The Weiss DAC 204. See why I call it The Magic Box.

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Today I share my thoughts and review of the Weiss DAC 204. This is the latest DAC from Weiss and I was blown away by what this $2800 DAC sounds like. For me it sounds just like the $9k 501 without the preamp, head amp, DSP or display.
I haven't heard a DAC like this one for less than $9,000.
In my system, the heart of it all is with the front end components. In a digital system it is your streamer and DAC and these two pieces can really make or break the sound when you stream or serve digital music.
I stream from Tidal, Spotify and Qobuz and the Weiss DAC 204 combined with the Lumin U2 streamer REALLY and TRULY sounds as good as it gets (for me). I have heard DACs ranging from $400 to $20,000 and Weiss has truly hit a sweet spot with the 204.
Enjoy!
WHERE TO BUY THE 204: bit.ly/43JlW6Y
My Favorite Beard Products..BEST I have found (no affiliation): luxuriousbasta...
The best bang for the buck TUBE HiFi on Amazon Prime: amzn.to/3OJzBXa
Media Contact/Review Contact: stevehuff1@icloud.com

Опубликовано:

29 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 139

@mariopenzo Год назад

Very interesting DAC. But the review sounds more like a comercial. At the very least it would be useful to know details of the engineering that went into this DAC. Like, is this using an off the shelf chip, how about the power section and output stages, or the clocks?

@sinistercollector9223 Год назад

Can we get an updated Top 10 DAC List now that you've reviewed the T+A DAC200 and Weiss DAC204?

@ericschwartzberg5083 Год назад

What happened to the Eversolo? Great review by the way

@amdenis Год назад

If you haven’t, you should consider checking out the Merging/Neumann gear, like the Anubis. While meant for the studio, the fact that the new Neumann Anubis has a USB-C interface, enables simple playback usage. I have not used the 204, but I have used other Weiss DAC gear, and at $1,800+ the Merging gear has replaced our sky’s the limit DAC’s and DAD’s we used including a Dangerous Audio AD+ and a Balanced Audio Tech Rex-3- both great, but not as transparent, open/dimensional or clean as the Merging.

@matthewhoult1350 Год назад

I see Wiess offer a stand alone power supply the PSU102 maybe worth partnering this with your DAC 204 to further improve its sound?

@BrianGarside Год назад

I'm sure it sounds great but looks like a DIY DAC kit. I wonder what makes it unique on the inside.

@edverbeek6292 Год назад

Please stop talking about “how the artist intended”. . How do you know how the artist intended?

@Njabuloseh Год назад

As a recording artist, this is easily one of the dumbest thing I hear audiophiles say.

@Cipollae Год назад

@@Njabuloseh You make chill music and I'm sure you know very well how you want it to sound, but I think you're completely missing the point here.

@Staybrown11 Год назад

As the “mastering engineer intended”? Im sure there is such a thing as a a way that the music is supposed to sound…

@10secondsrule Год назад

You know you've found a man in peace when on 1.25-1.5x he still sounds chilled out.😊

@dsmdarryl Год назад

Your property is awesome!! Great videos as well, of course 😅

@jeffhayes4845 Год назад

Did you do your listening using the supplied power supply or did you use something else to power the unit?

@jeffkalina7727 Год назад

No IS2 ?

@urbangardan1 Год назад

thank you!

@atoz6552 Год назад

Colorful!

@masterazlan6999 Год назад

What chips dac mr weiss used sir?

@masterazlan6999 Год назад

ESS isnt it?

@willmac5642 Год назад

Wd like to know too. Cant see it mentioned anywhere

@jean-martingauthier5551 9 месяцев назад

nice review - but one must pronounce Veiss like with a V, not English W ;-)

@Pete.across.the.street Год назад

Half way in the year would be the start of July

@kevincorr2985 Год назад

LOL

@nelsonang Год назад

dude, your maths is pretty wobbly 😅 the dac is not cheaper, it just has all the other components stripped out… not doubting u that it sounds great but u are not quite comparing apples to apples

@net_news Год назад

if you only use the dac then it's in fact a lot cheaper

@nelsonang Год назад

@@net_news exactly 🙂 the Chord Dave will probably be $4000+ with everything stripped out then the price gap isn't as glaring anymore...

