Has anyone heard it? Looks pretty good on paper, but so far, no real word-of-mouth impressions I can find around the net.

That's because no-one wants to pay the price, and they're having a hard time believing it improves on the DAC2.

Yeah, $2500 is a bit steep, although Todd sells at about ~$2200. One of these days I'll take the plunge and compare it to my Lavry, and if I don't like it, I'll sell it/return it. But the lack of any user impression and the pro-review is kind of weird.

I have a DAC2 right now. I was on the list to get an in home trial on the DAC3, but decided against it after getting the K1000

One sold on Audiogon (probably in a matter of seconds) for $1400 not too long ago.

headfi people are willing to pay 2k+ for amps, but not dacs .

headfi people are willing to pay 2k+ for amps, but not dacs .

That's because they are all using Zhaolu, which is the BEST EVAR!!!!1111

That's because they are all using Zhaolu, which is the BEST EVAR!!!!1111

to think about it, its really hard to find a head-fier who is willing to buy a $2000+ dac that comes with no headphone jack.

I guess one reason is that when you are spending that much, most people are getting one-box CDPs. But I am tied to my computer, so a one-box player is very impractical for me.

DIY or something cheap like a Zhaolu is nice since you can mod the fuck out of it and not have too much reason to worry.

If I bought a $2500 DAC I would be too scared to mod it... I might not need to, but still.

That's because they are all using Zhaolu, which is the BEST EVAR!!!!1111

^__^

(not me I dodge chinese hifi)

what about a 2 box cd player like the resolution audio opus 21 that has digital in?

So far the Opus 21 is the best CDP I've heard. I prefered it to the Meridian 588.

Someone at the Boston meet said he tried the digital in from his computer (not sure what soundcard) he said it sounded great but not as good as the CD transport.

One thing I'm curious about for those who have had Bel Canto digital sources in the past: does Bel Canto have a "house" sound so to speak?

For some reason, I keep coming back to this player. Too bad they never seem to show up on audiogon.

One thing I'm curious about for those who have had Bel Canto digital sources in the past: does Bel Canto have a "house" sound so to speak?

I wouldn't say so. I don't have a lot of experience with high end DACs but to me the DAC2 doesn't place emphasises on any frequency.

I'm still waiting to get the Lavry DA10, I could then do a comparison

That's because they are all using Zhaolu, which is the BEST EVAR!!!!1111

don't start flaming until you hear it.

no, 2K is not that much for a dac, but we need to confirm that it's better than the usual lavry/benchmark/transporter deal to take it seriously... that and i need to start saving. i'm waiting for reviews... and the CI audio dac claims to be in that league also, but no real review of that one yet.

Lol, naw, that's not flaming. I just can't take it seriously when people get all hyperbolic about it. Is it possible that it's better than an Estoeric transport/DAC stack? Maybe, since I haven't heard it, so anything is possible. But is it likely? Probably not.

I got my October Stereophile a few days ago.

Benchmark DAC1 is still Class A. The only DAC under $1000 that is Class A. I really wish they'd review the Lavry.

DAC1 should be Class S

...S is for Suck

The Lavry Black DA10 is great, but I doubt it would make Class A if they knew their ass from a hole in the ground and actually reviewed some good equipment. I think that if you take the whole unit into account and the price, the Lavry Black DA10 should be Class A+... but just as a DAC, I'm not so sure.

Lol, naw, that's not flaming. I just can't take it seriously when people get all hyperbolic about it. Is it possible that it's better than an Estoeric transport/DAC stack? Maybe, since I haven't heard it, so anything is possible. But is it likely? Probably not.

it's more of the culture of Headcase to suggest that people on Head-fi think that that zhoalu's are better than an esoteric stack, than anyone who owns it or writes about it.

i've heard the esotieric before, and i know it's the best analogue i've ever heard (despite Tyll's wadia and the Moth-U dac) I also know it sounds better than the other little chinese dacs and good enough to make me wait till i save up enough for something big, like a transporter/dac-3, or a possible Eddie current dac.

I got my October Stereophile a few days ago.

Benchmark DAC1 is still Class A. The only DAC under $1000 that is Class A. I really wish they'd review the Lavry.

You don't take stereophile seriously do you?

it's more of the culture of Headcase to suggest that people on Head-fi think that that zhoalu's are better than an esoteric stack, than anyone who owns it or writes about it.

Except it has been zhalou owners that have made such grandiose claims.

In fact here's a very good example why people get tired of the zhalou or any product that gets insanely over-hyped:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202429

In fact here's a very good example why people get tired of the zhalou or any product that gets insanely over-hyped:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202429

Wow...just shaking my head. What a...er....review?

In fact here's a very good example why people get tired of the zhalou or any product that gets insanely over-hyped:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202429

This "review" makes me puke.

In fact here's a very good example why people get tired of the zhalou or any product that gets insanely over-hyped:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202429

that.. that wasn't a very good review... i think it hurt zhaolu owners more than it helped them.

in either case, he didn't actually come out and say that it's better than X product or whatever.

You don't take stereophile seriously do you?

Mainly read it for fun. I'm aware of their bias.

The Benchmark DAC1 is an excellent DAC. Someone in headfi did an A/B comparison between DA10 and DAC1 and he said the differences were very minute. People seem to have their mind made up on it based off what just others say.

To me the DAC1 isn't very far off from my Bel Canto DAC2. Maybe ever so slightly a tad brighter...but would I be able to tell them apart in a blind test? Probably not.

Except it has been zhalou owners that have made such grandiose claims.

Seriously. The claims Ori makes are ridiculous.