Oli Woods.

Only a wee bit - the iBasso looks good so far, I quite like the d2, struggling to see how the d4 is better?

Hi, What I am looking for may not exist, but I suppose it's worth a try... I have a lot of FLAC files stored up on my macbook pro and have no decent way of getting them to my pre-amp; what I need is a DAC. But what I also want from the DAC is to properly drive my headphones (Grado SR60i). It is not possible to connect them to the amp. So, what I'm really after is a combined DAC and headphone amp - preferably at no more than £150. Any ideas?

great, very helpful thanks!

Hi, I am interested in getting a 'proper' DAC, the dacmagic from cambridge audio looks to suit my needs perfectly. does anyone know where I can get one to audition though, as I am dubious as to how much difference it will make? cheers!

Wasn't trying t be awkward, but I had never heard of a pc with no cooling! I can't really see how the processor has much to do with it... if it's capable of processing the audio, then any improvement over that seems superfluous?

well then the only sound you might hear is your molten cpu trickling down your case.

No it will not sound any different. unless the fan is quieter, in which case the fan will be quieter.

Interesting, that's the thing you see, this sounds different but there is nothing lacking in the sound compared to my B&O cd player (it most probably sounds different as the whole system is different). I must say I am tempted to try and get my hands on a Dacmagic for testing, though.

http://www.xitel.com/USA/prod_mp3streamer.htm I have been using this for just over a year now and am getting great sound from it (or rather my system as a whole) and it was very reasonably priced. Reading this site I see that DAC's can be had for £2000 and over (e.g. the Naim DAC); other than 'it sounds better', what is the advantage of such an enormous outlay on this component of the system?

Found this whilst searching for some info about this xitel DAC, which I received as a gift. I am using it between a macbook pro playing lossless and a Quad 34 / 405 mk2 preamp and power amp. As far as I can tell it sounds great! I would be interested to see a review of it though, especially compared to products such as the cambridge audio Dacmagic or that devilsound DAC to see if I can gain much from upgrading. Would that be a possibility?

Hi! I am totally new to this... Today I connected up my new (well, its actually old) amp to my existing system. First I connected the DAC (xitel mp3 streamer) to the disc input, as it was phono as opposed to DIN for ease. This sounded horrible, as in it crackled. Which input is best suited to the DAC? I have disc, radio, tape, cd? Thanks in advance!!