{"id":14081,"date":"2018-03-01T17:33:17","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T15:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=14081"},"modified":"2023-09-24T15:30:39","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T13:30:39","slug":"ayon-stealth-dac-and-cd-t-ii-signature-cd-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/ayon-stealth-dac-and-cd-t-ii-signature-cd-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Ayon Stealth DAC and CD-T II Signature CD Transport"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">All-tube DAC\/Preamp and Transport combo with a superb level of musical involvement<\/h2>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Review components supplied by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ayonaudio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ayon<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Retail Prices:<br \/>\nStealth: 6995 euro<br \/>\nCD-T II: 5995 euro<br \/>\nCD-T II Signature (DSD output): 6990 euro<br \/>\nCombo offer: 12.295 euro<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14122\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1287_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Stealth DAC\/Preamp<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Stealth is a fully-fledged DAC compatible with PCM and DSD signals, converting both of these natively via a wide range of connection methods. It also has an analog preamp built-in with analog volume control and complete with two analog inputs. Importantly, the signals from these inputs remain analog throughout the DAC: they are not digitized and converted to analog again. The Stealth has a dual differential Class A output stage with two 6H30 tubes per channel. There is no negative feedback of any kind and there are no solid-state devices in the signal path: even the rectification stage is tube-based. Interestingly, the DAC employs an ESS Sabre ES9018 chipset, yet, it does not sound in any way like other DACs that use this chipset or a variant of it. In many instances, I have preferred multi-bit implementations over Delta\/Sigma but there are exceptions such as the PS Audio PWD MkII and the Jeff Rowland Aeris. Evidence, once again, that the implementation tends to matter more than the components.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14121\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1456_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Sound<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I\u2019ve had the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/ayon-sigma-dac\/\">Ayon Sigma DAC<\/a> in the system on several occasions. The Sigma is positioned as Ayon\u2019s entry-level DAC and considering the industry trend to position serious DAC prices at the 10k mark, at 3995 euro it is priced incredibly sensibly, and even more so if you consider how great it is. Nevertheless, it took only a few audio tracks for me to strongly suspect that the Stealth has a more sonorous, more voluptuous sound than the Sigma. A cross-comparison confirmed my suspicion and also revealed an interesting detail about the filter- and upsampling options. The Sigma can sound a little dry with no upsampling but becomes smoother and more appealing with 24\/192 upsampling switched on. Its bass then becomes thinner and treble more apparent but switching to Filter 2 nicely compensates for this. This way, both its owner and myself find the Sigma to sound best. Note that the manual describes filter 1 as having a slow roll-off, sounding smoother and filter 2 having a fast roll-off, sounding more analytical but in practice, I experience this in reverse. When I asked Gerhard about this, he confirmed that this is indeed stated incorrectly in the manual and has been flagged for updating in an upcoming revision.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14123\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1364_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Stealth sounds smooth, rich and seductive right from the start, even with Filter 1 and no upsampling. Filter 2 further increases the naturalness and rolls off the treble while upsampling adds a more ethereal quality to the sound which I feel is not needed for this DAC. Because I prefer its slightly tighter sound, I conducted the comparisons with Filter 1 and no upsampling. This also made for equal comparisons with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/bricasti-m1-classic\/\">Bricasti M1 DAC<\/a>\u00a0and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/aqua-formula-xhd-dac\/\">Aqua Formula xHD DAC<\/a>. The former also uses no upsampling and is generally preferred using its linear filters and the Aqua is a bespoke discrete Ladder DAC, NOS, filterless design. Different systems and taste will dictate different results, so please always just experiment with the filter- and upsampling settings to find your own preference.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14124\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1362_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>Above and below: Sigma on top of Stealth<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14125\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1363_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unlike the Sigma, the Stealth has an analog preamp built-in with analog volume control and complete with two analog inputs. Importantly, the signals from these inputs remain analog throughout the DAC: they are not digitized and converted to analog again.