Leema Elements V Cyrus Dac XP+

[gregvet]

Has anyone compared the Cyrus Dac XP+ directly to the Leema elements Dac? Preferably with cyrus power amplification.

The leema looks interesting but I havent seen anywhere local stocking it, will travel if the two are comparable but wont bother if the Cyrus is clearly in a different league. I have heard (and rate) the Cyrus BTW.

I think you stock them both David dont you? What do you think of them both?

The other interesting one is the new NAD Dac but no one seems to have heard that one yet.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I haven't heard the Cyrus but I am very happy with my Leema Elements DAC.

Review on another forum which I agree with: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19778

Definitely worth auditioning.

 

[Frank Harvey]

We do have both on demo, but I have to say I have never stood them up against each other. Another one you might want to consider that is due out any time now (heard it a couple of weeks ago) is the new Musical Fidelity. It'll be a little more than the Cyrus, but is pretty much as well equipped a DAC as you can currently get.

 

[gregvet]

Sounds interesting, will keep an eye out for th MF one.

The others that I would love to hear are the bel canto 1.5 and 2.5.

 

[gregvet]

Another one you might want to consider that is due out any time now (heard it a couple of weeks ago) is the new Musical Fidelity. It'll be a little more than the Cyrus, but is pretty much as well equipped a DAC as you can currently get.

The only info I can see on the MF is about the M6 Dac, is this the one you mean? Im not sure that one will do me as I need the preamp functionality if I'm to use it with the X power, and I dont know if the MF has variable output. Maybe you know more?

 

[SteveR750]

Leema is on my short list as well.

Anyone heard the Calyx 24/192?

 

[Frank Harvey]

The only info I can see on the MF is about the M6 Dac, is this the one you mean? Im not sure that one will do me as I need the preamp functionality if I'm to use it with the X power, and I dont know if the MF has variable output. Maybe you know more?

That's the one. I don't recall him mentioning a variable output, but hopefully we'll have some specs through soon.

 

[gregvet]

The only info I can see on the MF is about the M6 Dac, is this the one you mean? Im not sure that one will do me as I need the preamp functionality if I'm to use it with the X power, and I dont know if the MF has variable output. Maybe you know more?

That's the one. I don't recall him mentioning a variable output, but hopefully we'll have some specs through soon.

I dont think it does, so it may not be the one for me. Shame!

Any other suggestions?

 

[BigColz]

Hello mate,

I've also been looking at new/deifferent pre amps for cyrus and yes the Bel Canto seems like to be a popular choice and apparently is slighty less forward and anylitical so prob ideal for me.. I'm going to audition a Musical fidelity m6i (integrated) Saturday and may demo a Bel Canto pre and possibly the MF M6 Pre in a couple months once i have my (small) listening room :dance: :rockout: :cheers:

I don't need a DAC so i was looking at just pre-amps.. Rick mentioned the Antelope gold DAC/pre.. They specialise in master clocks and DACs in pro audio and looks a very serious bit of kit! Also with 64 bit 384khz compatibility it's future proof.. If Musical Fidelity bring out a DAC/pre i'd def audition that.. There m6 Pre is Class A so the Pre/DAC maybe too.. I think if your looking at DAC XP Prices you can get a serious bit of kit for around 2-3k that suits your setup.. Keep us posted on your quest

 

[gregvet]

I don't need a DAC so i was looking at just pre-amps.. Rick mentioned the Antelope gold DAC/pre.. They specialise in master clocks and DACs in pro audio and looks a very serious bit of kit! Also with 64 bit 384khz compatibility it's future proof.. If Musical Fidelity bring out a DAC/pre i'd def audition that.. There m6 Pre is Class A so the Pre/DAC maybe too.. I think if your looking at DAC XP Prices you can get a serious bit of kit for around 2-3k that suits your setup.. Keep us posted on your quest

yes I looked at the antelope dacs. The only one with inbuilt pre functionality is rather more money than I can justify at the moment (and in my opinion looks awful although that's not the no one priority obviously ) It also has a rep for being a studio type dac, very detailed but not as musical which isn't what I'm really looking for.

