I think it's time to catch up a little bit on what's happening here at Computer Audiophile. Everyday I'm on the phone and emailing several people around the world about high-end computer based audio. Some of the discussions have to remain private until an official press release but the other stuff I'm going to start sharing with everyone when appropriate. Much more to come in this area. This week I received the Sonic Studio 304 / Amarra system (see photo) and picked up the Bel Canto USB Link (see photos) at Bel Canto headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. I also setup my fabulous sounding and cheap music server that I'll be sharing with everyone very soon. I've had the formula in my head for a while, but I wanted to listen to the system a bit more before I told the world that it works excellent. Also in the Computer Audiophile news, CA's first birthday, Apple's Remote application 1.1.1 update, and some equipment reviews waiting to be published.

The Bryston BDA-1 external DAC has been one of the most highly anticipated products of 2008. I have received countless emails asking who, what, when, where, and why all related to the BDA-1. Many audiophiles have withheld DAC purchases for several months until the release and review(s) of the BDA-1. Fortunately those patient audiophiles will be very happy they waited for this DAC. Everything about the BDA-1 is first class. Computer Audiophile is honored to publish the very first official review, anywhere in the world, of the new Bryston BDA-1 external DAC.

Cambridge Audio is getting a lot of press for its DacMagic DAC. Pictures of the DacMagic have been surfacing for some time now, but CEDIA seems to be the "official" launching pad for this DAC. The DAC will be about $400 and offer coax, toslink, and USB inputs. A cool feature that at least one major audio magazine has misreported, is the coax & Toslink digital output. The DacMagic offers two digital inputs and one digital output. Not only can this unit be used as a traditional DAC, but it can pass a digital signal through to your components that may not have a USB input. Cambridge is touting the Adapted Time Filtering (ATF™) upsampling technology that upsamples every input signal into 24/192. Purist audiophiles may shy away from upsampling, but I resommend giving it a listen before condeming all together. I can't imagine Cambridge implementing this feature if it produced inferior sound. Read more for the complete release including all the specs and photos.

I've had my eye on the Stello DACs from April Music for some time now. When April released the Stello DA100 Signature DAC I knew it was time to get one in here for review. The Signature DAC is loaded with inputs. I love DACs that give audiophiles options via five different digital inputs. These options are critically important as people begin trying different methods of integrating computers into their audio systems. Along with the numerous input options, there is one feature that all the Computer Audiophile readers have been clamoring for, upsample bypass!

Bryston is now shipping its highly anticipated BDA-1 DAC. This DAC has a plethora of inputs including USB and just about every other input you may need. The BDA-1 will please many "purists" who don't care for upsamping. This DAC includes the ability to disengage the upsampling feature. The BDA-1 could be the best of both worlds for those looking to upsample on some material and let other material pass through untouched. Read more for all the information straight from James Tanner of Bryston.

I just received some photos of the highly anticipated Audio Research DAC7. I'm helping dispel the myth that audiophiles have no sense of humor by displaying the back of the unit on the front page considering the title of the article says "...Shows Its Face." Of course better pictures are available by clicking the link.

It has been almost two months since I first reviewed the PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. In the time since that review I continued listening to the DLIII in between other DACs that have come and gone. My listening sessions lately have really been fun and I've managed to squeeze every bit of sound quality possible out of the DLIII. If you're wondering how I pulled a little something extra out of the DLIII, think full resolution 24/96 & DVD-Audio.

High-End audio writers have always been masters of subjectivity. Avoiding direct comparisons and an unwillingness to brand one product the "clear" victor over another are par for the audiophile course. This style of writing can leave readers feeling a little cheated and wondering what the writer really thinks. While this may seem frustrating it is a good thing much of the time. Declaring a component the clear cut winner may unjustly prejudice a readers opinion and lead him down a delusional purchasing path while unfairly harming the manufacturers of the "losing" products. I try to steer clear of absolute terms like best, worst, never, nobody, always, everybody. A major reason is I rarely hear something so good or so bad that an absolute statement is appropriate. I can recall the best complete audio system I've ever heard. A pair of Wilson Audio Maxx 2 speakers with all Audio Research components. That decision was a no-brainer. Now it's time to crown another Best. The Best DAC I've ever heard in a computer based audio system. The Weiss Engineering Minerva is definitely THE Best.

The Fubar II is probably the simplest piece of audio gear you'll ever hook up. I know this is very important for many of you slowly coming over to the world of music servers and computer based audio. To get good sound from the Fubar II USB DAC just plug it in to your laptop and your preamp or amp and you're done. There are no drivers to install and no special software programs to make it work as designed. If you're looking for a basic DAC or a simple DAC to connect to the cabin stereo system you should really check out the Fubar II USB DAC.

I've been a fan of PS Audio ever since PSA released the the P300 Power Plant. I'll admit I wasn't all that familiar with the PS Audio products before the P300. My local PS Audio dealer kept telling me about the P300 and how much everyone of his customers loved it. My dealer tried to get me to take one home for the weekend. After explaining that none of his customers had ever brought one back after a weekend audition I had to decline to offer. I didn't have the cash at the time and the last thing I needed was a component that would leave my system sounding subpar upon its removal. So, the P300 put PS Audio on my personal map.