Dreadhead

Wow that was a fast decision

Are you using a computer as a source? It'd be easy to add equalizer to see if the problem is in the highs or whatever. I use one as a permanent solution for me but for you it might help you figure out what you want done to the upper mid-range etc.

I would tell my doctor though

Really? Or is that a function of the fact that they are really expensive and people that have them more often than not have mammoth amps? They got quite loud very happily out of my GS-X on low gain, and I believe (this is a foggy memory) I had to turn it up when I switched to the 650s to get a volume match.

Awesome

I looked around a bit after posting that and it appears that you are correct that 24/96 seems to be all OS. Makes me wonder what the heck you are doing when you select the upsampling on some DACs, I guess that is the upsampling that the manufacturer controls but once it gets to the actual DAC chip all bets are off? The 1794A seems to allow you to circumvent their digital filter (which is my understanding of what Ayre did) and maybe that will allow you to control the oversampling.

Congrats looks like fun!

Well I've confirmed this with the article over at Computer Audiophile. I was excited for this product but it now looks like it's a lot of money to not include the capability to use it without a computer in the loop. Oh well maybe they'll make a version with digital inputs but maybe they did not want to compete with their disc players.

Well screw that then.... Still interested to hear reviews

I don't know enough what all the chips offer but it could just support each of the sample rates and work as a NOS system. I'm assuming that it has optical inputs too which is what I'll be using since I need to pass the data through my DEQ anyway. We shall see what comes out the other end soon enough. I'm hoping Stereophile does a review and measurement session soon.

Agreed. I'm looking forward to the reviews.

Yup No contest there. As long as the USB is entirely isolated.

Do you have a budget in mind? I can recommend the Bel Canto DAC3 (around $1500 used) though the Pico DAC looks good too though I haven't heard the Pico or the Pico DAC as yet. Another to think about is the Bryston DAC which looks really nice and you can't beat the warranty. There are Benchnmark DAC1s that go cheap every once and a while too. I would recommend instead of getting a USB DAC you go to a USB DD converter that outputs SPDIF to the DAC to separate the ground from the DAC. I have had ground hum issues with every DAC that I've tried to hook up using a straight USB hookup. Good luck!

wow

Happy birthday Dom! I'll try and remember to bring a walker for you at the next meet.

sell it and buy a black one?

Nice Thanks

Really? You understood? I wonder why you responded as you did then. etc. You're hilarious dude.

YAY And I would like to make clear again that this is a HUGE guess.

Anyone think any of those units can work like this: Transport portion -> external DSP -> DAC portion I doubt it but I am hopeful.

Agreed.

Yup. Just ask my wife the intellectual property ligation lawyer.

Henry.... Harold? It's essentially an ingrained loophole turn of phrase so you don't use the lord's name in vain as the commandment says.

x2, I'm in DC so there was no traffic and our damn building is 3/4 empty. Bloody CSC.

I've got my fingers crossed for your Dan