BillEl

I haven't heard them no, this is all pre-purchase research etc... I was thinking of combining it with the Audioengine N22 and PSB Image B4 speakers for a bedroom system. I was all ready to go and then read a couple reviews/comments regarding heavier music and dacs, not specifically directed at the ones I mentioned. They didn't really expand too much on that comment so I thought I'd get some input regarding the dacs I was considering.

I guess maybe it was just the dac in general terms then that didn't suit that style of music. Any recommendations on a non-dull dac in that price range?

I just had read some reviews stating that some dacs can get muffled or muddy with heavier rock music. Something I'd like to avoid.

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on a $350 dac for rock music. I gather the conversion of distortion can be an issue. To date I've been looking at Firestone, V-DAC II, Music Hall and now the Bifrost. Thanks for any info, Bill

It looks like a nice product, great enclosure too. It doesn't seem that readily available though. I don't actually have the i20 but of all the digital docks I've looked into it seems to be the most bang for the buck especially when you're just talking 1s and 0s, no conversion etc... Sometimes there are the good buys and then there are the "sucker" buys for lack of a better word, I think this would be a good buy. I've also read reviews where people claimed they couldn't hear a difference between its dac and their $300-$400 dedicated dacs. I have been looking on AudioAdvisor they seem to have a lot of products in that price range. Bill

I guess I might get more out of a "full" amp even though I'd probably only use one input in this setting. I was just browsing around the NuForce Icon HDP which is a DAC/Amp combo but it might not be powerful enough to really drive those speakers. I also found the Jolida Jd301A although I'm not as familiar with them as I am with Marantz, NAD or Cambridge, at least by name. For speakers it would be a bedroom setting, I've been looking at the Audioengine P4, Swan M200MkII, Wharfdale 10.1, and now the Mini Monitors and PSB Image B4. For DACs I also found the Firestone Spitfire MkII, V-DAC and rDac which have a couple more inputs which might be helpful if I want to integrate the Digital i20. (The rDac is quite a bit more than the other two though.)

I've spent too many hours searching through the internet trying to sort all the different options and thought I'd seek some input. I'm very familiar with pro audio gear and the convertors used in that arena but not so much for a simple bedroom setup. I'd like to find a dac and amp (integrated or separate) for around $800. I was looking at the Peachtree Musicbox as you can get that for $800 with speakers but there are so... so many other options I could mix and maybe come out with a better system. I'd like to be able to connect USB and either coaxial or S/Pdif (maybe for a Pure Digital i20), I also could take digital audio out of an Airport Express if needed. There are a ton of headphone amps but they usually can't power speakers and I was hoping to stay away from active speakers. Last time I looked into cheaper "hi-end" speakers it was Audioengine, Swan or Wharfdale now I'm seeing a lot of great comments on Arcaydis and Monitor Audio Bronze. Thanks for any input, Bill

I did see your previous post, thanks for the info. My comment was more toward the subjective issues of accuracy mentioned above as opposed to what pro audio gear people are using. That issue is relative to any piece of gear pro audio included. Forgot to add Lavry. ; )

Wow, I love the lively discussion. As a musician it's true the first concern is good sound as opposed to accurate sound. The accurate part only comes in when you've achieved a good sound and it is before a necessary conversion. Most of the time I find that conversion is AD as it involves capturing the good sound. Once it's in there the DA is more about monitoring but inevitably you mix for a wide variety of outputs hoping the majority of listeners hear your good sound. Even with accurate sound you only get one mix for everyone and that could be listened to with head phones, a computer or a stereo all with differing degrees of quality. I was hoping something out there, outside of all the marketing and hype that HiFi equipment seems to be victim to, would be more accurate. Pro audio gear seems more focused on the results and good gear is just good gear but it seems like the search for accurate might be so subjective accurate might not be relevant after all. Thanks again for all the thought.

Has anyone on the HiFi stereo side of things done any extensive testing using these as a DAC? Seems like they might have the most accurate conversions. Thanks, Bill

Interesting. I didn't see on the site if it's able to support flac or different outputs. Have you tried that as well?

Most of the software out there seems to be optimized for working with its built in library function. My issue is I have a lot of media that isn't tagged properly so the library is a real mess. Rather then retagging all the files can anyone recommend a player that has a good integration of directory browsing. Essentially if your files are organized it's as good as the library generated. Thanks, Bill

Anyone have any experience with these wireless systems. They're more robust then an audio only system and cost about the same if you're setting up only the audio features. (You can upscale it later if you want to control your TV, lights etc...) http://www.control4.com