Baldy

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Private

Summary:
I've finally got around to commenting on this fine pre-amp. The A/A DLC came available on Ebay one day. I had heard quite a bit about it but decided to do a little research myself. I ended my research on the Stereophile site. From all accounts the unit was highly recommended so I bid and won the item. Here we are some 3-4 yrs. later and I'm still amazed at the units ability to just get out of the way of the sound. I incorporate Magnaplanar MG-llc's for speakers and have them presently bi-amped. The DLC offers 2 main outs which dramatically simplifies the bi-amp procedure. I can remember setting the unit up and allowing it to warm-up for about 45 minutes. My wife, who is one of the most realistic "audiophiles" I know, was the first to comment, "the soundstage depth is amazing". I agreed and also noticed what I thought was less bass, however, when the unit was presented with known "bassy" music, the quality of the bass was outstanding in it's ability to be multi-note, clearly delineated, incredibly fast and very powerful. After a couple of evening of listening I realized the, what I thought, lack of bass was in fact a lack of boominess or sluggishness brought about by slow and sloppy bass reproduction. I compared this unit to my Reference Line Preeminence One passive and found the A/A DLC to be holding it's own rather nicely. The DLC simply blew away my (modified) Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 hands down, even with the SFL-1 on the "direct" output. The A/A has the unique ability to disapear into a large, deep soundstage that reveals the venues the music was recorded in most accurately. The tonal quality was most impressive and the musicality was so enjoyable, it allowed for listening sessions late into the night with seemingly no listening fatigue what so ever. I most certainly could go on but I belive what is most important here is the price/performance ratio. Seeing I paid $250.00 US ($315.00 CAN), I can't even begin to imagine what is out there that can compete. Knowing full well the unit is entirely controlled by it's remote only, it is imperitive that you either attain a learning remote or absoulutel positively not drop or damage the original. Very highly recommended !!!

Strengths:
2 Outputs plus the ability to adjust all the inputs so they are all matched. Remote control is certainly a plus for a pre-amp. Small and light enough to place anywhere or bring with you while you travel. Pure transparancy !!!

Weaknesses:
Out of production ! Difficulties with repairs. Only operable by the remote. The unit should have come with the PS 2,3 instead of the "wall-wart" power supply.

Similar Products Used:
Bryston BP-25, Melos SHA-1, AR LS-3 SFL-1, Reference Line.

ezside

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $150.00 from AudioWeb.com

Summary:
This is a terrific piece, outperforming preamps 5 or even 10 times its price. Transparent, neutral, good response across the audio spectrum. I've heard some folks say that the DLC is light on bass, but I haven't seen this: even on stuff like the Pure Audiophile pressing of Ray Brown's "Soular Energy" (which actually has a "dynamic bass may cause mistracking" warning on the outermost sleeve!) or "Intro" on Tupac Shakur's "Better Dayz" (I actually thought we were having an earthquake the first time I listened to this ;-), the bass response is excellent, clean and rhythmic. Other reviewers have mentioned the importance of a good power supply; I can't really comment on this, since mine came without a wall-wart (NIB, though -- wall-wart was scavenged to power some of the seller's other AA gear). I've only listened to mine powered by an MSB P1000 and it's great.

Strengths:
Transparency, simplicity, GREAT sound!

Weaknesses:
Need a decent power supply & cables, replace hard rubber feet.

Similar Products Used:
B&K PT3 Adcom GFP-750 Luxman Marantz 1040A integrated amp

Price Paid:  $295.00 from HCM Audio

Summary:
One really nice pre-amp/line stage,the Audio Alchemy DLC has provided all of the strengths read in the other reviews posted previous to this one. So I will just touch some bases in My fashion.Use this unit with an upgraded power supply(AA/PS2/3)and for a price that would sober up the kilo-buck audio- philiacs and make them tremble,you can show up at their bashes,and enjoy music magic in the making. Unit is very transparent,decently dynamic covers the full range,and images well in a nice sherical stage with front to back depth,wide and individual instrument lines intact. As another review stated get yourself a learning remote train it up,then remove the batteries the store the DLC original away in safety. I use mine in bi-amp with dual FPC,cont- inual cast pure copper RCA's,run thruogh a pair of Adcom GFA5500™.Sourced by an NAD502™ cd player,through to a pair of Sony SSM7™ 3 ways,I get magic after the DLC™ identified some of their weaknesses which I addressed. I have run it the processor loop of a Adcom GFP565™ as well,but this caused some additional veiling. Again I can't stress that this was one of the audio jewels which came and went way to quickly. FIND ONE BUY IT KEEP IT ALWAYS IT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH UTMOST VALUE. Most of what was said in previous pieces I concur with high value rating w/slighly less overall.

Strengths:
Small size easily mobile. Simple no mechanical controls. CHEAP pricing 150+ used. Remote is a thing of beauty solid pretty. Dual outs for bi-amping/or sut/sat configs. 4 inputs all with own level sets. Balance matching. easy to read from afar red LED display which goes dim in few seconds after volume adjust.

Weaknesses:
O.K. so it doesn't have tape loop or 6-8 inputs or 3-4 outs,or tone controls,remember it was built to the 500 dollar price point. Remote only option means don't lose damage or drop that sucker.

Similar Products Used:
Have heard many budget line stages/pre-amps but mostly only have full pre-amps in other systems.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from online somewhere - closeout

Summary:
I have a lot of preamps, and have enough hifi gear to have a different system in every room of the house. I am very picky about preamps, because they amplify the low-level so many times over they can make or break your sound if they have any coloration at all. Much more critical than power amps, IMHO. I use the DLC in my bedroom system, which is to me my most critical listening environment. I typically don't play really loud in there, but I want to hear everything... every nuance of every instrument with great detail and depth with precise imaging. The DLC definitely does that. I sometimes run with no preamp, just CD straight to amp. The DLC is as close to that as I've ever heard (or, more accurately, not heard). Just switching and really clean, quiet gain. I currently use the DLC with a Marchand amp (another true bargain) and old Polk Monitor 10's, but the configuration changes reasonably often. Completely opposite end of the spectrum from my old tube preamps, which I like, but they definitely change the sound. I'm glad I read Audiophile's review of this. A truly amazing bargain.

Strengths:
Completely transparent sound. Like not having a preamp.

Weaknesses:
Remote buttons stick or something, and no way to control without the remote.

Similar Products Used:
Used lots of preamps; currently have McIntosh, Marantz, old Fisher, Altec, & Telectro tube preamps, some homebrew, etc.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from eBay

Summary:
For the price this is an excellent piece. It has the build quality (but not size) of my classe pre-amp with more modern technology and a better remote. I have used it for quite a while in my sedond system (the first being well past the $10,000 mark) and I have enjoyed it immensly. It has a very complicated gainstage that combines the advantages of passive and active gain so you get the best of both worlds (like Adcoms new $1400 pre-amp except you don't have to flip a switch between passive and active, it's automatic). The sound is very nuetral, working to bring out the greater qualities in your amps. With tubes it's laid back and smooth, but with solid state it draws you into the presentation. I would recommend copper cables for this piece, however, as silver sounds a bit brash. (Silver cables will cost quite a bit more than the DLC anyway)

Strengths:
Flexibility, cosmetics, very cool remote (heavy metal construction), build quality, PRICE!!

Weaknesses:
Stock power supply, no balanced connectors, no controls on the unit itself

Similar Products Used:
Classe CP-60, ET Foreplay, PSE Studio SL, Naim NAC-72K