Majestic DAC impressions

I shall just have to make a two way switch in an aluminium box with hard wired interconnects - simples!!
Only problem is the time to make it would not be Majestic listening time.

I have listened to my new Majestic for the past four days and now feel able to comment objectively on some of its considerable strengths

Firstly, at the risk of repeating what has already been said, my impression is of a very ‘grown up’ musical signature without any trace of digital harshness. I have not experienced that before from CDs or digital files. Dynamics, attack and timing are also spot on, nothing is overblown or lacking. It is extremely ‘realistic’ sounding

Comparing to what I had previously, it is as if an enthusiastic shouty teenager has transformed into a full range adult performer. It doesn’t mean the former was bad, however the Majestic is much more listenable and absolutely without fatigue over extended listening sessions. The biggest surprise has been with lower resolution MP3s where the improved smoothness is really noticeable. That is a nice little bonus

I am also pleased that I have at last tamed the huge difference in volume between analogue and digital sources. My turntable/phono is fed directly into the main pre-amp and I have equalised the volume of the Majestic accordingly. This is using a balanced Jack-to-balanced XLR Lautus cable into the main pre-amp

Switching to the analogue input on the Majestic (SACD in my case), volume is still at the same level and by muting the balanced output via the volume control, I can listen to headphones via ULDE connected to the Majestic fixed level phono out

The Digital mute feature when switching between CD and Streamed sources is useful (there is a slight thud without this), as is the ability to switch out digital circuitry when listening to the analogue source. I have not used optical or USB inputs yet

All in all a very well thought out piece of kit, fully in keeping with the principles of ‘pure sound’ that Graham employs. As a vinyl user I also rather enjoy the ritual of getting up to switch manually between sources etc rather than via a lazy remote. Without all that extra circuitry, maybe this also plays a small part towards the exceptional sonic quality

Well done on yet another great piece of kit

My rather exhausted stylus is also grateful for this purchase….

Edited by Drewan77 - 20 May 2014 at 8:13pm

I also look forward to joining the Majestic club in the near future.

msphil wrote: Hi Andrew You ain't seen nothing yet! Just wait till it's been burned in for a few weeks/months it gets better and better!

I received my production Majestic yesterday, having also had the pleasure of a pre-production unit for the last few months. As Phil says, the improvement over a few months brings the performance to a high level.
Haven't had time to set it up yet, hope to do it tomorrow. So now I have the burn in procedure to go through again
I particularly liked Andrew's summary of the early improvement comparing to a teenager maturing to an adult.
I found it remarkable how it manages to make lower bit rate MP3 and in particular some internet radio sound quite good.
I too look forward to meeting and putting faces to names at the Roadshow.