HotAudio.Com DACs

[st1gm4t4]

Originally Posted by hotaudio40

Well this is the third time I've tried to do this and my computer has timed out both times....

Well, your descriptions were definitely worth the wait! They give a great description of both products.

Nonetheless, I can't say that they've helped push me in one direction or the other. I have closed headphones driven by a tube amp. Very much a mid-fi desktop setup. My current DAC is mid-centric and, while it helps put a bit more emphasis on vocals, female vocals still sound a bit grainy (I'm not sure if that's the exact word but it's close enough) and, worse, the energy at the top and bottom ends just isn't there. Frankly, using the line-out from my iPod sounds better to my ears than my current laptop + DAC setup.

So I'm looking for a DAC that synergies with my amp and gives me more intimate vocals but still has impact and depth at the bottom end and a detailed airiness and transparency at the top end. Mostly I listen while I work at my desk, primarily to jazz, funk with roots stuff thrown in.

Any suggestions on which device best fits this bill?

[hotaudio40]

Originally Posted by st1gm4t4

Well, your descriptions were definitely worth the wait! They give a great description of both products.

Nonetheless, I can't say that they've helped push me in one direction or the other. I have closed headphones driven by a tube amp. Very much a mid-fi desktop setup. My current DAC is mid-centric and, while it helps put a bit more emphasis on vocals, female vocals still sound a bit grainy (I'm not sure if that's the exact word but it's close enough) and, worse, the energy at the top and bottom ends just isn't there. Frankly, using the line-out from my iPod sounds better to my ears than my current laptop + DAC setup.

So I'm looking for a DAC that synergies with my amp and gives me more intimate vocals but still has impact and depth at the bottom end and a detailed airiness and transparency at the top end. Mostly I listen while I work at my desk, primarily to jazz, funk with roots stuff thrown in.

Any suggestions on which device best fits this bill?

Well yes, what you are describing as "grainy" is the correct word.

I take pride that none of my dacs / amps have this quality...

As soon as you mentioned you are using a TUBE amplifier, I knew exactly what would work for you.

The DAC-WOW.

Simple.

The DAC-WOW working with your tube amp, or any tube amp, will give you the 'wow' factor you are missing.

It is simply my best sounding DAC at present.

Dave

[Dave-dpad02]

I have just received this DAC and the sound can't be faulted, i am using this to connect an iMac optical output to a Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 2 with BeoLab 9 speakers > a very fine sound system,
this DAC sounds as good as CD's do on this player. What a bargain!

Simple, very good quality, affordable and terribly underrated.

[hotaudio40]

Originally Posted by Dave-dpad02

I have just received this DAC and the sound can't be faulted, i am using this to connect an iMac optical output to a Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 2 with BeoLab 9 speakers > a very fine sound system,
this DAC sounds as good as CD's do on this player. What a bargain!

Simple, very good quality, affordable and terribly underrated.

Well thank you very much!
I appriciate that.

hotaudio40