DACs

OK, now that we've talked a little about FLACs, let's move on to some DAC talk. I really wanted to get away from the "welcome, here's why I love digital music so much" post...although, hard as it may be to believe, it's still not finished...lol...because I am getting ready to audition a new DAC, and I wanted to use it as an opportunity to start talking about gear.

Here is a list of DACs I have previously owned:

-MSB Technology Link DAC III
-Music Hall DAC 25.2
-PS Audio DL III
-Cambridge Audio DacMagic

I currently use a Peachtree Audio Decco2, as DAC and Pre into my power amp...and I am about to audition the Eastern Electric (MiniMax) Tube DAC. I plan to post the notes that I get from the comparison, and would love others to weigh in. I can also comment of any of the other units I've owned, though memory fades.

And 2 other DACs are still on my radar; I have a reserve in (although, sadly, I am in the second group...and Emotiva has said these orders won't get fulfilled until "first quarter" of 2011) for the Emotiva XDA-1. I'm not sure what to expect from such a unit, at $299, but the idea of DAC and Pre, all-in-one, is one that needs to embraced by more manufactures...so I'm willing to try it. Who knows? I also, perhaps ultimately, have my eye on the Wyred4Sound (W4S) DAC-2.

CD