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before employing the Stealth as a preamp, first I wanted to assess its qualities as a standalone DAC, via the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/jeff-rowland-corus-preamplifier-psu-power-storage-unit\/\">Jeff Rowland Corus + PSU<\/a> preamp. The rest of the system consisted of an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/music-server-reviews\/audioaanzee-reference-flow-music-server-part1\/\">AudioAanZee Reference Flow<\/a> music server with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/music-server-reviews\/euphony-audio-transport-and-drive\/\">Euphony Drive<\/a>, a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/primaluna-dialogue-premium\/\">PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium<\/a> power amp with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/primaluna-dialogue-premium-tube-rolling-part-1\/\">KT150 tubes<\/a> and recently refurbished <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/specials\/apogee-acoustics\/apogee-acoustics-duetta-signature-part-1\/\">Apogee Duetta Signature speakers<\/a>\u00a0as well as Wilson Watt\/Puppy 8 speakers. Connection to the Stealth and all other DACs, for the purpose of this review, is always via USB, using the same <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/reviews-digital-cable\/audioquest-diamond-usb-cable\/\">AudioQuest Diamond USB<\/a> cable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14115\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1298_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Comparisons<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">While not as even-handed as the 10.000 euro Bricasti or as transparent and refined as the 13.6700 euro Aqua, the Stealth DAC has a sound that appeals immediately. It sounds big and generous, with a richly colorful and free-flowing midrange and smooth, fluid, well-extended treble. There is a mild thickening in the upper bass and lower midrange that is not there with the other two DACs, which indicates that the Stealth is not entirely as transparent or as neutral as these DACs. The strange thing, however, is that technical precision is not very relevant for musical enjoyment, sometimes rather the opposite. This is definitely the case here, the Stealth drawing me into the music and not letting go until the clock tells me that it is time for bed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14126\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1478_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Stealth also has two analog inputs and what better way to test them than by using the Aqua Formula xHD DAC for this. Reassuringly, several relay clicks are heard when switching to the Stealth&#8217;s analog inputs. The Aqua, connected with AudioQuest Water interlinks, indeed sounds more accurate. Compared with the Stealth&#8217;s built-in DAC, the delivery is more even-handed and detailed, with a more articulate bass. I don&#8217;t blame the Stealth though. I would say it is only fair as the Aqua Formula xHD is twice as expensive. And who knows what a 14.000 euro Ayon DAC would be capable of?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14127\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1484_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Interestingly, using its analog inputs, the aforementioned thickening in the upper bass and lower mid is still partially there and this seems to indicate that it is mostly the built-in preamp that is responsible for the unit&#8217;s character. Would the more expensive Stratos improve on this particular aspect? Perhaps it does, but ultimately this is no issue at all. Switching back to the Stealth&#8217;s built-in DAC the sound becomes less articulate and precise but also considerably smoother and richer, which definitely has its own charm, especially when used with the very revealing Wilson Watt\/Puppy 8&#8217;s. As always it is the system match that defines the relative success of any audio component and the Wilsons sure love what the Stealth does.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In conclusion, while I know that tubes can actually have <em>less<\/em> coloration and distortion than solid-state equipment it is probably a conscious decision taken by Ayon to voice the Stealth the way that it is. Also, I don&#8217;t think that many tube lovers are craving absolute accuracy. Rather, these people want the music to speak to them on an emotional level. And this is exactly what the Stealth does incredibly well. Its particular character, while noticeable when switching from the aforementioned DACs, actually has a tendency to enhance the emotional acceptance of the sound once you are used to it, which is basically after a couple of tracks.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">So far though, I am still using the Rowland Corus preamp. What will the Stealth do when driving the power amp directly?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14114\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_AcousticMatters_IMG_1442_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Stealth as DAC and Preamp<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I will not beat around the bush: it truly amazed me how well the Stealth performed\u00a0as a standalone DAC and Preamp. Up until now\u00a0I had been listening to it through the Jeff Rowland Corus preamp + PSU, but when connecting it to the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium power amp directly, you could definitely hear how the last layer of solid-state influence dissolved, the system now sounding utterly free-flowing but every bit as powerful and energetic, arguably now even <em>more<\/em> dynamic! Up until now when removing the preamp and listening to a DAC directly usually made for better bass but always came with less appealing aspects such as a flatter soundstage or dry treble. But the Stealth is not just a DAC, of course, it is also an analog preamp!