deks

I agree with your findings. Over a year ago I bought a Melco N1a to see if it would better my Auralic Aries/Vega set up. Sadly the top end air and expression seemed lacking with Melco in USB mode. However as an expensive NAS it has proven to be extremely effective. Even more so as Melco firmware improvements have recently enhanced it's functionality. Improving upon the galvanic isolation between Melco USB 3 out and a DAC does show to an audible improvement. However my best audio configuration so far for pure musicality and enjoyment is using the Melco to drive a Linn Magik DS/1 to a Benchmark DAC3 / AHB2. The quest continues ... Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

Have two ways to play at the moment - Aries (full) to Wyred Rcvr powered by LPS1 to iUSB to DAC3. Or Sm200 powered by LPS1 to iUSB to DAC3. Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

Hi Buckmaster, You have been busy the last year and I do like the rig. Like you the quest to find that musical sound has driven me all year. The Aries Vega combination continued to enthral and disappoint in equal measure. Later in the summer purchasing a Sms 200 with a Sms battery / mains unit did improve the sound through the Vega. The Ultracap Lps1 was the game changer for the Sms 200 and coupled with Wyred Rcvry when using the Aries it took the sound to where I wanted it. Total system resolution was further enhanced in buying a Benchmark AHB2 with a Benchmark Dac3. It has been a very satisfying time in that the system now plays music the way I want it. Am very fortunate. Never give up the quest. Golden ear 5's with corner subs - AHB2 - Dac3 - iFi 1Usb - Rcvry - LPs1 /Aries / Sm200 - Melco N1A Sent from my iPad using Computer Audiophile

1) A headphone impedance matcher - iFi head match 2) First button matches headphone impedance 3) Second button matches the connected device impedance

It just goes to prove that it can be difficult to better a good CDP. I had the BM for over 3 years. It's full potential was being run "flat out". The Vega has managed to sound better to me with less. CPU speed and high system throughput without any undue processing makes all the difference. Good luck with the Brooklyn it's got a great spec.

Sorry for the interruption. Like you I realised the Wadia experience was different and special and so full of bandwidth. The Auralic Vega / Aries combination brought be nearer to what I thought was my goal. Coupled with all the latest USB third party enhancements my musical pleasure increased. However the Wadia experience still haunted me. By chance I came upon Daphile a media / streamer audio player and tried it. It is now providing me with the pure musical pleasure I have yearned for since my Wadia days. The subterranean bass of the Wadia has still to be achieved but everything else including the top end air is all there. But the main thing is it's musicality - the foot tapping joy that only your ears can tell you. My advice: Find another Wadia or buy a Vega and run Daphile through a fast processor to it. You will not be disappointed.

I have been exactly where you are now. Mine was a Wadia 750 and it was perfect ....... Except for the slight lack of air at the top end. So off it went. The Benchmark HGC DAC 2 allowed me to play with Foobar 2k and DSD 64 So I was happy for a whiles.

This latest version does what was intended. It does provides an audiophile player with minimal user intervention . And believe me when I say that in standalone 64 bit CD RAM mode it sounds better than my Auralic - Aries / Vega combination. It's that good. In USB mode the players higher functionality is at the expense of SQ on my setup. Try it out on any old PC initially - the website instructions are quite clear and specific. This player deserves to be recognised as a breakthrough product. Sure it's lacking in detailed documentation but don't be put off. Give it a try. It really is an audiophile player of high quality.

CD's ripped with Audiogate 3 and then played through the Pono at 192/24 or less do sound clearer and are musically satisfying. HD 600's in balanced mode or not still sound good with this player. It delivers. What's harder to discern is the quality of the original sound source files. A poor 16/44.1 remains the same no matter what up sampling rate. A good one benefits all the way up or down. The majority of sound files are neither good or bad. It's our own human ability or inability to differentiate between the sampling rates that makes the difference. Learning to hear the difference takes time and patience. But is it musically satisfying? That's the real question we should be asking ourselves.