[jerryneyk]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

There are many out there, but whether they are better than the Lyrix I can't say, and most of them I don't expect to be better (Alien DAC, Behringer U-control, Creative X-Fi Xmod, Sysconcept.ca usb dac, most under $100, some under $40, except the Trends USB DAC at ALOAudio.com is probably over $150 last I saw)).

As to what I know IS better than the Headstage DAC, well, there is the Headroom 2006 Micro DAC portable, or the iBasso D1, and they both do more than USB, they also do optical and coax.

I like the Micro DAC a little better than the D1, but it is only a DAC with line out, and not a headphone amp, and this model are being closed out at $299 and the 2007 replacement portable DAC is $598 and comes with a headphone instead of line out. The iBasso D1 has a line-out and a headphone out, for about $250.

The die is cast ... the Headphonia Lyrix USB pro total on it's way from Merrie Olde (or the Fatherland, I am always confused on this one). But, for the Internal components...forgive my ignorance on this one, I can use a soldering iron and swap parts but isn't a DAC also a chip as well that can be swapped out as can Op amps? Are there any little golden gems that can replace the fairly decent innards, or would it be best to leave 8.8 well enough and enjoy it. With a new little baby in the house and on a Central European salary these days it's hard to justify the price of a well-worth-it Raptor for example. Thanks for the wisdom too!!