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">My audio buddies JW and JC were also present during this session and they, too, were quite flabbergasted by the increase in naturalness and life-like believability. Without the Corus, a level of control, or perhaps <em>superimposed<\/em> pacing, fell away, which sometimes made me feel that the rhythm was now less evident. But how could this be? The Stealth&#8217;s preamp section was always in the signal path and adding what is basically a <em>second<\/em> preamp downstream should not make matters any better.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But the longer I listened to this setup, the more the sheer emotional content of the music simply took over from my calculating brain. Pretty soon I was completely immersed in beautiful music. In addition to the living and breathing sound, the soundstage was now also a lot deeper. It was much more like being at a live venue looking at and listening to real humans playing in different positions on a stage that extended way backward. What&#8217;s more: when focusing on PRAT and bass articulation again I noticed that there was actually nothing wrong at all, and I couldn&#8217;t understand why I felt these aspects took a step back. Apparently, I just had to get accustomed to the new, freer delivery. In any event, I was now fully enjoying all the tracks that I cared to play. As one would suspect, the fully tube-based system was fabulous with Jazz, but it was just as capable of fully conveying all the aspects of heavy R&amp;B, Dub-Techno, and complex electronic music.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14113\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/PrimaLuna_DiaLogueNuPrime_ST10_IMG_1326_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">After hearing various tube power amps in my system I had already fallen out of love with the model 6 transistor power amps and I could no longer truly appreciate most of the transistor power amps that I tried after that. Surprisingly, while it can certainly be beaten by more precious designs, the very affordable PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium power amp never fails to deliver the musical message. Substituting its EL34&#8217;s for KT150&#8217;s further strengthened the aspects that are most important to me and so it happens that the very expensive Corus preamp was partnered with the very affordable DiaLogue Premium power amp. The secret, I fear, is not in an amp&#8217;s absolute quality but in the application of tubes. For power amps, I had already made up my mind and even if I had not yet decided on a final brand, it was going to be a tube amp! But I never doubted the Corus + PSU, which is a transistor preamp, and a darn incredible one at it!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14111\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_Duetta_Sig_IMG_1324_550pix-550x334.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_Duetta_Sig_IMG_1324_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_Duetta_Sig_IMG_1324_550pix-150x91.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_Duetta_Sig_IMG_1324_550pix-380x231.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>No matter which speakers are used: the Ayons a<\/em><em>lways perform with verve<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is no way around it. Now having heard the level of musical involvement that is possible with the Ayon Stealth as a DAC + Preamp, I&#8217;m afraid that I am now completely spoilt for transistor designs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14129\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1472_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">CD-T II Transport<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">After more than 5 years of producing the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/ayon-cd-t-cd-transport-quick-impression\/\">CD-T<\/a>, it was decided to rework it and equip it with some special features. Like the original, the CD-T Mk II only plays Redbook CD&#8217;s but according to the maker it is designed to play these with new levels of resolution, dynamics, and musical naturalness. Ayon has kept the legendary Philips CD-Pro 2 drive, the dual digital tube buffer with 6H14, and the chassis. Special attention was paid to the new clocking system, the modified power supply, and the new dual ground system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14130\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1433_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the Signature version, there is now also the possibility to upsample CD&#8217;s to DSD 128 by means of the optionally available DSD-converter module, which is included in this review sample. The CD-clamp-system has changed from being attached to the lid to being a separate clamp that is put on manually, separate from the top lid.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I asked Gerhard why they decided to change this and he explained:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>&#8220;The separate clamp is now bigger and much heavier and this stabilizes the CD much better, it is a real sound improvement. Besides this, the CD rotation noise is also less.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14131\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1462_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Digital outputs are now galvanically insulated from each other as well as available twice. Contrasting with the tube-only SPDIF outputs of the original CD-T (although the AES\/EBU output was not tube-buffered), the CD-T II now offers separate solid-state as well as tube-buffered outputs, that can be switched between on the rear panel. The I2S output has remained and there are now also DSD L, DSD R and word clock outputs on BNC.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Sound &#8211; 16\/44 SPDIF<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Using the SPDIF connections, the transport outputs the native 44\/16 signal. When using the I2S output, the signal is internally upsampled to 88.2kHz and this cannot be defeated on the player.