USB compatibility
The Formula xHD DAC works with Linux, Mac OS and Windows computers. Windows users need to install the driver first before connecting the USB cable, OSX 10.6.4 and later, as well as Linux 1.0.25 and later have native support for audio devices compliant with USB Class 2.0 built-in, enabling true plug and play.
On Mac, it is important to always manually select the correct sample frequency in the Audio Devices control panel (Applications–>Utilities–>Audio Midi Setup), otherwise, the computer is resampling. To get around this there are applications that automatically have the computer follow the source sampling frequency such as Amarra and Pure Music.
For Windows, the manual suggests using a player that supports ASIO such as Foobar and jRiver Media Center. From personal experience, I agree that these are some of the best applications for Windows. Both are bit-accurate but still sound different. How, you ask? I have no idea, but different they are. Foobar sounds the cleanest and most accurate and jRiver is smoother but for my ears more musical. For either player, I’d suggest trying ASIO as well as WASAPI. It’s always good to just experiment to find which method sounds best to you.
System Context
Recently I sold the Apogee Divas, but still present are the re-refurbished Duetta Signatures and the original Centaurs. In place of the Divas I recently purchased a set of Wilson Watt/Puppy 8, which are now my main speakers. Simultaneously over for review are also the Wilson Sabrina, Gustavson LS-One and Vivid Audio Giya G3 s2. Pending the purchase of a new reference Music Server, default front end at this time is a regular Windows PC streaming via Roon RAAT to the AudioAanZee Reference Flow with Euphony drive and then with an AudioQuest Diamond USB cable to the DAC. Personal reference DAC is the Bricasti M1 and preamp the Jeff Rowland Corus + PSU. The Bricasti, just like 97% of all current DACs out there, is a Delta/Sigma design, but in spite of this, it does sound very refined.
As I am still considering my options in terms of amplification for the Wilsons, I currently have no default power amplifier, but I do have a bunch of amplifiers at hand that are also over for review: Bryston 3B Cubed, 4B Cubed and 14B Cubed, NuPrime ST-10 and PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium. Interlinks used are Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C (T T L) and Clear, both XLR. Cinch comparisons will follow later.
Above: using the Formula xHD with its own feet, albeit ultimately still supported on the Artesania rack’s feet, makes for the smoothest sound. Below: using Finite Elemente Cerapucs works well by adding extra presence, but given the DACs lively nature, this is not really needed.
Formula setup
As the Artesania racks use their own feet and so bypass any component’s own feet, the Formula xHD DAC was first set up on top of a shelf so that I could use it with its own soft neoprene-like feet. When positioned this way, if you grab the DAC with two hands on the top, you can wiggle it in all directions and the feet are so compliant that it even judders a little after having moved it. I figured if Aqua go the length to use special feet, I should also listen to them. Knowing that soft coupling usually makes for somewhat damped bass and sometimes a lack of attack, I expected a soft and mushy sound, but there’s none of that here!
The Formula xHD DAC always sounds fast, articulate and agile. Nevertheless, I noticed a small change when bypassing its feet by placing it directly on the Artesania rack’s feet, adding a little drive and body to the bass while making the sound more “concrete”. The choice is up to personal preference, and there are plenty options for direct-coupling the DAC if so desired. The point is that you can, but don’t have to.
Listening
After having the Formula xHD installed and switched on for almost 2 weeks while I carried out other review work, my immediate impression upon first listening to the Formula xHD DAC using the Gustavson LS-One speakers is “WOW”, this is a seriously great DAC!
There’s magnificent resolution and focus, incredible treble air, a benchmark-setting decay of subtle reverbs, super-fluid and free-flowing, super-neutral midrange and articulate and fast, yet perfectly proportioned bass. There is no smear, no added creaminess and importantly, timbre is spot on natural and lifelike. What’s more to desire? Well, after only 2 listening sessions I’m already inclined to say: “nothing”! I could end the review right here, but that would not make for very interesting reading, so let’s dive in a little deeper to see how it behaves with different inputs and different speakers.
So far I’ve only been using SPDIF via the HiFace EVO for easy and simultaneous comparison with the M1 DAC while avoiding having to swap the USB cable. I’ve already encountered one occasion where a USB input got damaged following a swapping session and even if I still cannot imagine that I actually caused that because I always ground myself when swapping cables, ever since I am just extra careful.
SPDIF and USB
After Asynchronous USB was declared the best music transfer method not too long ago, there is now a growing camp advocating SPDIF and AES/EBU over USB. I still find that it is just very circumstantial between these formats and different tastes and particular system matching will dictate preference. Personally, I still feel that USB is the most accurate, and often (not always!) also best sounding.
Given that the USB board is where most of the changes have been implemented between Formula and Formula xHD, it is not surprising to find that the DAC sounds most articulate, sonorous and powerful when driven directly by the Reference Flow server when connected directly via USB. Dynamics are more instant and powerful and timbre becomes even more neutral, with the last nth of smear now totally removed. The USB sound is a little drier and some may prefer the smoother and more rounded off sound using the SPDIF input and may even find it more “musical”, but there is no doubt in my mind that the USB sound is technically most accurate. As I currently like my music tight and articulate I retained the USB input for the rest of the listening.
