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Majestic DAC impressions

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 10:13am
Originally posted by Drewan77 Drewan77 wrote:

Originally posted by morris_minor morris_minor wrote:

Andrew, just to be clear the only mod to the Majestic was to make the phono out fixed level. The switching I did was on the Solo when evaluating the sound with the DAC in or out of the system.

Thanks Bob, yes I could use the same - having the balanced out with variable gain is what I want. This will allow me to reduce the level of all my digital sources when passing out from the Majestic via a balanced Lautus. A fixed output phono will also allow me to switch out the main system, using the phono output to drive something else


This is beginning to sound like a popular option, ideally would suit me too. But then is it just about convenience for a few. How many users will be powering a main amp via level controlled output and a headphone amp such as the Solo from fixed output?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bradders Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 11:31am
How much will this unit be?Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 6:52pm
Originally this product was going to be below £500, but much has changed. In fact 'much' is an under statement - everything apart from the original chip-set has changed!

With pre-production units built and three gone out already for assessment, it is still in its design state so as to best please its owners, and is therfore a truly bespoke product...

The last part of design being what seems to be by popular demand - fixed unbalanced outputs.

Possibly by luck these are possible and it seems to make sense to me too. In using the unbalanced outs to drive a headphone amp, I too find it a chore because the Proprius power amps from the balanced outs have to be turned down...

Consider others using those outputs to drive powered monitors or a different power amp? They'd have to disconnect them.

So it seems a sensible design change. However, what about those who have a power amp with RCA inputs? It's easy for me to wire a 'TRS' jack plug to a phono plug - it's also easy for us to make suitable interconnects, but there will be fans of the boutique cables who will have none of it.

I think we've reached the outer limits of this design. I'd rather have fixed RCA outs too, and although it's not a really neat modification as it requires hard wiring and the removal of 4 components, I feel it better to offer something that will fulfill the wants of the customer fully - or as near as one can get.

The Majestic DAC has become a preamp for the digital age whilst providing the ability for its users to play records too.

As such, it is a multipurpose high fidelity tool, and nothing like the original idea. It is almost bespoke because through talking with prospective purchasers it has 'evolved' to meet the requirements of the many.

Some say it is designed by committee, but to do that would require a committee of electronic engineers - you are customers - all I have done is to answer your wants.

Obviously now, with all this additional engineering, and high performance engineering at that, it costs considerably more to make. And when I say make I mean hand craft which takes time.

It is also a limited edition. Why should that be? Well, thanks to a manufacturer ending production of a particular part the Majestic performance hinges on (just at the point we reached its satisfactory sound), there will come a point where it will end. OK, we procured nearly all remaining stock on the planet so if it were to break it won't be the end of it.

Bearing in mind all the additional costs I had guesstimated £1400 (and that is what all pre-orders will cost), but the actual calculations came out a little higher - so to make it viable for us to make and spend the time on in testing all its functions (around 10 tests per unit) I wouldn't think £1600 is out of order?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 7:04pm
Well that'll be £1600 for one of the best performing DACs on the market... and in the mega-buck hi-fi world, that's just a proverbial crust, eh Graham... In terms of value for money, functionality and attention to detail, I'd love to see another manufacturer do better... Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote morris_minor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 8:20pm
£1600 is an incredibly reasonable price for a component of this quality. I'm replacing a DAC and a pre-amp which together cost around £1150 and the Majestic has performance that's in a different league as well as much more flexibility with digital inputs. One analogue input for vinyl is all I need. This has to be considered a bargain price for a hand made, bespoke British electronic component. Another manufacturer with more of an eye on the bottom line then their customers could easily charge double - and it would still be worth it IMO.

As far as the balanced output goes, I'm using a couple of jack to phono adapters for with great success until such time as a Lautus jack > XLR becomes available.

Edited by morris_minor - 08 Feb 2014 at 8:22pm
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Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BAK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 8:22pm
Originally posted by Graham Slee Graham Slee wrote:

It is also a limited edition. Why should that be? Well, thanks to a manufacturer ending production of a particular part the Majestic performance hinges on (just at the point we reached its satisfactory sound), there will come a point where it will end. OK, we procured nearly all remaining stock on the planet so if it were to break it won't be the end of it.
 
Graham,
 the question comes to mind; "How many units do you have the limited parts for?"
 
This is a very special product, indeed.Wink
 
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AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 9:16pm
Originally posted by BAK BAK wrote:

Graham,
 the question comes to mind; "How many units do you have the limited parts for?"


Unless we can source more, around 200.

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