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When asked, Gerhard explains:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>&#8220;Over the last 12 years customers want upsampling and therefore we made it non-switchable and this makes it even better sounding instead of adding switching devices&#8221;<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When using the CD-T II transport via its I2S connection, the Stealth&#8217;s display indicates to have switched to 24\/192 upsampling. Confusingly, this does not indicate that the DAC is also upsampling but the indicator is simply lit to indicate that the source signal is upsampled, in this case in the transport, and actually at 88.2. not 24\/192.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I had already compared the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/ayon-cd-t-cd-transport-quick-impression\/\">original CD-T<\/a> with two of my Levinson players (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/mark-levinson-no-390s\/\">no.390S<\/a> and no.37), and it has to be mentioned: the Ayon sounded better. Not smoother as one might expect given the tube association, but more dynamic and actually more involving. That was quite a surprise at the time, especially given the fact that all these players use the same Philips CD Pro2 transport, and one of the Levinsons had actually been serviced very recently during which not only the transport was replaced but also all the important capacitors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Although I had already established that the Stealth is not only a very fine DAC but actually makes an even better DAC+Preamp, I wanted to assess the CD-T II in known circumstances so it was first listened to using my usual solid-state reference system, meaning that the Stealth DAC was left out of the picture for now. Connected from its transistor-buffered output via Belden RG59 interlink to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/aqua-formula-xhd-dac\/\">Aqua Formula xHD DAC<\/a> which was connected to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/jeff-rowland-corus-preamplifier-psu-power-storage-unit\/\">Corus + PSU<\/a> preamp, I set out to assess how the CD-T II&#8217;s SPDIF outputs compared to server replay, all in Redbook 16\/44.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14128\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1468_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Music Server aficionados should probably look away now because I am going to write that the transport actually sounded better to me! The\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/music-server-reviews\/audioaanzee-reference-flow-music-server-part1\/\">AudioAanZee Reference Flow<\/a> music server sounds very smooth and musical and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/music-server-reviews\/euphony-audio-transport-and-drive\/\">Euphony Drive<\/a> has further improved its existing qualities, but it takes literally no time at all to realize that the CD-T II simply sounds better. One might expect the transport to sound smoother or more fluid, but these are aspects where this server actually really excels. Rather, the CD-T II sounds more vivid, more dynamic and lively, and temporally also more involving. With the latter, I mean that subtle temporal changes are more apparent rather than being smoothed over. The server by comparison still sounds pleasant: just as airy, just as relaxed, and just as finely detailed, but somehow the entire experience is flattened.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When switching from the CD-T II&#8217;s transistor output to its tube-buffered output, the sound becomes even freer, perhaps less articulate, but somehow more involving still. Furthermore, the soundstage grew even deeper. Put very simply, the transistor output could be said to be more accurate but the tube output sounds more free-flowing. Personally, I lean toward the more articulate transistor output but the beauty is that there is no urgency to choose between them because the player simply offers both options, and the transport sounds superb with both outputs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I also did a comparison with the original CD-T. Alas, the owner, dear friend &#8220;Meneer Buis&#8221; had to make do with the fact that his CD transport had now been beaten only shortly after it had beaten my Mark Levinson players. While the two were clearly made of the same cloth, the new model sounded more spritely and expressive, making the older model sound comparatively less impressive, albeit no less musical.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14132\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1427_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Sound &#8211; I2S and DSD upsampling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CD-T II does more than just read CD&#8217;s: it can output them in I2S and even upsample to DSD and then output to separate\u00a0DSD L, DSD R and word clock\u00a0BNC connectors. When using the I2S output, the transport always upsamples to 88.2kHz. This is a good choice because it is precisely double the CD&#8217;s native 44.1kHz sample rate. If Ayon would have opted for 96 or even 192kHz then this would have meant that the upsampled values cannot be divided and always have to be averaged, which usually results in softer transients. This is why I normally prefer to leave signals in their native resolution but, alas, this setting cannot be changed. Then again: soon after I started listening to it I realized that the CD-T II sounds perfect just the way it is. Evidently, the upsampling is implemented in a very careful manner.