My impressions of the Lab12 DAC1 Reference
Of all the DACs I've owned over the past several years, the Lab12 DAC1 Reference is absolutely my favorite to date. Of course this does not mean it will sound the same in anyone else's room or audio chain, but I'm extremely impressed with how it sounds connected to my streamer (Aurender X100L), Thoress EHT integrated Hybrid amplifier driving a pair of Pureaudio project Trio 15 open baffle speakers. My room measures 12’x16’ and is not acoustically treated. I almost exclusively stream Qobuz and sometimes Spotify.
The Lab 12 has a wonderful sound signature and is to my ears, different from the DACs I've owned previously.
I've had several DACs over the last few of years - PS Audio direct stream Jr, Auralic G 2.1, Lumin S1, Lindemann Limetree Network, EC Design PowerDAC R, MHDT Orchid, MHDT Havana, Naim ND5 XS, Schiit Gungnir, Cary audio (model?), Mytek Brooklyn and most recently HoloAudio Cyan2, (I'm sure I'm forgetting a few). Of the DACs I've owned previously, I would characterize them as more similar sounding than different - variants of the same type of sound really, except maybe for the Lampizator Amber4 which the Lab12 bests as far as my recollection of the Lampizator sound goes. (The Lampizator - also a DAC with tubes in the circuit was a very efficient room heater and a DAC so was reluctantly given up). Happily the Lab12 DAC runs much less warm.
Seeking my audio nirvana of excellent detail retrieval, great soundstage width and depth and an analogue non fatiguing sound, I jumped on the R2R DAC quest with no satisfaction. I would suggest “DACs with Tubes” as a worthwhile new hype train for audiophiles.
The Lab12 DAC1R does not oversample, does not DSD or MQA decoding. It’s also limited to 24/192 kHz. Despite these shocking deficiencies it has an excellent combination of speed and detail, (this is something I found with all my previous DACs), but in addition it has this exceptional dimensionality and slam. Timbre is spot on, vocals are nicely out in front. In many recordings the depth of soundstage makes it possible to clearly identify who is singing in front and distinctly note other performers behind and to the sides. The presentation has a bit of warmth and sweetness without sounding thick or slow. It has much more 'the artists are there in the room' feeling than any of my previous DACs. Best of all it sounds good with “non audiophile” recordings too!
Not sure what this VU meter does except distract.
While it may not match the Lumin S1 or Holo Audio Cyan2 in terms of extreme detail retrieval or width of soundstage, it does more than enough in these aspects to satisfy without fatigue inducing sibilance. The occasional harshness, sibilance (and digital glare) heard from the Lumin was also happily absent. The overall sound is full and the lower frequencies are nicely nuanced allowing for clear identification of various bass instruments used in the music. The presentation of the musical performance is also more coherent and composed … making it very enjoyable over listening sessions lasted 4-6 hours at a time, streaming music from a variety of genres.
Boring visual design, but well built and gorgeous sounding. So
I feel the biggest difference from the other DACs I have owned is in its tonality. It’s very natural sounding (male and female vocals). String, wind and percussion instruments sound realistic. This may be because the designer has “voiced” and tuned the DAC using his ears and not by measurements. To me it makes my set up just sound “right”. It’s a deeply emotional, densely substantial yet very realistic sound that never tires or irritates. Does it make streaming music sound “analogue”? Yesss!
Lab12 DAC1 reference is an extraordinary DAC. Since it was added to my audio setup I am listening to music far more and longer, exploring new music and revisiting old familiar favourites with a lot of pleasure. New gear enthusiasm? Probably. but having bought and tried a large variety of audio gear over the years, I am familiar with this initial feeling of excitement that quickly wanes. This time however it feels much more than that. Time will tell.
Please note these observations were made in my listening room with the associated equipment listed above. I was only able to do direct comparisons of this DAC with Holo Cyan2, Lindemann limetree network and EC designs PowerDAC R.
User manual has the technical specifications: https://www.lab12.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dac1-reference-owner-manual-v1.6.pdf
So if you are, using streaming services as your primary source for music I would recommend you audition this DAC if possible. To anyone who insists that streaming music playback quality can not compare with a well set up Turntable or such, I say “balderdash! Try this before you repeat and perpetuate this myth”
To say I am happy with the Lab12 DAC would be an understatement.
I am happy to invite some FM - one person at a time to listen and make your own opinions but having read this I am sure you are biased one way or another
. DM to connect and discuss more on this.
