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I was told that the Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 was made to allow 24/96 type files to be put out via the computers USB and received via the coax of their USB 24/96 DAC so that people could overcome the limitations of their (and most DACs USBs) to receive anything over 16/44.1 , I was impressed that someone could spend so much money on their DAC and still not have a simple solution for this issue without blowing an extra $500.Before looking into this I just thought that if a USB DAC said 24/96 then that's what you would be getting via the USB.If I'm not mistaken Wavelength DACs deal with this issue without the use of a USB to coax converter just over the USB,does anyone here …

I am thinking of NAD M5, NAD M55, Arcam FMJ36, Rega Saturn, Rega Appolo. There is no limit to these CDP's only, just to give you an idea, but it would be used with EAR HP4 and GS1000. So, if you have some idea's or cheaper solutions/choices, please share. THX

So what I'm after isn't truly a squeezebox alternative but that's as close a description as I can find. Probably a better comparison is to the Sony HAP1ZS but that's way out of my league. In essence what I'm looking for is a music player with a HD inside that I can rip or transfer content to, has an intelligent and usable interface that doesn't require an external monitor, does not require a network connection to function, and doesn't cost $2k. Perhaps even better put is what I really want is an iPod that's wall powered, with a larger display and larger HD. A decent internal DAC would be a bonus. I don't want to just use a laptop. I don't want to use an iPad. I…

Bit of a link bait title, but I'm glad we're well clear of the lossy compression era in hi-fi CD players - I always turned skip protection off. The test album was Goldfrapp's Head First - pure synthwave ear candy. Head First is an almost entirely electronic album, with heavily-processed real sound from Alison Goldfrapp, a guitar, bass, and drums on selected tracks. I read that Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp were somewhat unsatisfied with the results of a rushed production process, but to me, it's a perfect gem. The anthemic, insanely upbeat pop tracks are well balanced against the more relaxed ambient instrumentals. To me, it's a touchstone, both a microcosm and a…

got a new transport to go along with the CEC DA53 dac. the build seems pretty nice (for a sub $1000 component that is) and so far I like the features and layout. it uses a belt-driven CD transport and comes with AES/EBU, optical, coaxial, and superlink (CEC's proprietary output using a d-sub 9-pin connector) outputs. haven't used it too much, and I don't have much equipment to use it with until I get back to the states (currently only have a Grace 901 to use as the dac and amp), but so far the sound is nice and seems to be a good complement to the dac. I'll put up pictures of it and some impressions later.

Ars Technica just published a salutary article on studio efforts to improve the sound quality of iTunes and other digital tracks. http://arstechnica.c...he-ipod-age.ars I'm glad there's good news about digital, for once. There are still many technical limitations, e.g., the iPhone still has much less storage space at 64GB than the iPod Classic at 160GB. Each portable can only hold a small slice of a decent music library encoded at low compression or in lossless format – never mind high-resolution files. There's also the tradeoff between battery life, device size and price. The HiFiMAN HM-602, for example, only has 8GB. You're really sacrificing capacity for qu…

I'm running a pair of monsoon mm 1000's off my stock soundcard. I'm thinking of a source upgrade but I'm not sure what my best option is. The speakers are self powered so I'm looking at: -cheap soundcard + external dac -good soundcard -usb dac The combo needs to be able to play music and games. Performance isn't an issue. I'm wondering where I'm going to get the best sound quality and bang for the buck from. Price range is whatever it takes to get something nice. Biggie.

Have you ever tried one? Looks like siriouse 20kg shit to me, isnt?

Now I'm down to the following two choices for a DAC - both are around the same price. 1. Little Dot DAC 1 - brand new USB DAC just released this month from Little Dot' - around $300 OR 2. Parasound DAC-1000 - 15 years old used/good condition - original cost $775...used around $300 I am a novice and this will be my first DAC to be used in conjunction with my computer as source (ASUS P5Q-EM Motherboard). Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thanx

While helping my older brother move a couple weeks ago he mentioned that he was going to ebay his TT. I had remembered it being a decent player so I offered to keep it in the family. So as of today, I'm the proud owner of a pretty mint Thorens TD 160 MKI. It has the original tonearm and cartridge, the latter of which will be replaced as soon as funds present themselves. Also, tomorrow I'll be ordering up the DIY version of the Hagerman Bugle which I've been told should fit nicely into my mid-fi vinyl plans. Best part is the TT came complete with 30 albums or so including some original Zeppelin and other stuff my brother had picked up along the way. Nate

Diebenkorn posted this earlier in the For Sale Elsewhere thread. Though it might merit one of its own. They're definitely trying to tick all the boxes on the wish list, and then some. Will be interesting to see what the implementation is like. If the USB input was asynch, they would probably say so I guess.

Any thoughts on the upcoming Schiit Audio Gungnir dac? Is their "adapaticlock" circuit really that unique or just good marketing? The rest of the dac (upgradable dac and usb) and fully discrete balanced output looks pretty good.