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Aqua DAC also decodes DSD and also offers an I2S input but because there is no real standard for this format, manufacturers tend to implement them differently, and, alas, the CD-T II&#8217;s implementation is not compatible with the Aqua&#8217;s. One could make a special ethernet cable with a bespoke pinout that should work but for the purpose of this review, I did not want to investigate this. So, here the Stealth DAC comes back into the picture. And because the Stealth had already convinced me of its preamp qualities, the Corus was left out, making the review system now 100% tube-based.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Comparing SPDIF to I2S is easily done because the transport allows connecting all its cable combinations simultaneously. I&#8217;ve often heard I2S provide a deeper soundstage than the SPDIF connections and in this case, this is also true. SPDIF offers a slightly forward sound than I2S. The bigger difference between the two formats, however, is in terms of bass. SPDIF sounds more ballsy than I2S (which I like) but I2S sounds quite a bit more precise and articulate (which I also like). I lean toward I2S but which of the two is preferred will ultimately be personal and dependent on system synergy. Fortunately, just as with the option between tube- and solid-state outputs, the choice is yours.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14134\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1460_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">DSD upsampling seems like a good idea because Delta\/Sigma DACs by nature work in a direct stream kind of way. This is one of the reasons why many modern DACs (for example the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/ps-audio-directstream-dac-and-directstream-memory-player\/\">PS Audio DirectStream<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/matrix-x-sabre-pro\/\">Matrix X-Sabre Pro<\/a>) sound better with DSD\u00a0(native or upsampled) than they do with PCM. In the case of the CD-T II and Stealth DAC however, it works out differently. When comparing I2S or SPDIF to the 3-BNC DSD inputs directly by switching between them repeatedly on the Stealth DAC, the DSD signal certainly sounds smooth and fluid, but also softer, with rounded transients, and less overall power to the delivery. Bass notes, in particular, are less weighty and less punchy. Much as I wanted to like this special DSD implementation I personally prefer the more powerful and dynamic PCM over the I2S connection.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There&#8217;s one more input option on the Stealth DAC, which is a separate &#8220;DoP&#8221; I2S input. The manual states that this input will allow DSD over PCM but that this is not yet enabled. I tried it anyway and as it turns out it currently carries the same signal as over SPDIF: upsampled 88.2kHz PCM. This connection sounds like something of a mix between the regular I2S input and the DSD inputs: more relaxed, but also less powerful than the standard I2S input.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The DSD upsampling function is a 995 euro option for the CD-T II transport. Personally, I would leave it out when purchasing it, but this is very much a relative matter. I know that there are many DSD fans out there and depending on personal taste and system matching, one might have a view different from mine. As with virtually all aspects of these two high-tech products, the choice is yours, all the options are there, for the user to freely choose from.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14133\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1214_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>CD-T II + Stealth<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I can be very brief about this&#8230; these two components combined quite simply make for the most musically involving front end that I have used in this system so far. The Stealth truly sounds great with the Music Server, better actually than any other DAC+Preamp combination used so far, but when combined with the CD-T II the two components form something of an otherworldly music machine.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14116\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1327_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14117\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1328_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14118\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1332_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Nitpicking<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">These two components are clearly designed very cleverly and always with the best music replay in mind. They also offer very good ergonomics and the beautiful and rock-solid metal supplied remote controls put the plastic units of many more expensive competing products to shame. But because the Stealth DAC has so many inputs, I would have loved to see the option of choosing inputs directly, rather than only toggling through all of them in one direction. Or to have the option to disable unused inputs. The display, while excellent, is a little small, and difficult to read from my listening position, 5,5 meters from the front of the components and this makes it more challenging to find the desired input. Perhaps this functionality could be retrofitted with a new remote control? Other than this, I have nothing but praise for these spectacularly musical products.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14135\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Ayon_Stealth_CD-TII_IMG_1454_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">There is no way around it. The Ayon Stealth DAC\/Preamp and CD-T II transport play with a level of musical involvement not matched by any solid-state combination that I tried so far. They make music in a way that defies the chasing of audiophile aspects. If one focuses solely on resolution, transparency, or accuracy then it is possible to find components that perform better on those aspects, but the Ayons make a very strong case for proving that this is not the point. They present music not as individual pieces of a puzzle but as a musically relevant whole. Furthermore, you&#8217;ll have to bring one heck of a Music Server to the table if you are to equal the musical flow provided by the CD-T II. This powerful, dynamic, and extremely musically involving pair has completely won me over. