jazzbug

Thanks Elois for the recommendation Im just not sure if QBD7 only goes upto 24/96, and Naim DAC seems not accept USB from PC... will lookinto and talk later. Forgot to say I want a USB DAC 24/192 with SPDIF input as well, hopefully Im not asking too much. Also Al Jones, I totally understand where you are coming from, as every audiophile wants their system sounds most close to the REAL music. The question is what is real music? We listen to canned music, doesnt matter what kind of format, the music have been manipulated by the engineer, all sort of recording equipment/sysmtem/processing, millions of things affecting the end result of the commercial audio copy. But before that, what kind of music, the way to record or we can see produce the music is the most important issue. Luckyly I has some exprerience with the recording studio when I was little, from what I learnt, pop music is 100% NO NO to me, each individual instrument(if they decide to spent money to involve real instrument)and vocal are recorded seperately in diffent channel and then remix together, it can repeat, duplicate. the vocal, change the key to make the harmony, one bar by one bar. When we listen to such kind of "music", seriously I dont blame the generation Y just download the hit song to listen from their crap mp3 in gym. That is the only value for such things, sadly nowadays almost everything is mass produced fast food. So when I watch those so called music video I just feel this industry is changing towards soft porn, I might through up evertime when I hear those "singers" call themselves aritist. The only music for me is accoustic, live recording with ambience sound stage, and it seems only classical and jazz music. The domestic audio system will never sound the same or close to live music, we dont know how the recording engineer set up the microphone, the A/D or D/A convesion, what kind of equipment they use, how the end copy was pressed/manufactured. Although I said I just want to listen to pure music, I know I could not avoid those techonology topics. I think thats why I want a musical DAC. Rgds Leon

Hi There, Im just an audiophile but not computer expert, although I have been reading all sort of high res audio info for long I still get confused most of the time. I think I just want something str8 forward, I played vinyl when I was little then CD, and I dont mind the hassle with turntable or CD player. As we all know there is nothing competable with vinyl on the sound quality. I searched below new USB DAC available in the market now, which I hardly can find detailed review anywhere, as the DACs talked here are mainly US products. Personally I prefer European design esp Italian, that is the reason I post this topic, has anyone got any experience with below? As I just need a MUSICAL sounded DAC for my high res file? Thanks heaps 1. Synthesis Matrix Dac http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/hi-fi-accessories/synthesis-matrix-valve-dac-710169/review 2. NorthStar DAC 32 3. M2tech Young DAC