WEISS DAC502 User manual

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https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/weiss-dac502-dsp-dac-and-network-renderer-part1/
Network Player Reviews, SPDIF DAC Reviews, USB DAC Reviews
Weiss DAC502 DSP DAC and Network Renderer
Christiaan Punter │14 May 2020
Retail prices in the Benelux (including 21% VAT)
DAC501: 8.900 euro
DAC502: 10.000 euro
Swiss precision. The reputation is as old as time itself. But more and more Swiss audio products are
positioned as front runners at audio shows worldwide. Weiss has been around for a long time
alongside other established Swiss brands such as Nagra, FM-Acoustics and darTZeel to name only a
handful. But all these brands, along with the relative newcomers such as Soulution and CH Precision
seem to prove my point. Whereas the USA used to dominate the ultra-high-end market for so many
years, Switzerland, it seems, is the new King.

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Originating from the professional recording industry, Daniels Weiss’ audiophile DACs have always
received high praise. And the best part is that these products are positioned at the “still attainable”
end of the spectrum rather than the “arm and leg” category.
Sadly, my personal experience with the brand so far has been limited to a single DAC and in a time
when I was still very much in
what I will refer to as my
“American” period. Back then, I
was chasing the smoothest and
richest, most fluid sound and I
would prefer a DAC that sounds
rounded yet sweet and
forgiving over one that is more
accurate and transparent. It
was in this period that a friend
brought over the Weiss DAC2
and I briefly listened to it. Even
though the press was raving
about it I found it to sound a
little too technical for my taste
at that time.
These days, though, I don’t want any more sweeteners added to my music. No thanks, I am all
about precision, neutrality, transparency and pure naturalness. You certainly won’t hear me claim
that the audio products from the Swiss all sound the same but I can’t help but notice that the
country’s famous precision as well as its political neutrality both seem to be reflected in a large
chunk of the audio products. Weiss is one such product. Renowned for their neutrality and seen as
an important reference by many.
TECHNICAL
I won’t go into the technical details
too much because this can easily be
found on the manufacturer’s
website. What I will mention,
though, are the headlines and
anything else that I deem
interesting.
In addition to being a DAC, the
DAC502 is also a RoonReady and
UPnP endpoint. And it can be
operated right from the listening
position via a web interface on any
device that has ethernet access. The
web interface can be accessed by

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simply typing in the DAC’s IP address into any browser. The interface is clean and easy to use and
offers not only access to all of the DAC’s functions but also UPnP and Roon transport controls and
even shows album covers. Besides this, a nice IR remote control is also included.
There are a total of five inputs:
AES/EBU, Toslink, Coax,
UPnP/DLNA, USB and Roon Ready.
Accepted formats include PCM
44.1kHz up to 384 kHz and DSD 64x
/ 128x. The DAC has XLR and cinch
outputs. The conversion is done via
“two of the latest 32 bit D/A
Converter chips”, interestingly, at a
fixed 195kHz frequency which
means that all the input signals are
resampled to this frequency.
According to Weiss, this helps
significantly in reducing any jitter
related effects. Included is an
excellent digital volume control which I used throughout this review.
The front panel holds a small LCD touch screen that allows setting all functions while the rotary
knob allows scrolling through the
various menus. What I value very
highly is the possibility to directly
select the desired input rather than
having to step through all the
available ones. Also great is that all
the relevant information is always
shown simultaneously.
The 5xx range comprises two DAC
models of which the DAC502 that is
reviewed here uses a larger frame.
This unit offers the same features
as the DAC501 and adds a 4-pin
headphone socket at the back of
the unit. The smaller DAC501 is
exactly the same product inside a smaller chassis and minus the 4-pin headphone socket on the
rear (retaining the regular 6.3mm headphone socket on the front panel). Both DACs run from a
sophisticated linear power supply.
Incidentally, the DSP501 / DSP502 units are the same as the DAC501 / DAC502 but with digital
instead of analog outputs. This is ideal for customers who like to keep their trusted DAC or who
have speakers with digital inputs.
HEADPHONE CONNECTION
All types of headphones are supported thanks to the possibility of setting the basic output level in 4
steps. The DAC’s regular outputs and headphone outputs can be addressed individually. Thus, when

