TMR Exclusive Review: Aqua La Scala Mk II Optologic DAC, Part 4

A Delicate Touch 

I wanted to really put the Aqua La Scala Mk II through its paces, so I thought I’d see how it competes against my own reference, and what I consider to be one of the better DACs (until recently) on the market: PS Audio's DirectStream Junior DAC.

I've had tons of experience listening to all brands and all eras of HiFi equipment in the testing department of The Music Room. In general, I’ve always thought that PS Audio gear sounds fantastic. Some of their products are the only ones in their price class which have that elusive quality of sounding “right” to my ears.

Compared to PS Audio, the company Aqua has much less exposure in the American market, and with this kind of performance, my gut says that needs to change. As a longtime owner of PS’s DirectStream Jr., I’ve become a big fan of its ability to get out of the way and make music. But as the years continue, I’m on the lookout for the next device that might continue to push the limits of what I’ve grown to know and love.

This was the first serious head-to-head comparison I’d done using my Junior, and after two albums, it was becoming no contest. For the change of pace, I wanted something with a clear singer in the center image, with soft and beautiful accompaniment and with a great sense of space. This was an easy choice, describing Syrian-born and California-based singer Bedouine's latest, Waysides, to a T.

I can tell the La Scala is resolving the music with high precision, because in the opening few seconds of the first track, it delivers the juice right away. It’s an exciting sensation when a recording can immediately snap the feeling of the recording space into place into the listener’s mind, before the first notes are played. This "opening setting" display can be heard clearly on some systems, and be unnoticeable on others. Compromised electronics and poor cabling can threaten to shroud this effect, but in my room the La Scala does the trick with gusto.

Later in the track, Bedouine’s lovely voice is eminently clear and defined in the center image on both converters, but the La Scala adds a very subtle extra layer of depth. With the Aqua, I can sometimes envision the throat movements of the singer, hearing her prepare to sing words. It’s subtle, but it’s this kind of cue that helps our brains “put a face” to the singer and are hallmarks of an excellent HiFi system.

The La Scala Mk II’s performance against the popular PS Audio converter is very impressive to me, as the DirectStream concept has allowed PS to update it myriad times (the latest iteration of which is called “Sunlight”). Given the architecture, changes to the FPGA code resulted in consistent sonic improvements since the DAC’s introduction in 2016. By the time it was discontinued, they could call their DS Junior DAC a “Mark 9”, but chose instead to use the names of Colorado “fourteeners” -- mountains above 14,000 feet -- to designate the versions.

The La Scala Mk II in contrast has just one revision, but was similarly constructed with updates and upgrades in mind. Its design is very modular, making internal board swaps easy and quick.

Moving back to Balimaya’s Wolo So, track 6 “City of God” illuminates an interesting area of sonic difference between the two, where subjectivity could drive one toward my trusty DSJ. I heard a bit more consistent oomph in the lower-midbass frequencies through the DSJ, which I did enjoy on some recordings.

But during this evaluation process I started thinking it may be at the expense of ultimate neutrality. With enough listening, I heard the La Scala capable of the same strength down there, but the recording had to request it. Through the DSJ, I noticed that subtle midbass thickness covering everything.

On some stereo systems that would be nice, but if we’re judging fidelity, it’s a mark against. The La Scala was stronger across the rest of the spectrum, and the more I listened and focused on the octaves down low, the more I believed I was hearing what was actually -- and only -- there.

That’s kind of the whole job of a DAC, no? To say that the Aqua La Scala Mk II DAC gets its work done is an understatement. This state-of-the-art converter is no digital jambalaya, with concepts tossed in a pot and stirred on low heat. This is a high-flying multi-course meal prepared by a master chef, meant to fill you up without leaving you feeling full.

It’s an enthusiastic recommended upgrade for anyone who enjoys the PS Audio DAC presentation and wants to keep pulse with the state-of-the-art in digital conversion. Both companies aim to make their digital devices sound more analog, and both products really do get there.

PS’ original, more pricey DirectStream (the “Senior”) may have more to say in this debate, and the current rumor is that the company is revving up for a DirectStream 2 revision of the original. We love our Colorado HiFi neighbors, and there is never a dull moment over at PS HQ. I’m extremely eager to hear what’s in store for the next generation of their innovative approach.

But for me, ultimately, the added resolution and detail on top of the familiarly wide-open, natural presentation I already know and love makes the Aqua La Scala Mk II the victor of the day, and a serious target for my own system upgrade in the future. Aqua designed it to be modular and upgradeable, which PS Audio also knows is a real strength in the modern HiFi audio DAC landscape.

Before closing I should mention I did notice more sonic improvements even in the mid-300 hours of burn-in and beyond, and I also thought it sounded best when left on 24 hours a day. With soft start circuitry and long life expectancy for the tubes, I didn’t think anything of it in my time with the La Scala. But, later as an owner, were I to follow my curiosity and roll some NOS 12AT7 tubes into the sockets, I might actually reduce that to a few hours of warm-up before serious listening.

I’m hooked and smitten by the La Scala Mk II and what it does in my room, and we can insert the classic “I’m not looking forward to giving it back” line here.

But let’s cheer up, shall we? A glowing report card like this for a high end product in a competitive market earns Aqua DAC our immense respect, and helps forge a path to The Music Room’s partnership with Aqua “Audio Quality” from Italy. Bravo! The La Scala Mk II “Optologic” R2R, FPGA and tube DAC is extremely highly recommended.