Company CEntrance is pretty predictable, in the best sense of the word, of course. It’s always clear what to expect, and again and again, releasing new products, they justify these expectations. Today was the turn of their new DAC and Bluetooth support was simply called them BlueDAC.
The evolution of the new line of the company can be traced quite clearly. Starting with the case of the DAC HiFi Skyn for iPhone and a small compact DAC Port HD, the company has managed to find the “right approach” to AK4490. Making high-quality “rail” and a good amplifier, they offered an amazingly powerful device with a proprietary neutral sound. Since many customers wanted to use the new DACPort with mobile phones, was released version with a battery (and a slightly modified sound) called DACPortable. Next, the obvious step is to add a wireless interface, which made the Bluetooth with aptX, and balanced 2.5 mm output, so, in fact, turned out BlueDAC. Traditionally, the model first appeared on IndieGoGo, after crowdfunding the price of new items is $ 400.
Specifications
- DAC: AK4490
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 40 kHz (-0.2 dB)
- The ratio signal/noise: 110 dB
- Total harmonic distortion+noise: 0.001% of
- Output power (total): 750 mW @ 32Ω
- Output impedance: 1Ω
- Output voltage: 4.1 Vrms
- Maximum resolution: up to 384 kHz/32 bit, DSD up to DSD128
- Dimensions: 110 mm × 57 mm × 18 mm
- Weight: ~125 g
Packing and delivery
As usual, CEntrane professes in packing the common principle of minimalism. BlueDAC sold in a compact box made of black cardboard, pleasing to the fingertips Softtouch effect. Inside, in an antistatic bag itself is BlueDAC, in addition to it, you get a MicroUSB cable and a manual.
Of course, not a lot, but austerity in the accessories — a characteristic feature of CEntrance.
Design and management
Around appearance BluDAC already broken a lot of copies, and still a lot of heated debate ahead, so I will Express my personal, subjective opinion. BluDAC housing made from quality plastic with a nice rough texture similar plastic used in some models of “DSLRs”. Because of this, the device came out strong, but quite easy. Of course, it would be foolish to expect the metal body of the device, working with Blutooth, but I’m glad that the developers did not invent any bikes with a metal body, with plastic inserts for the antenna, it would look clumsy, on the reception could have an effect. Besides, I like this plastic a purely tactile. Of the drawbacks of such a solution can note only a small gap in places of fastening panels BueDAC, through which Shine the LEDs. Well, perhaps, we can say that this DAC is not photogenic, in the pictures it looks worse than in real life, it is worth considering for fans of divination in the photo.
Interface and controls this processor is simple and straightforward. The front panel has both socket outlets, switch gain (nearly always remaining in the low position) and volume control. As in the other devices, it uses the hybrid — you rotate the analog potentiometer, its resistance is translated into a digital format, and these data are used to adjust the volume digital, it provides the perfect balance of channels and no noise when adjusting.
The rear panel has the main controls (two buttons), led indicators, and a MicroUSB connector for charging and connecting to source. The right button is used to turn on and off, and above it are two led’s that indicate the status of Bluetooth (their values are in detail explained in the instructions), the left button switches between the wireless and USB interfaces, indicators on it to show the status of the USB connection. He BlueDAC implemented fairly clever, and always “de-energizes” is not used at the moment, the interface to conserve. Above the MicroUSB connector has two LEDs that display the battery status and charging.
Of course, the main connection scenario BlueDAC — wireless, in this mode he is able to please the listener more than 15 hours, but connoisseurs suffering from aptX compression, can use a wired connection (although, to my ears, it doesn’t make much sense, but more on that below). It should, however, note that with a smartphone BlueDAC to start charging, by planting a battery of the device. To avoid this, you can fully charge the BlueDAC before connecting to smart, then he starts charging. However, I prefer just to use Bluetooth.
BlueDAC has a good implementation of a wireless module, so I did not encounter communication problems, the connection with the iPhone 6 Plus is held at a distance of 10 meters from one medium thickness wall in the way without stuttering and disruption, but I think a lot depends on the source.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT03, 99 Meze Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Andromeda, 64 Audio U12, HUM Pristine and others.
BlueDAC like no other device that helps you to understand the fact that the lossless formats and different high-resolution in most cases, greatly overestimated. It is well known that aptX is a codec that uses a lossy compression, so the venerable audiophiles treat him with ill-concealed contempt. But in reality, there are two considerations. First, a lot of records initially, not many will lose because of the compression, lossy algorithms are now very good. Second, high-quality amplifier (and DAC) still play tract role, far greater than the quality of the original signal. I conducted several blind tests with BlueDAC, testing wireless and wired connection, on well recorded material, the difference is audible, but I wouldn’t call it significant, that’s what I’m willing to sacrifice for the rejection of wires (apparently I’m not good for audiophiles). On bad recordings, which is almost more good to tell the difference very hard.
