Storm Digital D02 Non-Oversampling DAC Impressions

[elnero]

Well my black D02 arrived yesterday, I picked it up at the post office on the way home from work. Unfortunately I had to go to my in-laws for supper so I didn't get to listen right away but I did open the box to get a look. Boy, this is one stunning piece of equipment, the case work is just incredible, pictures just don't do it justice. This is the type of case you would find on multi-kilobuck gear not something that sells in the $500 range. Another unfortunate occurence was customs opened the box and it appears they didn't repack it very well so the bottom back corners suffered some damage, nothing too serious just a bit disappointing.

When I finally got my new baby home and plugged in I was greeted with a sound that was different than I was expecting. Because it uses the same DAC chips as my Dialogue II I had figured they would sound very similar and yes, in some ways there's a resemblance but they seem quite different as well. The Dialogue II has an almost rich tube-like character in that it has a somewhat warm, smooth midrage and highs, bass has decent weight but is a bit round, detail is good but this DAC's strength is it's musicality. By contrast, and take this with a grain of salt because I've only listened for a couple of hours, I wouldn't characterize the D02 as either warm or cool, it gets the timbre of instruments right without overdoing it. Transparency and resolution are better. Highs are excellent but I haven't as yet got a handle on whether they're more extended than the Dialogue II, they definately seem even cleaner and clearer though. Bass on the D02 is pretty spectacular, tight well defined and deep with lots of weight. I did notice almost right away what others have mentioned regarding a somewhat narrow soundstage but I think it was starting to expand a bit after a few hours listening. Although the stage is narrower the D02 seems airier and instruments have more of their own space. The Dialogue II has a nice relaxing flow to music whereas the D02 seems lither, quicker on it's feet with better PRaT but PRaT might not be quite at the level I remember the MiniMax having.

Again, this only initial impressions and subject to change as I acclimate myself to the sound and the DAC itself burns in more but if my initial impressions hold or even improve I'll be one happy camper.

[Post]

mysterious! let us know how it pans out! i saw someone get one on head-fi and theirs was silver - glad you can color coordinate to your black amp!

[ojnihs]

Your first impressions make the D02 sound quite promising, can't wait to see what you think of it after you've had it for a while.

[Patu]

Here's my impressions.

So I got my D02 yesterday after a long wait. I haven't had much time to listen to it yet but so many people are asking me about my impressions of it so here are my very short first impressions.

Build quality & look:

D02 has a first class build quality. The case is finished with absolute care and it's shiny as hell. Structure is very sturdy and it weighs over 10kg. And about the outlook, it's one of the most beautiful looking audio equipments I've seen.

Sound:

D02 has very neutral and airy sound. Bass got much deeper and punchier with very good speed and accuracy at the same time. Highs are smooth and enjoyable with no sibilance or harshness at all. When I waited for this DAC I was wondering would it perform well with fast and complex rock/metal tracks. Well I have no worries anymore. It plays through fast metal or rock tracks without struggling with the complex guitar riffs at all. I don't listen to the fastest metal at all but with bands like Ayreon and Tool the music stays accurate, clear and very enjoyable. Soundstage could be wider but it should open up during burn in (that's what I've heard ). I have had like 3-4 hours with D02 at this point.