True high end streaming AND the pinnacle of Great Dane very apparent in this content .. This makes me happy. This Ideon 3 box solution will surely lead to a streaming future with fidelity beyond compare. Thanks for this insight Greg. 👍🏻
Wow high praise love the fact you don't make apologies for the cost of the stack. In our human experience of life, the best is reserved for the best. And IMO that is fair if harsh, and not to be taken personally.
Interesting products for those searching for that last bit of everything. I’m always amazed at the truly high end and hold no ill will. Thanks for sharing.
I very much appreciate your understanding and clarity on such matters. MANY folks, in particular, those who cannot - or choose not to - afford such items, seem to feel that they have to somehow diminish or dismiss the reality that such products actually outperform lesser ones. It is seemingly some form of justification or jealous reaction, and it is both foolish and unnecessary. So long as the system you have brings you joy and makes music that you find engaging and enjoyable, nothing else should matter! Thanks for watching, and for taking the time to write.
@@theaudioanalyst you nailed it. I put together a 12 K system last Summer. I love it. Upgraded streamers and enjoying the new one. I wish more truly high end audiophiles conducted themselves as you do. After all it’s about the music we love and spend time with. Keep up the good work and thank you.
you are correct, the reproduction of the epsilon into the analog demand is nothing short of astonishing I am currently running the suite in my reference system excluding the server which is on the way, it has one of the most incisive forceful authoritative output stage on a digital to analog playback yet that I’ve tested on the channel my experience with the re’clocker is slightly different to yours, I find resolution impact and separation improves, but at the cost of organic characteristics and Tamber for real music Electronic music comes alive, breathtaking so I tend to switch to native and then introduce the clock when listening to electronic music It’s been a fun six weeks
sounds interesting, I would have given it a chance if I wouldn´t have bought the Playback Design Combi MPD-8+MPT-8 (incl. StreamingModul). I really love this combo and it depends on the record if the digital or the vinyl shines more. The mentioned Dire Straits as shm is my reference from my catalog, it even beat all other SACDs I have, even the others from Dire Straits. The Playback Design does its "upscaling" so well that the sacd really can shine bigtime
Thank you for this detailed review! Considering what the Ideon’s Absolute Digital Suite does for digital, do you believe you wil be listening mostly to digital in the future? Also, I have heard others say the Playback Designs MPD-8 makes standard digital sound fantastic as well. I wonder how the two compare? Thanks again!
LOL, as wonderful as digital playback has gotten, especially as recreated by the best streamers, clocks, and converters available like the Ideon Absolute stack, my LP front-end is still clearly superior sounding. And while much of that may be because of the quality of the files available as compared to my fairly extensive and curated LP library, it is nevertheless still the case. So, while I may be listening to digital more frequently than before, I still expect that 80-85% of my listening will be via LP playback. And though I have not had a lot of exposure to Andreas Koch's latest products, ears I trust - like those of good friend Dr. David Robinson - have very good things to say about the Playback Design products... It is my hope to try to spend more time with Andreas and his products during this coming show season.
High praise indeed, considering some of the other digital gear you've reviewed. Robert Harley also gave a rave review to the Ideon suite. It probably won't happen, but it would be enormously helpful to the audiophile community if someone with the means could compare/contrast and rank the top DACs and/or streamers. The list might include the flagship pieces from Ideon, Wadax, MSB, Playback Designs, Aries Cerat. Taiko, and Antipodes. It would also be fascinating to see how the much more affordable Grimm MU2 stacks up against these more expensive pieces. (The MU2 seems to be universally lauded by those who've heard it)
Btw, I recently stumbled across a remastered recording of Saint-Saens' 3rd symphony by the Detroit Symphony under Marcel Dupre. It sounded incredible for such an old recording. (And a great performance.)