@philippeb4972 Год назад

@@nelsonang yes but Chord don't offer this product. That's the key. Weiss is hitting the market of those people who just want a DAC, nothing else.

@boxsoft Год назад

You recently commented that the T+A DAC 200 was very impressive. On a pure sonic level, how does the Weiss DAC 204 compare?

@llkmiz Год назад

I have the same question - would love to know the differences in sound quality

@milpai Год назад

Agreed, I have the same question. Hoping for an unbiased response, since you do not get paid, unlike some publications.

@philippelabrecque6658 Год назад

Hi! Could you compare with the T+A dac200 please? Thanks!

@audiophileandy1092 Год назад

awsome work, how does it stack up witn the TERMINATOR II 12th, im asking because i love 3d holographic sound.

@carbon_wavelight Год назад

I'd love to hear how this Dac204 compares with the Pontus II. The Weiss DAC205 is essentially this same dac without the usb input for $1700

@HiFiHuff Год назад

This DAC for me bests the Pontus. As I said, you will not get the sound of a Weiss DAC with any other DAC. The Pontus lies more on the relaxed side. The Weiss is more of a studio sound, where everything is presented in a way that is so complete. I love the Pontus II but different sound.

@MrBillblake123 29 дней назад

Now I'm just a little confused! It seemed like the T+A 200 was the best sounding you ever heard. ...... Well did you change your mind?

@AF-rd2vf Год назад

I’m sure this is an excellent sounding DAC but I’m loving my Holo Audio May KTE DAC.😉

@connorduke4619 Год назад

I would stick with your May, very very few Dacs can beat it at any price.

@michaelcampbell9459 Год назад

Anyone compare this to the popular Gustard R26, or even the Ladder Shuman or Musician Pegasus? None of the DS chips I've heard so far upstage the R2R approach but some say the chip doesn't matter as much as the implementation...

@Peter-ii4xq Год назад

We once compared with a team of listeners the Weiss dac2 with a new Meitner (10 grand). I bought the second hand Weiss for 1250. The most of us heard no difference. The speakers were Martin Logan, the amps were Pass Labs.

@SanjayYadav-vc7ei Год назад

How do you compare it with your T+A 200 dac in sound..which one is better

@steverino5054 Год назад

I bought the even cheaper 205 which deletes the USB and DSD decoding since I really don't need those. But other than that it's supposed to be the same DAC without bells and whistles.

@lithiumnk Год назад

Does the 205 comes with a power supply like 204 ? What is the DC barrel connector 2.5 or 2.1?

@steverino5054 Год назад

@@lithiumnk It does come with a power supply, but it's just a pretty standard brick. Can confuse it with the laptop power. But can always upgrade to some linear supply later. Barrel is 2.5

@lithiumnk Год назад

@@steverino5054 Does the SMPS supports world voltage or is it region locked like 110/220v ? Can you share the online store in the US which sells 205 ?

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

What Dac did you upgrade from? What is your thoughts?

@ericelmore2742 11 месяцев назад

@@lithiumnkare you enjoying you 205 and was it an upgrade over your prior Dac?

@archonblaze Год назад

The DAC 205 is exactly the same DAC section but no USB input, no DSD to PCM, no digital outputs, and is $1700 USD. I use a streamer's spdif output to feed my DAC, so the DAC 205 would be a better fit at lower price. Weiss also have their own analog power supply upgrade for the 204/205, but I would try the fantastic Farad Super 3 LPS first.

@archonblaze Год назад

@@philippeb4972 It depends on the design. On high end digital transports SPDIF is often superior sounding than any USB connection method, because USB is noisy. But ethernet is now better than either. That's why I would get the Dac501.

@philippeb4972 Год назад

@@archonblaze Interesting. Thank you for the insight Yohan.

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

Did you end up getting the Weiss 205?

@77dharmabum Год назад

The birds in the background sound excellent

@cd-rom. Год назад

😂 from $2,895 to current $3,495 price gouging. Which price did you get for the review?

