It seems like there are a lot of DACs that people report as having superior (if not far superior) performance via their balanced/XLR outputs versus their unbalanced/RCA outputs. As someone whose amp only accepts RCA input (Violectric V340) that is interested in getting into a R2R DAC, should I...

I have a V340 coming my way and looking to get into a new DAC as well. I am currently using a ~10yr old Yulong DA8 MI Sabre DAC (ESS9018). I very interested in R2R based on what I have read, but never heard one. Are there DACs (either R2R or DS) that I should be looking at knowing that I only...

If I2S is the best connection to date and many DACs have this input on them, why is it not offered on most streamers/servers/sources yet? Seems silly to pay ~1K on a DDC, adding another component to a chain. more cables and......wait......is someone just trying to get my money? But seriously...

Anyone have experience with both of these they want to share? These are both ~$1,700 Chinese R2R DACs that both seem to be well liked. Not many R2R offerings at this price point. Schiit Gungnir is a little less, but also seems to be spoken of with less enthusiasm (cooler, less inviting is how I...

My DAC is a Yulong DA8 MKI (circa 2013/2014). This was the FOTM and briefly at the top of the heap when it was the first around. It was touted at the time as one of the first Sabre DACs that had a modicum of warmth vs the sterile sound of other contemporary implementations. I also liked that it...

Recently acquired a Bluesound Node 2i and wanted to take full advantage of MQA files from Tidal. I have an older DAC (Yulong DA8, first generation) so looking at maybe something updated. It seems like the newer DACs that offer MQA decoding only do so if being feed via USB input. The Node 2i does...

My current setup is as follows:    iPod 160G > Arcam drDock (internal DAC used) > Pro-Ject Head Box S > Senn HD595   I am looking for a warmer, smoother sound as there is a brightness now in my current setup that is sometimes uncomfortable for me. I would probably really like tubes, but...

Can anyone articulate the differences in "house sound" between these brands? (desktop, not portable offerings). The newer amps from Jan are warmer than past versions is the impression that I get. I like the idea of a warmer ss amp (tube amp without the tubes, no muss no fuss). I think that is...

I am a lurker who has been fending off the impulse to buy my first dedicated amp (only Grado SR-60 and Senn 595 currently in the stable) and have decided to go SS vs. tube. The two amps currently battleing for supremacy (in my head) are the Channels Islands VHP-2 W/ DPS and the Eddie Current...

I am looking at getting into my first dedicated headphone amp and have been lurking for some time now without making a purchase (rare from what I can tell ). I have noticed that there are a few DACs out there that are headphone amps as well (Zhaulo D2.5C, Citypulse 7.2x & DA 2.03E) that look...

These seem like a good idea, but can folks hear the difference over traditional style plugs? Also, the Silver Bullet plugs are more expensive than the standard. Again, noticable difference? Does anyone have experience with either of them?

Will an amp like a Go-Vibe 6 benefit these headphones? I want an amp to run them with my 4G iPod. The Sony's work well on the noise cancelling but are not loud enough just being driven by the iPod. They are also a little muddy sounding compared to my other headphones (SR-60 and Senn 595). From...

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...headphones.php Anyone actually heard/used these headphones? This is a very short review that doesn't really say much. The reviewer doesn't compare them to any other headphones either. Just wondering how they actually stack up compared to something like...

All of the posts for the Channel Islands Headphone Amp are for the VHP-1. On their site now it is listed as the VHP-2. Is this fairly recent? Does anyone have any first hand experience with the V.2 amp?

I wanted to know if you can connect an iPod directly to the Aria with just the standard USB cord that comes with the iPod. That would be a digital connection that would be decoded by the Aria right? I have a 4th gen 60 GB iPod and some of the songs I have on there are Apple Lossless. If you can...

I am looking for a more comfortable set of headphones to use with both my CD player as well as my iPod (using Grado SR60's now). I currently am ampless, so I need something easy to drive. Who has the 595's in the 50 Ohm version for sale online? Are there better choices out there? I like the...

I was looking to get a pair of these online. I had ordered some last night from Big Bang, but they sent me a email this morning saying they no longer have them available. I see that they have them at Audio Cubes but I wanted to see if anyone else got them from another place. I just wanted to see...

Has anyone had this done and found it to be a worthwhile upgrade? I am thinking of ordering these online and was thinking of just having the recable done right away. Is this a bad idea? Should I just get them and have a listen or will it be a good idea just to get the work done on them first?

The CD3000's clearly have a lot of support around here, but I hear no mention of the new SA3000. There is a little about the SA5000, but nothing on the SA3000. I saw them at Audio Cubes, but the description is not nearly as detailed as the one for the CD3000. They look pretty badass and crazy...

I am new to the forum and have noticed a lot of Gilmore Lite fans. I am looking at getting a dedicated amp for my current headphones, Grado SR-60. Knowing myself, once I get into better headphone ampilification I will want to upgrade from the Grados. I like the sound of the SR-60's but they are...