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selecting the headphone output, the signal processing chain is switched to headphone mode with
independent headphone-related signal processing.
As it stands so far, the list of features already looks pretty impressive, doesn’t it? Now consider that
I’ve not even covered its most powerful feature just yet, the DSP algorithms!
DSP FUNCTIONALITY
The DAC502 includes a
built-in selection of DSP
algorithms offering an
unprecedented range of
control over virtually every
aspect of the sound.
Currently, there are 6
sections with countless
parameters that can be
tweaked and combined
with one another. All of
these settings are
accessible via the web
browser, right from the
listening position.
Additionally, there are 12
preset buttons on the IR remote control that allow direct selection of user-assigned snapshots. I will
explain more about the DSP section further below, after the Listening section.

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REVIEW CONTEXT
The DAC502 will be reviewed in a system comprised of an Antipodes CX+EX music server combo, a
CH Precision C1 DAC, a CH Precision A1.5 power amplifier with Martin Logan ESL15A and Magico S1
MkII loudspeakers. Additionally, I will make comparisons using the NuPrime ST-10 power amplifier
and the APL DSD-AR DAC. For interlinks, I used CH Precision Balanced Link XLRs and Siltech Paris
cinch. For power cables, I always use Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide C-004 IEC
connectors.
The DAC was brand-spanking new and thus I left it to play with the Antipodes server via USB with
Roon on Radio Mode (Shuffle) for several days prior to any serious listening.
LISTENING –ROONREADY
In use, the DAC502 is an
absolute reviewer’s dream. It
contains every function that one
could ever want, poured into a
very responsive UI with direct
access to every function, topped
off with utter stability. No
matter how much I toggled its
many functions or how many
cables I plugged in or swapped,
and that includes USB cables and
network cables, the DAC502

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would never lose its train of thought. The only thing worth noting is that for it to obtain a valid IP
address, the Ethernet cable must be connected prior to switching on the unit.
Starting with the Magicos with the CH Precision A1.5 amplifier and the Weiss DAC502 fed directly
via Ethernet from the Antipodes CX using its RoonReady input, the Weiss is soundwise as
dependable as it is stable in operation. This is a dead-neutral, highly-revealing DAC with perfect
timbre and a punchy, crispy and no-nonsense delivery.
Some may find it to sound a little “matter of fact” and although I would not disagree, leaving it
there would be massively underselling it. Sure, it does not hide its studio heritage and it is definitely
an analytical DAC. Relative to the average DAC sound (inasmuch as that even exists) I’d say that the
DAC502 is slightly on the cool side but that does not mean that it inhibits any warmth that is in the
recordings and I would not label it as clinical or sterile. I might if it were to sound overly lean or
devoid of richness or color but that is not the case. The DAC502 has a fast and articulate delivery
that extends all the way down into the bass which is remarkably crispy and well-controlled but also
solid and authoritative. Along with this comes a pure and clean midrange that does not add any
color or richness but simply relays all the richness and textures that are in the recording. While the
DAC502 does not romanticize things, there is absolutely nothing etched, edgy or even the slightest
bit hard about it.
Soundstage-wise, the DAC502 performs entirely in-line with its overall presentation: highly
precisely. It does spread a little less widely and deeply than some other DACs such as the APL and
the CH C1 but it images extremely sharply with crystal-clear focus. The overall presentation is
neither laidback nor really forward but if I’m being picky, maybe it can seem a tiny bit forward
compared to smoother sounding alternatives. This is probably a psycho-acoustic effect caused by
the utter absence of blur. No doubt helped by its solid foundation, there is a good sense of depth to
individual images within the soundstage.