I was reading this review, and it mentions the AqVox USB isolating power supply: A strong statement. But after looking around, there appears to be some controversy -- so...what it is? Have you tried it? Did it make a difference? It sounds like I should at least try it, but the AqVox appears to be geared towards the European market -- so is there a North American equivalent? I'd be particularly interested in Justin's thoughts since he has probably already put some thought into this. Justin?

I like the Super Jewel Box cases that come with SACDs, but it looks like they're getting hard to find (Acoustic Sounds still seems to have them). Also, I'm wondering if somebody makes good cases for regular CDs that fit the front and back (+ spine) labels properly. P.S. Has anybody heard the new Blu Spec CD2 discs? I'm thinking of getting Michael Jackson's Thriller in this format just for fun.

This one, "Taralabs"... Native 24bit 96k USB to Spdif I2S Converter for DAC - eBay (item 270517709517 end time Feb-17-10 17:30:38 PST) ... but I read "Teralabs". Whatever, it does use the Tenor chip, like the Prodigy Cube I am using now, but it is a simpler desing (no DAC inside so no line outs and no headphone out) with the option of off-board power supply. I am happy with my unit (does native 24/96 and changes the sampling frequency on the fly with foobar) save for a problem with some 24/88'2 files (does not recognise the 88'2 fq). But "no drivers" makes me happy... Anyone to test it? Padam were you not looking for something like that?

Hi, I'm looking for some informations to my Pre- and Main-Amplifier Set from Luxman. I bought the set in 2003, and I can't find any information on the web about it. Luxman Limited Edition C-3 (Pre-Amplifier) Luxman Limited Edition M-3 (Main-Amplifier) The Back of the Amplifiers marks "Limited Edition made by The Lux Corporation Japan 2003" I heard, that in Japan this Set has been sold as "Copies" that are similar to a Set from Accuphase. Both Amps are built of the same components and assemblies as the Accuphase models. My questions: Is there anyone who knows these Amplifiers and who can tell me, how high a Collector's value would be ? In Ebay I'm looking …

Read some comments about the dac being especially good in the Pico. The real star of the unit. What's peoples experience trying it with their headamps etc. I thought of hooking it up with a glite for a nice little combo, but maybe the lite would be more sideways than better than the internal amp.

Hi all. Since I'm getting in the Cambridge 840C, I was wondering what type of cable should I get for connecting the my 840c to my laptop? The 840C has coax and my laptop has S/PDIF 1/8". I haven't done this before as I'm guessing that I could connect my laptop or Ipod to the 840C and use the DAC in the 840c? I was thinking about getting Blue Jeans to make a cable to do this. What would you folks recommend. Thanks in advance .

Sony's new Top of the line SACD player: Sony SCD-XA5400ES ES Series SACD and CD Audio Player with HDMI Output in Home CD Players at JR.com I'd provide better links, but work filter is killing me.

I know APL's slow speed and poor communication aren't new, but I stumbled across some more interesting posts here. Someone finally called him out in public, and it gets even better toward the bottom of the page. Just another headsup to anyone, like me, who is considering something APL. I still really hope the mythical APL DAC pans out...

Anyone know where I could buy just the transport/laser replacement for the SA-11S1? My Marantz SA-11s1 is out of warranty and now it stops playing many CD's and SACD's. The problem is intermittent and if I go through some voodoo magic spell I (turn off, turn on, open the tray, close the tray) can eventually get it to play the CD. Apparently there is something wrong with the transport/pick-up. Could be as simple as an allignment? but it looks like I can't open the unit up. Anyone have any experience troubleshooting this unit? Sound is fantastic when it works - but lately I feel like throwing it out the window.

What good/excellent sources are there with usb and toslink inputs that have an inbuilt preamp or have consumer (-10dBu) rather than line-level (+4dBu) analog XLR outputs ? It`d need to have usb and toslink inputs at a bare minimum, i2s would help future proof it . I am looking for a quieter source than my line-level mini-dac so that I can remove the voltage divider I`m having to use to reduce its volume. A source with as good or better performance than the mini-dac is preffered. my current solution http://www.head-case.org/forums/do-yourself/5997-resistor-type-make-volume-attenuation.html#post218512

Hey Guys, A head-fi'er larryminator is bringing a couple turntables to the Toronto meet that look interesting: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=248953 What do you think of these two offerings? I know next to nothing about vinyl, but Thorens seems to have a good name, and the other one looks pretty nice. I've talked to the seller through PM and have been reading his posts in the meet thread and a few Grado threads and he seems to be a good guy. Is the price good? They look to me in nice shape, and it would save me delivery. Since Ray and Peter are coming to the meet, I am sure I will have enough people on hand to make sure it is setup properly. I've ask…

Just wondering if anyone's had a chance to listen to Opus DAC? It looks really interesting and makes me wish I had DIY skills.

Because of some Refence Recordings, HDTracks, etc. files, I started off my recent DAC hunt by eliminating any model that didn't support 88.2 or 176.4 kHz. Unfortunately, that eliminates a ton of DACs (MiniMax, Neko, etc.). I know several use the same chip, but not all. Some, like Lavry, expect even less standard kHz, so curious why these two 44.1 x X points aren't more widely supported?