In Reply to: Where are you Audio Note? posted by lokie on December 17, 2012 at 05:04:21:
Hi Lokie
I know what you mean and do empathise. But reading the many AudioGon posts and magazine reviews, there doesn't seem to be any DAC models out there that really provide a full on high quality USB board inside the case. I can see why Brian at AN Kits has had challenges with providing the USB facility. His kits are unbeatable for quality of parts v price to buy and the resulting sound quality provided.
There seems to be 2 camps. First camp - outboard DAC that has traditional style input and the classic SPDIF which seems to be the best solution bar none for quality (toslink patchy, Ip2 too new ect). Second camp is purpose built DACs with a dedicated (sometimes only) USB input.
As I am from the Audio Note camp number 1, I believe I need an AN tubed DAC hat I can fiddle with / improve later with parts, and that still connects to a good CDP.
The other challenge is USB convertors are only new on the scene, and the development is at a pace that Brian could not keep up with (R&D parts etc). Thus it is best in my view to have a great DAC as a complete box, and buy / sell/ upgrade the convertors as the technology becomes more widespread, which should bring the prices down.
The Off-Ramp 5 is the current model and is 1300 US! It saw a price hike from 800 US for off-Ramp 4, which was close to 5 I have read. I am still hovering over the Off-Ramp. Steve who makes it does offer a 30 day trail, and it seems most who have taken advantage of that, DON"T send it back, so that speaks for itself.
BTW I live in Almeria Spain. Hot and dry, like California.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Where are you Audio Note? - astrostar59 05:50:41 12/17/12 (3)
- RE: Where are you Audio Note? - lokie 11:37:11 12/17/12 (2)
- RE: Where are you Audio Note? - lokie 05:54:31 12/20/12 (0)
- RE: Where are you Audio Note? - astrostar59 12:45:14 12/17/12 (0)