Please add APL HiFi to your list or contenders. I have had the opportunity to listen to the Ideon stack (the Absolute Stream/ Time, Epsilon DAC on loan), MU2 (demo) and APL DAC in my system and I must say, the MU2 and Ideon devices play in the same ball park. The Ideons are a tad more nuanced and mature sounding (the MU2 sounded a bit dull and less open). The shoot out between the Epsilon, MU2 and APL DSD-MR SE DAC had a clear winner.. the latter is really out of this world. The comparison was not completely fair since the MU2 is essentially a different animal (streamer/dac/preamp in one). FWIW I ended up with the Ideon Absolute Stream/Time as source and APL as DAC as my reference digital front end.
@@vincentvdvelde I've not read any reviews of the APL, but it sounds promising: "Pure DSD, Reference Digital to Analog converter with tube output stage." Thanks for pointing it out.
@@mikelautermilch8939 I assume you are talking about a digital version, no? I have an original 1958 Mercury Living Presence release of that performance, as well as the 2022 European Reissue, both on LP, and it is a STUNNING performance. It is in fact my preferred performance of the Saint-Saen's 3rd... Can you share the catalog info or a link to the version you are talking about? Thanks.
Morning everyone from tropical Scotland I hope everyone is safe and well 😁 I listened to the rossini apex with its matching clock about 6 months ago and yes it sounds better than the one it replaced but also in that room was a mid level linn lp12 and the linn destroyed it, I don't like the sound of dcs ( my opinion ) have never listened to msb, wadax etc but will get some idea of what they sould like at axpona ( yes I know not the best conditions ) I hope ideon will be there will be interesting especially as I'm a turntable guy 😁 anyway please stay safe everyone and take care 😁
What a relevant question. I must admit that options to hear the Epsilon DAC with other streamers have been considerably limited, primarily because these products are typically presented as a system at shows, in retail environments, and finished installations. However, I have been able to use it with my personally crafted music server, a dedicated Windows-based PC file server/Streamer. I started with a Lenovo ThinkStation P320 CAD Workstation with an Intel Xeon 3.50GHz quad-core CPU with 8 Logical Processors, and 32 GB RAM. I use a Samsung EVO Plus solid-state drive for the OS and the computer is further optimized for playing music by using Fidelizer 8.10 to leverage, manage, and prioritize the computer’s core functionality, services, and processes. What I heard was a striking parallel in its overall performance. In particular, its foundational bass performance, remarkable dynamism, and exceptional ability to deliver standard-resolution material more often reminiscent of higher-resolution material, that I can safely say that they are core performance attributes of the Absolute Epsilon DAC.
I can tell from personal experience that the Time has a huge impact on the presentation and can (also) really bring inferior DACs (compared to the Epsilon) to stellar heights. I would go so far to advice to start with investing in the Time and afterwards picking your DAC… needless to say that the Epsilon is a great great DAC!
I’m wondering just how much benefit might be achieved by adding the Absolute Time ONLY to an already excellent re-clocking streamer/player such as my Antipodes K22 feeding my Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. 12k at MSRP is not a small amount of $$ to gain as little as 1-2% in SQ. But if more than this worth considering. Any thoughts?
@@TheBerkeleybobYour point is very valid...is the return on investment worth it? Here is the only issue with the question...is it worth it to you? Look, I won't get sucked into the impossibilities of putting a raw "percentage" on the degree of improvement the addition of an excellent reclocker such as the Absolute Time or Absolute Time Signature V will have on the overall performance of digital playback in your rig. What I will suggest, is that sometimes even the very smallest of changes, made in the right performance category or categories, will contribute so much more to the believability, credibility, or to furthering the suspension of disbelief that you are listening to a recording, that you would not choose to give them up, regardless of how numerically or statistically "small" they may be considered on their own. I suspect you've experienced such nuance and subtlety at some point - with a linestage, an amp, a cable, maybe even an isolation device. I wish there were a more absolute answer here, but sadly, it all comes down to personal experience... Thanks for watching and for taking the time to write!
True high end streaming AND the pinnacle of Great Dane very apparent in this content .. This makes me happy.
This Ideon 3 box solution will surely lead to a streaming future with fidelity beyond compare.
