that injects a measure of warmth and liquidity and a touch of lushness (as the Furutech Alpha 3 did and basically all Furu cables still do), then the Final Touch Audio Elara is a great optioon. Meanwhile, I also still use Belden 19364 with Bals Schuko and Oyaide C-004 IEC for a couple of components, such as servers.

      Reply
      1. kostas says:
        16 November 2023 at 15:49

        That’s some really great advice I’ have checked your individual reviews about those cords as well. I see you have great success with the gigawatt ULTRA on the power amp however by seeing the construction of the cable I see a very tight shield covering the whole cable; my experience has been that these designs almost always have a severe effect on the dynamics (the ability to perceive the dynamic swings in music from low to high volumes). Have you checked for that aspect with the ULTRA when used on the power amp?

        Thanks for your advice trying to find a high end power cable for my system seems like the most impossible task :p I am now trying two sets of flow 808 rca after reading your review and I am very happy feels like I am one step closer to the end of this odyssey. I still crave tho for that strong dynamic swing with tight and strongly saturated bass.

        Reply
        1. Christiaan Punter says:
          16 November 2023 at 21:10

          Hi Kostas, please note that I use the GigaWatt power cables with the CH C1 DAC and L1 preamp. Not with the A1.5 power amp as it has a 20A connector. I agree, shielded cables can appear less dynamic than non-shielded cables, although this also ties in with the cable’s geometry and overall construction. In my application, the GigaWatt cables are very dynamic.

          Reply
  19. Juan Hitters says:
    1 March 2024 at 11:35

    Dear Christiaan, as always your reviews are illuminating. Your experiences and the precise way in which you describe them are very useful for us audiophiles at the moment of considering a purchase. And this happens to be the case right now. I own an Aqua La Voce DAC which I love, but I have recently listened to other three DACs of higher quality and came to understand the limitations of the La Voce. In fact it happens to be a matter of program: the La Voce plays magnificently rock and pop music. But when reproducing classical orchestral music the sound loses clarity and becomes “digital”. I have heard the Meitner MA3 which is simply magical. The beauty of the strings is out of this world. It really feels natural, precise and sweet without losing detail. The problem with this DAC is that it severely lacks dynamics and also the bottom end sounds a bit soft and, yes, shy. A pity, as it is probably the best sounding DAC I have heard. But my system would not benefit from the sound produced by this DAC. I also tried the Bricasti M1 (special edition) which I loved. It lacks the “magic” of the Meitner, but provides everything else. Great finesse, amazing attacks and deep bass. Finally, I listened to the La Scala that you have reviewed here. I very much enjoyed the sound, being it a version of the La Voce I own alas more refined and less brutal/wild. So, at the end of the day I will have to decide between the Bricasti M1 (streamer included) and the combination of the La Scala and the LinQ (at namely the same price as the Bricasti). I am stuck and cannot decide. You have listened intensively to both combinations and I trust your ears. What do you suggest? I will really appreciate your input. Thanks a lot in advance! Best wishes, Juan Hitters, bologna, Italy

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      1 March 2024 at 12:23

      Hi Juan, In my experience, the La Scala was more expressive and exciting than the La Voce, but only with certain tubes. I forget the precise types. But this being the case could make the La Scala a potentially better choice than the Bricasti since you can always tune a tube product. But a weightier argument can be made for the LinQ versus the Bricasti’s on-board streamer. Given that you prefer a lively expressive sound (as do I), I can tell you that the LinQ will likely be more to your liking than the Bricasti. The Bricasti stand-alone M5 sounds ultra-refined and airy, like the M1 DAC. But it is not the most hard-hitting or “Rock-and-Roll” kind of performance. The LinQ can be considered relatively drier than the Bricasti house sound but I have a feeling you will prefer it nevertheless. Lastly, I should mention that the LinQ will only work with Roon via HQPlayer. It is a little bit less straightforward but otherwise works well and sounds better than native Roon RAAT support. An alternative is to use UPnP or Squeeze, for which Aqua now also has a module. Squeeze has a beautiful native interface called “Material” that works in any internet browser on any device that can run a browser.

      Reply
  20. Juan Hitters says:
    1 March 2024 at 14:07

    Thank you, Christiaan! I mainly listen to very well recorded acoustic music where the finesse of the presentation is paramount. The thing is that, just as it happens to you, I do not wish to compromise details and dynamics. The Meitner is, believe, magical. It sounds like live music, not a single digital artifact may be perceived. Just sheer music. A pity that the dynamics are limited and the bass shy. I believe it might have to do with the power supply that might be insufficient, and maybe also to the Delta Sigma converter that tends to soften sounds. Regarding the La Voce, I found it in a direct comparison much wilder than the La Scala. They dynamics were even more imposing, the sound had more body, was richer, but a mild digitalitis could also be perceived. Also, the soundstage was less open and lacked depth. As I said, wild is the word that comes to mind when trying to describe it. Will go for the La Scala, then. Thanks again by your always useful comments and for your generosity. Best wishes from Bologna, Juan

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      1 March 2024 at 16:34

      Glad I could help! Let us know how you get on!

      Reply
      1. Juan Hitters says:
        1 March 2024 at 17:14

        Sure! I have ordered first the La Scala. After getting acquainted with the sound I will probably order the LinQ. I am now using an SOtM end point that sounds amazingly well. In any case, I will let you know about my experiences. Thanks again for your generous support. Have a wonderful weekend, Juan

        Reply
  21. Juan Hitters says:
    1 March 2024 at 17:36

    Sorry, Christiaan. One last question: I have read that the output level of the La Scala is 2,2V both in balanced and unbalanced configurations. I am used to the 4,8V of my La Voce. Would this represent a problem to reach a good listening level with my system? Thanks again!

    Reply
    1. Christiaan Punter says:
      1 March 2024 at 17:55

      Hi Juan, Normally, an analog preamp should be more than capable of providing the extra gain to achieve the same volume level with a lower-level output DAC. However, depending on the design of your preamp, you may have been closer to hitting the limit of your preamp’s headroom with the higher-level output DAC. When you then switch to a lower output DAC, the sound may be relatively less stringent and more fluid. I don’t know which preamp you use so it may be worth checking although I don’t expect this to be an issue. With that said, I would normally expect the balanced output to have double the voltage level of the RCA output and recommend double-checking with the dealer or manufacturer. Perhaps it’s a typo?

      Reply
  22. Juan Hitters says:
    1 March 2024 at 18:21

    My preamplifier is a Pass XP-12 and my power amplifier a Pass X-350.8. I normally reach satisfying listening levels at 65/70 out of 89 points of volume.
    Yes, I also thought the 2,2v on the XLR output to be a typo as they should be the double of a unbalanced output. I have tried the RCA/unbalanced output of my La Voce (2,4v) and it provides a good listening experience at 70/75 points of volume. So I believe I should be good also with 2,2v. Anyway, I am afraid the configuration used by Aqua for the XLR output is quite particular and might just be 2,2v strong. I will try to find out more about it and let you know. Thanks again!

    Reply

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