I have one (hopefully) simple question that needs a definitive answer: when converting DSF to FLAC, is it truly lossless like converting WAV to flac? or is the end result actually lossy PCM?

That's such an unreasonably open question, there's no definitive answer I can think of other than telling you to try one out and/or reading other users' comments and reviews.

The DAC1 plays every type of file you can throw at it, including all Apple codecs. In addition to using it with a FiiO X5 loaded with hi-res flac as well as DSD dsf files, I also connect my iPods directly to it. My HD-800s & AKG-812 cans sound superb! Even at twice the price, the Marantz is a...

It's way more simple than the 86 pages suggests -- too many people who made it more complicated than it is because they jumped in late in the thread and asked basic questions that were answered by page 4. A few simple files on a flash drive, change a setting on the Oppo and it's unbelievable...

Sorry, guess I was misunderstood. There's absolutely no gapless problem with the DAC1, I was referring to my Oppo 105. They've gone through countless firmware updates, but never corrected the issue for DLNA. In any event, I'd lke to experiment running the 105's dac through the Marantz amp...

There may be some incompatibility between the Marantz & Oppo. I have a 105 connected to my mains, but in another area where I stream via ethernet from my NAS setup. The only issue with the Oppo is it STILL won't play gapless flacs unless it's on a flash drive or direct USB connection. As for...

That's what I figured. MID sounds best for my AKGs when the source is the FiiO via coax; however, when I listen to iPod Classic via USB, HIGH sounds best, probably due to the lower gain of the iPod on line out. That said, I did much listening last night and either I'm getting used to it, or the...

Wearing my stupid hat, I assumed the LOW gain is for LOW impedance, right? And despite the relatively lower impedance (compared with 600 ohm Senns), the AKGs need more oomph to drive them optimally. I've tried all three settings but can't determine which sounds 'best.' I'm thinking the HIGH or...

Well, in the six days I've had it, the jury's still out -- at least when I compare the sound with my old (sold) Peachtree/NuForce combo. The soundstage doesn't seem as wide, at least with the AKGs, but then again I read that somewhere and may be influenced by 'mass psychoacoustic' opinion...

Combined with my lont My DAC1 will be arriving tomorrow. I've waited way too long to order it, and your feedback, especially as you have the same cans as I do, put me over the top. Will report back after I've spent some quality time with it.

I've been eyeing the DAC1 for quite awhile now. I currently have a Peachtree Audio DAC-iTx & Nuforce HA-200 class A HP amp listening to lossless & DSD from a FiiO X5 2nd gen. I really like what I've been hearing from the Peachtree/NuForce combo, but I'd like to condense my headphone listening...

I got these 2 weeks ago, and until I saw this thread, I thought my same issues with cracked wood was an isolated case. I called Monoprice and was told they were backordered, but would send me a new pair when new batch came in by April or so. As great as they sound (compared with my HD600 & AKG...

Never had the Jr. but I owned the AK70 before settling in with the FiiO X5/II. Seeing as I use them both coax-out to an external DAC & headphone amp, I can only speak to functional issues.   The X5/II has longer battery life on full charge (approx 8-12 hours vs. 4-ish for the AK); the AK's...