#11
|
||||
|
||||
cmalak: Risk that it won't be quality is likely reduced by the fact that Aesthetix is licensing the USB input approach from Wavelength. I agree, I'd like to see a little bit more about it.
Is the feedback re: the DAC8 generally positive?
__________________
Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Northstar Design USB dac32 added. This looks like a real contender.
Digital Audio Blog: Northstar Design USB dac32
__________________
Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
2CH: W4S DAC-2, W4S STP-SE, W4S SX-500, Custom ScanSpeak/SEAS Towers, Hot Rodded Rega TT and Jolida JD9 Phono Pre, Asynch PC Transport, WireWorld Gold Eclipse 6 XLR HT: Marantz AV7005, W4S Mini MC-5, Custom Waveguide Towers, SVSPB12-Plus/2 |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
It has generally been very favorable. The reviews you can get off of ARC's web site or a google search. There are a number of threads on Agon and Computer Audiophile you can check out. If you have notbeen to Computer Audiophile, you should check it out for all things PC audio oriented. Lot of reviews as well as user posts/questions on various equipment. Good luck.
|
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Face: Berkeley's DAC does not have a USB input. And, I'm not sure what those Metric devices are all about.
__________________
Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Cyril: have you given any thought to the Northstar? The text sounds amazing, but it seems pretty new.
Northstar - USB dac32
__________________
Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Sorry, I didn't know you meant USB and Firewire support. Both the Berkeley and Metric Halo are FW only AFAIK.
__________________
2CH: W4S DAC-2, W4S STP-SE, W4S SX-500, Custom ScanSpeak/SEAS Towers, Hot Rodded Rega TT and Jolida JD9 Phono Pre, Asynch PC Transport, WireWorld Gold Eclipse 6 XLR HT: Marantz AV7005, W4S Mini MC-5, Custom Waveguide Towers, SVSPB12-Plus/2 |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Face: Oh, wait... is the Berkeley Firewire? It does not mention Firewire on the Berkeley spec sheet you linked.
__________________
Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
kfr01...I just remembered I had exchanged emails with Jonathan Tinn of Bluelight Audio (distributors of Dartzeel amps, Evlution Acoustics speakers, and Playback Designs digital offerings), and he had informed me that their new MPS-3 (CD/DAC) and MPD-3 (DAC only) players are coming out in May and they are less expensive than the MPS-5 and MPD-5. The MPS-3 will have an MSRP of $8,500 and the MPD-3 will be $6,500. Both retain much of the sonic character of the MPS-5/MPD-5 but the MPS-3 will only read CDs as opposed to CD/SACD for the MPS-5. The digital inputs on both units will accept:
Up to 24/192 PCM through S/PDIF or AES/EBU Up to 24/384 PCM through USB Up to 6.1 MHz DSD through USB Another set to keep track of I believe they were either launched at RMAF or CES so if you go to Stereophile or Soundstage.com and you look for the show report comments on the Dartzeel/Evolution Acoustics room, there will be some descriptions of these new Playback Designs offering. Last edited by cmalak; 04-14-2011 at 05:04 PM. |
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |