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Vic, Was thinking about your comment about the cost of the Off-Ramp. As I recall, I had a similar question (among others) and asked Steve Nugent at this past RMAF. As I remember it, the price increase is not really an increase per se. Steve made a design decision where he now only builds the USB Hi-Res version which includes most of the previous "optional" configurations (Silver Coax, I2S, etc.). Moreover, I suspect Steve wanted his base unit to be capable of taking on all comers, which I believe it does. You may want to give Steve a call/email. All the best, Matt

Until you can get Steve's Off-Ramp, a plan-B would be the Halide Design Bridge. I have tested this unit and it's quite acceptable, and in my ears it sounds far better that a USB input. I've got one if you want to try it? On the Analog side, my inventory of vinyl is about 4,500 LP's. I've used several phono-stages and settled on the Rhea Signature a few years back. My dealer is very tight with Jim White (which is how I met Jim). As for the analog phono-stage I really wanted to get one of Jeff Rowland's but every time they show up on eBay or Audiogon, there sold pronto. (in my mind...one of the best ever made) Anyway, I've use/demoed at least 20 highend phone-stages...simply liked the sound of the Rhea Signature the best. To get the best from my LP's, and since my collection ranges 50 some years of recording, and in that time LP materials, cutting, and pressing technology changed constantly and by leaps-and-bounds, I use 3 tables. (just a coincidence the Rhea has 3 inputs) 1) Linn LP-12 with all the upgrades - mated to a Lyra Delos (best combo I've used yet) 2) Rega P-9 with it's Rega Apheta (amazing combo) 3) Kuzma Stabi - (Franc got me all the upgrades) mated to a Shure V15 VxMR (I picked up several NOS a few years back). I've also used a Firebox to record LP's at 24/96 for archive. So, comparing DACs to analog is ... easy for me to do. I like specs as any engineer would, but my ears really don't care about specs. DACs (Digital Music) and Analog (LPs) are in a manner of speaking; recording technologies representing different era's. In my humble view, I really don't compare one to the other or get involved in the "one is sonically better than the other" argument. (Moreover, I've heard my share of really shitty analog recordings.) I simply work to evolve my system, to the extent possible, to faithfully reproduce the recored music regardless of the delivery media used, be it vinyl or Digital. All the best, Matt

Regarding the Pandora, I'm still in eval mode. However, I can say I'm overjoyed at this point with the musical performance of this DAC. I'll provide more technical eval soon. About the Off-Ramp. To me, this device is an ultimate interface equalizer. For example, I have compared, in exhaustive detail and testing, Armara, Pure Music, and Decibel on a OS/X MAC, and JRiver Media Player 16 & 17 on PC (Dell Win-7), and I can not...simply can not tell the difference in playback!! I take the Off-Ramp out of the picture and I can absolutely can identify playback differences/nuances. All sound really good, but different. Using the Off-Ramp, I simply can't tell the difference, and the sound is ... well, amazing. Steve Nugent tells me the RCA/SPIDif connect is best, but I've settled on using the AES connection from the Off-Ramp to the Pandora DAC. To me, both connection type sound the same, I suspect that is a consequence of Jim White's digital prowess. The cable is an "Excalibur II" solid silver from Audio Magic. I have also tested the AES connection up to 32 feet....simply awesome!!! So, selling the Off-Ramp is not an option :-). Give Steve Nugent call, I'm sure he will be happy to build you one. Matt

Kathy,<br /> <br /> Welcome!! <br /> <br /> Matt<br />

Received Pandora from Jim White last week (he even signed it). Running for about 50 hours now, and I must say the Theta magic is back in force; although updated to 2012 expectations. The unit I purchased has the built in volume control, so no pre being used at the moment. Will post my conclusions soon. System: ---------------------------- DAC: Aesthetix Pandora CD: Accuphase DP-57 XM: Magmun Dynalabs 606 Amp: Jeff Rowland 625 Spks: YG Acoustics Arat II Studio Signature Pwr: Running Springs - Jaco All Interconnects/Cables: Audio Magic - Illusion Liquid Air Comp: MacBook Pro / SSD : USB Interface - Empirical Audio OffRamp-4 Matt

Disclaimer: My experience noted below, was not carried out with scientific rigor--and should be taken as such. It's simply a narrative of my experience. I have not put the Criterion into my system, yet I have spent considerable time with this pre-amp. Overall, the Capri (in my humble view) as a pre-amp is 85% of the Criterion (less the many features/ports of the Criterion), and to me represent the best pre-amp bang-for-the-buck available industry wide. (It's a shame this pre-amp was never seriously reviewed...it's simply amazing.) On both occasions: The sound stage was expanded, yet realistic as there was no exaggeration that I could tell--all very real. I also noticed a sense of space, but not in the traditional sense that an audio reviewer might describe. The Sound-Stage felt, as if the nuances of the space where the recording was done was actually transported...not just reproduced. This nuance really came to light, and was easily detectible with well engineered recordings. Note, leaving everything as is, but just replacing the Criterion with the other peer pre-amps we had (some costing 2x the criterion), this nuance all but vanished. Yes, with the Capri you get some of this "nuance" as I call it, but not in a way the Criterion can...but look at the $$ difference too. -comparisons systems 1st, the criterion was front-ending Boulder's top offering pushing a pair of Vienna Acoustic's, The Music. And, the second, fronting Jeff's own 625, pushing a pair of Avalon's (forget the series, but is was close to their top offering) - Matt

From a DAC perspective, I offer my experience: I just demo'ed the Marantz NA7004. Must say, as a digital Swiss Army knife, the unit is very if not quite good. Sound: I baked off against the: Wired for Sound, Accuphase DP-57 CD with digital input, and Rega DACs. Yes, all sound good...good being the operative word. The Rega DAC came way out on top, and I must say the Rega DAC is pushing the Good envelope to damn near Par-Excellent. (All units are well broken in) Music Chain: MACBOOK Pro running Pure Music -> Halide Design Bridge -> Rega/Accuphase DP-57/NA7004 -> JRDG Capri -> JRDG 625 -> YG Acoustics Studio All Cables/Interconnect: Audio Magic Silver PS: It's simply amazing what is happening with DACs today. There is no doubt that a sub $2,000 DAC will appear that lays waste to all comers. Matt/Denver CO.