dmcs414

Well this here thread has turned out to be a lot more than I bargained for, but I'm not complaining in the least. I'm actually really glad to get so much feedback on the current market estimate of cost/value for these products and it helps a lot. I gotta say I'm leaning toward that Pico right now or a Bifrost. Has anyone had a chance to compare these two DACs directly and would care to comment? Any NFB DACs worth considering in this range?

That's correct. I'm more than happy with my CTH and am primarily looking for a good desktop solution (albeit one that isn't huge so I can bring it to a meet if the mood strikes me) but it will live most of the time at home. I know the Pico would work for me because Gary uses it with his TPs and I trust his judgement. I really liked a slightly larger DAC I heard in Austin a few months ago though too, the PS Audio DL3, but it's kinda pricy so I've wavered a bit on that one. Thanks for the advice all.

I'm in Plano; Shops of Legacy to be specific. But hell, I'd be happy to come wherever you are and bring my stuff. I'd welcome the chance to both meet another local into this hobby of ours and would be extremely grateful to try out the Pico (and your other DACs) with my CTH/TP setup.

I wish I was, and I want to be. Let's just say I have great affections for her from afar. One of these days I'm going to get up the courage to talk to her and get to know her. But at this moment, no. However, I do have friends who know her quite well and if need be, I could possibly persuade them to help me. Why do you ask?

Hey all, I'm always a little nervous about posting here because...well we all know why. It's part of the reason I love this forum so much but mainly lurk and learn. Anyhow, my primary DAC has for many years been the good old' E-mu 0404 USB, and sadly it's had its last day. Now I need a new DAC to connect to my Asus G73 gaming laptop (no S/PDIF sadly so USB is a requirement) and the rest of my rig is my prototype (though awesome) CTH I acquired from a very nice chap on that other site and my beloved Wenge-cup Thunderpants TP1s. Which, by the way, I was delighted to see such positive praise for here when I showed them off after I got them back from Smeggy. Just to be clear, I was pleased at the positive praise for Gary's incredible craftsmanship, not the mere fact that I happen to own them. In any case, I use foobar (Dolby Headphone, Channel Mixer and Electri-Q) for the software end of my setup, just to round out the overall chain. So, in terms of a new DAC, price wise, well, I'd rather not spend too terribly much (was considering the Bifrost but it's a little pricy for me at the moment with the USB added), so I thought I'd humbly ask for some recommendations here. Other DACs I'm considering include the Pico USB, Cambridge DAC Magic, or perhaps an NFB model. But the reason I'm asking here instead of "there", is because I suspect I may get better advice on this topic, and perhaps some of you have similar rigs as myself and can provide some feedback on synergy I might expect. Thanks very much in advice!

Gary I'd be delighted to send you all the pics I took of my TPs, along with a testimonial. I am madly in love with them.

My beautiful new Thunderpants. Wenge cups and I kept the Fostex pads. I find they seal more than adequately. These phones thoroughly and delightfully blow my mind. Smeggy, you're a DIY demigod sir. Godspeed with your business. Oh and sorry for the somewhat mediocre pics. I'm not much of a photographer and still trying to figure out the ins and outs of my camera. I hope you enjoy nonetheless.