@wwoolworth 10 месяцев назад

It’s amazing they raise the price for nothing.

@jawito5378 Год назад

Wow! I just tried the Eversolo Streamer with the Magic Cube together with my other equipment. Although the Monitor Audio 7G Silver 500 are not the most resolving speakers there is a great sound enhancement. The entire music is separated much more clearly into its details. Sound stage is much bettter. Ths sibling of the speakers is reduced to a minimum. The bass gets much more detailed and even the bass interaction with my room decreased. I did not believe that Eversolo and the Weiss could enhance the entire system that much. Well, may be, the T+A Dac 200 is a bit better but it costs double as much. And the sound signature of the Weiss provides an adequat handling of the mid and high frequencies adding lots of details. I heard, that the Weiss would be weak at the bass, but I can not confirm this at all. Great stuff!!

@jiang423 Год назад

I am looking for a dac for my Eversolo Streamer. Very interested in the Weiss dac 205

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

Thanks for info, how much better is the magic cube compared to the Eversolo built in Dac?

@ericelmore2742 11 месяцев назад

Was looking to get the Weiss dac to run with my eversolo standard edition. Are you using USB or optical to plug Dac into eversolo?

@siddharth9506 Год назад

What's your take on weiss 204 vs Denafrips Pontus II?

@hifiroute Год назад

Pontus i love it, it has a fatter and softer sound, 204 it is so revealing it gets you where the music is being played in a elegante way without fatigue or harshness. I has a Lps Sbooster and it get it even better.

@massimilianomusso5448 Год назад

How is it compared to dCS Lina (just DAC)? Thanks

@JoeL-ju4nc Год назад

Do you still have the dCS Lina to compare it to?

@AF-rd2vf Год назад

Wow, I got my Holo May KTE DAC from TMR. Great people there!

@legione1capone Год назад

I'm curious to know how this would compare to something like the ladder Schumann and then up the chain the denafrips terminator/terminator +?

@johngault-9597 Год назад

What's with the dramatic introduction mate? Wee bit over the top...

@thecorvinclub Год назад

Buying this kind of gear is like buying a new 150$ mastering plugin. The DAC war was about clocks, components and transformers but today it's all about DSP programming. War is not yet terminated!!

@bdmcn Год назад

This DAC is intriguing. You should try an Audio Mirror Tubadour IV SE … tube DAC … amazing. Closest to vinyl I’ve ever been in my digital-only set up.

@jackstraw1756 Год назад

Would you please do a review of the Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, not many reviews out there and most are old. Great review.

@dougspitler3843 Год назад

I've got the Yggy OG and am auditioning the Weiss 204 side by side. Much prefer the Weiss and love what it does with DSD.

@swcblad Год назад

you should one day compare MSB and Holo May.

@roberteshaw4590 Год назад

Very impressive and informative review. Just wondering, as my preference would be AES/EBU connection on rear, however, the front selection switch only offers Tos/USB/or RCA? Am i missing something Sir?

@midorihibiki Год назад

I am deciding between this Weiss Dac 204 and Ferrum Wandla. Both really have very close same price range.

@PaoloCaminiti Год назад

I'm almost convinced here... did you use the upgraded PSU or just stock straight into the Puritan?

@dr.zoidberg4313 Год назад

Does anyone know if it's a stripped down MK2 DAC501 or is it the MK1?

@HiFiHuff Год назад

Well, I do not know if it uses any of the parts of the 501 but it sounds like the 501, the 2 channel version. I have not heard the 4 channel which some say sounds better than the 2 channel. In any case, this DAC sounds like a DAC that costs 3X as much as it does. Made by Daniel Weiss in Switzerland as well. A home run. I heard they are sold out until end of July already.

@rickg8015 Год назад

I was hoping you could show under the hood pics…

@imosolar Год назад

How's does it compare to dcs?

@tabl10s Год назад

When are you going to test the May Dac?

@vitalyrizhevsky951 8 месяцев назад

Most of Steve’s reviews sound like commercials. Besides, I cannot help wondering whether he listens to the equipment or the sound of his aquarium-like room?

