Marantz HD-DAC1 Headphone Amplifier With DAC-mode

Matantz has been introducing new products into the marketplace at quite a clip over the past year. Even as a reviewer, it has been hard to keep up. Their recent lines of A/V Home Theater receivers are stellar, and even the entry-level products push the price-to-performance ratio to the limit of what I thought was possible. Their recent entry level two channel components offer crazy value, as I recently found out with the PM5005 and CD5005 integrated amp/CD player.

Marantz digital has always impressed me, from the first time I heard one of their superb SACD players. Their disc spinners have smartly been reintroduced with digital inputs, which is what the market wants. They also have two superb streamers, the NA-8005 and the flagship NA-11S1. The NA-11S1 was a knockout, built to a standard befitting Top Shelf status. Decoding virtually every commercially available resolution including DSD, it left very few stones unturned. I also loved the NA-14s1 SACD player/DAC, which also decoded DSD via a USB input.

Marantz has decided to fill in a bit of a gap in their line with the introduction of the HD-DAC1 headphone amp, DSD DAC, and preamp. It sells for $799, and has several unique and distinct features. First, it is drop dead gorgeous, a real conversation piece. It has wood finished side panels, the classic Marantz porthole display, large solid input selector, and volume knobs.

Marantz says they have loaded the HD-DAC1 with their most recent circuits and output stages. According to Marantz, the HD-DAC 1 “uses Current Feedback amplification technologies from Marantz’s high-end Premium 11 Series. The HD-DAC1 can drive audiophile high-impedance headphones up to 600 ohm with ease. All thanks to its three-level gain control, Marantz HDAM-SA2 modules, a high current audiophile DAC (CS4398).

Optical and coaxial digital inputs as well as a USB-B port enable you to stream music directly from your PC or MAC; iDevices can also be connected via the USB port on the front. For even more connectivity also included is an analog input. The USB-B works in asynchronous mode to support not only 192 kHz / 24bits high-resolution audio but also the DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz for maximized performance quality. When connected to a computer, we built extended isolation around the USB-B input to eliminate the chance of a high frequency noise being generated by the computer when entering the HD-DAC1. Also included is a jitter remover and Dual Clock for extreme accuracy. Info on volume, input, resolution, etc. is shown on the Marantz Porthole Display. Lastly, a solid aluminum front is supported by a double layer bottom plate.”

The HD-DAC1 also includes a very nice aluminum remote control for adjusting volume, selecting input, and more. Larger-than-normal footers are a nice touch too, supporting the sturdy chassis. As a matter of fact, everything about the HD-DAC1 seems more expensive than its asking price. It exudes class and quality out of the box. But, of course, sonics are what separates audio products, and when you read on, you will see it did not disappoint.

Set Up & Listening

I spent a good four months with the HD-DAC1 in two separate systems, and became pretty intimate with its sonic virtues. I set it up in the main system first with Thiel CS2.4 speakers, a Conrad Johnson Lp125sa tube amp, a Coffman Labs G1-A tubed preamp, up against a Simaudio Neo 380D DAC, fed by a SOtM sMS-100 Mini Server. Analog cabling was the terrific Audio Art brand throughout, with the DH Labs Mirage used for USB. System two was my trusty Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, the McIntosh MA6600 integrated amp, the Marantz PM5005 integrated amp, up against the Bryston BDA-1 DAC. Cabling was also Audio Art and DH Labs.

The new 192 Khz remasters of the original Simon & Garfunkel albums was a true joy as presented by the HD-DAC1. The recordings are presented warts and all, and there was never a time when I felt I was not getting all the information present on the files. There was no blunting of dynamics, softness, or the spotlighting of any one frequency. The promise of high resolution digital has borne fruit, and products like the HD-DAC1 could not be more welcomed. I had a similar experience with the fantastic new Bruce Springsteen 96 Khz remasters, done with the Plangent Process, which eliminates wow and flutter from master tapes. I can honestly say I have never heard these classic albums sound this good. 

One of the major features of the HD-DAC1 is its headphone amp. I must admit upfront, I am not a headphone aficionado. I did use the DAC-1 with my trust Grado SR-60’s. It was clearly one of the best headphone amps I have come across, but take that with the knowledge it is not an area I explore often. I will have to leave to other reviewers to put their cans to the test.

I can, however, comment about the HD-DAC1 as a preamp. Although I used the unit with the fixed outputs for most of the review period, the variable outputs performed well above my expectations, directly driving power amps. The remote control was a blessing here, and there was plenty of usable volume range. DACs with volume controls are becoming very common and I have to say it is really great option to have. Now, if you have a really good preamp, like my tubed Coffman Labs G1-A, you won’t be ditching it anytime soon. An excellent preamp will provide a certain liquidity that is hard to do without, but I would choose the HD-DAC1’s variable outputs over a budget preamp.