To overestimate the degree of freedom, which adds Blutooth, difficult. The target audience here is wide, starting from Amateurs streaming (Tidal with the phone is quite good) to the owners of MacBook 12″ with its only port.
Of course “in the name of higher justice,” the sound BlueDAC I describe, given a wired connection, but with Bluetooth, everything is pretty similar.
Bass, traditionally for the company assembled, a little dry and scathing. Beautiful detail, separation of instruments and accurate textures — included. What is missing in the flow BlueDAC is an attempt to add bass massiveness, paying them quantitatively, or to soften them, giving the sound warmth, so the fans standing massage your eardrums bass should pick up a little emphasis on bass headphones. Of course, to say that the bass here is “little”, stupid, when necessary — BlueDAC plays down powerfully and energetically, it’s just that he’s not trying to add something from myself.
MIDs are also “traditional”, fair and credible transfer only that inherent in the record, without trying to decorate or change. The hero of the review does not attempt to add emotion, not moving the singer forward to create a “spectacular” imaginary scene, you will hear strictly what is in the track, no more and no less. Naturally, this imposes certain requirements on the quality of the material, but it is typical for any cool source. Capocelli has an enviable level of detail, both on the micro-and macro-level. The imaginary scene is based expected — it is significantly more than the average in both directions, with absolute separation of the plans in depth and width.
HF also available without trying to mask them or somehow mitigate that is certainly going to upset RF fobov. Vernacularly range also contributes to the demands on records, but this is generally obvious. On a qualitative material, then RF close to the reference: the detailed, extended, with an excellent study attacks and attenuation, then there is all that differentiates a top sources: release, high overtones, and your ear other nice things.
Comparison to paint, I particularly don’t see the point, since “in General” BlueDAC better than almost all of the players of the middle segment, and only the tops can compete (and not power). If we talk only about the sound, the only reason not to choose BlueDAC may be the habit of a particular coloration of the feeder.
Compatibility
Given the excellent supply of power, BlueDAC not experiencing the slightest problem with almost any headphones without any problems even dealing with a fairly tight models (of course, there are exceptions that everyone knows), for example, HE-1000v2 problems for him are not (though they still should pick up the source even better). On the reverse side, with low gain BlueDAC almost no noise even with sensitive IEM.
Stylistically this Capocelli suitable for all genres, of course, if the owner is willing to listen to them in the unvarnished form. The quality of the material the sensitivity is high, somewhere in the 9 points on a 10-point scale.
Traditionally, a few tracks as examples
Nat King Cole — Orange Colored Sky. This track allowed me to make two conclusions. First, the soundtracks to the games are sometimes full of unexpected surprises (who learned the game in which appeared this track is very clever). Second, the old jazz orchestral recording — a great test of RF, where there have been all these pipes and vocals, — fold many sources. But, of course, not BlueDAC win back all on a beautiful level.
Led Zeppelin — Immigrant Song. Forgive me fans to find something new in my collections, skip this track and its potential demonstrate the quality bass I could not. Recent (relatively) remaster, the one with the inverted cover allows you to say that now there are bass recorded fine, and then only from a source depends on how clearly and separately you will hear the bass. Products from CEntrance at it, and, of course, BlueDAC confident level of the company — NCH texture, not painted and well controlled.
Soundgarden — Black Hole Sun. To be honest, before I met Soundgarden I’m not particularly fond of grunge as such, and by Soundgarden is only interested after the death of Chris Cornell (Eddie Vedder, not restrain her tears, — a sight out of the ordinary). But better late than never, and, perhaps, Black Hole Sun is a great demonstration of the quality of the MF in BlueDAC. A very emotional track by itself, with sources, tint mid, often breaks down in real tantrum, so the hero of this review with its neutral filing suits for this kind of records.
Insights
Don’t even know what to write in conclusion. CEntrance made a further device from CEntrance is a very technical, traditionally detailed, unembellished familiar sound with an impressive power reserve, all as expected from this company. Well, and the addition of besprovodnoy in the form of Bluetooth-improves usability with mobile devices (and not only them). So, maybe corny, but in front of us — one of the best decisions of the year.
Browse portable DAC CEntrance BlueDAC: …and without wires
Pavel Dmitriev