Thanks for this insight Greg. 👍🏻
Wow high praise love the fact you don't make apologies for the cost of the stack. In our human experience of life, the best is reserved for the best. And IMO that is fair if harsh, and not to be taken personally.
Interesting products for those searching for that last bit of everything. I’m always amazed at the truly high end and hold no ill will. Thanks for sharing.
I very much appreciate your understanding and clarity on such matters. MANY folks, in particular, those who cannot - or choose not to - afford such items, seem to feel that they have to somehow diminish or dismiss the reality that such products actually outperform lesser ones. It is seemingly some form of justification or jealous reaction, and it is both foolish and unnecessary. So long as the system you have brings you joy and makes music that you find engaging and enjoyable, nothing else should matter! Thanks for watching, and for taking the time to write.
@@theaudioanalyst you nailed it. I put together a 12 K system last Summer. I love it. Upgraded streamers and enjoying the new one. I wish more truly high end audiophiles conducted themselves as you do. After all it’s about the music we love and spend time with. Keep up the good work and thank you.
@@adsph Thank you so much!
you are correct, the reproduction of the epsilon into the analog demand is nothing short of astonishing
I am currently running the suite in my reference system excluding the server which is on the way, it has one of the most incisive forceful authoritative output stage on a digital to analog playback yet that I’ve tested on the channel
my experience with the re’clocker is slightly different to yours, I find resolution impact and separation improves, but at the cost of organic characteristics and Tamber for real music
Electronic music comes alive, breathtaking so I tend to switch to native and then introduce the clock when listening to electronic music
It’s been a fun six weeks
Very well done video Greg. I love how you tell what you hear in the pieces of music you chose. Bravo.
Many thanks, Bill!
Mr. Parrish, how are you?
Hello, I am just fine. Thanks for asking @@justadad2304
Looks like Lampizator Horizon dethroned? :O
sounds interesting, I would have given it a chance if I wouldn´t have bought the Playback Design Combi MPD-8+MPT-8 (incl. StreamingModul).
I really love this combo and it depends on the record if the digital or the vinyl shines more. The mentioned Dire Straits as shm is my reference from my catalog, it even beat all other SACDs I have, even the others from Dire Straits. The Playback Design does its "upscaling" so well that the sacd really can shine bigtime
Thank you for this detailed review! Considering what the Ideon’s Absolute Digital Suite does for digital, do you believe you wil be listening mostly to digital in the future? Also, I have heard others say the Playback Designs MPD-8 makes standard digital sound fantastic as well. I wonder how the two compare? Thanks again!
LOL, as wonderful as digital playback has gotten, especially as recreated by the best streamers, clocks, and converters available like the Ideon Absolute stack, my LP front-end is still clearly superior sounding. And while much of that may be because of the quality of the files available as compared to my fairly extensive and curated LP library, it is nevertheless still the case. So, while I may be listening to digital more frequently than before, I still expect that 80-85% of my listening will be via LP playback.
And though I have not had a lot of exposure to Andreas Koch's latest products, ears I trust - like those of good friend Dr. David Robinson - have very good things to say about the Playback Design products... It is my hope to try to spend more time with Andreas and his products during this coming show season.
@@theaudioanalyst Thank you and I am looking forward to hearing about it this coming season.
High praise indeed, considering some of the other digital gear you've reviewed. Robert Harley also gave a rave review to the Ideon suite. It probably won't happen, but it would be enormously helpful to the audiophile community if someone with the means could compare/contrast and rank the top DACs and/or streamers. The list might include the flagship pieces from Ideon, Wadax, MSB, Playback Designs, Aries Cerat. Taiko, and Antipodes. It would also be fascinating to see how the much more affordable Grimm MU2 stacks up against these more expensive pieces. (The MU2 seems to be universally lauded by those who've heard it)
Btw, I recently stumbled across a remastered recording of Saint-Saens' 3rd symphony by the Detroit Symphony under Marcel Dupre. It sounded incredible for such an old recording. (And a great performance.)
