Advice needed, new digital front end

[John]

Even Rega admitted that they did not put as much into their USB input as they do not see this as getting the best out of the DAC
The HIFACE makes a difference but really if you spending that kind of money and using USB get something like the JK32 or the Schilt

[Lee Henley]

Well the CDQ is now sold and the search begins with around £800 to spend. Considered so far

Eastern Electric CDP
Bushmaster Dac
Audio note Dac or CDP (s/h)
Metrum Octave

I do fancy something with valves inside as I really like valves. I've heard the Rega Dac and it doesn't do it for me

Anyone throw something else into the mix, I recently missed a s/h Audionote cd 2.1x for £699, this would have been ideal

All the best

Lee

[Yomanze]

Of those options I would be most interested in the Metrum Octave DAC. £800 gives you a A LOT of choice though with some world-class DACs out there. What sort of transport are you using? These do make a difference even with reclocking DACs.

[Lee Henley]

Of those options I would be most interested in the Metrum Octave DAC. £800 gives you a A LOT of choice though with some world-class DACs out there. What sort of transport are you using? These do make a difference even with reclocking DACs.

The only transport I have at the moment is an old Sony DVD player from the late 90's, Ive also got a mac mini for playing ripped files

[Yomanze]

The only transport I have at the moment is an old Sony DVD player from the late 90's, Ive also got a mac mini for playing ripped files

There is an absurd deal on a Monarchy Audio DAC here (with DIP jitter conditioner):

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread...-dip-interface

Mark (Reid Malenfant) uses one. I would definitely take a punt on this as you'd easily get what you paid for it if you decided to shift it on. Uses one of the best DACs of all time, the Burr Brown PCM63. A big reminder of how "analogue" and natural digital can really sound.

"I find with the Audiolab CDQ that its a bit up front and has some digital harshness, also the sound is not as full as the analogue set up." << the Monarchy is certainly rich and full compared to most digital...

[chelsea]

Micromega.

[Lee Henley]

Should be getting a loan of a Metrum octave tomorrow, see what that brings to the table

[Yomanze]

Nice, looks like a great DAC am a fan of non-oversampling designs.

[Lee Henley]

Should be getting a loan of a Metrum octave tomorrow, see what that brings to the table

Had the Metrum running for a few days now via Mac mini on optical and Sony DVD via coax, I've tried everything to get on with this Dac but I can't, in my system it's quite thin sounded and does not fill the room in any manner.

Fortunately for me it was a loaner and saved me a bit of money since I was going to buy one based upon all the reviews I'd read

Still on the look out for a new digital front end!

Lee

Btw this week I've got the essential northstar coming and the EE plus, I'm also hoping to get a Jolida FX glass and calyx to try

[Lee Henley]

Forgot to ask is there a Dac in the sub £1k bracket that competes with a decent vinyl rig? I do like the sound to be weighty and have great room presence like my vinyl rig, or do I need to consider spending more dosh