Hi Christiaan, I’m about to change my Bryston BDA-2 with a new dac.
My dilemma is right between Bricasti M1 SE and Aqua Formula xHD.
Who better than You can give me the right advice, having heard them in comparison?
I know they are both excellent dac, but I would like to know, having to keep only one, which is your choice.
If you prefer answer to me in private, I left my e-mail.
Many thanks
Roby
Hi Roby, these two DACs could not be more different, meaning that this is very much a personal matter. What I would choose personally ties in with my preferences and the rest of my system and can change depending for example on which preamp and speakers I use.
Basically: if you want to relax in a luxurious smoothness and a more forgiving sound: go with the Bricasti. If you want superb articulation and the highest resolution and transparency as well as tonal accuracy: go for the Aqua. Technically, and importantly for me as a reviewer, the Aqua is more revealing and so it is better at outlining differences upstream and so is better for assessing Music Servers. It is not only a good reviewer’s tool though, I also find that I prefer it for its more honest sound most of the time, even if it can lay bare deficiencies in the source material. In addition to its more revealing character, it is also more “alive” which lately I find one of the most important aspects of sound. But again: this is very personal. My reasons and taste need not match yours.
Tank You Christiaan,
My system:
Bryston BDP-2 / BCD-1
Convergent SL1 Ultimate MKII
Bryston BDP-26
Bryston 7B sst2 mono
Convergent JL2
PMC BB5i Passive (A loudspeakers)
Rogers LS 5/9 – LS 3/5a (B, C loudspeakers)
Which one do you see best in this system?
Thank You again
Sorry, Roberto, this is impossible for me to specify. Even with a list of your equipment, I cannot tell you what you will like. Room integration and taste still come into play and more importantly you have not indicated what it is about your current system, or the BDA-2 in particular, that you like or dislike, or which direction you want to take it. This leaves me with no clues to go on.
Please understand that especially in this price range there is no such thing as a product that is “absolutely better” than any other, on all aspects, in all occasions and to all people. Both the Bricasti and the Aqua are great but cater to different tastes. I think I have explained very clearly how these two DACs sound. It is now up to you to judge which of the two you would like to add to your system.
Ok Christiaan,
I thank You again for the advice, and to answer I can tell you that I am satisfied with the sound of my system, and that the room has no problems, mine is just an attempt to grow the overall quality, replacing my already well played dac with a model of absolute level. My confusion arises from reading about the choice between the Delta-Sigma and R-2R conversions, and the fear that Delta-Sigma is an outdated technology in which it is not worth investing for a high-priced DAC.
” Listening ” audio devices through articles is complicated 🙂
Sorry my poor English.
Hi Roberto, No worries about your English, I understand you just fine:-)
Yes, indeed the decision between Delta/Sigma and Multibit is an important one. However, very many high-end brands are using these chips now. Multi-bit has become really rare. That said, I still find that Multibit has more energy to it, resulting in a more direct and lively sound. The Aqua is more like the Wadia 521 in that regard (the last “real”, multibit Wadia), but more like the Bricasti in terms of refinement and resolution, and therefore, if you want to retain your overall balance, probably the better successor to your Bryston than the Bricasti would be. I think this may be the answer you were looking for?
Many Thanks Christiaan, I will think a little more and then I will make the choice. I’m sure I will not be disappointed by the dac that I will buy ….because I will not listen to the other one … 🙂
Haha, quite right:-)
Hi Christiane, thinking about DACs I rarely found reviews on Bryston BCD3 and Hegel Mohican: both dedicated DACs designed only and for CD 16/44.1KH. Vantages,Disavantages ….May be you can bring in a little “light” about.Thanks.Andrés-Spain,
I’ve not heard the Mohican so I cannot comment on how it would compare to the BCD-3. I do know the BCD-3 and I like it a lot. What hifi’s comment “Bass lacks a bit of bite and scale” does not make sense to me at all. This player has bass that is solid, fast and dynamic, almost Wadia-like… Please, do place comments under a related article, in this case for example the BCD-3 review would have made a lot more sense than the Aqua DAC.
I don´t focus on comparing BCD3/Mohican ,but on comparing a few DACs designed specifically for CD format and the rest which follow the current mainstream.
Thanks, Andrés
I am wondering if you have in mind to review the La Scala MK II Optologic version. From your reviews of the Ayon hybrids I would think that the sound of its tube/MOSFET design might be up your alley even more than it’s non-tube Formula XD version.
Also, I think it’s unfortunate that Aqua doesn’t include a preamp section with their dacs. I note that with the Ayon Stealth you found the combo better than the dac alone with a separate preamp, and from a practical point of view it cuts out those of us who want to drive an amplifier (or active speakers) directly – and need a remote to do it! Given that a separate preamp will alter the dac’s sound, I wonder if their decision is really driven by sound purity or cost issues.