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6871_550pix-550x355.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6871_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6871_550pix-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6871_550pix-246x160.jpg 246w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6871_550pix-380x245.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">Followup comparison 13-07-2019<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Upon a reader&#8217;s request, I conducted a comparison between the Stealth (as DAC and preamp) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/ch-precision-c1-a1-part1\/\">CH Precision C1<\/a> (as DAC with digital volume control). While highly unfair given the astronomical price difference between these two components, this is an interesting exercise nonetheless. The source for this comparison is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/network-player-reviews\/antipodes-cx-ex-part1\/\">Antipodes CX+EX<\/a> combo coupled to the respective DACs via the longest USB cable that I had at hand that is also very neutral, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/reviews-digital-cable\/kingrex-unanimous-uart-usb-cable\/\">KingRex uART Unanimous USB<\/a>, which utilizes an OEM cable made by Wireworld. The power cables are all Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/oyaide-c-037-c-046-c-079-and-c-004-iec-connectors\/\">Oyaide C-004<\/a> IECs. As interlink between the DACs and the CH Precision A1.5 power amp I used three different ones: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/analog-interlink-reviews\/cardas-clear-xlr\/\">Cardas Clear<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/analog-interlink-reviews\/final-touch-audio-ganymede-xlr-interlink\/\">Final Touch Audio Ganymede<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/analog-interlink-reviews\/vermouth-reference-cinch-and-xlr-interlinks\/\">Vermouth Reference<\/a>, all XLR cables. The loudspeakers for this comparison are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/loudspeaker-reviews\/kroma_audio-carmen-part-1\/\">Kroma Audio Carmens<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19587\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-550x367.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ayon_Stealth_CH_C1_IMG_6872_550pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Making sure that both DACs are warmed up and set-up in the racks exactly the same and using a playlist with very different material I started my evaluations. While the C1 is a very precise sounding DAC, it is also quite sonorous and full-bodied and that&#8217;s probably why there was not much in the way of the usual difference when comparing the Stealth with pretty much any other preamp. Normally the Stealth is easily the most robust and colorful but in this case, on these parameters, I&#8217;d say it was a match. That&#8217;s still pretty amazing given that the stealth costs so much less and is tube-based.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I should note that the Kroma&#8217;s are themselves quite characterful and full-bodied and so they don&#8217;t require any added richness from connected components which also makes the C1 a better match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Where the Stealth also performs admirably is in the size and lushness of the soundstage. While I can&#8217;t say that it was any more focused or larger per se than that of the C1&#8217;s, I also can&#8217;t say that the C1 was better in this area and the Stealth certainly imaged well outside of the speakers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Where the two components really do differ from one another is in terms of speed, bass articulation, overall precision and transparency where the C1 comfortably takes the lead. And, honestly, that is to be expected when removing a line stage from the signal path as well as taking on an absolute reference-class DAC. The Stealth sounds less crispy and clear, more covered-up\/filtered and also more relaxed, a little slower, by comparison. I quite like my music to be fast-paced and very articulate but I know that many people prefer a gentler approach and the Stealth provides this but while retaining a great sense of dynamics and a large portion of the C1&#8217;s slam. The C1 does sound considerably drier, again the result of deleting the line stage from the signal path. This certainly adds to the sense of bass articulation and overall precision but this is also not everyone&#8217;s cup of tea. Importantly, while my brain was signaling me that I was missing some precision and transparency, the music was definitely very involving, as also evidenced by the rhythmically tapping of my foot.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Of the three interlinks, the Stealth performed arguably best with the Vermouth Reference for this cable made it provide the most articulate bass and the best clarity overall. The Cardas was also very nice but a little softer and gentler while adding a touch more low-level resolution. The Ganymede, finally, made for the airiest and subtle sound with an absolutely mesmerizingly free-flowing delivery at the cost of some bass precision and slam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A precision machine the Stealth may not be but it certainly delivers the soul of the music along with big, bold, bass, a rich and colorful presentation, and impressive dynamics.