Cary Audio customer, Chris P., wrote a fantastic review on our DMS-650 Network Audio Player.
“I am both hearing and budget-challenged, so this is not a professional review, but rather someone who is simply an individual who loves music. I suffered significant hearing loss while in the Army and wear hearing aids. A quick note on the hearing aids, I thought the world of exceptional audio was over when I had the accident. It was until this newer generation of hearing aids which has allowed me to fully enjoy not only the tonality (how well it sounds) but also the soundstage. These newer aids “talk” to each other and provide a precise, balanced level between the ears allowing the brain to determine sound directionality/location that older aids destroyed. I recently acquired new Phonak P90 hearing aids, and they have expanded my listening ability. Still, any sound over about 4 Khz simply does not exist for me. This is very relevant to my review of the DMS-650 since I live in the Mid-Range and a tight bass world. I have pursued this as best as my financial means can provide. My setup is simple, Cary SLI-80 Signature Integrated Amplifier pushing a pair of Klipsch Cornwall IVs. I will get to the DAC. In my quest, I migrated from ELAC 2.0 bookshelf speakers to Klipsch Heresys and, finally, Klipsch Cornwalls. I was stunned by the enhanced midrange the Cornwalls produced. Augmenting the Cornwalls are a pair of SVS-1000 non-ported subs that have been meticulously adjusted to be transparent to the Cornwalls. Truth be told, the only time these really make a difference is listening to a very good pipe organ recording that is capable of picking up these low frequencies. Migrating from a solid-state integrated amplifier to a cheap “made in China” tube integrated amp opened up the world of tubes that directly led to the Cary SLI-80. Each step enhanced my “world,” and I heard a difference, so perhaps I am an “amateur” audiophile with lousy hearing!
If you want a good test of a sound stage, both width as well as elevation, listen to Cantate Domino by Oscars Motettkor. Specifically, Cantique de Noel (sung in Swedish). Exceptional recording that is ethereal in how it transports you into a Cathedral with a soloist accompanied by the organ and choir, which will truly test your setup. The previous DAC sounded good, but the DMS-650 “beamed me down,” and I was inside the cathedral. If you want something a little more on the rock side, the classic Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love will simply catapult you center stage!
This brings me to the meat of the evaluation. Prior to the DMS-650, I was using a Topping E30 DAC fed by an aging iMac using Amazon HD. For a little $150 box, it does a great job. Thus, my dilemma. Jumping to a unit in this price range was a real stretch financially, with significant doubts as to the overall enhancements it would yield. Was I in that zone of diminishing returns? I had two main objectives, a better listening experience as well as knocking the PC out of the loop with a Streaming DAC. I then meticulously researched Streaming DACs. It came down to Cary and another well-respected manufacturer. Steve Huff’s review was an immense help (you can read it on Cary’s site). I believe he used the term “mid-range magic,” which was exactly what I was striving for. I chose Tidal HiFi for the streaming service after finding their partnership with Best Buy with 12-month subscriptions that dropped it to a price that is close to Amazon. The DMS does not support Amazon.
I set up the DMS-650 to another input of the SLI-80 while maintaining the Topping. By adjusting the level between the two inputs and queuing up the same song on Amazon HD and Tidal HiFi, I could quickly switch between the two inputs for a great A/B comparison. It is subtle but profound. The difference between the Topping and the DMS-650 will not hit you in the face. With that said, by closing my eyes, I listened to the Topping. As previously stated, it sounds good. I then switched to the DMS-650. Initially, it also sounded good, and then the “magic” started to occur. I noticed that the sound stage was expanded with better detail and precise instrument locations. It transformed “stereo sound” into a stage. I want to be careful here; the sound was softer but not colored. There is nothing artificial about the sound. The mid-range simply well sings, and the bass was enhanced to hear not just low notes but a greater definition of what instrument was playing the note. The DMS-650 compliments a tube pre-amp/amplifier exceptionally well. To me, this was the financial justification. I believe to equal the DMS-650 “analog” sound would put me in a class of turntable, tone arm, cartridge, and phono pre-amp well exceeding the price of the DMS-650. Not to mention the huge investment in records. Now I have a great analog device with 90 million songs!
To qualify the test, I brought in my wife and repeated the test as “A” versus “B.” She consistently picked the DMS-650 and, out of the half-dozen songs, never selected the Topping. I was concerned that since I was self-administrating my test, I would be influenced by the “expensive” bottle of wine effect. I was not.
In conclusion, the DMS-650 has done what I wanted by enhancing my music experience and enjoyment. I can listen for hours fatigue-free. The setup was straightforward, allowing me to get the unit online very quickly. I suspect that, as I plow through the 70-page owner’s manual, it will only get better as I “tweak” the system.”
If you are located in the United States and Canada, you can purchase the DMS-650 Network Audio Player on CaryDirect.
If you are located outside the United States and Canada, please get in touch with your local Dealer/Distributor to purchase.