Part 2: DARTZEEL / BOULDER / ESOTERIC - What's Your Take With It?

[@davidrivera2165]

A bit of weight and fullness of tone is lacking on this particular presentation, This one is definitely coming across more of a digital sound. Lots of details and clarity, but a bit thin slightly harsh in the very highest frequencies. I attribute these shortcomings to the DAC in the Esoteric with these mostly vocal and guitar heavy tracks. I love the fact that you have the Cojones to include Tears for Fears. 80's pop recordings is the antithesis to Audiophile recordings. Thanks Jay.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Agree 💯

[@brodricj3023]

Shortcomings in the Esoteric DAC, seriously??? I own an Esoteric master sound discrete DAC. It's incredible. It was no weakness at all. Caveat. I own D1X which is a higher pedigree model. Never-the-less I expect N01-XD to come close. Certainly my N-01 did.

[@KT88gs]

I was thinking the same thing,it lacks emotion and it sounds like metal to me,it is also very thin sounding,and i dont hear the pre-amp cause the Boulders are so dominant,it sounds like hi-fi rather than music,hope for better times...

[@lcfpimentel]

Totally agree with @davidrivera. Listen it with a Chord Mojo and an AKG Q701 and although very open and clear I missed a little of body and punch. Maybe playing with interconnects and power cords could solve that. Congratulations for the hard work.

[@mdjak3686]

One of the most consistent and hard workers on KZbin with an ever changing over the top critically awesome system.

[@karlheinzdon5648]

The system with the Esoteric and Dartzeel is great also, but I prefer the former, with MSB, without being able to tell if it is the streamer or the pre-amp. There is (hard to describe) "a little more flesh to the bone" in the mids and bass. Keep going Jay :-)

[@DS-pb1hh]

Fantastic! Thanks a lot! I think your system is very revealing, but now, more than ever, more natural. I like it very much

[@craighartnoll8205]

I think this set up excels in the upper mid range. For me this would be my ultimate set up.❤

[@牧園-m4x]

The sound is very clean and smooth. Probably too lean. I prefer a little more bloom and rich sound.

[@anrikamalov5588]

Perfect work! I have never heard such a sound, it's really awesome! Thank you very much dear Jay!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Many thanks!!

[@marct9587]

Beautiful sound, and thanks for making me aware of Chantal Chamberland's wonderful music.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for listening

[@molecularaudiocanada]

Sounds fantastic Jay. One surprising observation off the top worth mentioning is the consistent tonality in the vocal range. Specifically from one song to the next. The upper bass region sounds less congested aswell. To me there's a sonic charm that I really appreciate.

[@rfeldman1]

I’ve got like a ten thousand dollar sound system and a Pioneer Elite tv the one with the speakers on the sides sitting on a 15”sub. When I listen to your sound demos on my tv it sounds better than my main system. Thanks Jay!

[@capezyo]

Amazing sound...

[@joegallenberger6032]

Really enjoying your playing with the Dartzeel, as to me Dart equipment had somethings special and is part of my win the lotto system

[@dominicpuliti1539]

Again say it a million times it doesn't ever change, synergy synergy, synergy when you have it right its a tour de-force it trumps systems costing much more that do not have it. But the secret is getting it right. Brother you nailed it. I've heard that song at lease 200 times and not once like I just heard it on your system- "everybody wants to rule the world" Bravo!!!

[@mickyd3]

This setup sounds great.

[@elliotg.5383]

No1XD is a great item and a super value as well as beautifully made and packed

[@Bill.K]

Just keep in mind Jay's not using the streaming portion of the Esoteric, he has the Taiko server feeding the Esoteric as a DAC. That makes a big difference!

[@tseumd58]

Just awesome

[@j.m.harris4202]

Jay, I was under the impression you were using the Esoteric strictly as a Streamer and not using it's enternal Dac! I must have missed something! I absolutely love your Tenacity in your Pursuit of Better Sound! 💪

[@brodricj3023]

Huh? how can you not use the internal DAC of the Esoteric? You have no choice, it doesn't have a digital output for use with external DAC.

[@j.m.harris4202]

@@brodricj3023 Thanks for the edification! Just a comment I thought I heard!