Please add APL HiFi to your list or contenders. I have had the opportunity to listen to the Ideon stack (the Absolute Stream/ Time, Epsilon DAC on loan), MU2 (demo) and APL DAC in my system and I must say, the MU2 and Ideon devices play in the same ball park. The Ideons are a tad more nuanced and mature sounding (the MU2 sounded a bit dull and less open). The shoot out between the Epsilon, MU2 and APL DSD-MR SE DAC had a clear winner.. the latter is really out of this world. The comparison was not completely fair since the MU2 is essentially a different animal (streamer/dac/preamp in one). FWIW I ended up with the Ideon Absolute Stream/Time as source and APL as DAC as my reference digital front end.
@@vincentvdvelde I've not read any reviews of the APL, but it sounds promising: "Pure DSD, Reference Digital to Analog converter with tube output stage." Thanks for pointing it out.
@@vincentvdvelde Vincent, may I ask what amplifier and speakers you're using with the APL DAC?
@@mikelautermilch8939 I assume you are talking about a digital version, no?
I have an original 1958 Mercury Living Presence release of that performance, as well as the 2022 European Reissue, both on LP, and it is a STUNNING performance. It is in fact my preferred performance of the Saint-Saen's 3rd... Can you share the catalog info or a link to the version you are talking about? Thanks.
Morning everyone from tropical Scotland I hope everyone is safe and well 😁 I listened to the rossini apex with its matching clock about 6 months ago and yes it sounds better than the one it replaced but also in that room was a mid level linn lp12 and the linn destroyed it, I don't like the sound of dcs ( my opinion ) have never listened to msb, wadax etc but will get some idea of what they sould like at axpona ( yes I know not the best conditions ) I hope ideon will be there will be interesting especially as I'm a turntable guy 😁 anyway please stay safe everyone and take care 😁
How does that dac compare without the master clock and with some other streamer?
What a relevant question. I must admit that options to hear the Epsilon DAC with other streamers have been considerably limited, primarily because these products are typically presented as a system at shows, in retail environments, and finished installations.
However, I have been able to use it with my personally crafted music server, a dedicated Windows-based PC file server/Streamer. I started with a Lenovo ThinkStation P320 CAD Workstation with an Intel Xeon 3.50GHz quad-core CPU with 8 Logical Processors, and 32 GB RAM. I use a Samsung EVO Plus solid-state drive for the OS and the computer is further optimized for playing music by using Fidelizer 8.10 to leverage, manage, and prioritize the computer’s core functionality, services, and processes.
What I heard was a striking parallel in its overall performance. In particular, its foundational bass performance, remarkable dynamism, and exceptional ability to deliver standard-resolution material more often reminiscent of higher-resolution material, that I can safely say that they are core performance attributes of the Absolute Epsilon DAC.
I can tell from personal experience that the Time has a huge impact on the presentation and can (also) really bring inferior DACs (compared to the Epsilon) to stellar heights. I would go so far to advice to start with investing in the Time and afterwards picking your DAC… needless to say that the Epsilon is a great great DAC!
I’m wondering just how much benefit might be achieved by adding the Absolute Time ONLY to an already excellent re-clocking streamer/player such as my Antipodes K22 feeding my Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. 12k at MSRP is not a small amount of $$ to gain as little as 1-2% in SQ. But if more than this worth considering. Any thoughts?
@@TheBerkeleybobYour point is very valid...is the return on investment worth it? Here is the only issue with the question...is it worth it to you? Look, I won't get sucked into the impossibilities of putting a raw "percentage" on the degree of improvement the addition of an excellent reclocker such as the Absolute Time or Absolute Time Signature V will have on the overall performance of digital playback in your rig. What I will suggest, is that sometimes even the very smallest of changes, made in the right performance category or categories, will contribute so much more to the believability, credibility, or to furthering the suspension of disbelief that you are listening to a recording, that you would not choose to give them up, regardless of how numerically or statistically "small" they may be considered on their own. I suspect you've experienced such nuance and subtlety at some point - with a linestage, an amp, a cable, maybe even an isolation device. I wish there were a more absolute answer here, but sadly, it all comes down to personal experience... Thanks for watching and for taking the time to write!