Listening in detail to the Atoll DAC200 Signature: the happy flow
Contents
The first fine experience was the Beethoven CD boxset by the Van Baerle Trio. The audio set reveals a depth of sound not experienced before, the grand piano sounds like a grand piano, with weight. Playback is fast and agile. All 5 CDs were listened to in one sitting and the box set was pulled out more than once. What a treat.
In “Not Here, Not Know” from the CD “Body & Soul,” the pain and discomfort in the lyrics Joe Jackson sings is palpable. The trumpet solo also adds to the sadness of the song. The Atoll DAC200 communicates this feeling seamlessly. And this is an important point: many modern DACs flooding the market sound in a way that I best describe as “clinical perfection”. They sound impressive, but it leaves you a little cold with a longer listen. Not the Atoll.
Singing in three dimensions
In Mahler’s “Der Abschied” from “Das Lied von der Erde,” performed by the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Gerhild Romberger sounds eerily lifelike close, as if you could touch her if you held out your hand.
The orchestra sounds a bit smaller than it is in reality, in relation to Gerhild, but the orchestra player’s seating position is superb, with plenty of depth in the soundstage. More importantly, both the singer and woodwinds sound individually in 3 dimensions. This is very nice and also an achievement for a DAC at this price level.
Mahler’s music breathes and subtle changes in dynamics can be felt, but without you having to reach for the volume knob every time. It is more the movement in dynamics that is exceptionally beautiful. The basses and dark brass are audible, but you are not blown out of your chair by them, nor do the forte passages make your hair stand on end. What you get in return is tremendous transparency and insight into the performance. Atoll emphatically opts for the latter. If that is what you are looking for then this DAC200 delivers it in abundance.
Steel guitar is no problem
Jeff Lang and Chris Whitley play steel guitar and slide guitar on “Dislocation Blues,” complemented by bass and drums. The hard-to-reproduce sounds of Chris Whitley’s National Steel Guitar are reproduced correctly. There is nothing contrived about this music at all, here are four top-notch musicians at work having a great time and that is palpable. The slight intrusiveness of the Atoll DAC200 Signature turns into felt proximity in this recording. An absolute gem of a recording.
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.