morphsci

I'm bringing my camera. Luckily, I take better pictures when I am drunk.

I don't know about better as that involves a lot of personal preference. But as I mentioned the Benchmark DAC1, Lavry DA10, Bel Canto DAC3, Apogee Mini-DAC, Apogee Rosetta 200 (also has an ADC), Mytek has a couple of models. Of these I have only heard the Benchmark, Lavry and Apogees, the others I am going only by specs and price. You really need to hear them yourself as in this price range they are all making compromises and you have to decide what compromises you can live with. No one has heard the Buffalo32s DAC yet except the guys at Twisted Pear. I did score one which should be shipping next week, so stay tuned.

I'm looking to add some interesting new Bourbon's to my lifelist. As far as headphones go: I want to check out the HD800's A quicky comparison of as many O2 amps as possible including the new Woo. Compare the BA with 307A's and AD1's. Listen to as many SACD sources as possible, hopefully a few with digital inputs.

Except that they are also using those DACs in their receivers and sound processors. But I'm also hoping they release a new revision with digital ins also.

I will drink at least two Negra Modelo's at lunch in celebration.

Why do I feel like Abbott to your Costello lately?

The 840c is certainly a good buy if you want to spin disks and have a useable DAC. However, for a DAC only there are some serious competitors, especially if you expand your search into the pro market. I do prefer the 840c to the Benchmark.

For some it may not be a bad idea. The one complaint I have about my Sony ereader is that it could stand to be a little larger as I use it mostly for scientific articles and text.

Very, very nice. I love it when hardware is repurposed.

Best wishes to you, your daughter, and the rest of your family, Mike.

Yep, I've kept two sources for comparison for months before making a decision. Also thanks for the info on the Mytek, it led me to look at the Mytek 8x192 ADDA. An interesting unit and very reasonably priced for its features.

Happy Birthday and welcome to the wonderful world of "adulthood".

FTFY

I prefer the optical connection between my MAC Mini and the DACMagic compared to the USB connection. Didn't do a DBT but listened back and forth for a few days and settled on the optical. The USB always sounded a little "fuzzy" compared to the optical.

Dam, I'm now up to three headphones I need to bring to CanJam. I am looking forward to hearing the balanced version of this amp.

Happy Birthday, Moth Man.

DSD is Pulse-Density-Modulated (PDM)

Emm ... PDM ≠ PCM

I've heard them, unfortunately more than once, but I am talking out of my ass (It's OK to actually spell it out here). Although they are mediocre, they do have the distinction of being overpriced.

Except, the track record is 60+ years of mediocrity, at best. Not really that impressive, meh*60^2*24*365.25*60

Happy, Happy, Birthday, Birthday.

Happy Birthday you wildcat.

I thought he was being cheeky.

No, the DSD stream can be gotten off the board at least on a Denon 1920 (probably just as easy on a 1930/1940). DSD and PCM are not the same though the results are the same. You are judging the outcome not the process. The implementation may simply make the outcomes equivalent. Now getting the DSD out via HDMI may not be easy but at this point it doesn't look totally SOL. I do not think it is too much to ask to be able to determine for myself, and on a case-by-case basis if pure DSD all the way to DAC sounds different than DSD --> PCM --> DAC.

Looks like its going to be a full Head-Case crew x2. As long as you don't look like your avatar.