DA2002 upgrade path

[thisbenjamin]

Something I've been thinking about as I work to save my pennies for the DA2002 is how the device will react moving forward in time and with it's ability to adopt to future changes. This isn't to say that I think something should be changed, it's just that in the simplest of terms it will be a significant investment for my family, but something quite warranted given our hobbies - and I'd want my investment to carry with us for as long as possible. Understanding that some upgrades will obviously incur additional funds, could you give me / us an insight as to your strategy in this department?

(example; looking at the manual for the DA2002 it's at 1.5 - if that means the hardware is at rev 5, if you bought the first rev, could it be brought current?)

Thanks Dan!

[USAudio]

Wow, $8500 for a DA2002 is a lot of moola!
Does the model number imply it was originally designed in 2002?

[thisbenjamin]

[USAudio]

Originally Posted by thisbenjamin

Dan's a busy guy and he may not notice or have time to answer every inquiry here. You might have better luck posting your question directly on the Lavry Engineering forum: Lavry Engineering - Index page

Not to turn you away from the DA2002, I'm sure it's excellent, but as part of your due diligence have you auditioned the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC? Berkeley Audio Design

[thisbenjamin]

I've spent around 10 hours with the Berkeley, and it's lovely - the HDCD decoder is the best I've ever heard, and the feature support for future formats makes it an insanely attractive unit. Pound for pound performance thou, for clarity - the DA2002 wins out, easy. My g-- thou, if the Lavry DA2002 had digital volume control, and some preamp like support for maybe just 1 balanced input.. wow.

edit: spelling

[thisbenjamin]

Dream box: The DA11 exactly how it is, feature wise, with the DA2002 hardware.

[USAudio]

Originally Posted by thisbenjamin

I've spent around 10 hours with the Berkeley, and it's lovely - the HDCD decoder is the best I've ever heard, and the feature support for future formats makes it an insanely attractive unit. Pound for pound performance thou, for clarity - the DA2002 wins out, easy. My g-- thou, if the Lavry DA2002 had digital volume control, and some preamp like support for maybe just 1 balanced input.. wow.

Sounds like you've done your homework!
Yep, the DA2002 brought up to date with more features like the ones you mentioned AND a headphone output would appeal to more audiophiles. Maybe Dan will make a DA2010 now!? ;-)

[thisbenjamin]

I do wonder what he's cooking up next.