[@stephanem.2268]

Hi Jay! Aries Cerat Kassandra! We are spoiled by all your trials 😀 I would love to hear about your conclusions. It should bring additional texture and musicality to your fantastic Boulder + Wilson Audio combo. Ask Stavros if you need to change the phase of your speakers using the Kassandra

[@SimonA-ip8hr]

very open highs and staggered low end … this is high end no doubt Jay

[@jaysaudiolab]

thank u

[@SimonA-ip8hr]

Im already curious about the aries cerat … Greetings from Munich

[@tjk72]

Feeling dame good listening to that system... that combination of components.. works well together I would never want to leave that room I' would like to sleep and (worki computer) there .. on with fun🎉🎉 sounds amazing I would never want to leave the room on with the fun

[@chitwaiwong]

Yassss finally! Aeris Cerat ❤

[@Yeybeth]

I never ever hear 👂 the song “everybody wants to rule the world “ with so many details amazing!! I will got that song and I will compared with your system 👍 amazing sound Jay’s

[@capezyo]

Shopping Mall...top...

[@marcbegine]

The Esoteric Streamer is really stunning (even with all KZbin restrictions)😎

[@jaysaudiolab]

cool

[@jaysaudiolab]

it is!

[@Bill.K]

Jay refers to the Esoteric streamer, but keep in mind he's not using it as a streamer. He has the Taiko server feeding the Esoteric as a DAC. That makes a big difference!

[@brodricj3023]

The N01-XD NET function is a Lumin U1. Esoteric take the Lumin hardware and add their own power supply, master sound discrete DAC and chassis to produce the magic. Can't wait until they put a Lumin U2 in their next network streamer/transport.

[@Bill.K]

@@brodricj3023 My point was that Jay isn't even using the network streamer portion of the Esoteric. He has the $$$ Taiko streamer feeding the Esoteric connected as a DAC.

[@ivanfilatov7913]

I like it, very spacious, open and airy. insanely detailed and vivid. It's my type of sound signature. But maybe a bit of more midrange needed... if anything and deeper bass.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Awesome

[@johntan4835]

Good song selection high lights your sound system

[@bollingbryant]

Great speakers reveal great things. Dartzeel is top draw!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Ok

[@johnsimmons5056]

Something sound very digital and processed. I do not like the synergy of the components in this system....something is off.

[@BruceCrosley]

Like a commenter below, I do not know if the Esoteric DAC/Streamer or the Dartzeel is missing the "floating" harmonics. Out of curiosity, have you tried a VAC Statement Amp with the Boulders, I think the best of both worlds. I am a newcomer to your channel, I very much enjoy it.I have a MSB/VAC/Boulder combination (lower end than your setup) that I like very much for a balanced system.

[@BruceCrosley]

I should have stated a VAC Statement Pre-Amp.

[@dylancoleman5769]

Great! On the first song the bass control and growl is really noticeable. Unfortunately the KZbin compression was also, it kicks in at 5:15 and releases at 5:30. Not sure if your recording was a little hot or what... The second song again control and excitement all thru the mids up to the top end. Not bright just excited. Lively! Looking forward to the next round.

[@jaysaudiolab]

K

[@rsundar1973]

I think this is just the way the recording was done. Suited for FM radio. Even a million dollar budget can cure this.

[@jamosthemagician]

it's hard to distinguish details through the channel with it's obvious handicaps. In the future, I'd love for you to play "I feel love" by Donna Summer. It's an incredibly underrated song that deserves some love. Play it and lmk.

[@daveuk1324]

Although it's hard to compare with different tracks, I prefer the former video with the MSB. Sounds less digital to me.

[@khunopie9159]

Should upload in 1080p. Sound will be much better

[@jackmead742]

I have read that there is a level you can reach where resolving systems are kind to less than stellar recordings. Irs unfortunate that most of us are stuck in the middle. Tears for fears sounded amazing. Thats the music I really love. It sounded great on my earlier systems but as I have ascended the high end ladder recordings like this have become increasingly intolerable. And im using a hybrid configuration based on a triode tube preamp and dual mono powerhouse amps. It shouldn't be this way. I suspect it won't much longer be. I hope so.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Here is the video of my system that i consider the best ever - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5ytoJqAnJ6Yrac

[@brodricj3023]

This setup is too hybrid for my liking. The individual components are praise worthy in their own rite but the system is missing out on same brand synergy. I've got a hunch an all Esoteric system paired with the Wilson speakers would be even better. And cheaper.

[@paulhallford1904]

What a difference a few days makes depth is back actually its now better still think you need to try the turntable as you said yourself change to many components at once and you don't know what is doing what, if I was you I would either put the msb back in or as I suggested play the turntable, from what I'm hearing sell the boulder hell sell the boulder mono's and get the dartzeel mono's sorry Jay but if that pre amp is doing that with a 20 grand streamer its smooked your beloved boulder 😁 please stay safe everyone and Jay no more videos this weekend please go enjoy your daughter's 7th birthday ( happy birthday when it arrives) they grow up so fast and moment's like these are precious your hifi will still be there come Monday as will we 😁

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks Paul

[@mounirehab]

Please write the music tracks you use in the description ...