Of all the DACs I've owned over the past several years, the Lab12 DAC1 Reference is absolutely my favorite to date. Of course this does not mean it will sound the same in anyone else's room or audio chain, but I'm extremely impressed with how it sounds connected to my streamer (Aurender X100L), Thoress EHT integrated Hybrid amplifier driving a pair of Pureaudio project Trio 15 open baffle speakers. My room measures 12’x16’ and is not acoustically treated. I almost exclusively stream Qobuz and sometimes Spotify.
The Lab 12 has a wonderful sound signature and is to my ears, different from the DACs I've owned previously.
I've had several DACs over the last few of years - PS Audio direct stream Jr, Auralic G 2.1, Lumin S1, Lindemann Limetree Network, EC Design PowerDAC R, MHDT Orchid, MHDT Havana, Naim ND5 XS, Schiit Gungnir, Cary audio (model?), Mytek Brooklyn and most recently HoloAudio Cyan2, (I'm sure I'm forgetting a few). Of the DACs I've owned previously, I would characterize them as more similar sounding than different - variants of the same type of sound really, except maybe for the Lampizator Amber4 which the Lab12 bests as far as my recollection of the Lampizator sound goes. (The Lampizator - also a DAC with tubes in the circuit was a very efficient room heater and a DAC so was reluctantly given up). Happily the Lab12 DAC runs much less warm.
Seeking my audio nirvana of excellent detail retrieval, great soundstage width and depth and an analogue non fatiguing sound, I jumped on the R2R DAC quest with no satisfaction. I would suggest “DACs with Tubes” as a worthwhile new hype train for audiophiles.
The Lab12 DAC1R does not oversample, does not DSD or MQA decoding. It’s also limited to 24/192 kHz. Despite these shocking deficiencies it has an excellent combination of speed and detail, (this is something I found with all my previous DACs), but in addition it has this exceptional dimensionality and slam. Timbre is spot on, vocals are nicely out in front. In many recordings the depth of soundstage makes it possible to clearly identify who is singing in front and distinctly note other performers behind and to the sides. The presentation has a bit of warmth and sweetness without sounding thick or slow. It has much more 'the artists are there in the room' feeling than any of my previous DACs. Best of all it sounds good with “non audiophile” recordings too!
Not sure what this VU meter does except distract.
While it may not match the Lumin S1 or Holo Audio Cyan2 in terms of extreme detail retrieval or width of soundstage, it does more than enough in these aspects to satisfy without fatigue inducing sibilance. The occasional harshness, sibilance (and digital glare) heard from the Lumin was also happily absent. The overall sound is full and the lower frequencies are nicely nuanced allowing for clear identification of various bass instruments used in the music. The presentation of the musical performance is also more coherent and composed … making it very enjoyable over listening sessions lasted 4-6 hours at a time, streaming music from a variety of genres.
Boring visual design, but well built and gorgeous sounding. So
I feel the biggest difference from the other DACs I have owned is in its tonality. It’s very natural sounding (male and female vocals). String, wind and percussion instruments sound realistic. This may be because the designer has “voiced” and tuned the DAC using his ears and not by measurements. To me it makes my set up just sound “right”. It’s a deeply emotional, densely substantial yet very realistic sound that never tires or irritates. Does it make streaming music sound “analogue”? Yesss!
Lab12 DAC1 reference is an extraordinary DAC. Since it was added to my audio setup I am listening to music far more and longer, exploring new music and revisiting old familiar favourites with a lot of pleasure. New gear enthusiasm? Probably. but having bought and tried a large variety of audio gear over the years, I am familiar with this initial feeling of excitement that quickly wanes. This time however it feels much more than that. Time will tell.
Please note these observations were made in my listening room with the associated equipment listed above. I was only able to do direct comparisons of this DAC with Holo Cyan2, Lindemann limetree network and EC designs PowerDAC R.
User manual has the technical specifications: https://www.lab12.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dac1-reference-owner-manual-v1.6.pdf
So if you are, using streaming services as your primary source for music I would recommend you audition this DAC if possible. To anyone who insists that streaming music playback quality can not compare with a well set up Turntable or such, I say “balderdash! Try this before you repeat and perpetuate this myth”
To say I am happy with the Lab12 DAC would be an understatement.
I am happy to invite some FM - one person at a time to listen and make your own opinions but having read this I am sure you are biased one way or another
. DM to connect and discuss more on this.
