Dear headfellows,
> That's slightly higher than I was hoping for
Well, currently I’m working on a slim version of the STAGEDAC. I’m not sure yet whether it will be produced or not but this one could be interesting for you.
> I feel somewhat unimpressed, to say the least, by the USB input. I assume you choose the easy path (sorry) with some 270x chip, but every day there is more people looking to use the computer for access 'HD' tracks, so a 24/96 USB input is mandatory.
In principle it is well possible to implement 24bit 92kHz USB using for instance the TAS1020 USB streaming controller chip. However, this would require extensive microprocessor programming and thereby expertise and resources that I simply don’t have. Such solutions are only feasable for big companies who build their devices in larger quantities. To add such a solution to the STAGEDAC, which is only build in small numbers, would increase the sales-price considerably. People would do much better upgrading their computer with a S/PDIF output.
> I feel somewhat unimpressed, to say the least, by the USB input. I assume you choose the easy path (sorry) with some 270x chip, but every day there is more people looking to use the computer for access 'HD' tracks, so a 24/96 USB input is mandatory.
> the output stage of the DAC? Will it be opamp/buffer?
At the direct signal paths LM6171 are used (biased into class-A).
Inside the crossfeed paths AD8610 are used.
Cheers
Jan
). It is a one-chip solution (see their Prodigy Cube product). Very interesting 
