Filip S

“With the AUVAs the body of the piano was fuller, more three dimensionally carved in space, and the depth and dimensions of the space around the piano was much more defined. And the whole presentation appeared bigger. The piano itself was presented with more authority, and a sense of ease.”

Review of Stack Audio AUVA EQ

“With this latest addition of AUVA EQs it was time for my DAC to get the upgrade that has previously transformed the performance of my Cayin CS-88A tube amp, Denon DCD-1700NE used as a CD-transport, and Usher SD-500 speakers.

Every time I make a change in my hifi I make sure that I’m present and fully ”there” to experience the shift. It’s just something I do and it makes the gear-side of this amazing hobby even more enjoyable for me. And today, presence presented itself. And the aim was a solid comparison between the old and the new.

It was easy to switch between the rubber feet currently supporting my DAC, originally purchased for my old set of speakers for around €25. Very basic, quite stiff. But still they dampen some vibrations. With my Denafrips Ares II DAC resting on the rubber feet, the AUVA EQs could fit comfortably underneath the DAC without touching, which meant switching between the two dampening philosophies was fast and with minimal effort.

The CD-track for this episode of Experiencing the Shift was the pianist Tiffany Poon’s solo contribution to The Dvořák Album with Jan Vogler et al (Sony, 2022), the wonderfully naïve No. 7 from 8 Humoresques, Op. 101. I know this track well.

After a few back and forths, the difference became clear. With the AUVAs the body of the piano was fuller, more three dimensionally carved in space, and the depth and dimensions of the space around the piano was much more defined. And the whole presentation appeared bigger. The piano itself was presented with more authority, and a sense of ease. The notes sounded more liquid and smooth. With the plain rubber feet on the other hand, the timbre of the piano was more on the lively side. But in comparison it sounded as if the wooden structure of the piano was somewhat missing, with focus being on the brilliance of hammers on strings rather than a cohesive representation of an instrument with a character of its own.

Again, upgrading my hifi with another set of AUVA EQs has made the music in my treated listening room sound even less like a recording, and even more like the real thing.

What a time to be alive.”