Andy Mack

Just resurrecting this thread to ask if there was any word from CES (or otherwise) on the matching DAC that it was suggested might be out first quarter 2009? Cheers, (sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere.)

I am pretty much in 'notbald's camp when it comes to the technical discussion and it can be frustrating to me that I don't understand most of the higher level discussion of jitter etc. I read this site a lot, and don't tend to post much because I don't have much to contribute to these discussions, but have learnt much from them. All i can do is give my view re the 'age old question' of source vs speakers: I have experienced a deal of frustration spending money on source and amp components, without really experiencing significant upgrade, because my speakers couldn't reveal the difference. Yes you can't make a bad source sound better up the line, but you certainly can't get ANY benefit if your speakers can't tell the difference, and you chase better sound endlessly, which makes it a lot less enjoyable, it gets annoying, you start to question if sources and amp really are all that different, are manufacturers just having a joke at the expense of your sanity and bank balance etc etc Once you've got a really good pair of speakers that you like the sound of, however, you can start upgrading the source and amp parts and HEAR the improvement, rather than just assuming it must be there and convincing yourself of it. I find this a lot more satisfying. As I enjoy ridiculous analogies, consider this: You build a car with a powerful V8, lightweight chassis, smooth transmission etc. Then you fit it with square tyres made from potatoes. Your friend has an old banger, a 1.2 litre engine, no racing stripes- but its got racing slicks. Who's going to win the race and enjoy it more? (ok i told you it would be ridiculous but hopefully you see my point!) Anyway, as with all things your mileage may vary. No pun intended!

I like to check what the guys at B&O are doing from time to time, just went on their website and found a link to BeoSound5. Predictably, it looks great- particularly if you live in a glass box type apartment as per their marketing! Mind you I bet that plays hell with the acoustics... Anyway, specs are not overly informative but we have: 500GB in separate hideaway module WMA lossless and WAV support Photo and Video support and SPDIF output Now I know that many, myself included, feel that their products are often style over substance etc, but with WAV support and SPDIF output, the sound might be ok. Then again, it's £3500 before you've even got a DAC- how much was that Mac Mini again..? Anyway, in my view it's always good to see a company taking a step in the right direction, and for their target customer it might be very nice indeed. Here's a quicker link to some pics: http://www.slashgear.com/bang-olufsen-beosound-5-digital-music-system-1222388/ ps. check out that bizarre speaker combo and layout... perhaps not for listening...

I've just had the same experience- volume control is not possible with the little white remote. However, it does respond fully to the volume control via an ipod touch. I assumed they would be doing the same thing in the same way, but I guess not. <br /> <br /> So there is a solution if you like the sound! Granted if you don't already have an ipod the solution costs as much as the dac is in the first place...

I've just bought a DacMagic! Thats a shame. I run the Kingrex T20u and the KingRex Pre so I like the way their stuff sounds, (and would recommend to anyone, incidentally) just wasn't sure about their little DAC- in fact it uses the same chip as the built-in DAC on the T20u.<br /> Maybe the better implementation really makes a difference? Plus, I contacted the distributor and they suggested its pretty much essential to use the upgraded power supply to get the best from it, (although, they would of course!) which bumps up the price quite a bit. <br /> <br /> Having compared the built in DAC on the T20u with the dacmagic, so far... I can't really tell too much difference! Will continue to use it for a couple of weeks to see if burn in makes it better, but if not the improvement is too subtle to warrant the cost. It probably just speaks of the quality of the T20u. I might see if the Kingrex guys will let me try the UD-01... <br /> <br /> Maybe there will be something amazing unveiled at CES, a killer DAC for £200. Get looking Chris!

I've been looking at this DAC, and actually phoned the store - stock seems difficult to get hold of just at the mo, otherwise I'd probably be an owner already.<br /> <br /> I'd be interested in a comparison with the devilsound, and I see you've listed it in 'associated equipment'. After Christmas I'll probably be buying one or the other (or the Apogee Duet...)- if it was your money where would it go? My only real consideration is getting the best sound at around this price. If anyone else has any other suggestions or can weigh in on the comparison that would be great too.

Seems like that might be a better solution, certainly as a headless server where you don't need to spend £200+ on a screen. Though if you do need a screen, and like the touch interface, it seems like a good deal- my little 7 inch touchscreen was £150 if memory serves. Anyway, just thought I'd flag it up in case anyone was interested. Cheers Andy

Just got sent an email from ebuyer.com and it contained this Asus computer http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150606 Looks interesting, seems to have most things necessary, is £440 (and of course no monitor necessary), and is available in white/black. Not for me as I have a mac mini at the moment, but perhaps one to consider for XP fans? I guess USB dacs/transports only though. What do you think?

A useful little box by all regards. Now I just need a perfect $169 DAC and I'm set!

And it's very effective, really good for scrolling through coverflow. And I've built it into a tower with everything else- i've posted this here before but it was a long time ago now, back in the early days! Edit: meant to mention, this one's from Linitx.com http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10877

Hello! Only my second post, but as I'm running a mac mini and kingrex T20u, i think you should be fine. I'm getting some great music out of my setup, are you planning on the stand-alone dac or the t-amp with dac? Andy

Thanks partly to this site I made my decision to move to a computer-based solution for my music, and thought i would share the results of my efforts. I have just finished the build, still a bit of sprucing up to be done but here it is. [ entails- Mac mini, with 2x 250gb hd, Class-Tamp with DAC (Kingrex T20), touchscreen monitor... and lots of screws, oddly shaped bits of wood and badly cut 'straight' lines! ]