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26735\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HFA_Award-Highly-Recommended_300pix.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"79\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HFA_Award-Highly-Recommended_300pix.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HFA_Award-Highly-Recommended_300pix-150x40.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/associated-equipment\/\">Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>More Ayon<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/ayon-cd-t-cd-transport-quick-impression\/\">Ayon CD-T CD transport (mini review)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/ayon-spirit-iii\/\">Ayon Spirit III<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/ayon-sigma-dac\/\">Ayon Sigma DAC<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/ayon-orbis-tube-preamp-quick-impression\/\">Ayon Orbis preamp (mini review)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/analog-reviews\/amplifier-reviews\/ayon-scorpio-s-3-junior-part1\/\">Ayon Scorpio and S3-Junior<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/ayon-s-10-ii-part1\/\">Ayon S10-II Signature<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\">External Links<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Manufacturer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ayonaudio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ayon Audio<\/a><br \/>\nDistributor for the Benelux: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mafico.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mafico<\/a><\/p>\n  <div class=\"related-post grid\">\r\n        <div class=\"headline\">Related Posts<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"post-list \">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"LAiV Verse DAC\/headphone AMP\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-verse-dac-headphone-amp\/?related_post_from=42510\">\r\n\r\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" 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loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"986\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-550x362.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-380x250.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-640x421.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"LAiV Harmony uDAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-harmony-udac\/?related_post_from=40260\">\r\n        LAiV Harmony uDAC  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/playback-designs-mpd-8-dream-dac\/?related_post_from=39861\">\r\n\r\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-640x427.jpg 640w, 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href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/wattson-audio-madison-and-madison-le\/?related_post_from=39385\">\r\n\r\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"996\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wattson_Madison_Madison_LE_4X3A7788_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wattson_Madison_Madison_LE_4X3A7788_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wattson_Madison_Madison_LE_4X3A7788_1500pix-550x365.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wattson_Madison_Madison_LE_4X3A7788_1500pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wattson_Madison_Madison_LE_4X3A7788_1500pix-768x510.jpg 768w, 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src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-550x393.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-380x272.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-640x457.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"Denafrips Ares 12th-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/denafrips-ares-12th-1\/?related_post_from=38217\">\r\n        Denafrips Ares 12th-1  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"dCS Puccini CD\/DAC &#038; Paganini Clock\/USB Interface &#8211; Quick Impression\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/dcs-puccini-cd-dac-paganini-clock-usb-interface-quick-impression\/?related_post_from=36346\">\r\n\r\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dCS-Puccini-en-Paganini_4X3A4057_750pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dCS-Puccini-en-Paganini_4X3A4057_750pix.jpg 750w, 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https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dCS-Puccini-en-Paganini_4X3A4057_750pix-380x254.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"dCS Puccini CD\/DAC &#038; Paganini Clock\/USB Interface &#8211; Quick Impression\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/dcs-puccini-cd-dac-paganini-clock-usb-interface-quick-impression\/?related_post_from=36346\">\r\n        dCS Puccini CD\/DAC &#038; Paganini Clock\/USB Interface &#8211; Quick Impression  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      \r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <script>\r\n      <\/script>\r\n  <style>\r\n    .related-post {}\r\n\r\n    .related-post .post-list {\r\n      text-align: center;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    .related-post .post-list .item {\r\n      margin: 0px;\r\n      padding: 0px;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    .related-post .headline {\r\n      font-size: 20px !important;\r\n      color: #1e73be !important;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    .related-post .headline  {\r\nfont-weight: normal !important; \r\n}.related-post .post-list .item .post_thumb {\r\n      max-height: 250px;\r\n      margin: 0px;\r\n      padding: 0px;\r\n      display: block;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    .related-post .post-list .item .post_title {\r\n      font-size: 16px;\r\n      color: #1e73be;\r\n      margin: 5px;\r\n      padding: 0px;\r\n      display: block;\r\n      text-decoration: none;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    .related-post .post-list .item .post_excerpt {\r\n      font-size: 13px;\r\n      color: #1e73be;\r\n      margin: 10px 0px;\r\n      padding: 0px;\r\n      display: block;\r\n      text-decoration: none;\r\n          }\r\n\r\n    @media only screen and (min-width: 1024px) {\r\n      .related-post .post-list .item {\r\n        width: 100%;\r\n      }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px) {\r\n      .related-post 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The Ayon Stealth DAC\/Preamp and CD-T II transport play with a level of musical involvement not matched by any solid state combination that I tried so far.