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With the Calyx I consistently preferred digital music played back via USB from my laptop rather than CDs through my CEC transport via S/PDIF. The CEC remained on the sidelines while I instinctively went for the laptop. Computer-based music was actually clearer, more open, more insightful and more compelling! That was a personal first. The laptop/Cardas/Calyx combo was also better at getting my toes tapping. Playing discs on my CEC sounded a tad hazy and ever so slightly sluggish by comparison. Imagine that. A $600 laptop and $150 USB cable were more musically involving than a $2,000 transport, $800 power cable and $1,500 digital cable. The mere thought of that was enough to drop my brandy and get my ascot tie aflutter. I can only speculate as to why. I suspect it was a combination of several factors like asynchronous USB data transmission, the Sabre DAC and even the computer itself. I have learned quite a bit over the last few months on how to optimize a PC for music. It’s the little things which add up such as a linear power supply for my laptop, plugging it into a separate filtered outlet and line, addressing vibration and resonance, shutting down unnecessary background services and processes and so forth. Better still was my Win 7-based 16GB RAM fully tricked-out gaming desktop.


I tried adding the M2Tech hiFace to the mix yet performance was superior through the direct USB Calyx connection. Perhaps I heard the alleged limitations of S/PDIF? Towards the end of my review I received John Kerry’s JKSPDIF MK3 USB-S/PDIF converter for a future assignment when oddly enough the Calyx’s S/PDIF input preceded by it beat the direct USB input. I have a couple of ideas on why but that’s a story for another day. Later I compared the Calyx against my reference Audiomat Tempo 2.6 DAC. Since the Tempo does not feature a USB input, I compared the two from the CEC transport fed with MIT’s Magnum digital cable. Interestingly a good deal of the haze I had attributed to the CEC earlier vanished when the Tempo came across as bigger, bolder, gutsier, more dramatic and immediate and with greater tonal and textural complexity than the Calyx. The latter edged ahead with a cleaner more pristine presentation and greater micro-dynamic nuance. Backgrounds were quieter with greater delineation between performers. However the Calyx was less dramatic and smaller in scale with a drier shallower perspective. While the Calyx's bass was tight and taut, the Tempo’s was bigger and bolder. The Tempo was clearly superior to my ears in the traits I prize highly. Others might find the reverse. Keep in mind that the Calyx sells for less than half what the Tempo costs. There was plenty to enjoy with both DACs and I hesitate to declare one better than the other. Both were wonderfully involving but in very different ways - not to mention that one is squarely aimed at computer playback, the other at legacy CD playback. It really comes down to cost and connectivity.


Drawbacks? A few but no deal breakers. Additional digital inputs would be useful for those with multiple digital sources. I also can’t help but feel that a more robust power supply and a more tricked-out analog stage would offer significant benefits. At $1,799 I’m perhaps being overly critical. Still I’d like to see at least an optional power supply upgrade. Considering how fine sounding this DAC was, I’m curious to hear what Calyx can offer at a higher price. With the Calyx, CDs played back on my CEC came in second to the same tracks played back on the laptop. Regardless of bit/sampling rate, the Calyx offered exceptionally smooth refined and natural sound and was consistently engaging. If I didn’t own the Tempo 2.6, the Calyx 24/192 DAC would be on my very short list.


Consider this. The laptop/Cardas/Calyx combo in this review retails for about a quarter of my CEC/MIT/Audiomat rig but was at least as musically involving and could play hi-rez recordings in native mode up to 24-bit/192kHz. This was amazing to me. Finally truly excellent digital sound can be had at everyman prices. Forget everything bad I’ve ever said about computer audio. I now take it back. The Calyx 24/192 DAC has certainly tempted me to ditch the silver disc for good. Do check it out if you can.


Addendum. Upon completion of my review I learned that Calyx has already released an optional outboard power supply upgrade (CLPS Linear Power Supply) for the 24/192 DAC which I hope to report on soon. I also hear Calyx has a forthcoming ‘super’ DAC. I’ve got to get my hands on that too!

Quality of packing: Excellent.
Reusability of packing: Appears reusable several times.
Quality of owner's manual: Everything you require. English translation could be better.
Condition of component received: Flawless.
Completeness of delivery: Perfect.
Website comments: Decent info and pictures. Still lots of room for improvement.
Human interactions: Professional and friendly.
Warranty: 1-year parts & labor.
Pricing: Terrific value.
Final comments & suggestions: None.

Calyx Audio website
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