An interesting new DAC with bluetooth and USB input by Chord, looks like a good computer source.

Chordette Gem

and new QBD76 to replace DAC64

Bluetooth, huh? Now that's innovative. I wonder if you can zap it files from your iPhone and it will play them?

As long as your phone or computer support A2DP

Bluetooth profile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The MSRP is

Unholy carp, that may be the cheapest Chord product evar!!!1!

Excuse my unfamiliarity with Bluetooth, but is 'CD-like transfer of music' basic marketing-speak or is there some Bluetooth technical limitation (bandwidth, etc.) that requires that lossy compression/sat radio-ish term? I see Cankin's link lists 'MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AAC, and ATRAC, and is extensible to support manufacturer-defined codecs.' I'm guessing because of Bluetooths earlier intended uses with cells, etc. means uncompressed audio is probably out for laptops users, etc.?

It should be available in North America in Sept. according to the distributor, no pricing info yet.

This screams overpriced gimmick to me.

maybe we'll see some cheaper DAC64s on sale

USB is a good option to have, but I don't understand why there is bluetooth. I wouldn't use bluetooth to send music files to a DAC.

Phones have larger storage capacities now, but so do other devices. I can't see myself using a phone to play music files through the Chordette Gem.

BTW, I'm a DAC64 owner.

There are many more devices support A2DP bluetooth, for eg. newer Macs and Vista PC. I recall that people from Chord said they "think" that A2DP bluetooth can be the next main stream wireless. So, they're actually betting on that.

BTW, this can be a good one box solution over Squeezebox + DAC at the same price range.

I can't see myself using a phone to play music files through the Chordette Gem.

Unless your phone is also your DAP.

Lets put it to a vote:

All those who want Cankin to take one for the HC team and audition say 'I'. All opposed say 'nay'.

"I"

Mu.

You really want useless raving review by a newbie with no experience at all like me?

There are always at least a few empiricals to take away from even the worst newb rave review. Unless you wanted to actually spend time to fabricate something completely fictitious that is designed to be useless.

Dont mention burn-in and you're half way there.

Mu.

At least until its a little long in the tooth;)