I am looking at stuff which I can get ex demo or second hand for less than £1500 ideally. I think the dac xp+ is winning at the moment!

I will let you know when I make a decision.

 

[SteveR750]

Greg, there is an ex demo Leema elements on ebay at the moment, and a Calyx 24/192 whihc has rave reviews on the web for £1200 ish.

 

[gregvet]

Greg, there is an ex demo Leema elements on ebay at the moment, and a Calyx 24/192 whihc has rave reviews on the web for £1200 ish.

Indeed I have been watching the leema on the bay. I went into my local leema stockist to arrange a demo yesterday, and they have stopped stocking leema. They said the products weren't as good as the competition and they werent selling any!!!

Im reluctant to buy blind so I am likely to get the Cyrus as I have heard it and know I love it. Shame tho!

 

[VoodooDoctor]

What was the competition they were comparing it to?

 

[gregvet]

Roksan, musical fidelity (only just starting to stock that now tho), Cyrus at the time but they have just dropped that account too, not sure what else. I was a bit disappointed and lost interest to be honest!

 

[SteveR750]

Roksan,

Which one? The only Roksan DACs are in the CDPs AFAIK..?

 

[gregvet]

No I was listing the makes they are focusing on, not direct product equivalents. Im not aware of any dac/pre equivalents that they stock at all |(

 

[satycool]

Greg, there is an ex demo Leema elements on ebay at the moment, and a Calyx 24/192 whihc has rave reviews on the web for £1200 ish.

Indeed I have been watching the leema on the bay. I went into my local leema stockist to arrange a demo yesterday, and they have stopped stocking leema. They said the products weren't as good as the competition and they werent selling any!!!

Im reluctant to buy blind so I am likely to get the Cyrus as I have heard it and know I love it. Shame tho!

You can get DAC XP+ for a nice reduction here - ex-demo. I bought one and am very pleased from what I've heard even though I'm still waiting for proper amp/speaker cables to arrive to bring the best out of the system.

http://nottinghamhificentre.co.uk/wp/?page_id=574

 

[DandyCobalt]

From personal experience, if you're getting an ex-demo DAC XP+, make sure that the dealer confirms that it has the latest firmware - the version that includes the AV Direct function on the analogue inputs.

Easy to check (or ask your dealer to do this), go in the setup mode (button on front) and scroll through the labels that it offers for Input 7 or Input 8 (the analogue ones). If AV Direct and Stream X are given as options, then it is ok.

If not, then it will need an upgrade that costs money and a return to the factory.

I've been blighted with bad luck getting hold of a working DAC XP+ (old firmware, power faults on repros and couriers dropping boxes) and still waiting for a replacement working DAC XP+ direct from Cyrus. Fingers crossed should arrive tomorrow for the weekend

 

[gregvet]

You can get DAC XP+ for a nice reduction here - ex-demo. I bought one and am very pleased from what I've heard even though I'm still waiting for proper amp/speaker cables to arrive to bring the best out of the system.

http://nottinghamhificentre.co.uk/wp/?page_id=574

thanks for the link satycool. I have already got a dac xp+ lined up ex demo for £1500, I just need to commit. Not sure if my other half will swallow it at the moment tho as he's just spotted the new addition (an x power) :O

 

[gregvet]

From personal experience, if you're getting an ex-demo DAC XP+, make sure that the dealer confirms that it has the latest firmware - the version that includes the AV Direct function on the analogue inputs.

Easy to check (or ask your dealer to do this), go in the setup mode (button on front) and scroll through the labels that it offers for Input 7 or Input 8 (the analogue ones). If AV Direct and Stream X are given as options, then it is ok.

If not, then it will need an upgrade that costs money and a return to the factory.

thanks for the heads up dandycobalt

what difference does the upgraded firmware make apart from HT pass through?

 

[DandyCobalt]

Hi Gregvet, not sure what any other differences there are between updates, but your dealer should be able to confirm it has latest firmware. (But do ask them to check - an easy job).

If it's ex-demo, it may have been sitting around for a while and not hooked up to an a/v receiver (the firmware update with AV Direct was April 2011 by the way).