Jon L

I already have a Variac, so would it be a problem to buy the Japanese version and use my variac to feed it 100V?

Wow. The phrase "The Few. The Proud" comes to mind. BTW, is that preamp output I see on the back, and if so, how does it sound? (poor audiofool trying to justify purchase in 'stat/speaker system)

For those interested, there's already a pretty extensive user-review of this Audio-gd DAC, and even their matching pre and amp, on AC. The pricing sure seems reasonable Review: Audio-GD C1 Amp, C3 Preamp, and DAC8 D/A Converter

Interesting that Wavelength licensed out the USB asynch technology to Ayre, who is their competitor. Perhaps they figured their markets are different being tube vs. SS?

Oh, shoot. I am ashamed to admit that I've had both EVS ultimates and Ender units for a long time but have been too lazy to compare them at length. That's partly because they both do a "good enough" job when I use them in various positions, but my system is built around passive-friendly values. The mid-level McCormack stock preamps I have listened to were good, but not so good that I would abandon my passives for. However, Steve's new statement preamp, VRE-1 is one fantastic-sounding preamp that I would gladly give up others for. It's $7500 unfortunately, but it's as good as I've heard that combines the virtues of passives and actives in one design. mccormack

I have owned/used Placette passive RVC, Bent NOH TVC, EVS ultimates, passives similar to Axiom, and I do like the Placette if taking into account unadulterated sound *AND* convenience of remote control (!). In a couple of systems, the EVS ultimate attenuators did sound even less additive than Placette, likely due to one less run of interconnects/capacitance; but there is no remote control, and you have to reach back and manually turn the knobs. If I were in your shoes, I would probably spend my money first on some sMc audio upgrades for DNA amp itself. While expensive, Steve's Platinum amp upgrades are really, really sweet. http://www.smcaudio.com/

I'm pretty sure I'm using it according to manual to a *T*

Eichman banana plugs. It may be designed with sonics in mind using 24k Gold plated Tellurium Copper, but the POS plastic stalk is fragile, bending and threatening to break off with heavy speaker cables. Worse yet, the metal strip slips up and down easily if there is resistance in the female banana jack.

What the hell? I was just asking what "open mic" means, guessing he meant live hall recording as opposed to inside studio recording. Why you thought it was a "snipe" is beyond me.

Eh, what's open mic recordings? (as opposed to studio recording?)

The PCM2707 USB-to-spdif converter used sounds about twice better subjectively when *not* powered by the USB bus and powered by good batteries IME in other DAC's...

It's interesting that Srajan is now seeming to be saying tubed CDP/DAC may not be the way to go in his NWO vs. Yamamoto DAC review. Is D70 on a definite lower plane of performance compared to NWO, or could a solid-state lover reasonably even prefer it over the tubed player?

*Shrug* So I can make Senn HD650 sound extremely bright with no bass with certain tube/cable choices in certain systems. That doesn't change the fact they are closed-in, bloated cans.

I've owned X-Statiks for some time and have run them with various setups ranging from single-ended tube, push-pull tube, triode, pentode, Class AB SS, Class A SS, Class D, hybrid digital, gainclone, and probably a couple I'm forgetting. If anything, X-Statiks are on the smoothly detailed side, and it's very difficult to make them sound rough, bright, or grainy. They are well-detailed, but my reference speakers with ribbon tweeters and Focal 7K2 midrange are significantly more resolved. Some people may wish for a more "obvious" ported bass whomp, but I prefer the tight bass from the sealed bass units. The MFW would do nicely here..

That's very strange. The last thing X-Statiks are is "bright." What's your reference speaker and amp that you don't find bright?

Justin, I think you were once quoted as saying OII will sound better on BHSE than Aristaeus. But does that mean HE90 (HE60?) will sound better on Aristaeus than BHSE and why? TIA.

Stello DP200 is actually a combo of DAC + separate balanced class A preamp, not just a DAC with a volume control like Lavry, so it's technically not a fair fight. However, since Stello DP200 has analogue inputs, how about running the Lavry's output into Stello's preamp section and comparing?

Mainly because I own/have owned TDA1541 and TDA1543 based DAC's and have listened to others. Mind you I'm not saying they don't sound great (at least in thought-out designs that accentuate their strengths and minimize their limitations) or unworthy. But as the overall resolution of your system continues to go higher (aka electrostats) and great recordings with complex material is used, one can more easily discern certain limitations. If I were going to seek state-of-art assault on digital and throw this kind of money into it, I personally would not go the TDA15xx route.

I really don't know why people continue to throw the kitchen sink and $$$ to these TDA15xx DAC chips. Sure, they can be made to sound great with certain, eh "character," but imagine what kind of stupendous results one would achieve by throwing the same amount of effort and money at something like the ESS Sabre DAC chips, for example.

From TPA page: "From Direct DSD, I2S and S/PDIF inputs" I don't care too much about DSD input, but if one had a DSD transport like Meitner or DCS, can the Buffalo be fitted with some kind of DSD input connector to accomodate SACD stream? Same with I2S. Can Buffalo be fitted with I2S input without too much fiddling around to accomodate something like the Northstar I2S transport?

It arrived with spdif input not working as well as shipping damage (aka poor packing job) to the external casing. Part of LCD flickers. There were some shorted wiring as well, which I had to hunt down and fix. Most of all, it sounded subpar in stock format (TDA1543 x8 and stock Claritycap output caps), lacking detail and dynamics. After I fixed many issues, put in 8 more TDA1543 (total 16), changed the output caps to combo of polystyrene and teflon, it's sounding *much* better. It still has spdif intermittency issues. I suspect a cracked PCB tracing somewhere but it works most of the time.. Its toslink and USB input are sounding surprisingly good, though. The USB-I2S coupling sounds very good compared to other USB-spdif jobbies I've listened to.

Who said anything about problem-free Pandora There is a reason the top cover is off other than the huge teflon output capacitors I placed protruding out...

After neglecting my speakers for a while due to my recent electrostat headphone lust, I have put together my speaker rig again after receiving the DIY First Watt F5 amp. My main speakers are actively bi-amped, and I was looking for an extremely resolving amp for tweeter/midrange (Aurum Cantus G3 ribbon/Focal 7K2 midrange) beyond what my tube amps can provide. The F5 is fantabulously beautifully resolved in this range, I must say. BTW. Yes, that is the controversial Storm Audio Pandora DAC, currently used in "Master" mode, slaving my Lynx 2B spdif output from my quiet PC.

If you thought choosing your source was tough, picking speakers is at least an order of magnitude harder and more crucial. While there are plenty of nice box speakers, such as on your list, speaker audition should always include some reasonable alternatives: Planar-magnetic (Magnepan), electrostats (Martin Logans (urggg), used Quads, older Acoustats, used Innersounds (budget-stretcher), etc), single-drivers and/or horns. I'll say this much. If you are a planar lover (yet undiscovered), you will regret not going with one from the get-go, and vice versa.