musiclover

I prefer without SOTM card (i have both choice with and without SOTM USB card in my server). Bass quantity is more but is very non specific using SOTM card. To my ears sounds dull and shrinking in sound stage. Highs are less refined. Using PC USB bass was deeper and tighter with expansive sound stage.

CJ, Aesthetix, Cary and MC on used market may be an option

Choice of preamp really depends on your budget and rest of your system. I like to have preamp and amp matched from same company. For lower budget marantz AV8801 or Integra 80.3 or more expensive Mac/Anthem should be sufficient.

Hi Selarom: I am not sure what that means. I hooked it up to L and R of my preamp and amp matching with L and R of EXA20DACII and did not have have any issues. Not sure of reversal of digital outputs through analog? Power supply upgrade is really not needed, just connect power source to a good power conditioner (i have synergistic tesla 10SE and has worked well compared to connecting them to outlets, I heard more bass and smoother with conditioner)

Thanks Ted, glad you like it. I am looking forward to get those files of my SACD collection through PS3. Will try it soon as time permits

Update EXA 20 MKII- After receiving my exa20MKII dac first thing I noted was is small size (almost size of my router)- yes I am used to larger and heavier HIFI components in my rack . Installing drivers and setup was a breeze no issue. I had downloaded quite a few DSD 2.82MHZ and DSD2x/DSD128 5.6MHZ files from various websites including DSDfile.com, blue coast etc in anticipation. Oh yes, this DAC comes with a very long USB cable A-mini which I swapped with wire world platinum 1 meter and plugged in factory sent 12V laptop style power into my Power cell 10 SE synergistic research conditioner. I also converted most of my high resolution PCM recording into DSD/DFF files through my Jriver software to compare them to high resolution PCM and 44.1 recording I connected analog out of EXA DAC straight into my MC601 pair amplifiers and also compared it running through my Auxillary input of MX121 as pure direct using it for volume control purpose After about 10-15 min of run in time I listened to some of reference recordings. Purity of presentation through ExaMKII DAC was astonishing. DSD files which I had heard before as aggressive and somewhat bright through oppo105 now sound full, natural with inner details and smooth texture. Imaging was wider, with more space between instruments. yet music just did not seem to appear from speakers as most often the case when sound stage widens. Connecting EXA to MX121 auxillary input and running pure direct, mid bass seems more pronounced with some loss of details in extreme highs. Next comparing DSD 2.82 to 5.6MHZ file, transparency was more apparent with 5.6 file. To sum it up, DSD through EXA20 DACMKII seemed most "analog like" presentation I have heard in my reference system. I have just been exposed to a format which I never could imagined could sound so smooth and full. Well, I am not going back to dark ages again..... __________________ Revel Ultima Salon 2, Voice 2, Gem 2, McIntosh MC601 Monoblocks, MC207 for center and surrounds, McIntosh MX121 , Oppo BDP-105, Interconnect- Synergistic Element Copper, Tunsten, Silver, Power cord CTS digital, Tungsten and Precision reference cords, JL audio F113, Music Vault Pearl plus with SOTM USB card, Screen Innovation Black diamond zero edge 106, Sound Anchor Subwoofer, stand, JVC RS-40, Wireworld platinum USB/HDMI

Hello all: I have been using AR DAC8 for about 3 months. HAve been using BNC input majority of the time and have had no issue. However, it seems that my computer has had some ground loop issue, I periodically unplug for few minutes before startup and that resolves it. Also, when first starting my system I do it in following order: DAC-Preamp-amp and finally computer, and I noted that i do not get any hissing sound from my speakers that way. This has solved my computer audio problems for good and am currently enjoying the most natural sound ever through my DAC (and yes do not want to leave my chair for hours . So try BNC and report back, it will be an experience of lifetime if your system is up to the task.

Or is it possible lower impedence in 75 ohm connectors causing larger than intended current and better load to circuit, thus causing higher low frequency output. HArd to say but definitly betters on BNC on hearing test.

I have actually created new forum on this topic so any replies can be posted on that new forum.

I am starting a new forum on this topic as a continuation of my older discussion posted on ARC DAc8. Ok guys, compared AES out vs BNC (using canare 110ohm to 75 ohm converter) in my reference system. Did some extensive listning and glad to report than each has its own special qualities. I found BNC to be more believable in vocals and better in deep bass. In short very musical and better in macrodynamics. AES more cleaner but slightly leaner, however better in microdynamics and higher frequencies. Would Love to hear personal experience on this

Ok guys, compared AES out vs BNC (using canare 110ohm to 75 ohm converter) in my reference system. Did some extensive listning and glad to report than each has its own special qualities. I found BNC to be more believable in vocals and better in deep bass. In short very musical and better in macrodynamics. AES more cleaner but slightly leaner, however better in microdynamics and higher frequencies. Would Love to hear personal experience on this??

OK, finally replaced my cary 303T with ARC DAC8. Next up trying Locus Axis USB cable from server to DAC, awaiting locus axis to arrive and will compare to synergistic USB in my system will post soon

Hi DAve: Glad to hear that, I am sure that also could have fixed errors on USB out that i was getting through my server. On your previous question regarding USB cables, I have tried few USB cables and found found synergistic to be quite good. Although, I am curious to try "locus design Axis USB" to evaluate any difference and if anyone has done any direct comparisions.

Rick: This was a demo unit and had well over 500 hours atleast. plus i let it run in my sytem for atleast 4-5 hours, prior to listning test. I had some other dac (without naimg) to compare and confirm my findings. Jamal