Conrad-Johnson HD3 USB DAC

[Rafale]

HD3 review by Alan Sircom in the latest issue of HIFI +
'in fact, what defines the HD3 is completely at odds with what most DACs aimed at computer audio try to do. We are possibly still in the early stages of the computer audio 'migration' and the first DACs to make the crossover often seem to highlight detail as if to show how exciting the format can be. Trouble is, many people want to be able to listen long-term rather to be temporarily awestruck by the detail. It's why to people keep coming back to vinyl in a thoroughly digital age. It's the secret sauce of the conrad-johnson DAC, too. It's not analogue-y sounding it doesn't make your PC sound like a record deck, but it does temper some of the bright and shiny sound of computer audio today.
This has two great advantages; it makes good music more enticing and it makes bad music more like good music. While there is good frequency extension at both ends of the scale, unlike many computer-derived sounds, the HD3 also remembers there's an awful lot in between called 'mid-band' and it does it extremely well, making an intrinsically 'right' sound in the process. So, when you listen to Al Green stepping to the mic, that seductive soul voice is irresistible and somehow leads you to Jeff Buckley, then to Bessie Smith and on to Rufus Wainwright. Mozart speaks to you in musical sentences. Wagner's leitmotifs are like little portraits and the Right of Spring makes you want to throw chairs. It's all good.
That honest, ye tonally rich midrange gives an openness and presence to almost everything it touches.
.....
The DAC world is vastly overstocked and its numbers are growing fast. Sometimes it gets difficult to justify the existence of yet another converter. Fortunately, that's not a problem here; the HD3, by virtue of the sheer enjoyment it builds in the music it plays means it deserves very high recommendation'

[Puma Cat]

Ooh, I'd love to have one.

I just got my Schiit Bifrost yesterday, we shall see how it does in the long term. The first hour it was dreadful, thin, bright and "relentless" sounding, but it's starting to smooth out with some hours on the clock. I've heard it really needs 100 hours to smooth out to it's best performance. Fortunately, I have 15 days to get it burned in before deciding one way or another.

Sounds like I'd looove an hd3, though.

[ronenash]

Hi PC,
I would love to hear you imressions of the Schiit Bifrost. I am thinking of getting one also. Keep us posted.

[Fand]

Hi

Long time lurker, thought I would finally take the plunge and join.

I am now a happy owner of a CJ HD3, running it from a Mac Mini (2009 + Amarra) into a CJ CA200 and Martin Logan Aeon i's

I was previously running a Weiss DAC 2 which is was happy with, and its a great DAC.

However I took the HD3 home for an audition and within 5 minutes of hooking it up, I knew this piece of kit was pretty special.

Much more musical, seems to handle mid range so much better. I have had it about 10 days and I think I have listened to more music in that time than in the last 6 months.

The previously posted snipped of a review from HIFI+ is spot on.

As a first post I am trying to not sound too effusive but I am very pleased with it. The dealer mentioned I am probably the first owner in Australia

[joeinid]

Hi Fand,

Welcome! Please keep us updated on the dac. CJ makes some very nice gear.

[chessman]

Fand, welcome aboard and congrats!!

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Fand

Hi

Long time lurker, thought I would finally take the plunge and join.

I am now a happy owner of a CJ HD3, running it from a Mac Mini (2009 + Amarra) into a CJ CA200 and Martin Logan Aeon i's

I was previously running a Weiss DAC 2 which is was happy with, and its a great DAC.

However I took the HD3 home for an audition and within 5 minutes of hooking it up, I knew this piece of kit was pretty special.

Much more musical, seems to handle mid range so much better. I have had it about 10 days and I think I have listened to more music in that time than in the last 6 months.

The previously posted snipped of a review from HIFI+ is spot on.

As a first post I am trying to not sound too effusive but I am very pleased with it. The dealer mentioned I am probably the first owner in Australia

Congrats and welcome to the family of AA members and Conrad-Johnson owners! Be warned that it's a pretty addicting experience and you may find yourself thinking about C-J preamps, amps, and phono stages!

Please keep us updated on your experiences as you're the first among us to own the HD3.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Rafale

Finally on the official c-j's website...
conrad-johnson designs inc.

So Philippe : will you step in the digital world with this one ?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

So Philippe : will you step in the digital world with this one ?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

I'm too young for that stuff Jérome
i'm waiting for 2 big parcels from Fairfax, VA

[jwhite613]

Fand... Welcome To AA!!!