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OUTPUT LEVEL
The DAC’s analog output level can be set in several steps and was at the -10dB setting for all the
listening that I had done so far. Selecting the 0dB setting (and adjusting the digital volume
accordingly) made for an even more crispy and solid bass but, as it follows, this came along with a
drier treble.
Do note that this perceived dryness is nothing other than very high accuracy. Although I enjoyed
the heck out of this super-expressive bass, the treble was now sometimes a little bit too revealing.
Even if it adds a gentle rounding in the bass, it makes the overall sound more fluid, and so, for many
systems without an analog preamp and with speakers as accurate as the Magicos, the -10dB setting
will probably be ideal.
One can also tweak the sound in the other direction by selecting a higher level of attenuation.
Higher attenuation settings add further smoothing which, while pleasing, with every step takes
away a little precision and articulation. Ultimately, of course, the choice is up to the user and the
setting is super-easy to make, right from the Web Interface.
LISTENING –USB
Switching from RoonReady via direct Ethernet to USB via a Pink Faun USB cable, the sound is
noticeably smoother and more relaxed, precisely as per this cable’s character, but also less vital and
less propulsive. So far, this is in line with my overall preference for the pure, unrestrained and free-
flowing yet crispy and articulate sound that can be achieved with RAAT via a network connection.
But after swapping to the Final Touch Audio Callisto USB cable, I’m not so sure anymore of the
ranking order. Although I retain a mild preference for the network input, with the Callisto, USB now
sounds very close to RoonReady. Indeed, when listening closely, you can tell what’s what but it is
certainly not a very obvious difference.
LISTENING –S/PDIF
As always, the Jay’s Audio CDT-2 MkII provides a unique perspective. Full and smooth yet upbeat,
dynamic and very involving, it is the ideal source for when you want to add some more romance to
the sound. The Weiss may be positioned on the clean side of neutral but as the Pink Faun cable
already indicated, the CD-T2 MkII, connected via coaxial S/PDIF, further illustrates that the DAC can
truly swing both ways.
But how am I to properly assess the DAC502’s S/PDIF inputs using a CD player with such a deviating
sonic style? This called for a revisit of the Aqua La Diva, which is the tightest, liveliest and most
neutral CD transport that I have heard so far.
Marco Oudheusden of Hexagon Audio was so kind as to bring it over once again. The La Diva quickly
reconfirmed its status as a reference CD transport by delivering what it always does: high precision
and neutrality combined with lots of refinement. From past experience, I know that this player’s
outputs sound pretty much identical to one another and thus the differences, if any, would be
down mainly to the cables and the DAC’s receiver implementation.
The most precise sound is achieved via AES/EBU but the DAC502’s S/PDIF coax connection is pretty
close. Both inputs sound great and, on the surface, both renditions pretty similar to the USB and
RoonReady sound. When really getting down to it, though, I can divide it up into two camps: the

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two music server connections on the one side and the traditional connections on the other. The La
Diva remains a touch purer and more direct while retaining more flair than the Antipodes CX+EX
combo but the difference is admittedly not night and day. Considering that the music server is
certainly not entirely exempt from an audible influence itself, I’d say that the results speak very
highly of the consistency of the Weiss’ inputs!
PLACEMENT
The DAC502 unfolds its strengths pretty much regardless of what surface I placed it on. It sounds
great on the Artesania Modular Rack but it doesn’t really need this rack’s added sonority. The best
balance was obtained with the DAC on the Artesania Exoteryc rack which helps extract the music in
a super-transparent manner while adding a touch of fluidity and refinement.
COMPARISONS
Another DAC that I am currently reviewing is the APL DSD-AR. Conceptually very different from the
Weiss, these DACs are sonically also different, even if they share certain similarities. While both
DACs are clean, agile, transparent and utterly neutral and both are very highly resolving and well-
focused, the Weiss has a more no-nonsense, earthy and grounded presentation while the APL is
more free-flowing and ethereal.
Adding the Martin Logan ESL15A speakers to the mix and throwing in a DAC reference of the “arm
and leg”-category, the Weiss proves to be in some ways closer to the CH Precision C1 than to the
APL. While not as full-blooded and organic, the Weiss has a similar kind of solidity and transient
behavior. At the -10dB output level, the Weiss is a tiny bit more relaxed than the C1 but when set at
the 0dB output level setting it comes right alongside in that respect. Especially now that I am
comparing it directly with the C1 and in combination with the, relative to the Magicos, slightly
forgiving Logans, I find that the DAC’s treble is actually very well-behaved. It is subtle, refined and

