dpsugasa

Made in Minneapolis. The winters are cold there so the hi-fi components sound great. Just trying a different CD transport is a good idea to put your mind at ease even if you don't commit to buying one. A lot of others have suggested a music server. Given that the DAC2 pre-dated the switch to music servers, it doesn't have as many inputs as a modern DAC. This may influence your music server vs. CD player decision. A lot of listeners on this website shun CDs. I use both; at least have the ability to rip CDs to a server. Lots of titles are still not available in hi-res and sometimes you need to buy the CD even if it is only to rip it.

Congratulations on your new purchase. I have been a Bel Canto user for a long time and their components wouldn't generally be described as "fuzzy" or "muffled". I would, in fact, categorize them as exactly the opposite. Admittedly, I do not have direct experience with the Dac 2. In your case, it sounds like you should perhaps address the CD player and see if that changes the performance. While I do believe in performance power cables, I would address the old RCA first. If the issue persists, you can always have Bel Canto check over your Dac; I have always found the customer service to be very helpful. I do think addressing vibration is very important; I find this especially true for CD playback. Again, I don't think isolation will affect a truly underperforming component, but in my experience, reducing vibration has a non-subtle effect. I believe that much of "improving" sound quality is reducing noise that degrades the sound. If it were me, I would probably try a different CD player and start to think about a dedicated rack or some sort of vibration control in a bookshelf set up. Best of luck!

For controlling the MacMini from Ipad/Mac, Splashtop works well. Screens also works from Ipad. I would use Apple Remote for Itunes or switch to Roon which also has an app for music playback.

i've done some brief comparisons. Roon sounds very good. I don't see the need to add HQplayer to the mix.

Hi, Sorry if this is a duplicate question. I am an Amarra user but i wish it had the max gain visualization like Amarra Tidal. Does anyone use Amarra to Amarra Sq+ just to use the gain meter? Is there a sound quality issue? I can't really tell the difference so far. thanks, Dustin

Just out of curiosity, is this because Audirvana seems to mess up the track and song names for some songs? If so, I have the same problem.

Hi All, I am a Bel Canto user and I have been experimenting with using their ST Fiber connection between their RefLink and the DAC 3.5 VB MK II. I have been using a basic cable that I bought on Amazon. I know that Bel Canto makes their own cable also. Are there any recommended alternatives? I haven't really been able to find anything else. Or is a fiber cable a fiber cable? Forgive my ignorance on this point. Thanks Dustin

After 15 years in this hobby/obsession I believe that the secret to better sound is eliminating noise. Vibration causes noise and it is one of the cheapest things you can fix.

Awesome system. I am a Bel Canto user also. I was under the impression, that by using the reflink the noise created by the music server power supply was less of an issue. I take it from your post that you believe upgrading the power supply still has material benefit?

Hi All, I am a newbie to computer audio. I've fought the trend for a while, but I am now ready to embrace it. I've bought a Mac Mini and was planning on replacing the power supply. This may be a stupid question, but can i get modify the Mac to run off the Bel Canto VBS-1 power supply? Apologies if this has been addressed.