BMC PureDAC follow up

The cruel AB test, definitely not in my place because I will have a hard time letting the winning component leave. O my wallet is thin enough already! Furthermore, the changing of component in my system is a big hassle, have to deal with the delicate isolation and space constraint isn't conducive for equipment changing. Thus, I jumped on the opportunity to see BMC PureDAC steps in to the ring with the mighty dCS Debussy in a Wilson Sasha based system in a friend's place.

Stereophile reports, "Inside is the latest version of dCS's software-updatable "Ring DAC." This is a five-bit design, operating at 2.822 or 3.07MHz and handling the audio data in a proprietary five-bit format at DSD's sample frequency. All incoming digital data are oversampled to this format before being converted to analog". http://www.stereophile.com/content/dcs-debussy-da-processor  This is neither a 1 bit nor multi-bit machine.

Proprietary software and chipset are great cool sentiment, however if the product is sold few, no economy of scale. Cool factor for a price, someone will have to burden the cost. This is basic costing.

On the other hand, PureDAC uses common chipset. The design team was working on perfecting the circuitry to optimize the chipset. No rocket science and marketing hyperbole. Just plain ol school good engineering. PureDAC throws in DSD 128, this is a welcoming feature since digital evolution is light speed. Anything over three digital years is deemed obsolete. Future proof is a plus point.

The name dCS weights a ton, considered by many an untouchable icon in digital playback. By any standard, this PK is completely insane especially in term of price. BMC is neither BMW nor BMC bike, new kids on the block. Debussy is going for RM40k while PureDAC is RM7k+ locally, that's a difference of six fold in price. Does PureDAC have the David's sling?  Let's get on to it .......

I give praise to this Sasha based system because it is one of the better Wilson systems. The owner tireless efforts to get the best of Sasha is admirable, he tries everything under the sun to make Sasha shine. His strive for good sound will one day makes him a guru. There is no cut to experience.

Typically, Wilsons with its revealing nature require skill to set them up right, definitely not a novice's speaker. Much like Messi and ex Barca coach Pep Guardiola, they learn and relearn from each other. Both of them bring out the best of each other. The virtues of Wilson that we all come to know are, realism, dynamic, soundstage and bass slam. They are considered the best value in high end for what they capable of but not the most finesse by the world standard. Their European cousins fare much better in finesse department.

We began listening to Debussy, drives the amp direct. O gosh! The system sounded punctured like a tired old man running up the stairs. Blame Wilson Sashas for gain demanding, a lazy buffalo needs whipping to work. Nevertheless, the observations were based on 2 volts output albeit lacking in gain.

Tonality
In term of timbre honesty, Debussy is perceived to be more accurate. And accuracy always comes in the expense of musicality. Right out from the box, PureDAC is musical, has a noticeable bloom exhibiting romanticism. This tube like romanticism does vocal palpable, warm, organic and soft leading edges. No long hours listening fatigue. The succulent and liquidity qualities are the hallmarks of great vocal reproduction, free of digitis. Most dacs these days manage jitters far better, I have no complaint here. The blooming renders 3D images, projecting some meat to the bone. Debussy in contrast is leaner, colder and a tad quicker comparatively. 

Due to the forward midrange, PureDAC could easily misinterpreted as less detailed. Far from edgy, the highs has a rounded quality but I would not think the highs are rolled off. I could hear all there is to be heard only the extension is slightly short lived compares with Debussy. Debussy is more extended, the decay hangs around slightly longer, presenting a more airy and spacious soundscape. Having said that, in absolute linearity, Debussy highs still sound rosy, delicate, sweetened compares with say EMM Labs, a stone cold accurate DAC.

Debussy's leaner bass demeanor has the quick and bounciness that I prefer. Both dives equally deep. PureDAC has a fuller bass. 

Soundstage
The illusion of soundstage is room size dependent. In the battle of soundstage, Debussy wins, hand down. It manages to depict a wider and deeper soundstage, thanks to Debussy more extended highs. Both equally competent doing the spooky spatial thing with Stonehenge like images, capable of withstanding the storm. Credits to the amp for the iron fist control. Again, the spatial thing is what Debussy known for did not disappoint.

Transparency
Utilizing digital volume control, PureDAC steps all over Debussy albeit lacks of gain. We listened to softies. BMC's Digital Intelligent Gain Management is superior to yesteryear digital volume. Debussy has a hazy presentation in comparison. This did not surprise me. I had a good read about its voltage volume control and this listening reconfirmed my findings. The more traveling distance of signal will prone to more signal loss and sonic degradation.

There is no way you can cheat the battle of signal loss. I am a staunch subscriber of minimalist audio - less component and tuned via cables and tweaking. That's of course if you wanted a specific sonic signature of a particular brand, pre and power is the way to go.

Dynamic
A tie, probably PureDAC has an edge in dynamic but not as quick as Debussy. A worthy note, PureDAC sits on Debussy, while Debussy was rested on Nordost Sort Kones. We all know how isolation can do, right. It is not surprise to see that Debussy is more exciting but they were not compare on a fair ground.

Conclusion
A durian falls from the tree, the fruit is ripe according to the planter but it is the work of gravity for the scientist. Who is right? In a span of two months, I have heard two sub RM8k new dacs come close to dCS in performance. PureDAC is one of them. Competitors are catching up. To my ears, entry level dCS's might is narrowed and certainly not six fold the price would suggest.

Both Debussy and PureDAC are not able to drive direct to the amp but PureDAC gives a good run for the money taking into account that PureDAC was just taken out fresh out from the box. We all love underdog, don't we?

PureDAC is the most tube like solid state dac I have ever heard. Given some break in time and a right power cord, PureDAC will pop eyes!!!