Not an easy thing, but we accepted the challenge!
Right in the first round we noticed that it is not easy to find differences.
No device played remarkably badly. That’s already a thumbs up for all devices!
We had to examine in the fine difference. So just the ‘quiet’ parts of the tracks were interesting to feel what the feeling made when listening there. Does the sound threaten to become shrill if it were to rise further or does something tend to sound dull? It’s just subtle nuances. Still, all participants found one device to be ‘unusual’: The PecanPi+. The device stood out a bit from the others in some areas. Sometimes more sexy, sometimes a bit velveter, the bass more sovereign, yet not stronger, sometimes the sound was a bit confusing or sounded wrong. We asked ourselves during the break: Do you dare to put this ‘unusual’ sound at home or rather take one of the many same - not to do anything wrong? Is this the ‘Velvet’ sound?
The DacberryNTB, the Hifiberry Dac+ and the Nanosound one were also voted into the final round, all of which also played very well.
In the ‘Best of’ round we noticed that here the differences are smaller. These devices are in the upper league! In the end we had two Lager. One Lager found the PecanPi the best, followed by the PecanPi+. Second place for the PecanPi+ because, again, they didn’t dare interpret what they heard as ‘correct’ throughout. In other words, the PecanPi+ would have been the best on points, since it was really cool in some places, such as the bass precision with a warm undertone (Velvet?), but in some places it was just insignificant. The PecanPi was reliably very good in the individual disciplines.
The other Lager found the DacberryNTB and the EVO Sabre best. These participants virtually preferred to hear each instrument of the orchestra equally. I think this taste can be described as neutrality, balance and contenance.
The Nanosound one and the HifiberryDac+ were also praised for their accuracy and balance.
We always have to realize that tastes are different.
I really enjoyed the ‘come together’ again.
I find it totally enriching and interesting what the participants say about their music experience.
