Digital Processor Reviews

Theta Digital Cobalt 307 digital processor Associated Equipment

Sidebar 1: Associated Equipment

I auditioned the Cobalt 307 DAC through my usual reference system: Audio Research LS2B line-stage preamp, Mark Levinson No.23.5 or VTL 225W monoblock power amplifiers, and Hales System Two Signature loudspeakers with a Muse Model 18 subwoofer. The Cobalt also saw time with the superb Thiel CS3.6 loudspeakers.

Interconnects were primarily AudioQuest Lapis and Diamond or Monster Cable Sigma; loudspeaker cables were 8' bi-wired runs of AudioQuest Sterling/Midnight. Digital interconnects included the excellent Aural Symphonics Digital Standard or TARA Labs' killer Digital Master. Power to the system (except for the Muse and power amplifiers) was conditioned with a Tice Power Block and Titan.

Other processors on hand for comparison included the Proceed PDP 3 (to be reviewed next month), Mark Levinson No.30, and Meitner IDAT. On a more price-competitive level, I compared the 307 DAC to the $799 Sumo Theorem, a processor I believe to be the best-sounding converter under $1000.—Robert Harley

COMPANY INFO
Theta Digital,
1749 Chapin Road
Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 278-0001
www.thetadigital.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on September 11, 2019 - 6:30pm

Not that it matters much or at all....

Was it Mike Moffat or Paul McGowan ?

These two pioneered Audiophile DACs and continue as Leading "Higher Authorities".

Tony in Venice

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on September 11, 2019 - 9:54pm

... "good for its price" sounds like damning it with faint praise.
You'd have been much better off buying one of the higher end Sony ES CD players from that era.

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on September 12, 2019 - 4:02pm
tonykaz wrote:
Not that it matters much or at all....

Or Arcam or Musical Fidelity in the UK?

tonykaz wrote:
Was it Mike Moffat or Paul McGowan?

Paul McGowan in the US. But what's interesting about the Cobalt DAC is that it was designed by Jason Stoddard, then with Sumo, and now better-known as the cofounder of Schiit Audio.

Good to see you back, Tony.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on September 16, 2019 - 4:31pm

"Who was first?" (The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording)

http://www.aes.org/aeshc/pdf/fine_dawn-of-digital.pdf

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on September 16, 2019 - 4:53pm

Today, in digital audio, the technology is rather well understood, and it would be a long list of 'higher authorities'.

For the modern variant, high quality digital audio over IP, I would highlight the name Kevin Gross (AES Fellow, invented CobraNet, chaired the AES67 working group and did most of the heavy lifting, etc., extending to a long depth of work and list of accomplishments).

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on September 16, 2019 - 5:46pm

Well, he seems to be talking to the Pro People more than we hobbyists. Can't complain about that too much because I don't know the first dam thing about 192 and beyond, I'm a Loyal 16/44 Redbook fan.

If I could...

I'd ask Mr. Gross how a $100,000 DAC delivers superior playback sound quality from Music recored by ProAudio ADCs costing far less and often not featuring any of the magic pixie lust dust included in those 2 chassis Sculptures ?

anyway...

Thanks for writing about all this.

Tony in Venice

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on September 13, 2019 - 9:54am

Thanks for stepping up for our Brits with their earliest DAC contributions.

I was a bit worried that you might disappear to Bermuda or join the growing number of NarrowBoat Retirees cruising the Cut. ( like I'm contemplating )

Something you wrote over the Summer reminded me of your considerable skill & lexicon. Mr. Austin's writing seems to further establish Stereophile's sound Management principals are being kept in a World where Outfits like Boeing are cutting cost corners at the expense of Quality.

I'm delighted they're not squeezing you out. ( redundant ? , god forbid )

Tony in Venice

ps. Mr. Stoddard doesn't seem to crave a "First DAC" title. Maybe being First is just an Asian sort of thing ( other than Drag Racing, of course )

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 12, 2019 - 6:35pm

Mr. Atkinson seems to hide in his 'safe space' more often these days ...... Just kidding :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 12, 2019 - 7:10pm

Tony, please don't disappear in the 'Bermuda Triangle' :-) ........

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on September 13, 2019 - 5:59am

that was a close one for me,

Bahamas we're destroyed which included quite a few retired Brits.

Tony in Venice

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on September 13, 2019 - 9:52am

Long live John!

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 13, 2019 - 11:35am

When he retires, JA1 is gonna live in his own private island like, Sir Richard Branson. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and some other wealthy individuals :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 13, 2019 - 11:46am

Of course, just like those wealthy individuals, JA1 is gonna own his own private jet and private yacht for his transportation needs :-) .......

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on September 13, 2019 - 9:51am

Liked it quite a bit.. little chalky and dense, but it was fun! Now, this level of quality is pretty laughable.. marginal, incremental improvements over a standalone CDP.

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