manaox2

Yeah, it doesn't compete in looks really with the other DACs. Its a non oversampling DAC in a very standard silver hammond case with logo and label, small power LED hole on the front and just a power input, USB input, and RCA analog out in the back. It seems to use the Burr Brown 1792-A chip, same as the Zodiac +. EDIT: Zodiac uses that chip. Dunno about the tranquility.

First time I heard the Zodiac plus was at Canjam Sunday morning after some morning Macallan scotch with the Ultrasone Edition 8 along with MPI. A lot of factors wrong there, so did not attempt to make much note of the sound. Second time was at Canfest in Charlotte with the GS1000 by default. Wondering if dealers and manufacturers are purposely trying to pick controversial headphones or if the headphone jack just requires a low impedance phone and that was the most hi-fi of phones they thought to choose from. I pulled out my Senn PX-100 mk II while there to listen on my own. Sounded a little cold and had some brightness, did not like. They should have attached it to a stand alone headphone amplifier perhaps. Saturday I tried it in a number of ways with the analog outs finally. I should point out that it had just been first used that Thursday, so it had very little break-in. Using a mac mini to USB and connected to the Reference 3 external preamp it sounded plain horrible. That didn't last long. Using its own preamp, it was decent. I didn't think it got the tonality of the brass right and the vocals had some sibilance or something that wasn't striking me well. It was clear and had the detail, but not so pleasant. AES input changed it a bit, but still not great. I'd just finished listening to the tranquility DAC that had a habit of throwing a large soundstage and being warm while sacrificing some resolution and pinpoint imaging it seemed, so this seemed a little cold in comparison. I would have taken the $900 soon to be $600 tranquility DAC over this probably, even if it wasn't as detailed or specs impressive.

The Omega tit anus it is then.

Looks like they will be unveiled on the 30th. [ATTACH=CONFIG]3762[/ATTACH]

Same thoughts as Colin. Awaiting Spritzer's first impressions. Stax sure is getting busy! Especially after losing dealers and cutting communications all the while.

BTW, connecting the PWD to the tube preamp helped relax the sound some and make it more involving then commanding my attention. That was nice.

The PWD wasn't forward per-se, but it sounded very powerful if that makes sense. I loved it, the sound felt like it commanded my attention. Having that on in the background, I can't imagine trying to have an easy going conversation without getting distracted by listening. It wasn't musical sounding or fun, it was involving though. To me, it seemed like it would make a decent reference DAC. The rest of the DACs were more laid back (or either more dead sounding like the Buffalo) then the PWD it seems, except the Zodiac. Third time hearing it, I still don't like that either.

It was really great, probably my favorite. It would be intense listening to it for a very long time as its so demanding of my attention, but I have a lot of lust for it. Sad that it is also the most expensive, still hoping for the day I can afford it. I think it helped me learn that I have a serious affinity for music that sounds 'hot' as I've heard it described. It might be something to do with how intimate it is with headphones.

Since I've been trying to get to know different popular DACs without spending big bucks to audition them, I've been checking them out in the local audio clubs. Saturday, I spend about 5 hours almost comparing DACs. I compared the W4S DAC-2 with a DB labs tranquility DAC, Buffalo32 DAC, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC, Zodiac plus, and PS Audio digital link III. The system was either using the PS Audio transport or MAC mini to output to the DACs connected to the AR Reference 3 preamp (when DAC didn't use its own preamp) to the Moscode power amplifier out to the Usher Audio Diamond 718 speakers. The Wyred had at least 15 or more hours on it, so it had some burn-in. Listened to it with each different digital input to gauge if there was much difference (a little, i2s was probably best). I honestly think the Wyred came in last in the shootout, I really didn't like it. Comparing it to the TPA Buffalo32, the B32 was much more right tonally even if it wasn't very full or lively sounding and its bottom end was not deep or extended. The Wyred was actually a bit irritating. Sadly, neither of the ESS chip DACs did very well, kind of bummed about that. It would have been great to have a high-end Stax system around to see how each DAC compared with a system I am somewhat more familiar with.

Very glad to hear that he didn't get to run away with your money. sent via Droid X

UEFI is expected to start commonly replacing the thirty year old standard of BIOS this year which is expected to help with boot times and managing drives over 2Tb much better natively. You'll probably see more 3tb or higher internal drives then. sent via Droid X

No clue. Honest. Better brands in that range? Stax. Hope this helps.

Just got back from an audio meet, I had a lot of fun comparing DACsies. Photos and such later maybe. All I want to say right now is that the Wyred 2 Dac did not impress.

My head must be less prone to farting, I have rarely heard it if ever with my Omega 2. sent via Droid X

Feel better Fitz.

Blech, Ultrasones! Pass me the shit on toast please.

I found it last night fine, weird.

Glad it was my own post that showed me tapatalk doesn't hide spoilers. sent via Droid X

X2 beer edu is fun. sent via Droid X

Just watching it. /sweet

These feds sure know how to put a squeeze on a guy.

Yep. Can never be sure, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet they go for more then 600 USD after shipping from Europe.

Want! Finally an implementation of web TV that won't be laughed out of the room. It would be nice if they made Google TV App for smartphones to output the features to the TV using the HDMI out instead of making them only the remote. Technology has really moved fast in 2010. Wonder how long do we have before the age of the desktop PC is laughed at (pretty sure that is already starting).

Android to the rescue.

Spy, I don't know If I'd recommend you getting that ESP950. Yes, that is a killer deal on some good phones, but the build quality can be wanting at times. Its a good thing they have a lifetime no questions asked warranty that you could use, however your not being in the states might make that very unpleasant should they develop the famous squeal.