Hygienist

I'm in agreement about a few of the people in the Valab topics; some of them do seem to be a bit unconventional, and I'm pretty damn sure that Bill guy who talks really formally is related to the reseller or developer (reminds me of Beresford posting on his head-fi alt accounts). I appreciate your linking used ads within my price range for well reviewed DACs. However, my uncertainty as to whether NOS is really as bad as Lavry said stems from reviews like this The Nearfield: The Devilsound USB DAC And Channel Islands Audio VDC 9.0 Review By Steven Stone that say the Music Streamer+ (very well reviewed, as you stated) is given equal competition by a Devilsound NOS DAC. And from the reviews comments on both DACs, I'd have gone with the Devilsound since the "tube" sound was what I was looking for in the first place. According to what Lavry said, in theory the Music Streamer+, a very recently released DAC that's been given giant killer status from 6moons, should've stomped on a NOS DAC like the Devilsound, but that didn't happen. You know what? Screw it, I'll just order the Chameleon. Way I figure, I can sell it for about the same price I got it from the group buy, if it turns out NOS really is bad.

I sold a Valab NOS DAC I had in preparation for the $320 Chameleon NOS DAC group buy. I loved the Valab, and it delivered on what I wanted it to (musicality and vocals), and I assumed the Chameleon would only better that. However, I read through the NOS DAC bashing thread with Dan Lavry, and now I'm wondering if my love for the Valab is only because I haven't heard any other half decent DACs. What's yall's opinions on NOS DACs as a whole? Would you advise getting the Chameleon, ever? The only other DAC I've read of that has the traits I desire (warmth, musicality, etc; basically analog sound) is the DAC19MKIII, which is unavailable until later this month and costs about twice as much after I get the filter board (PMD 1000) I need. I asked this same question on Head-Fi, but this forum appears to be a bit more brutally honest with stuff, which is really what I need right now.