Majestic DAC impressions

So, with just over 2 weeks of listening to the Majestic it’s now time to share my impressions.

I’ve noticed quite an improvement in sound over the 2 weeks, possibly due to further burn in of the Majestic but, I thought, most probably more from the burn in of the balanced input of my amp, powered up for a few years but not regularly used. Reading Phil’s comments perhaps it’s both that are steadily improving.

I can only agree with Phil, Bob and Ivan in their observations.

Overall I would describe the sound as smooth, valve like perhaps, but with considerable extension in the lower registers.

It is not over bright in the upper registers, manages to tame the harsh sounds experienced from some poorer digital sources, but maintains clarity particularly with female voices and the leading edge of cymbal and snare drum strikes are really sharp.

The bass extension gives good definition to each note, good articulation and no smearing of bass notes one into another.

Detail retrieval is exceptional, as others have similarly observed with the Reflex. Previously unheard details such as noises in the audience or background become apparent.

Soundstage is quite wide and realistic sometimes appearing to extend beyond the physical limits of the speakers and with well defined, stable imaging.

I think that for me to keep throwing well deserved superlatives into a review does little to help other prospective users/purchasers; it really does have to be heard to appreciate its qualities.

A few words are all that are needed to sum up its qualities; Transparent, detailed, involving, non-fatiguing.

I have only found one downside; for use as a pre-amp I really would have liked 2 analogue inputs one for my Genera (soon to be Reflex) phono stage and one for my FM tuner, neither of which (obviously) have digital outputs.

Sound wise I really can’t detect any difference between the optical and co-ax inputs. My laptop seems to output some digital hash via USB so I will reserve the USB input for occasional use with a portable player, when I get round to replacing my ageing iPod and Blackberry phone with something like the Samsung S3, which Ash has had good results with.

Some of the music used so far:

Elbow; Build a rocket boys – vinyl (45rpm) LP and accompanying MP3 download.

Elvis Costello; Armed Forces original vinyl LP, The return of the spectacular spinning songbook FLAC

Steve Earle; Exit D and Copperhead Road on original Vinyl

Florence & The Machine; Lungs on CD & Vinyl

Ian Anderson & Friends, Back Against the Wall – A tribute to Pink Floyd CD