I will be reviewing La Voce soon but for the La Scala, I have no plans just yet. I’ll see if I can fit that one in as well. Indeed I also find it would have been so much more convenient if the Aqua DACs had volume control, even if only passive, although that method has its own disadvantages. I can only speculate as to why they don’t include preamp sections but I assume that it is not about cost and rather because they just want to focus on digital and indeed the purity of the signal.
Thanks for the reply. It would seem worth asking Aqua about the preamp/remote issue, since without one they have no control over what’s used to complement dacs – tubes or straight digital. And they do put out a hybrid dac, so pure digital wouldn’t seem to be the reason. I thought it might have to do with the commonly deleterious effects of a volume control, but that’s just passing the buck.
Hi Gene, I asked Cristian Anelli of Aqua why they do not include volume controls. He replied: “We do not love the digital decoding (of digital volume control) and we believe in the match of top-class level preamplifiers with pure analog volume control.”
Hi Gene, as it turns out, I can review the La Scala DAC next month.
Great. Look forward to it.
Thanks, Christiaan. Not surprised. Some users of the Directstream dac have also noticed this too, which has been solved around by dimming the LED screen to black, either by setting or remote.
I noticed in one of the dac reviews that you went back to the Ayon Stealth for comparison, as if you’ve been keeping it around for its satisfying sound. What I’ve been curious about are the sound differences you hear between it as dac/preamp and the CH Precision dac/controller and the Aqua ones (the latter’s ladder dac you compared in the Stealth review, but it didn’t read like the comparison was to the Ayon dac/preamp combo, just the dac). I ask because the CH and upper Aqua are out of my price range (esp. in the States), but hearing your descriptions gives an idea of what one might expect. Thanks,
Hi Gene, indeed, I keep the Stealth around because I really like it. I currently use it as an analog preamp when playing records in the main system. The Ayon’s outputs in that case are patched directly to the CH A1.5 amp. It also comes in handy whenever I need an analog preamp for review purposes, for instance when comparing DACs that do not have volume controls. While the Stealth sounds bold and powerful and it possesses that midrange magic that really only tubes seem to be capable of, it is not the most transparent sounding preamp. That’s why I don’t want to use it permanently in the main system, not for digital use, anyway. Maybe I haven’t found the perfect preamp yet but, so far, I find the C1 DAC to sound best directly to the A1.5 power amp, so without a preamp inbetween. I have not compared the Stealth as a DAC+Pre to the CH C1 directly because, so far, the latter has always come out winning and I don’t feel that there would be much value in doing so anyway since the two products are in such different price classes. Nevertheless, it might be an interesting experiment! When I have some time I will do so and add this to the Stealth review.
Thanks.. I asked because In my set up, with a modified Oppo 203 as source, I’ve skipped the preamp and feed active ATC SCM19A floorstanders and JL Audio e-110 subs directly from a dac, currently the DirectSteam. It’s very nice sounding, but it does teeter on the edge of sounding digital, depending on the recording.
I can see your point but if you like the sound of the DS you might need to re-adjust to the sound of the Ayon Stealth as it has a very different character. Maybe adding a preamp could be a simpler solution? (I almost wrote Soulution… slip of the keyboard). Please don’t hold your breath for my test to appear as I have several other reviews in the pipeline that need to be completed first.
No hurry. My goal has been to keep things as simple as possible, hence the appeal of a dac with (remote) volume control or a dac/preamp combo, but alas I’m running up against what developers have in mind (the Oppo 203’s mod eliminated the analog section, even if its volume control provided satisfactory SQ). Hence why my thoughts about a Stealth or Stratos instead of the added cost and hassle of a finding a “right” preamp and cables. But I am open to suggestions in the latter’s spirit that would mesh well with the Directstream.
Thanks for the La Scala review, which sounds intriguing, although it would still require a good preamp. Thanks,
Hi Gene, I compared the Stealth to the C1, both as DAC/preamp. All the details are added to the Ayon review.
Hi Christiaan
Do you have any experiences with Lampizator DACs?
I would like to try an R2R DAC like the xHD and own a Golden Gate mit 4 x 300b now.
No idea if the R2R technic from the Aqua is the bringer or the tube output stage from the Lampi??
I like the sound from the GG, perhaps I should search for a used GG with R2R??
Best regards, Reinhard
Hi Reinhard, I’ve no experience with Lampizator yet but based on the tube versus transistor DAC comparisons that I did, I would think that the Formula xHD will sound quite different from the DAC you’re using now. I have compared the xHD to the La Scala mkII and the latter’s tube output definitely provides a different dimension. As it is the most transparent and highest-res DAC that I have heard yet, the Formula xHD will likely surprise you in certain aspects but whether you will like the different presentation I’m afraid only a direct comparison could unveil for you.
Reinhard — The new design – I’m forgetting its designation – can be built as R2R or with tube rectification as an option. That applies to the Atlantic TRP, which I have, and I believe to the GG as well. I know that one of Lampi’s No. American reps prefers the R2R sound, and I wish that I had been able to compare the two. Lampi itself and Lampi owners – see What’s Best forums – would presumably be the best sources of info about this.