MaineTube

Thanks! I read in various places about people slaving CDPs to some of the mentioned DACs (Esoteric and EMM Labs, specifically), but hadn't realized that my universal player wouldn't work the same way. I'm not very technically proficient, to say the least. It's good to know, so I don't waste too much time on it. It sounds like I'll just use the DV-50s' internal DAC for the near-term. In that case, I might focus on a USB-DAC if it's only going to be hooked up to the music server (I don't really use LP, tuner or other sources). Later, if I am able to afford a better CDP, I'll look into DAC options.

For a while now, I've been researching new (and used) DACs for my system. I have an Esoteric DV-50s and dedicated laptop with JRiver as my sources, and the DAC would feed into a Doge 8 Clarity preamp, which in turn feeds an MBL 8006B amp. In addition to the sea of new DACs available on the market, I have a few used options as well: EMM Labs DAC 6e, Accustic Arts DAC1 Mk3, Esoteric D-70 DAC. A Forsell Air Reference and a modified Museatex Bidat also look interesting, but I'm less convinced they would work for me. Having read all the threads I could find on the individual DACs, a few questions come up. 1. Would I be able to slave DV-50s player to any of the DACs mentioned? I am not sure how this works between different brands (if it does at all) or if the D-70 DAC would be compatible with the DV-50s for this purpose. 2. In addition to CD and SACD, I would be playing lossless (and some hi-def) files from my server. If I go with one of these older DACs instead of a newer USB DAC, are there options such as USB-optical converters that would not denigrate the sound quality too much? I know the answers may be obvious to some of you, but I could really use some advice. As I live in rural Maine, auditioning equipment is really not an option. Thanks! PS: My budget is around $2000, in the event any specific new DACs or other older DACs seem like a better choice. Thanks again!