@Cleric996 Год назад

I can't understand why they passed I2S?!?! :/ Nevertheless, It would be really interesting comparing it with the Mola Mola Tambaqui. It is said that it has a studio sound too and it costs four times the price.

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

I’m trying to find out about that same comparison as well

@orfescuhoratiu Год назад

Try the old 301 ...the real beast with the Dac upgrade .

@bobb.9917 Год назад

VERY pleased with my Denefrips Pontus II with original firmware.😀

@dougmurray7684 Год назад

So you did not apply the firmware upgrade. I too have a Pontus II, have downloaded the second corrected firmware upgrade but just haven't taken the time to apply it.

@yippie6862 Год назад

What DA Convertor(s) is it using?

@goldwerger Год назад

Have you heard the Bricasti M3? If so, how do they compare? Thank you! (if not, I highly recommend you try it)

@amdenis Год назад

I have, and love the Bricasti. And not just the DAC’S, as we used their verb for a year. Actually as far as DAC, it was the M3H we used and found it on a par with with the 502 Weiss we eval’d. However, a significant step us in terms of openness, clarity, dynamics and sheer enjoyment are the Merging products we use in the studio now (Anubis, HAPI, etc). They are SO much a level up that we have relegated the other gear (Dangerous Music, Weiss, FR RedNet, etc) to just monitoring. We just cannot go back to other gear for tracking, mixing, mastering or anything in the recording, print or playback/eval chain. While made for studio use in terms of I/O and interface control, the new Neumann/Merging Anubis now has a USB-C connector. Before one had to use Ravenna/Dante Network (audio over IP), which while fine for studio, would be less than optimal for many home stereo music enthusiasts.

@goldwerger Год назад

@@amdenis thanks, that's very helpful to know! as far as consumer use case, the big plus of Bricasti (and Weiss and similar products) is their Roon Ready compatibilty, which makes music playback so much more enjoyable. I simply couldn't change my habits enough to give that up...

@Pete.across.the.street 11 месяцев назад

@@amdenis is the Neumann MT 48 the same quality as the Merging?

@garykarczewski6678 Год назад

Awesome! I am looking for a DAC that would improve my digital music. Currently I only use my DACs in my Arcam AVR 850 but would love to hear something that creates something special for Digital listening.

@joeneticchan9640 Год назад

Compare with T+A, which one you prefer?

@philippeb4972 Год назад

He said he prefers the Weiss.

@carminedesanto6746 Год назад

I don’t have the means to get that level Of DAC ..but just recently I did put together a Wiim Pro streamer and a Topping E50 DAC ….damn ..this has opened my eyes, mind and ears. Thanks ☕️🍕👍

@reynolds8532 Год назад

Okto research stereo DAC. Hard to beat and half the cost.

@paulroscelli2545 Год назад

This dac vs the dac in chord t2?

@brettb5257 Год назад

Excellent review!! Clear, concise, direct, impactful. Would love to hear one of these soon.

@agentsmittie Год назад

One thing missing compared with the DAC501/502 is the streamer

@Cesare-rj6wk Год назад

If you have to choose lumin x1 or lumin U2 with this DAC ?

@blairsprague8112 Год назад

Another DAC...ho hum...way too many of them and you flip allmover the place with ones you like and recommend...but never any factual detailed information to support your likes/dislikes...the result is a mixed message of confusion to your audience...not prudent

@Staybrown11 Год назад

They have return policy. Try it in your system. If you don’t like it…return it.

@labalo5 Год назад

It’s entertainment. Only reviewing what you you like or some sort of kickback has its perks.

@jamesgiampapa Год назад

My order is right behind yours. I ordered a few weeks back

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

How does the weiss compare to Mola Mola tambaqui?

@johnratcliffe6438 Год назад

Weiss is massively overrated. I bought the 501 Mk II. Super disappointed. I sent it back. There are so many better alternatives without the trademark ESS glare.

@philippeb4972 Год назад

The Weiss does not use the ESS chips

@johnratcliffe6438 Год назад

@@philippeb4972 Of course it does.

