The fickle nature of the Atoll DAC200 Signature
Contents
For listening CD’s were played with the Audiolab 6000CDT and a Raspberry Pi4 running Audirvana Core software was used for streaming and playing music files stored on a NAS.
The Raspberry Pi was connected directly to the Atoll with an Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable, no USB filters or digital-to-digital converters were used. The Pi does not have a clean USB output, but Atoll has isolated the USB input very well. A good streamer will lead to even better results, but while listening there was not an itch to want better.
The Atoll DAC emphasizes the high-mid frequencies and can sound a bit emphasised on those frequencies as a result. Nevertheless, it does not have a sharp sound, it is mainly the character of the SABRE ES9028PRO DAC chip used. Combined with the somewhat dark brown character of Atoll amplifiers, a balance is probably found.
The ES9028PRO DAC is a bit older and specification fetishists may dismiss this Atoll because of that. This is unwarranted. In a direct comparison an older technology often loses out to the newest DAC chips on first hearing, but if you listen a little longer you will notice that older CD players and older DACs often manage to convey the feeling in the music to the listener much better, even if on first hearing it does not sound very splashy or saturated in tonal color.
Achieving transparency is not a given for all recordings
Some aquariums manage to create the illusion that you are underwater, as if the glass between you and the fish were not there. The DAC200 can sometimes make the audio set disappear, but certainly not with every recording.
The Atoll DAC200 is a critical DAC, sensitive to the quality of the material offered. The DAC is quite forward-playing, detail-oriented, right in the area where our hearing is most sensitive to variations. Above all, you hear a “correct” neutral sound, devoid of warmth. This provides great insight into the music, but can also be somewhat detached. But not always! Sometimes the music falls flat and sometimes it sounds glorious. The Atoll DAC200 is a bit petulant and not entirely predictable.
That critical nature is exposed playing Talk Talk’s “The Colour of Spring” from CD. This album is mixed by the engineer to show details and layering. With the Atoll, one notices that cymbals and drums are emphasized, as are the nylon strings of a rhythm guitar. The treble doesn’t sound glassy, but it does sound very dry and with little reverb.
The character of the Audiolab 6000CDT comes through clearly, the bouncy rhythm, the sway in the bass, it is all audible. With the Art Speak SPDIF cable, it is like being able to listen behind the notes. The amount of detail and nuance in sounds that the Atoll DAC then displays is amazing. With the Audioquest Forest, listening is a bit more relaxed, as the Art Speak cable combined with the detail richness of the Atoll DAC becomes too much of a good thing. It remains a mind-boggling observation every time what a coaxial cable can do.
Critical also means that there are positive outliers. These are then immediately huge outliers and that is what the next part of the review will address, because the Atoll DAC200 can provide a music experience that will take your breath away.
Hi Martijn,
Thanks for the comprehensive answer! After reading your review of the ST200 and your favorable assessment of the ST200’s integrated DAC, I actually compared it with the standalone DAC200. And for me the latter is noticeably better…
I will disconnect the Bluetooth module in the DAC200 as you recommended. But is it possible that the Bluetooth module is defective in some units and OK in others?
The ST200 also has a Bluetooth module as I recall. Does this negatively affect the sound of the streamer?
Appreciate your advice!
Regards,
Oleg
Hello Oleg. We haven’t measured the ST200, so we cannot tell if the Bluetooth model has the same impact. If you don’t use Bluetooth, and the menu allows it, just turn it off (just like WiFi if you do not use a WiFi connection).
Thank you for your advice and your reviews!
Hello Martijn,
Thank you for the review!
I have this very DAC and, in fact, all my components (DR200, ST200 Sign, in400SE and DAC200) were made by ATOLL.
You mentioned the questionable measurements of this model. And you are not alone in this. I found another reviewer who came to similar (or worse!) conclusions:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/atoll-dac200-signature-review-measurements-dac.44288/
Do you think it’s acceptable for this kind of product to measure so badly? And what could that mean? Does ATOLL tune its products by ear only? How much does it affect the sound? What to do with the jitter?!
Best,
Oleg
Measurements don’t say all, but the fact that the Bluetooth module introduces so much jitter is for this type of product is quite frankly unacceptable. It must have been oversight by Atoll, since they actually create very nice equipment with a distinct sound signature. But I don’t have to tell you that 🙂
Jitter has a nasty effect which we hear the best in the high notes. The Atoll DAC200 shows it. At the same time, the DAC is capable of projecting sound in a very convincing way, so the unease you read in my review is due to jitter. Take that away with disconnecting the bluetooth module and you probably end up with a DAC that is far more enjoyable.
If you dare, open the case and disconnect the bluetooth module, or ask your dealer to do it for you. But in this specific case, that’s the solution.
Your ST200 has a DAC as well. I would recommend to listen and compare with the DAC and decide which one you prefer. Don’t assume that the DAC200 is better, just try to listen carefully.
How to do this? Don’t switch like a madman. Create a playlist of about 3 to 4 songs with music that you listen to regularly, that you know and that you enjoy. Make sure you take the time, put away any other distractions and that you are not feeling tired. Just listen to the playlist on one device. Then listen to the same playlist in reverse order on the other device. And be honest with yourself: which one do you enjoy more.
Hello Martijn, thank you for the feedback.
I would have never considered touching the filter setting without you having mentioned it in your review.
I set my DAC300 to “slow min”.
All the best to you, and the Alpha Audio team.
Regards,
Brian
Hello Martijn, excellent review on the Atoll DAC.
I still have my DAC200 Signature, but I ultimately upgraded to the DAC300.
I’ve always used the default filter without any issue.
Your article doesn’t mention it, but can you please share your insights on the filters and what was your choice in the end, what filter worked best for you?
Brian
Hello Brian,
I haven’t mentioned it in the review, because it is a taste preference.
I prefer the ‘slow minimum phase’ filter, as with all ESS Pro Dac’s. I don’t have the Atoll present anymore, so I cannot tell you what differences I heard. All I remember is that this is the filter I settled on, and I did not compare any further.
As usual, I use Mammal Hands ‘Three Good Things’ for this kind of “tuning”, since that songs gives me already a clue at the first two notes of the piano and the reverb.