[@incima00]

Do you sleep? you have a job, hit the gym, father and husband, running your audio lab - how do you find time in the day?

[@xzing7]

He has a Twin 😂😂😂😂😂. Definitely the hardest working KZbinr.... we should count ourselves lucky to have him.

[@jaysullivan9545]

Clear, open, intelligible, dont have to struggle to decipher. A bit of digital splash in the lower to mid highs imo. Overall very good.

[@jaakanshorter]

Which mix of Everybody wants to rule the world is that? I want to compare the album if I have it but it doesn't sound like the digitally remastered CD nor the box set I have.

[@patrickmcgee283]

You should try a blue node streamer

[@jaysaudiolab]

What lol....

[@patrickmcgee283]

@@jaysaudiolab😂

[@eurekaakerue4649]

*❌✅ Pretzels 🥨 sound different , not necessarily better ☝️🧐‼️ they add a thin echo to their harmonics but if you like it colored to each their own , like cables ,DACs, speakers themselves ✅ I just use a DSP if I’m tuning my system for my ears 👂 a True Audiophile tunes for ((their ears 👈😎‼️ HiFi enthusiasts tune for the masses , so then is why True Audiophiles Seldom like HiFi rags , it’s because it doesn’t please their ear ✅* _Every ear 👂 is like a fingerprint different, and so goes an Audiophile’s Taste_ THANKS for the content _JAY_ 😎👍🔥

[@eurekaakerue4649]

@user-lq4us5kx1i 👋🧐 Talk about What❓ Audio/Video _ or Conspiracies❓

[@lbrizzle18]

Seems to have some synergy. 👍

[@divertiti]

You've already bought the AC DAC, shipped to your house and opened it up. What did you mean by you're talking to people on whether it is the DAC you should be talking about?

[@sidvicious3129]

Jay hold up that small red bible that is Dartzeel behind you and preach man……preach!!!

[@signalfixer]

Dacs are OK I just don't have a real need in my system now. I have 20,000 vinyl LPs no need for the extra $$ expense.

[@adzajcom]

It's interesting how your camera mics you are using for for your shorts captures lower bass much better than your main mic gear... Which one sounds truer to what you experience in your room??? I'm specifically comparing "Mama this one's for you", which sounds so much "thicker" on your short kzbin.infoimPB1i7M1g4 It's hard to have a take on with so much different captures of the same equipment...

[@richardseibold7795]

Any electronics you choose sound great to me: solid state and tubes. But I dislike Wilson speakers -- they are boring. PS Audio FR 30 speakers sound interesting. I like analog and digital sources; the more variety the better. Demo a tape deck some day. A LOT of reviewers were turned off by the Munich High End show because the products cost too much. They are worried about the coming world depression. But it's good to hear the state of art anyway. while we still can. I like your optimism.

[@glazzarus]

Vinyl sound better for all these you play. So strimmer, DAC , ... does not matter, unless you play 24bit/192kHz or higher resolution files that are not made from CD rips.

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

The Tears for Fears sounds a bit thin, lacking in body compared to what it should have.

[@KT88gs]

Did you remove my comment?+others?

[@johnvalatos4073]

Missing top end air and long decay on notes. Here is a good benchmark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHamZqd9nqyLj7c

[@daveuk1324]

Thanks for sharing - very interesting, although I still prefer Jay's sound for my ears.

[@johnvalatos4073]

@@daveuk1324 You are welcome and fair enough. Jay is throwing together different components and asking for feedback, all good, but it is hard to beat a well tuned system like Tommy’s when you do that. Thats what you expect and you can hear the difference.

[@brentcollins9727]

The other one sounded like it was from another world. This is too raspy. Too crisp

[@hb490]

I miss the good music. The music you play on this expensive installation is much too simple. A good piece of music to test this installation is: Robin Hood - Princes of Thieves track 8 - The Abduction and the Final Battle at the Gallows.

[@jaysaudiolab]

We don't do classical music in the lab...

[@jharloe]

Obviously, the battery eliminates the noise from the power supply - amazing . You ought to bookmark this and stop switching gear

[@joelmanalang6763]

for me, too bright

[@romazx9320]

Sorry but the Dartzeel just isn't a good match with the Boulder monos. It sounds frickin' overripe. Please bring back the 3010. Please. Please.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Ok stay tuned