Outstanding digital components

[griffo104]

Ensemble Dirondo. Heard within the context of a full Ensemble system but one of the few cd fronted systems I would say was exceptional.

The Wiess Medea Dac and the matching transport, silly expensive but silly good too.

Esoteric X-03se, heard a Wammer's deck a few times and I've always been impressed with it.

Most digital components make me glad I've got a turntable, the three above are exceptions, although my Audio Analogue Maestro MkII does a good enough job for me without the need to spend silly money.

[Sand Dancin Donkey Walker]

Hi Guys
A couple of things worth a mention from my point of view, and I have personally owned are noted below;

• Pink Triangle - De-Capo DAC
• CEC TL1x Transport
• Audio Logic MLX34 DAC

Andy - SDDW

[speedyj]

I would add the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic V2 to this list.

Mine just works. It picks up radio stations from almost anywhere and streams over my home network sounding fantastic whatever you feed it.

CA send out regular updates still which is great. Its never missed a beat and value for money is amazing considering it was under £400.

I wouldn't let it go for anything.

[Tom Brooks]

Hello, John!
I also nominated HRT'Streamer II'. Frankly speaking, this is the best USB streaming module I have ever heard. The clarity and sound quality of the music are great. It is a good choice.

[tfarney]

In your experience, what digital components have really amazed you? It can be anything from a CD player to a DAC to an MP3 player.

I'll start, it has to be my Apogee Mini DAC which just gets better and better, so musical and natural with no sense of mechanical interference, slightly oddball looks but then again, who wants convention? :

That little Apogee would look a bit less flamboyant if you would only buy the poor thing some sensible shoes. If you want Apogee and design elegance at once, it isn't hard to find, it's the Duet.

For my part, I nominate this:



Put in USB and it puts out your choice of either of the 2 coax, optical or AES/EBU. It re-clocks. It keeps the digital and analog paths separate, it seems to add nothing to the music - no noise, no warmth, nothing - which is a good thing in my view. It even has a simple 16-bit Burr-Brown DAC chip in it - an afterthought evidenced by the fact that there are no RCA outs. But put that little chip in this well-designed circuit and it sounds really good, even coming out of the mini phono on the front (a headphone jack, but there's no headphone amp, no volume control, all line level controlled from the PC). I'm not sure I need a better DAC, but I want one. The aforementioned Duet, to be exact. As Joni Mitchell said, I'm like a black crow, sweeping down on every shiny thing.

$140. Those crazy Chinese.

Tim

[Filterlab]

Hehehe, those feet were temporary - funky colour though eh!

Now the DAC has its own slate/metal pedestal stand.

[tfarney]

Hehehe, those feet were temporary - funky colour though eh!

Now the DAC has its own slate/metal pedestal stand.

And they were lovely. Actually, I think I recognize them. When I was between marriages, that period my best friend refers to as "Farney's 2-year-long lost weekend," I believe I dated a woman with those shoes. Very frightening, actually.

I sort of like Apogee's visual style. They never seem to have met slightest sliver of aluminum they wouldn't silk screen . Then along came the oh so understated Duet. I'm not sure what happened there. Hired an industrial design firm and said "make this thing look good sitting next to a powerbook," I suspect.

Tim

[Filterlab]

And they were lovely. Actually, I think I recognize them. When I was between marriages, that period my best friend refers to as "Farney's 2-year-long lost weekend," I believe I dated a woman with those shoes. Very frightening, actually.

I thought you were going to say you liked golf, and consequently recognise them.

I sort of like Apogee's visual style. They never seem to have met slightest sliver of aluminum they wouldn't silk screen . Then along came the oh so understated Duet. I'm not sure what happened there. Hired an industrial design firm and said "make this thing look good sitting next to a powerbook," I suspect.

I would imagine that Apogee are well aware of what most of their products will end up accompanying. Shame they can't get the Apple drivers sorted faster!

[Neil McCauley]

In no particular order:

My STAX DAC X-1t ($40k when new)

My Micro Seiki CD M2 CD player when used as a transport

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) X-RAY V8 & X-DAC V8

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) Tri-Vista DAC 21

An Accuphase DP-85V

The Nagra stand-alone DAC

My Meridian 508.24. I really do doubt if they EVER built anything again as MUSICALLY satisfying! Really

My Meridian 601 Digital preamp. Light years ahead, at that time

My very humble, utter reliable and dirt cheap Yamaha CDX-496 which, given it has been used for at least 30 hours a week in my office for years and years is for me (in this specific context only) the most impressive digital purchase I've - bar none.

[Filterlab]

My Musical Fidelity (from batch #1) Tri-Vista DAC 21

Great DAC.