Comments on: Impressions: The exaSound PlayPoint DM Network Audio Server and DAC

By: David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 18:43:00 +0000

Hi Dave...

I'm pleased that my review of the exaSound DM was helpful to you.

You're quite right: this sector of high-end audio is burgeoning right now, with so many audiophiles plugging into computer-based and Internet-based music options. It can be quite bewildering!

The exaSound DM is an all-in-one solution, with true dual-mono single chassis design. The external Pardo Power Supply is a real plus, as I pointed out in my review. I think that you'd find the DM to hold its own. Note that exaSound has a 30 day risk-free trial period...you can see what you think in your own listening room.

I have heard the Linn system (it'll be in for review next spring, when they release the multi-channel version), but not the MSB or Lumin. The AURALiC line is well known to me, as is an earlier version of the PS Audio DirectStream.

Another option is the exaSound PlayPoint Network Audio Player, with their e32 stereo Quad DSD DAC. The e32 does support MQA as well, BTW. I own those, and I think very highly of their performance (Brutus Award winners in 2016, in fact), and the price point for the pair is quite attractive. In fact, exaSound has a "Boxing Week Special" going right now, with $1,000 off the price of the PlayPoint + e32 + Pardo Power Supply upgrade...all at $3,898. That's a killer deal! Jump fast!

More expensive in the single-box category is the Playback Designs MPS-8, which plays SACDs and CDs, plus has a Quad-DSD DAC, plus (with the optional StreamX module) supports Tidal/Roon and Qobuz quite nicely via iPad controller. FPGA, and nicely upgradeable. You'll spend about twice as much as the exaSound DM, though.

Hope you find this to be helpful, Dave.

Dr. David

By: Dave Sturdevant

Dave Sturdevant — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 07:28:00 +0000

Hi, David. Glad to read this piece, as I'm scouting for a one-box DAC/Streamer. Several of the top manufacturers have new products out very recently. Linn upgraded the Akurate to Katalyst DAC status; Lumin introduced the X1; MSB, the Discrete DAC with Renderer. (Yes, I've recently "heard" each of these in demo.) And...dCS is just shipping the Bartok DAC/Streamer, based on the Rossini. All of these are between $10K and $14K. And the Exasound is the most expensive of the bunch (it had better be REALLY good)! Can Exasound beat these cream-of-the-crop components? Using top DACs rather than FPGA conversion in 3rd-4th generation? Does Exasound have the upgrade track record that the others do? Just to note, at lower prices (also new) there are the Linn Select, Auralic Vega G2, and PS Audio DirectStream DAC with Snowmass firmware upgrade plus Network Bridge II. The field is VERY difficult to come to terms with...I dare say impossible, because no one, not even you, is going to have these units to live with and decide on in his own system before purchase. What's a serious person to do? Thanks for the great reviews!

By: Robinson's Positive Feedback Brutus Awards for 2018, Part the First Robinson Brutus Awards 2018 Part 1Robinson's Positive Feedback Brutus Awards for 2018, Part the First - Positive Feedback

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:45:38 +0000

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