Well, that was a disappointment. The Weiss 501 Mk II has been returned; what follows is an honest, if slightly savage, appraisal.
I've read the claim that the implementation of the DAC is more important than the brand and model a lot recently. I'm not quite sure what that is based upon, and obviously can't speak to the subjective experiences of others, but my experience with the Weiss 501 Mk II has shown that to be utter nonsense.
Historically, I haven't had great experiences with ESS based DACs. I find them bright and headache inducing. The AudioLab MDAC I owned when I first developed an interest in this hobby is one of the worst examples of this; awful. It should be nuked from orbit. But time waits for no man, and ESS have developed their converters extensively since then. So it was with the notion that 'implementation matters more' that I took the Weiss for a whirl.
You can read about the specs and features online if you are really interested, but some standouts for me are:
1. The built in streaming functionality removes the need for a separate streamer and LPSU. Only copper rather than fibre, but still welcome. The 501 Mk II is a fully functioning Roon end point, and Roon found it instantly. The streaming section was good.
2. The built in headphone amplifier is decent. Nothing more. It would do until a separate HPA could be added to the chain, but it's a nice feature for someone who only listens to headphones periodically.
3. Headphone EQ. It only contains profiles for Audeze cans, so if you have LCD-X for example, then set the profile and off you go. Configured to Harman. If you have other cans then you can create your own, with 5 configurable shelves.
4. Web interface. Use Fing, find the IP, browse that IP in a browser and off you go. 5+ pages full of configurable options. Actually impressive.
What I didn't like:
1. The build quality is disgusting. Cheap pressed steel. Uninspiring design. The Denafrips Ares II is massively better built at less than a tenth of the cost.
2. There is something weird going on with the sound staging. The instruments are well positioned left and right, but the vocals are pushed right back in the centre. Veiled. Muted.
3. It's a detail beast; resolution in spades. But just like every other ESS experience I have ever had, the 'Wow!' factor quickly wears off to leave a flat, dull soundstage. No musicality. That ESS 'etch' that sets my teeth on edge is still there, albeit under far greater control than any other ESS implementation I've listened to.
In summary, it wasn't a net positive experience. The build quality and performance do not support the price. I suspect that the ESS based Sabaj A20D would offer a similar level of performance at a more realistic price point. And that's the catch. You can't charge £10K for a DAC that doesn't look like, or sound like a £10K DAC. Taking everything into account, I feel the correct price point for this product would be between £1000 - £2000.
I'll consider this an itch scratched!
Thanks for reading.