Summary: Bulletproof design after 10 years of use. I recently bought two new players, a Denon (1500W CDR) with their Analog Devices 24 bit DACS and a decent Sony DVD player with some 24/96 stuff.
Even brand new D/A technology in the new players sounds lame compared to this 10 year old DAC. Not even close. Far better dynamics, much more powerful and controlled bass. Far better clarity. This or one of the mid-90's Theta DACS are great pick-ups. At the time, this DAC sounded better than Theta though.
Strengths: Bulltetproof. Same DAC set-up and digital filter as Mark Levinson No 36 for $7k.
About 90% of the Levinson for next to nothing. Was a bargain for $1,000 when new.
Weaknesses: No digital output.
Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: The look is utilitarian. But the connections are first rate, as well as the built quality.
But, despite the advice of others and this great technology, it doesn't souds good at all. Too much medium, no extreme bass, fuzzy image, slightly harsh...
I compared it, in my main system, with :
- MSB Link II : better than GDA-700
- CAL Icon II : better than GDA-700
- Marantz CD-17-II : better than GDA-700
- Musical Fidelity A3CD : similar
- Marantz CD67SE : even worse than GDA-700
Strengths: Connections, features, built quality
Weaknesses: Sound dry, lack of low bass, fuzzy image
Similar Products Used: MSB Link II, Muse Model 2+
Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I am no longer a skeptic when it comes to hearing differences in digital audio equipment. Switching from an older Sony cd changer to a 20 bit Denon got me thinking and using the GDA-700 sealed my conviction. I purchased this dac becuase some of my favorite CDs (Joni Mitchell) are HDCD encoded and I wanted to hear what HDCD would do. I was not dissappointed. This unit sounds wonderful, especially with HDCD. It has improved the sound of my system in every respect. I have used it with several different cd players and have settled on an inexpensive single disc Sony with the optical output. The Sony has a quick and quiet transport that sounds awesome through the Adcom. Highly recommend the GDA-700 as a way to improve the sound from a budget cd player. I can't see giving this dac any less than five star rating.
Strengths: Quality build (made in USA), quality parts. Plenty of inputs for future upgrades.
Weaknesses: None.
Similar Products Used: PS Audio, Bitwise.
Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Rating Reviewed by: Michael (Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date August 23, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Review 4 of 10
Price Paid:
$330.00
from Ebay
Summary: I am running the Adcom with a Sony CDP-CX450 Mega Changer and Oknyo TX-SV747 home theater receiver through Acoustic Research AR1 speakers. The ARs sounded pretty good before but produced very sluggish mids. The Adcom has brought out the midrange while delievering a more precise bass. The difference in sound is unbelievable; this DAC was a steal at just over $300.
Strengths: Stronger, more defined mids. Bass hits much cleaner. HDCD decoding.
Weaknesses: Not enough frequency samplings.
Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I'm one of those cynical people who used to think a DAC is a DAC is a DAC until I hooked up the 700. My previous attempt at a DAC-the MSB Link II-left a lot to be desired because I couldn't really hear any improvement over the CDP's DAC. The Adcom is a different story alltogether. Vocals came to life and the highs got crispier. I also started noticing "sounds" I never new existed in my CDs. This DAC looks and feels like high-end audiophile gear. The balanced outputs are a huge plus for me and HDCD comes in handy. And at this price...fuggedaboutit!!!
Strengths: Great features (XLR,HDCD,AES/EBU),big improvement over CDP's DAC
Weaknesses: No upsampling but at a (far) below
Similar Products Used: MSB Link II
Would you like to Comment? Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
The ERC-1 CD player is in a class by itself for price/performance.
Wharfedale Evo 2-10 Bookshelf Speaker
The Evolution 2-10 is a speaker that I think most people who cherish their music will enjoy listening to. They’re articulate, very dynamic and detailed, with a touch of warmth...
Nuforce Reference 9 V2 SE Power Amplifiers
I am certain that one could assemble a musically satisfying audio system with the Nuforce Reference 9 V2 SE amplifiers. I suggest that it could then be a challenge to find a synergistic replacement.
Axiom Millennia M60 Ti
Yes, Axiom speakers are as good as you have read about.
Magnepan Magneplanar MG 1.6 User Review
In my judgment the advantage of the MG 1.6 (and other Magneplars), stems from the following: = It is a full-range dipole, and = It has uses low-mass, planar drivers for the whole audio spectrum. These attributes account for its extraordinary clarity, coherence, “air”...
Jason Serinus at Stereophile has some news about Hear This, declared that it would sell off remaining inventory, pay its bills, and spend time [...]
more...
Having launched the NAIT XS amplifier a while bag added to the range: the CD5 XS CD player, NAT05 FM tuner, and NAC 152 XS preamp and NAP 155 [...]
more...
AudioREVIEW forum user Woochifer has a great writcession, 2009 has been a record setting year so far at the box office. Adding to the tally has [...]
more...
4.5 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
