Seldom is there an end game. :^) It is a journey and surprises around every corner.

High noise floor of DSD64 on the D16? I have never had that and I use sensitive headphones like the Focal Utopia and the iBasso SR3. To me, the D16 has a more natural and real life sound compared to the Hugo 2. The Hugo is a very good dac and very enjoyable but there is a difference between...

For me, I don't care. It is the sound that matters and the D16 is excellent sounding, great depth, width, separation and dynamics. And easy to use. I was able to compare it to the Hugo 2 and easily prefer the D16. Natural true sound is what I enjoy.

Transformers are a true art form.

There are two different caps on each side. I wouldn’t use a .47 in place of the .22.

Close to what is in there. I think .22 and ,47uf is what I used. 600 volt. With Duelunds it is a very tight fit.

I don't know if I am the only one. The stock caps are fine but I like Duelund caps. It sounds very good, with a natural hall sound, tight bass and excellent depth and width.

Then something to do with the adapter. What, I don't know. I know that apple doesn't use OTG, from what I have read.

Do the cables work without the adapter? I would check that.

Use the ceramic sand filled fuses, (The amp uses slow blow) as they sound better IMO. And the cost is not exorbitant. There are ceramic (non glass) that are not sand filled so make sure they are. The sand stops any arcing after the fuse is blown but I get them because the sand also dampens the...

Yes, they can fail over time. The endure current inrush over and over and will finally give out. This is not abnormal. You can put in a bigger fuse (don't) but then you don't have the safety of the fuse if a tube blows or some other part of the circuit, so never do this. Also, there are sensing...

In the back on the PS by the power cord connection. Do you have the manual? Some power supplies are fine without a load and some not. I don't know about the PS for the 300B MKII. I am sure someone here does know.

There is room up and down the price chain if the quality is there, which Cayin is proving capable of.

I think so but I would not call the mids lush. They are honest and not overripe. You get the more lush mids with the WM1Z but I also think it obscures some of the detail and quality of the recording.

Exactly. They to breath some.

The WM1Z is warmer sounding. The Elite is more transparent, with better separation and depth. Also l like the bass line on the Elite more and detail.

If the tubes have any noise the Utopia are going to reveal it as do the iBasso SR3 headphones. The SR3 are excellent headphones and I use them much of the time with the 300BMKII with Whiplash cables. But if tubes have noise, they will pick it up. I have the Chinese metal base and they are...

I like the small perforated. I still choose it over many headphones I have and consider the SR3 one of the best headphones on the market regardless of price and very comfortable to wear.

I am trying to like the appearance but having had a cabinet shop I have never like the burnt wood look. But I understand the appeal.

Elaborating from my previous post and with the same tubes, no changes, I notice some transformation. Odd, as I do leave tubes in place but do listen to others but I don't change as often as many. I hear more space around subjects. Singers, have the slight natural echo/reverb of realism. Also...

The Japanese used a hard vacuum on the tubes they made. This made for a longer lasting tube and some of the best sounding tubes since they had such a low concentration of the unwanted gasses that occur. With a NOS tube, once turned on, it also activated the getter, which further reduces any...

Audio Note UK used the 1865 dac chip in their 50,000 dollar dac. The AD1865 with the Zotl output would have to be so very fine!

What is everyone using for the digital cable? USB B, coax or optical?

I am using the Expanse DCA planners. They need amplification or they sound flat and unexciting. With this tube configuration, they are dynamic and transparent. Good stuff!

The MKII does well with the Duelund caps. I had oral surgery the other day. A rear tooth. It seems to have opened my hearing even more, which was already normal. I have been letting the same tubes stay in the amp now for a few weeks, rather that switch them out. Tubes really do need to age some...