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actually pretty much on the level of the C1, which is to say, outstanding. What I do note is that its
overall delivery, in this context, is cooler and soberer than that of the C1 and less spacious. Just why
the C1 manages to sound so accurate and transparent while simultaneously having a richer tonality
and more “Schwung”, I don’t know. I guess that its breathtaking price tag must account for
something besides nice cosmetics.
Even in this overly cramped setup, the tiny Xavians sounded full-bodied and super-spacious with the
DAC502 as the front end

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Finally, I also used the DAC502 as the front end during the review of the atm-Audio EPM-700 hybrid
Class A/Class D power amplifiers, and let me tell you, this is where it landed exactly in the sweet
spot. Paired with a set of Xavian La Perla loudspeakers and Driade Flow 405 speaker cable, this
combination made music in a super-involving manner!
I chose the DAC502 for this review because the atm-Audio amps sounded a little too rounded
during an earlier assessment with the Magico’s. Thus, I connected the easy to drive Xavians and
grabbed the Weiss as the most “ruthlessly” revealing source. But what do you know? The Weiss’s
neutrality and excellent impulse behavior were exactly what the atm-Audio amps needed to spark
life into the proceedings while the Xavians did their known trick of sounding revealing yet
infectiously dynamic and propulsive, along with a richly saturated tonality. Was this combination
revealing? You bet! Was it ruthless? Not at all. Rather, there was some mighty fine music-making
going on here.
As with the Magicos, I found that this combination sounded best with the DAC502’s output level set
to -10dB while the 0dB setting at times made the treble a little bit too blunt. Surely, that is a
“feature” of the Xavians’ tweeters but it’s good to be able to tweak for this. Interestingly, the
soundstage was now as large as the room with sounds coming from seemingly everywhere except
straight from the speakers. Actually, a friend who was listening in had to do a double-check to
confirm that it was really the Xavians producing this room-filling sound.
This truly was a rare case of amazing lushness combined with boundless dynamics and great PRaT.
Surely, the EPM-700’s Nutube triode input stage has something to do with the now abundant
soundstaging. But, importantly, this result proves that the DAC502 is not an inhibiting factor in any
respect. This is the great thing about neutrality –there is room in either direction!
DSP PLUGINS
At the time of reviewing, the DSP502
offered 6 DSP plugins. The manual
indicates that more are in
development and will be added later.
All the settings respond in real-time,
making adjustments easy and intuitive.
Vinyl Emulation
I don’t quite know what to make of the
Vinyl Emulation. As a vinyl enthusiast, I
don’t hear anything with this plugin
that reminds me of analog, well, not in
a positive manner, that is. What the
filter seems to do is emulating the
downsides of Vinyl by slightly
compressing the soundstaging and dynamics. There is a slider to adjust the range of the effect
which at its most extreme setting adds distortion. For musicians, this feature could likely be very
interesting but I’m not sure of the value for audiophiles. But then, this is only one of many and you
can always just leave it in bypass.
EQ
While the term speaks for itself it is worth noting that this plugin offers a 3-band parametric EQ
with independent Frequency, Gain and Q sliders. Ranging between -39 to +18dB, the gain range is