I agree with the majority of the post, especially the pricing. While I paid $400 second hand for my unit (non-usb), I would be disappointed if it cost me just under $1k. The channel separation / sound stage is what I found the most impressive and immediately noticeable after going from a Xonar DX to the DAC1. You covered my impression rather closely. Maybe the inputs could have used some love, I liked the AES/EBU / S/PDIF inputs, and balanced/unbalanced outputs.
I'm also using bright headphones with it too, for what its worth (K701) and will be trying the HD800 with them later this week.
I'm also using bright headphones with it too, for what its worth (K701) and will be trying the HD800 with them later this week.
"The mids are lean, mean, and clean, which are the exact qualities I'm looking in my music. There is no coloration. If a song is warm, it'll show it."
I think this pretty well describes the entire unit as a whole. It's transparent, and if it sounds clinical and clean/metallic; it's because it's not adding anything - for better or for worse - to the sound. No coloration, nothing missing, nothing exaggerated.