@hassabsaeed9993 Год назад

Yeah i cant stand ESS dacs ,, wonder if the 204 also use ESS ?

@ericelmore2742 Год назад

Do you have your Weiss 204 for sale?

@minimumwrist3546 Год назад

Can you tell us some of the music you listen to?

@z.s.9855 Год назад

No AES/EBU, no display, no fancy case, no preamp..:that allows them to keep the price down. Glad they make a DAC at this price range with none of the bells and whistles some audiophiles don’t need.

@joecorona2818 Год назад

It does have an AES/EBU ( I know becuase that's how we're using it in the shop) input, fully balanced audio circuitry.

@peternilsson1645 Год назад

👏👍🙏❤️

@PastPresentFutureEndofTime Год назад

🙂

@xstensl8823 Год назад

very happy with my Pontus. $1800 and a steal

@tommorrison9724 Год назад

I wonder how the 205 sounds without the USB input

@marckuperman3090 Год назад

I was just reading about the 205, supposed to be the same dac as the 204 w/o dsd/usb! Can buy this for under 2k!

@hamidrezahabibi8111 Год назад

What about Ed Meitner?

@Pete.across.the.street Год назад

What about him?

@hamidrezahabibi8111 Год назад

@@Pete.across.the.street He’s a great DAC and amplifier…. designer. This Weiss DAC 204 is compared to U$10/000 price category DACs. Meitner Lab DAC could be a great candidate to be compared to. Have you heard about his products?

@bubblehead5394 Год назад

Why are my comments being removed?

@chrisroberts5001 Год назад

could be because you are posting bubblehead comments!...just kidding!!

@Campbell1. Год назад

Does it paint a picture as natural as your beautiful garden ;)

@ColocasiaCorm 10 месяцев назад

As a dsd fan, i ask “why”.

@RudyG210 Год назад

Jesus Christ is the only way. Not just love and light.

@Pete.across.the.street 11 месяцев назад

I heard he died.

@thebestoffools 2 месяца назад

@@Pete.across.the.street Jesus died for your sins, didn't you know? 😜

@VirusForPrez Год назад

3k for a dac ? wt ,.. get the SMSL SU-1 for 67$ - same sound for less !

@HiFiHuff Год назад

Not the same sound at all. Not even close. There are DACs that cost $30,000. I wouldn’t pay that but this DAC sounds like $10k DACs, and yes, DACs make a huge difference in a resolving system. I’ve tested 20+ DACs and all sound different. The one you mention is not even near the class of this DAC. If your system is in total under $5k then no, a DAC like this is not needed. As you go up the chain in components everything matters. Also. This DAC is $2800 yet performs like $10k DACs. The DAC you mention would be a huge bottleneck in many systems.

@VirusForPrez Год назад

I have many dacs some costing thousands,but for now my little su-1 is 'the dac to beat' .It's just so spot-on musical , ..maybe it's just my aging ears. Anyway nothing will ever replace a live concert ! see ya !

@hatersupreme5968 Год назад

@@HiFiHuff shameless

@Lauren080508 9 месяцев назад

this DAC sounds like $10k DACs ??? shameless indeed

@connorduke4619 Год назад

Ladder Schumann is currently the best Dac under $2,000. Eversolo streamer/dac is surely the product of the year to date...

@sdfinsdigwlgshdgRGAODHJFG Год назад

Best?

@g.d.1722 Год назад

What about the Gustard R26?

@joecorona2818 Год назад

I have both dacs in my store, it's easy to compare the two side by side the Eversolo is a terrific product & solid value, that said the Weiss is a superior product and maybe even a better value.

@connorduke4619 Год назад

@@g.d.1722 Ladder Schumann has better bass dynamics and stereo imaging which are two obvious weak points of Gustard.

@connorduke4619 Год назад

@@sdfinsdigwlgshdgRGAODHJFG Best streamer-server (using new NVMe SSD tech) of the year for anywhere near its price point, yes. Plug it into a Ladder Schumann Dac and you have a killer system for a sane price.