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"related-post grid\">\r\n        <div class=\"headline\">Related Posts<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"post-list \">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Bricasti M19 (SA)CD Transport\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/cd-player-reviews\/bricasti-m19-sacd-transport\/?related_post_from=42232\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"1500\" height=\"1004\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Bricasti_M19_4X3A0231_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Bricasti_M19_4X3A0231_1500pix.jpg 1500w, 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decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/LAiV_Verse_4X3A0469_1500pix-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"LAiV Verse DAC\/headphone AMP\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-verse-dac-headphone-amp\/?related_post_from=42510\">\r\n        LAiV Verse DAC\/headphone AMP  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/musetec-mh-da006-dac-and-mh-sa001-pre-amplifier\/?related_post_from=41557\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"1500\" height=\"1044\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix-550x383.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix-768x535.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix-380x264.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Musetec-MH-SA001-Pre_MH-DA006-DAC_4X3A9687_1500pix-640x445.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/musetec-mh-da006-dac-and-mh-sa001-pre-amplifier\/?related_post_from=41557\">\r\n        Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"LAiV Harmony uDAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-harmony-udac\/?related_post_from=40260\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"1500\" height=\"986\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-550x362.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-768x505.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-380x250.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Laiv_uDAC_ProductPC-3-_1500pix-640x421.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"LAiV Harmony uDAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-harmony-udac\/?related_post_from=40260\">\r\n        LAiV Harmony uDAC  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/playback-designs-mpd-8-dream-dac\/?related_post_from=39861\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix.jpg 1500w, 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https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Playback-Designs-MPD8_MPT8_4X3A8515_1500pix-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/playback-designs-mpd-8-dream-dac\/?related_post_from=39861\">\r\n        Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"LAiV Harmony DAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-harmony-dac\/?related_post_from=38905\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-490x327.jpg 490w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"LAiV Harmony DAC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/laiv-harmony-dac\/?related_post_from=38905\">\r\n        LAiV Harmony DAC  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Denafrips Ares 12th-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/denafrips-ares-12th-1\/?related_post_from=38217\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"750\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-550x393.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-150x107.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-380x272.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Denafrips_Ares-12th-1_4X3A5953_750pix-640x457.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\r\n\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"title post_title\"  title=\"Denafrips Ares 12th-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/denafrips-ares-12th-1\/?related_post_from=38217\">\r\n        Denafrips Ares 12th-1  <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n              <div class=\"item\">\r\n            <div class=\"thumb post_thumb\">\r\n    <a  title=\"Playback Designs MPD-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/digital-reviews\/spdif-dac-reviews\/playback-designs-mpd-6\/?related_post_from=34070\">\r\n\r\n      <img width=\"750\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Playback_Designs_MPS-X_MPD_6_4X3A1240_rotated_750pix.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Playback_Designs_MPS-X_MPD_6_4X3A1240_rotated_750pix.jpg 750w, 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<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6,226],"tags":[267],"class_list":["post-14081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cd-player-reviews","category-spdif-dac-reviews","category-usb-dac-reviews","tag-ayon"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14081"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14081\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36235,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14081\/revisions\/36235"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}