Annie’s Audio Adventures: Resonessence Labs Invicta DAC
The funny thing about this, right from the get go, is that way back when
I was in High School, our band played a song called Invicta! I can’t
remember the tune right now, but I do remember that it was one of my
favourite ones to play because the trumpets had a great part! We’re
off to a great start... or am I already biased because of a name? Also,
I really do all I can to buy local produce, food, clothing, etc. as much
as I can. Yes I know we don’t grow cocoa beans here in the Okanagan,
but the chocolate I buy is Fair Trade and organic. No, I don’t drink
coffee! So I am already biased about trying out a local product, be it
apples or audio!
So, here we are, Saturday night, ready for yet another game of “Is it on or is it off”! Hubby is getting trickier, so wish me luck! The opponents: The Marantz CD player on its own or with the Invicta DAC attached. (Yes we’re still babysitting!!!) Then we’re on for the Marantz SACD vs SD card full of high resolution music. That is one great feature I really like about this DAC: listening to uncompressed, high-resolution files.
OK, I admit: Hubby can NOT trick me with this one! Even when he makes noises to pretend he’s changing things without actually changing anything, I can tell there’s a difference. Yes, I hear better with my eyes closed! And it has been that way ever since we started listening to the Invicta. My problem is that I have a really hard time trying to describe the difference in words! Speechless, moi??? I find that the Invicta really separates the highs and mids, whereas the Marantz alone sounds more round and together. Now don’t get me wrong: neither sounds muffled, nor undefined, that’s not what I’m saying! Some songs I prefer on the Marantz, other ones when using Invicta. Hubby is already 100% sold on the Invicta, I add. It really does have a nice sound, full and well defined. I still find that what Hubby calls clarity sometimes sounds too bright to me. I think it just really depends on what tune is playing and what I feel like listening to at the time. Sometimes, for example, I find the trumpet too bright on the Invicta when I find them fine on the Marantz. Rich has the exact opposite opinion, he finds the Marantz brighter than the Invicta. So here is my point: listen to it at home with your own equipment and hear the difference!
One really cool fact about the Invicta is that you can download purchased music on HD Audio Tracks. That means that they have even more information on them than with Apple Lossless. One more thing: you can store the songs on a memory card, the same kind used in many cameras, and insert the card right into the Invicta. Who knew that the device that stores photos could store music??? Well, I guess you all knew that already, since you are all more technology savvy than me, I’m sure!
One little problem I find: the Invicta doesn’t have an RCA digital input, which means we can’t use the iPod on the Wadia (transport) through the Invicta. Since I usually have CBC classical music from the Internet playing in the house as background music, that would be a problem for me. You know what I realized last week? I’m already so used to iPods that except for musicals, I rarely listen to a whole CD from beginning to end. I’m already addicted to my play lists set on random! I will have to adjust when I get more serious with records! I’m really sorry to all musicians who work endless hours preparing their CDs and choosing the order their songs should go! I do promise that the first time I listen to any CD, I always do it in the order that it is in!
Now you know that I’m not a math teacher, but even I know that when comparing equipment, you really have to limit the variables. You shouldn’t, for example, change more than one thing at the time. But you probably already know that. I just think it’s important to remember that, especially at this time of the year when you may be out shopping. Some salespeople out there may be after your money and wow you into buying something that sounds great in their store, with their equipment, but when you get home and use the component with the rest of your set up, you realize that there’s something missing.
Conclusion? Well, as I said, the Invicta is definitely something worth listening to! I am happy with the sound, and I am happy it’s a local product!
Happy listening!
Product Details
Product Resonessence Labs Invicta DAC.
Price CAD $3,995.