https://www.mhsecure.com/mhdirect/product.php?productid=49&cat=0&page=1

Wow UNL-8 without mic pre amps for $4K great price and now for those that wanted a stripped down version here it is.

I love my Sonic 305 (ULN- but this is $2 less and the dac section is absolutely world class.

I think JP meant to say that the LIO-8 is $2,000 cheaper.

and yes I did mean 8 not sure how that happened

The dac/pre section of this unit is freaking spectacular, don't know how you would do better for the money. You'd still be able to phono pre with a high output mc or mm cart

If you type 8 ) without the space in between it does the thing.

My only concern with units from MH or Sonic is that I am locked into Mac, of which I have never owned or wanted to own. I recently did create a hackintosh on an old computer and laptop. I am going to demo a Prism Orpheus soon to see what that is like. Have you heard one of those Al or JP?

I would also like to demo the LIO and the Antelope Audio Zodiac plus that is coming out next month. Choices, choices.

The metric units you have to configure with a mac, but after that, it can be used standalone.

But macs are better anyway.

Andy, I haven't heard the Prism or the Antelope DACs, and I remain curious about the DAD and of course the Pacific Microsonics options, but I really love the Amarra/ULN-8. Oh, and Macs rool!

Macs are for old people who like shiny things

Macs are for old people who like shiny things

any many recording and mastering engineers

I liked the ULN-8 over the Berkeley Alpha in my short time with them. Barry Diament loves them and places the ULN-8 over the pac micro units in his experience. He did a comparison of most of the top flight studio units and chose the MH ULN-8. Doesn't mean you'll like it but in his extensive research it was the one for him.

Anyone in the NYC area, Baltimore/DC area or Phili that wants to compare/hear a unit before they buy I'd be open to a mini meet. It is the best digital I have owned/heard with the possible exception of the spectral cdp that retailed for $20K. I did not directly compare them but the spectral cdp is burned in my brain. The dacs from spectral I have heard are good but they did not shake the ULN-8 or spectral cdp from my head.

I think I will hold off for a while. The LIO-8 isn't going anywhere.

Macs are for old people who like shiny things

Shiny things are good.

Edited March 25, 201016 yr by tyrion

This is looking like my eventual upgrade path as well. Dont know when that will be though.

I do sometimes miss the immediacy of computer playback.

I'll probably end up having 2 different rigs though.

It still has more channels than I'll ever need or use, but makes much more sense than the ULN-8 for my needs. Interesting

I'd want one with 2 mic pres to use for a phono stage ,but otherwise, yah, very attractive package.

My wife just called with the estimate for the trip to Europe and after I got back in my chair I have put myself on a purchasing freeze. The only exception is the wifi tablet. This will have to wait for the end of the year.

Stay in hostels.

My wife asked me to call myself an idiot after I suggested that as she was too busy.

My wife just called with the estimate for the trip to Europe and after I got back in my chair I have put myself on a purchasing freeze. The only exception is the wifi tablet. This will have to wait for the end of the year.

Any chance you're coming by Madrid?

Not this trip. England, Scotland and Ireland.

what a pity. Hopefully next time. However we could meet in Scotland, my wife would like visiting again Edinburgh and the Highlands. If we can make dates meet...

I will let you know as soon as I know the dates we will be there. I want to try to get together with Doug for dinner when I'm in Edinburgh. Despite the cost, the travel agent suggested a whiskey tour to my wife and she seemed into it.

Despite the cost, the travel agent suggested a whiskey tour to my wife

How much did you pay the agent to say that?

I wish I could take credit for it.

Does MH demo their gear?

Nevermind, I just found out that Vintage King demos their gear so i will use them. Very convenient since the rep lives very close to me and even brings me the gear.