Folks:   I intend to do a comparison of mid-level (~$500-2500) DACs in December 2013.  I will test multiple DACs and keep the one I like the best.  Period.  Everything else gets sent away.  If I end up liking my current $200 Emotiva XDA-1 best, that's the one I'll keep and everything new gets...

New AD/DA converter with headphone amp from the Pro Audio company Lynx. Marketed to the small commercial and home studios market. This is a full featured box that should compete nicely with Apogee, Antelope Audio, and Lavry products. Here are links to the most current software update and best...

Looking for the most powerful DAC/Amp "all-in-one". Any suggestions? So far it's looking like the Burson Conductor but that bad boy costs $1,850.00.... Hopefully something as powerful but not as expensive? Under $1200.00? 

Just ordered the new Grace M903 today. I have enjoyed the M902B for nearly 2 years, mostly with the Grado GS1000k and occasionally with a Sennheiser HD800.   I spoke to someone at Grace extensively before ordering. They say that no units have been shipped and already there are some 100+...

I dont know if anyone here has this DAC, but Stereo Net Australia board member lil Caeser seems to have heard most of the current ~$1K front-runners and rates the M51 very highly   Just ignore that stuff about the Lampizator unless you happen to have 5K ......   NAD Product Page...

From http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm   It seems like a m902 update with better USB support, otherwise the specs are very close to the m902. Price point: 1700/1800 $     Balanced and unbalanced analog inputs 24bit/192kHz digital stereo inputs- AES3, S/PDIF...

Think I might just pull the trigger on the Audiolab M-DAC.  Looks like a winner......   Unless, someone has a better option sub-$1000 that drives headphones and monitors well?   Thanks.

I'm trying to come up with a list of DAC/amp combination units which allow headphone volume to be controlled independently from the analog output level. It's fine if the analog output level is fixed (at the usual 2V unbalanced, 4V balanced). I want to connect dynamic headphones to this unit, and...

I currently have a corda arietta. What other amps use crossfeed technology, I may be looking for a new amp

Can anyone help as per the above title.   I have this as an issue as when listening to the same rip via optical lead from iBasso DX100 to Grace m903 or via the original CD via Coaxal into Grace m903 the latter two sound snappier and to my ears better.   I've read in the past that...

I am listening to FLACs on my laptop via Foobar and feeding it through a Magni/Modi combo into my HD 650s.   Am I correct in assuming that I should turn the volume from my computer and Foobar to max and then adjust accordingly via the volume pot on the Magni amp?    Similarly, if I go into...

In looking for a DAC with headphone amp in this price range, I've come across the same mentions over and over: Grace Audio m903 Mytek Stereo 192-DSD DA Benchmark DAC2 Yulong DA8 Anedio D2 Linx Hilo ExaSound e20 Antelope Zodiac Gold (there is currently a used one in this price range) Most...

Hi, I have a Grace Design m903 and I am considering upgrading to some high-end cans. I use the m903's balanced TRS outputs for my active monitors so I use the 1/4" headphone amp outs for headphones. I am considering getting either: Audez'e LCD-2 Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 HiFiMAN HE-500 Sennheiser...

Anyone out there prefer another DAC over the Grace m903 they own / have tested?   I really appreciate the ability to control the output volume on each output of the m903, but the DAC chip may not be the best sounding chip.  I see no measurements for the m903 DAC side so it is hard to compare...

Hi folks. I have a pretty decent rig but am thinking of downgrading and selling my Grace m903 DAC/amp. Honestly, I don't notice a 2000 dollar upgrade in sound quality when I compare my Mac's headphone jack to the m903. May have to do with the fact that my headphones are low impedance/high...

I've been on a bit of a quest lately for a transportable "All-In-One" solution for my workshop and office. Something with a DAC that I can hook up to my laptop and enjoy music from iTunes, Pandora, CD Player etc. I got my hands on three  models that fit my needs and I thought I'd share my...

New here.  Anyone of any thoughts on the DAC in the Grace m903 compared to the Violectric V800?   Thanks.

hi everyone   I have a amazing source, which is the ec design sd player sd 1 and I have the beautiful sounding sennheiser hd-650, but my amp, I feel is the weakest link, I use the CK2III amp.   I need to upgrade my amp badly me think, but the thing is, I have no clue where is the law of...

Looking for good non portable DAC amp for my iem,s and hd800 cans I would like it to have coax,opticle and USB And possible DAC output alone or amp alone. Something neutral Price up to 2k Advise please

Hi Guys,   I'm looking to buy a new DAC and Amp soon for my HD650s but I also plan to get either LCD-3s or T1s in the next couple months. I'd rather just get the best I can get now rather than having to upgrade later on so I thought I'd come to the experts for advice. My budget is around $2k...

Hi Guys,   First post on this forum I'm reading for a few months now... I've read a lot of interesting posts, but I'm a bit confused now with the choices I have to make. I listen to folk, blues, jazz, a bit of rock and classical. I will own a Sennheiser HD650 and have at the moment a RME...

Gear: DAC: Grace Design m903 Tube Amp: ? Headphones: Sennheiser HD800 Single Ended Candidates: DNA Sonett 2 Eddie Current Zana Deux SE Woo Audio WA2 Other? Balanced Candidates: DNA Stratus Eddie Current Super 7 Woo Audio WA22 Other? Amp Criteria: maximize bass performance, sonic...

Hi,   I had an earlier post last week where I was asking about tube amps for an HD800.  But I have been thinking a bit more broadly about it and considering also solid state or hybrid amplifiers as well. The thought for a tube amp was because so many experienced HD800 users preferred them, and...

Hi, I have heard the HD800s with my Grace Design m903 and i thought they sounded great (no reference to compare to). I overwhelmingly see Headfi participants recommend tube amps for the Sennheisers. If I wanted to just use it as a DAC and buy a tube amp for the HD800s what amps would recommend...

Which of the two is better for the hd800 ? Or any other amplifier with built in DAC ?