Oz, at Let There Be Sound Just got in a few of these new USB DACs from Cayin. It has a USB in on the front of the unit as well as a mini headphone jack. It also has controls on the front of the unit, including volume control. It also comes with a remote. There are two DAC chips. Analog out 1 uses a TDA1543 and Analog out 2 uses a PCM2706 which is also volume controlled. The iDAC can be used as a preamp through the second analog out. I finally got into my music room to try it out. I am using it as a pre at the moment through a Berendsen STA 150 power amp and my System-Audio Ranger speakers. The only headphones I have at the moment are ER-6is. I haven't tried them yet. As you can see from the pics, it is similar in shape to the HA-1A headphone amp and preamp which I've owned. The iDAC has rounded edges and is much more attractive than the HA-1A, imo. It also has a coax and optical out on the back. So far it sound nice. At some point I will compare to my Wavelength Cosecant. I thought I would share this new option for those of us using computers as a source.

Not bad, but only USB in. =[

Any pricing info?

Where's Jay to bitch about the blue LED's?

I think these pics are better than the ones above:

The retail is $795.

Where's Jay to bitch about the blue LED's?

You called? My GOD, blue LEDs have no fucking place in a tube amp! Jeezus.

Yet your cat looks like it has eaten one.

The Bumbacat, destroyer of blue LEDs! I like it.

Is the rock used to decouple the amp from the redwood shavings? Looks very nice though.

Is the rock used to decouple the amp from the redwood shavings? Looks very nice though.

Excellent observation. Red mulch absorbes vibration but you need the rock surface in between to keep the device level. I learned the tweak at Home Depot.

You called? My GOD, blue LEDs have no fucking place in a tube amp! Jeezus.

blue cats have no place wearing headphones

is this dac/amp waterproof? can u still use it under the rain?