The front USB panel handles input from removable storage or an iDevice. I used the input with a USB stick, my iPad Air, and my iPhone. All were loaded with lossless files, and I found the sound very convincing. There was a surprising immediacy. I distinctly remember I was going to stream just a few tracks from Jerry Garcia’s excellent Cats Under The Stars album, stored on my iPad in ALAC, but I ended listening to the whole album, I found it so enjoyable. The one feature I did not get around to using was the mini jack analog input. You can use just about any source with it, either with a stereo mini jack cable or a Y cable.

The Marantz HD-DAC1 is a superb entry into the sub $1000 DAC market. In fact, there is only one other DAC I would even put in its league: the iFI Micro iDSD (review forthcoming), which is a different animal, as it is portable, battery-powered, and has no remote. But the feature set is similar, DSD, volume control, and headphone amp. The iFI to my ears is slightly on the cooler side, but tonally on par.

At $799, the Marantz HD-DAC is very easy recommendation for those who are looking for a DAC that offers superior dynamics, fantastic looks, and a rich feature set with a pedigree that is just about second to none. The build quality and attention to detail are just crazy for this price point. This is my humble opinion, but one would have to spend quite a bit more to get what the Marantz offers, and better it. For instance if you had $3600 to spend, the Auralic Vega might be one to look at, but at five times the price.

The Marantz HD-DAC1 also offers a pride of ownership that is rare at this price point, and it would be the DAC I personally would buy if assembling another system. It would easily fit right in with components and speakers costing more. But I implore all prospective buyers to take a listen to the HD-DAC1, and not to take my word for it. DACs these days are more similar than different, but those differences can certainly be more apparent depending on your system. I think most listeners shopping at this price point would be sufficiently impressed to purchase the Marantz HD-DAC1. Highly recommended. 
 

• Specifications
• Review System 1
• Review System 2

I gave the HD-DAC1 a two week break-in period, then put it through its paces in my usual wide variety of musical genres, with all resolutions up to double DSD (5.6 Mhz). I might as well get that one out of the way; like the NA-11S1 and 14s1, the HD-DAC1 was superb on DSD, bringing out all the goodness in the format that make some prefer it over PCM by a wide margin.

Specifically, there is an analog like organic quality to DSD, when done right, that makes it addicting. Japan is one of the places SACDs are still immensely popular, so it is no surprise that Marantz makes great SACD players. And now that DSD has been decoupled from a physical format, they are making great DSD DACs.

I downloaded tracks and albums from NativeDSD.com, Yarlung Records, and Opus3, and High Definition Tape Transfers, all with proven lineage and mastered with care. This allowed me to really assess how well the HD-DAC1 handled the format. But, let’s be brutally honest, DSD will not be the dominant format in most digital libraries...on to PCM.

On PCM, I found the HD-DAC1 full bodied, rich, and high in resolution. I loved the balance of the presentation. Evaluations were done using both the Coax and USB inputs. I found them to be on par, with the USB maybe offering the slightest bit more of spaciousness. I will say at this time I did some brief comparisons to the far more costly Simaudio Neo 380D and Bryston BDA-1 DACs, and the Marantz was in no way embarrassed. It did not reach the level of refinement of the Simaudio or the Bryston, but it was not a blowout.

One more comparison I can offer is with the $1350 Eastern Electric Mini Max Supreme Eastern Electric Mini Max Supreme. They were very similar with the Mini Max’s solid state output, on both DSD and PCM. The Mini Max’s tube output offered a sweeter perspective. Choosing between the two would be a matter of taste, but the Mini Max Supreme of course has no volume control or headphone amp.

Listening to a slew of John Renbourn solo and group albums, all CD rips, I was smitten by the relaxed manner in which the Marantz handled the master’s guitar work and his laid back vocal style. His albums are always a treat, filled with complex and tasteful arrangements, and the HD-DAC1 unraveled them with ease. Renbourn often recruited ex Pentangle bandmate, Jacqui McShee, on vocals. Her singing is a thing of wonder, and I loved the way the Marantz presented her voice. Dare I say it was in a human, vinyl-like manner?

Frequency Response: 2 Hz - 20 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 106 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0,0012%
Channel Separation: 100 dB
Headphone Power: 800mW / 32 ohm
Remote Control: RC001HD
Standby Consumption: 0.3W
Dimensions (WDH): 9.84" x 10.63" x 3.54"
Weight: 11.02 lbs.