Weiss Minerva ?

Not yet but I hope to demo one soon. I am sure you are aware - but the Minerva is the Weiss DAC 2 in a funkier enclosure. The DAC 2 is also cheaper I believe.

Hmm - whats the price of the DAC2 - must say i prefer the look - green instead of blue :-).

I'll be interested in your findings.

James

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
Hmm - whats the price of the DAC2
James

I don't know but googling around shows the DAC2 to be about half the price of the Minerva but don't know whether VAT included in the quoted prices or not.

Google Weiss DAC II Price and also Weiss Minerva UK price and you should find what you are looking for.

I am certain people on this forum have auditioned or owned the Weiss and am sure they will step up to give their impressions.

So far i've seen 3500 for the Minerva and 1800 for the DAC2.

James

I've read they sound the same. Quoted from a Weiss employee. I've only heard the Minerva so I can't verify.

@js

What were your impressions of the Minerva?

[EDIT: I remember the thread now]

I use a DACII which I was told is internally identical to the Minerva, it is a super DAC I use it with a Macbook pro via firewire, worth a listen .

According to multiple sources the Minerva is a DACII with a nice face plate. The DACII is purpose built for studio use and the Minerva re-branded for consumer use.

I want one but it seems the main advantage of the jitter free feature can be realized mostly from its 1394 input. So if used with non-computer sources the its superiority to other DACs becomes unclear.

I use my Weiss with just a Tascam cdp ( as transport )it was clearly much better than my old player CDx2 /xps and after a friend of mine borrowed it he has ordered one to replace his cds2, it is a decent little dac.

Would have taken on the line if I felt it that good but did not though it was pretty good. As usual, each has to decide for themselves. Certainly more versitile than a CDP. Since we're now comparing, here's mine.

The fellow that brought it in (warm from being powered up on the trip over) has been involved in the recording and retail industry for 35 years and agreed that some of the other things we played were better including a 555 with a downsampled CD vs the a 24/96 file played via AES/EBU from a Nagra VI into the Weiss(powerline). 555 clearly sounded more like the original 24/96 1st generation file played internally from the original Nagra deck. Nagra also worked better as a stand alone DAC even though that's not it's true function. I'd also buy an XPS before adding a Weiss to a HDX. Now these aren't true competitors so no one should get too upset over this but I got a good sense of it as we've put others through similar paces. Stopped comparing and just listened to tunes there after. I should add that the Nagra VI does superb dubs of analog masters and the latest Lawrence Hobgood disc is Ken's 1st all digital recording. 24/96 file and CD to be available from Naim soon. You'll be surprised at the remaster dig dubs of earlier analog recordings also.

I agree with DHT that it's a decent little DAC and wouldn't take it off my list for audition but I also wouldn't rush out to buy without a listen. Thought it better than another DAC oft mentioned here. Now all can hate me. LOL
As usual others will disagree and that's fine. Listen for yourselves and decide.

Don't forget that the Nagra VI costs less than an HDX, and you can record 'n rip your vinyl through it.

Not freindly for playback and doesn't stream. Files are stored as #s only. Won't read external(usb or compact flash only) files unless put into it's own file # format. Gotta be hard core. Makes a great car head unit for Ken. It's got dibs on shotgun.

All true. Life is never simple.

That nagra looks gorgeous how much is it, although I am not sure what I would use it for!
The Weiss/Mac was really much better than the poor HDX in my system, perhaps two power supplies might improve it! The weiss is only £1800, I will compare it with the Naim dac if and when.

I also have high hopes for the DAC. We all like it when things get better. Now if we could only agree on what that is, LOL. Nagra is about $7500. It is also used with a Naim supply for more goodness and features like preview disabled when recording.

@js

It looks like you have Theta at Promusica. Have you heard the GEN VIII DAC and if so do you have an opinion on its quality etc?

Really thought it a step backwards for them but haven't heard version 2. We've sold Theta from before the time of CDS but no longer display.

JS which Naim PS do you use with the Nagra, I thought it was 12v DC?

12v to 16V and we keep it close to the 16V. All the supplies can safely be adjusted down. All the PS's are better(even the PSC) than the given higher current switching supply but the regulators don't have enough current(by design) to boot without tripping so it gets turned on with battery and switched over hot. It's an either/or scenario so the battery will auto disconnect. Battery operation is probably least good overall but fine. Given supply, better and Naim PS, clearly better again. There's more filtering going on inside so it doesn't just rely on the outboard for regulation. It apparently still helps. Cigarette lighter adapter in the car.

Back on topic i should have a Weiss (the Dac 2) to try out in a couple of weeks h

James

James -

Interested in the outcome. Does the DAC2 have optical as well? Would also be interested in your thoughts on optical v.s. Firewire.

Cheers

Richard

Will do Richard - looking forwrd to giving it a go.

Cheers

James

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
Back on topic i should have a Weiss (the Dac 2) to try out in a couple of weeks h

James

I'll be looking forward to reading your impressions as well - particularly how you feel it compares to the DA10.

Got the call and it'll be waiting for me when i get back to work on Monday

Report to follow ...

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
Got the call and it'll be waiting for me when i get back to work on Monday

Report to follow ...

If you need another pair of ears give me a call