Finally I collected my new Lavry Blue AD DA, eagerly connected and started recording many samples of different instruments and vocals, always changing Lavry and Mytek for the same takes (tried both in 44 and 96 kHz). I was using 3 pairs of Schoeps and Millennia preamps (and U87 for vocals).
The result is very simple:
Mytek was a grand sound quality leap from my former Apogee Rosetta. But now, when compared to Lavry, Mytek sounded in all cases always a bit thinner, tiny bit "boxy" and slightly exagerrated in the highs. (but all this within a relatively small scale, of course)
Lavry sound was always a bit more pleasant, fuller in the mids, more warm, round, detailed and natural. All the instruments (violin, viola, flutes, guitar etc.) sounded very natural and pleasant. Comparing to that , in Mytek sound there was always a small touch of an artificial sound tembre (as if). Even on Lynn´s ADCD, I felt like if Mytek had some extra highs. I had the same feeling all the time I have been using it. Now, when Lavry sounds just warm and natural, without that tiny sharp end, I feel a nice relief ...
For vocals and spoken word with U87, Lavry had a lot more body and fullness than Mytek, which was more emphasised in the highs.
That said, Mytek still remains an excellent AD (leaving all the Digi 001s, 002s, 003s, Apogee Rosettas etc.) miles behind.
But Lavry is yet another step. I am happy I made it. Simply more round, full, pleasant and natural. I don´t think there is still much more to climb to the AD Mount Everest .Maybe few inches ? (worth several thousands dollars ...)
Now to the other end:
Apogee mini DAC was very grand leap from 001 DA. Everything suddenly sounded so much better, clear, more detailed.
Now I can see how everything in the world is quite relative.
After connecting Lavry DA (unfortunately only with software volume control so far), I felt like moving from a nice busy street restaurant to the five star Hilton hotel with the food served on a golden plate ...
Everything so clear, extremely detailed, full and spacy, yet just natural. Back to APogee - a bit muffled and not so distinguished in the sound layers (a bit mixed alltogether).
These are my immediate impressions after an enjoyable afternoon spent with a new great device ....
Anyone else using Lavry here ?
Ivo
www.savita.cz