Sonic Studio 302 (aka Metric Halo ULN-2)

[Dusty Chalk]

Is that using the PerfectWave transport, or just a traditional (digital) input?

[VPI]

Using either Mac Mini USB or AES/EBU passed out of the ULN-2 before processing so I can get a Pseudo firewire output into the PWD.

[morphsci]

Yeah, at this point I would rank them:

1. PS Audio
2. Audio Research DAC7
3. Metric Halo ULN-2
4. Weiss DAC2
5. Apogee Mini DAC

After hearing the Amarra 4 at Ciamarra I am convinced that it is in another class than the ones I have now.

Hmmm, you know if #3 gets the boot I know this guy who might be interested in taking it off your hands. Just sayin'

[blessingx]

Curious if anyone has recently compared the ULN-2 to the Amarra 4?

[jp11801]

yes

[Voltron]

Yes, JP, Filburt and I put them through some paces today. They were both quite good, but the win goes to the Amarra 4. Probably closer than I expected, which means the ULN-2 was closer than I thought it would be. We listened to 16/44 and 24/96 files, and had 6 songs that we intended to compare but I think we did more like 3-4. I felt the 4 was better in terms of bass tone and definition and quantity, there is more weight to the sound (maybe the same thing), the image is a more compact and flatter on the ULN-2 and the definition is a little better with the 4. We did have some issues in trying to switch back and forth using one Firewire connection and changing settings and such, but we were ultimately able to get a sense of it and I don't think the technical glitches really prevented us from hearing the units.

We also tried Filburt's modded Assemblage DAC and it sounded very good as well. The bass is very strong and it sounded very good overall both through Filburt's Headamp Dynalo and through my speakers. Great DAC for the money.

[jp11801]

The day started well with an IPA from 21st Amendment brewery but the promise of an easy day soon passed. We set up both the amarra 4 and the sonic 302 and got made sure the drivers and sonic consoles were set up (Mike thanks for emailing the 302 file). Like good audio geeks we then did a run through on our test songs and got the output setting stabilized using a SPL meter. Let the games begin... well not so fast as every time we switched dacs either the sonic console hung up or the amarra software got hung up.

We were able to go back and forth between the two dacs a few times even with the glitches. The model four had better dynamics, lower and better bass, the image the 4 threw out had better definition with greater front and back stage definition. The model 4 also sounded more open on top.

We also fired up Filburts assemblage dac and played that with the model 4. The assemblage had greater bass weight and tonally was thicker sounding but the 4 had greater feeling of openness to me, they both were really great but I may be used to the metric halo house sound.

I would really like to do a longer term comparison as I think particularly with dacs differences are more subtle and are often time heard better after a few days with a the "better" unit in your system then switch back the the other unit.

We did salvage the day with a few pints from Toranado beer bar after the listening was done.

[The Monkey]

Get thee a SkipJack!

[jp11801]

a skipjack as nice as it is wouldn't have elves the software issues unless hitting the mini with it helps

[Voltron]

elves? That is some spell checker you got there.

[The Monkey]

[Voltron]

Those are some skeptical mother-fucking elves right there.

[jp11801]

Al, was nice enough to loan me the Amarra 4 (uln- over the weekend and top to bottom it clearly bests the sonic studio 302 (uln-2). IT was better to the degree that I now have to find a way to get one.

From the moment it went in the system it was apparent, while the differences were there at Al's you really need to hear sources in your system to get a complete feel for them. I have rationalized the $6k purchase as not bad for a dac/phono pre and preamp.

[The Monkey]

Um, when did Al get the 4?

[MexicanDragon]

Um, when did Al get the 4?

The '70s

**BRENT**

[Dreadhead]

Yeah that looks like a sweet DAC/ADC (ULN-8 ). Only think I would want more is the Prism ADA-8XR but it's 2x the price. The tech specs are spot on.

[Augsburger]

So I guess you are saying anyone with a ULN-8 is pretty bithin'?

[jp11801]

Greg I am a jealous man the MH uln-8 is a nice step up from the 2, not that the uln2 is a slouch at all and I still would put it up against all comers in the $2500 and under category but hot dam the 8 is just amazingly clean.

[zippy2001]

So I guess you are saying anyone with a ULN-8 is pretty bithin'?

Greg, I can't wait to give your ULN-8 a listen. I'm sure it is "bithin'" ;-)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Augsburger]

Well first I need to figure out how to use it. We are dealing with the technologically challenged here ya know. Wuts with all those weird connections in the back, what no RCA's

Kinda scary...........