AudioEngine 995 Feature - Page 3

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TONE A U D I O NO.50

F E A T U R E

For Macintosh owners, simply open up the sound control in

your computer's system preferences and select "Audioengine

D2". Windows users verify connection in the sound applica-

tion of your control panel menu. In either case, make sure to

start with the sender unit's output turned all the way up. Typi-

cal of all Audioengine products, the D2 system comes with a

full assortment of cables, so running to RadioShack won't be

necessary.

For owners of larger homes or those broadcasting to or

from a studio or garage, the D2 transmission range easily

exceeds 100 feet, according to Audioengine, and will trans-

mit through one exterior and one interior wall without signal

degradation. I tested the transmission through an exterior wall

and five interior walls at a distance of some 70 feet and the D2

yielded equally good results.

At just $599 with full wireless functionality, one might bet

that the D2's DAC section would be the weak link. Here, the

PCM1792A chip serves the DAC well. Consistency across the

spectrum with all components is a big thing with us here at

TONEAudio, and the D2 DAC performed above expectations

across the board.

Peak Performer

Listening to the D2 DAC, the one word that keeps coming to

mind is "smooth." The D2 is a budget DAC that successfully

avoids the dreaded listener fatigue. When using the D2, bass

guitar definition has a solid punch in The Burned's toe-tapping

"Hard Lesson," along with a pleasant richness and depth. On

the top end of the frequency spectrum, the D2 delivers Kath-

leen Edwards' clear vocals in "Change the Sheets" without the

grain or irritation that plague most DACs at this price point.

The soul of music lives in the midrange and the xylophone in

Steely Dan's classic "Aja," which comes across with the sweet

warmth that many budget DACs miss.

The Audioengine D2 DAC offers convenience and high

performance in a compact package that is reasonably priced.

Computer audiophiles take note.

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