Upstateguy

Why the DAC-AH guys?

Of course, but what I was really asking, having never heard one, is how good is the Zen comparatively?

JB How would you compare the Zen to a computer with a transit or one of the cards Nate mentioned?

Does anyone really think that glass cables make a difference?

E What amp are you using with the Constantine/DA10? USG

Hi Jin What have you been up to since Babylon? The Constantine and M^3 you listened to at the meet would probably come in for around what you want to spend, not including the cans. If you could manage a little more money, I second the 650s, but I think you said you liked the Grado sound, so that's going to be your call. I recently A-B'd the Constantine with my DAC-AH (which I usually use with this Portaphile Maxxed on one of my other computers) and the Constantine was much better so I'd go that way.... I saw a recommendation for a GL, but Asr had his SE with power supply connected to my rig at the previous NY meet and I felt that Thrice's Rockhopper M^3 had a much more robust sound signature, similar to Jack's silver Woo3 (that I also think you listened to). Justin's little Pico really looks nice. I didn't listen to it long enough to comment but if I'm not mistaken I think you want to run it from your lap top, so it might be the the most compact and versatile solution, although I'm not sure it's going to sound better than the full size M^3 and Constantine. USG

therefore he was at the meets ??? I don't think you mean that USG

LOL, Bad-da-bing, Bad-da-BOOM

did you see anything interesting? USG

agreed.

LOL............

I didn't know you could post without registering USG

I heard this balanced rig at a meet last year,w/ immtbiker's 600s .... sounded good enough for me to remember it...

Hey Zod !

because Ray's stuff is proprietary like "special sauce"....

(apparently there are 2 Nates?)

And Reks coins a new word..... Asshattery !!! (edit: new to me anyway) Well done Reks. USG

most of the time I listen pretty quietly, around 7, but tonight I'm doing a solid 8:30 listening to Carla Bruni's french album with the 650s

why did you go back to single ended?

It's my favorite. Gets more wrist time than any of the others. Feels like a smooth bar of soap. Not a rough edge on it. Here's a catalog shot I did for Reto's forum.... this one is the Quartz version that belongs to a family member. USG

was the bright rig balanced or single?

You mean this Pico? I heard it at the NY meet, along with Nate and the others that were there, but I don't think it is in the same league as a Lavry or Benchmark or your CI.... it sounds really good, but it's very small.... there has to be a limit on the amount of electronics you can get in there... here it is next to my wrist watch.... USG

That's very interesting.... bright, bright and bright.... you must have tried it with copper, or a hybrid? How did that affect the sound? USG

Hi Reks I have 3 unmodded DACs, a DAC-AH, Zhaolu D-2 and a Constantine. While reading through granodemostasa's DAC search thread I A-B'd the DAC-AH and the Constantine. (I use a Dayton glass cable btw, for no particular reason. ) I never heard the Dialogue II but the Constantine sounded much better than the DAC-AH through the GS-1, foobar 9.5, 32bit, KS, Bob Dylan, Modern Times, 320kbps, 650s. Not much of a test, but there it is. USG