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The February 2015 meeting of the Sydney Audio Club sees us once again at Dence Park for an afternoon of fine music, great sound and amicable company. Each month, the Sydney Audio Club presents the finest in high end audio systems for our members and guests. It's a bit like a private audio show once a month where you can hear and discuss equipment that you might not otherwise have the chance to audition. And you can bring along your own music to test the capabilities of the system or to just share with like-minded music lovers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. For our February meeting we’ve got a very entertaining and enlightening DAC comparison coming up..! We will have 4 DACs to compare… Two lower priced DACs (light-weight category): Chord Hugo, NAD M51 Two more expensive DACs (heavy-weight category): Chord QBD76, Bricasti Design M1 (Being realistic… the real heavy-weight DAC category would include the uber expensive DACs like the Trinity DAC (the 2015 product of the year DAC at the Sound and Image Awards 2015 in Melbourne), the Light Harmonic Da Vinci and the dCS Vivaldi, plus many others. Alas, we won’t have any of those on the day.) We will compare the light-weights to each other, and then compare the heavy-weights to each other. Lastly we’ll compare the audience preferred light-weight and heavy -weight winners just so you can hear what the extra money can achieve. The DAC line up will include: Chord Hugo Reference – Courtesy of Goran Sasic of Sydney HiFi Castle Hill. Refer to https://www.sydneyhificastlehill.com.au/shop/amplifiers-headphones/chord-electronics-hugo-reference-dac-headphone-amp/. See a review by HiFi+ at http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/first-listen-chord-electronics-hugo-portable-high-res-dacheadphone-amp/ NAD M51 – Refer to http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2012/04/nad-m51-digital-direct-dac-initial-impressions/ for John Darko and friends very favourable impression when comparing it to a couple of other DACs. Chord QBD76 HDSD – Courtesy of Goran Sasic of Sydney HiFi Castle Hill. Refer to https://www.sydneyhificastlehill.com.au/shop/dacs/chord-electronics-qbd76-hdsd-dac/. See a review by HiFi+ at http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/chord-electronics-qbd76-hdsd-digital-to-analogue-converter-hi-fi/ Bricasti Design M1 – Refer to http://i.nextmedia.com.au/avhub/australian-hifi_reviews_2014_2014-07_bricasti_design_m1_dac_review_test_lores.pdf and http://www.audiostream.com/content/bricasti-design-m1-dac The supporting act will include: Marantz SA-11S1 – refer to http://www.marantz.asia/ap/pages/home.aspx and http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue28/marantz_sa11.htm Classe CP800 pre – connected to the power amp via Vertere XLR. Refer to http://www.classeaudio.com/products/cp-800.php and http://www.stereophile.com/content/class233-cp-800-da-preamplifier. Time permitting, we may compare the light-weight DACs to the DAC within the CP800. Plinius SA250 Mk4 amp – connected to speakers with Nordost Frey. Refer to http://www.pliniusaudio.com/Plinius_Range/Power_Amplifiers/SA_Reference.html and http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/506plinius/index.html. Energy Veritas 1.8 Floorstander speakers – Older speakers now but still sounding good. These were last at the club back in January 2012. Refer to http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/energy-speaker-systems/veritas-v1-8/prd_122534_1594crx.aspx and http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/551/ The second half of the music sessions will be our popular BYO. Members and guests are welcome to offer music to share with us all. So bring along your favourite music on CD. Sorry, no provision for vinyl or flash drives this month. All we ask is that the music and recordings be interesting. We'll ask you to tell us a little about the artist/recording before it is played. Tracks over 6 minutes will be faded out, to give everyone a fair go. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, you will have the opportunity to listen, learn and share your experiences with others of a similar mind. Guests are always welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don't need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound. We will welcome you at the door. Venue: Epping Creative Centre Address: 26 Stanley St, Epping When: Sunday 8th February 2015 Doors open 1pm Meeting starts at 2pm Best regards, Tom Waters President Sydney Audio Club www.sydneyaudioclub.org.au tomwaters@sydneyaudioclub.org.au I'm not Tom