It's still loose but I suspect Alex was right: the noise was not serious (have yet to locate appropriate tool to verify). The DAC sounds great but requires an external amp (currently using my M-cubed). It has responded favorably to power regeneration and the various inputs do sound slightly different (compared USB, AES/XLR, SPDIF & TOSLINK via RME Digi 96/8 PAD). I wish I still had the DAC1 for comparison sake or knew someone with a Lavry DA10. For that matter I wish we had more time at the National Meet and I wasn't so afraid about potentially damaging Alex's gear! Right now I'm enjoying the DA53 with the various 'phones at my disposal (W11JPN, MS-Pro, RS-1, K1000, DT880 v2006, K701 & K271). Any Bay Area 'phone nut with a GS-1000 is welcome - I never had much opportunity to compare GS-1000 with other woody Grados at the Meet. Have you returned from Japan, Alex?
